Prickly pear cactus
Prickly pear cactus (Genus Opuntia). This is a very hardy plant and the most cactus throughout the Southwest. Very drought tolerant and easy care cactus. Plant them and you can basically leave them alone.
These are considered no water plants and great for rock or Xeriscape landscapes Ideas.
Prickly pear cactus
Many folks think the prickly pear will not develop any problems, but they will. Overwatering is the biggest mistake most folks do. You should water about once per week during the first month after that don’t water! No, Really never water again.
You will have a tuff time growing a cactus plants in hard, caliche soil. They like soft sandy dirt. Their root system is shallow and will typically stay near the top of the soil. They are easy to propagate remove a cactus paddle and place in soft cactus mix apply water and it will grow.
Prickly Pear Cactus do not like fertilizer, however, you can use it at half the recommended ratio if it is having problems growing. Be sure to use cactus soil mix when planting in the ground or in a container, ask for it at your local Nursery retail store.
How to care for your prickly pear cactus
They can get diseases, insects, and fungus just like other heavy water usage plants. Mealybugs, cactus scale, and mites are two of the biggest concerns for this plant. However, you can treat them basically the same as regular watering shrubs.
Prickly cactus produces large yellow, red or purple flowers that lay on the edges of the spine-covered pads usually bloom after good summer rainfall. In the winter the pads turn to a rich purple color and return to a soft blue-gray with warmer weather.
Orange Blooming Prickly Pear Cactus
Plant them where you want privacy or to help keep animals and people away. This cactus needs no water after initial planting. Almost no maintenance what-so-ever. You can give them extra water during drought years. Doing so will give them a spurt of growth.
Yellow Blooming Prickly Pear Cactus
They will do well in a rock garden or Xeriscape landscape.
Are you having problems with your prickly pear cactus? You can always ask Gary or Paul…He knows desert plants and he can almost always tell you what might be the problem. Just click here and ask your question.
How to Care for your Cactus
Don’t over-water it. Most folks over water this cactus you only have to water it at initial planting. After that do not water. If your cactus is in a container you should water occasionally about once per month tops.
I sound a redundant here but prickly pear cactus do not like fertilizer if it looks a little yellow try applying cactus juice or fertilizer at half the recommended ratio. Cactus juice will help with growth and greener color.
It is susceptible to mealybugs and scale. These insects will attack cactus especially the prickly pear. Mealybugs are small insects that look similar to small bunches of cotton.
Learn how to remove mealybugs by visiting this page. Insects and Diseases on plants.
Color Your World Nursery Located in Las Cruces, NM will usually carry the prickly pear cactus. Be sure to ask for them at your local retail/wholesale nursery.
