A few years ago i was given some pads from a giant plant. Stupidly I planted them in a prominent space so I could see their progress anytime I wanted to. Unfortunately it was also near where my kids play in the yard. They thrives and grew large, flowered beautifully and produced a healthy amount of fruit. Everyone in the family has also had to pick hundreds of needles out of their sports equipment and flesh. I have a place nice a quiet and out of the way I’d love to plant them but it’s not near the sun they had. Can I just plant the rooted crowns as is? Can I separate the pads and let them cork over then bury them halfway? This one really hurt and it was completely my fault 😭
by spootay
7 Comments
Yes. Replant pads and rooted sections. Let the new pads callous over .
How did you plant the pads you were given before?
Yes you can absolutely replant just are you described. My Opuntia sit in semi shade getting only late afternoon sun and are doing great with lots of flowers. Just make sure the spot is also dry.
https://preview.redd.it/6bcc1p9t3img1.png?width=2336&format=png&auto=webp&s=65b0fa1636a8bb7524c194794fb9c5d3cd2d0f06
Do it all the time, these I grabbed from trash piles. They multiply a ton every year, you’ll have more than you know what to do with again in time. Handle with a large piece of cardboard and cheap gloves. Separate the pads carefully, mark with a small X which side faced the sun, place them all in a partially shaded area for 2 weeks to harden up (prevent rot)
Then slightly bury or prop one end against some very DRY soil with lots of perlite, checking the X/sun direction… then sparsely water after another 1-2 weeks while gradually increasing sunlight. Give it a real good deep water after they have been in soil for a month+ at least or you see a ton of roots. Can transfer to your yard or a bigger pot 2-4months after they were first watered, keeps rocks away to prevent scorching
Yes. This is kind of what prickly pears are most known for.
I feel for you!!! I was given some prickly pear cactus chunks and was so excited to plant them. Well, the needles went thru my glove and it hurt. And I realized I do not have any full sun space at all where they can live in peace and I can also live in peace, so I trashed them. I hope yours do okay in their next spot!!
If you plant them horizontally, they’ll have more area to grow roots and will be more stable.