Solved Cactus - opuntia (?) Hardy or purely indoor

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Alisa, May 13, 2025.

  1. Alisa

    Alisa Super Gardener

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    I decided I waited long enough, I need an advice. I have a cactus, bought a few years ago at Lidl. It since grown just one segment and stays dormant for maybe 3-4 years now.
    I think it's opuntia, but which? How to make it happier, so that it grows? Not sure if it's hardy and should be moved out into my greenhouse. Don't want to freeze it (during the winter if left in the greenhouse).
    Very prickly btw :) I even remember cashier been pricked at till while scanning it.
    20250513_142208.jpg 20250513_142200.jpg 20250513_142153.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2025
  2. On the Levels

    On the Levels Total Gardener

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    Many years ago we were given an enormous one from somebody who didn't have the space anymore. A friend took us in his jeep to collect it and what a sight we made driving along the roads with this Opuntia strapped down and towering above everybody. The police car next to us did a double take!
    Once home we planted it in the soil in our greenhouse where it stayed for years. We gave it nothing in the way of insulation in the winter and never watered it. Then it became even bigger and was on the way to taking out the glass panes on the roof and the sides. So we had to do some surgery which it didn't like. After decades we decided it had to go and what a nightmare that was.
    Only know that it was an Opuntia but which one, no idea.
    Your Sarracenias look good.
     
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    • Alisa

      Alisa Super Gardener

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      Omg, I can imagine how big opuntia was.
      Nope, I don't want it grow quickly, 1 segment a year would be enough :)
      Sarracenia:
      20250513_152947.jpg
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I've got some outside, opuntias that is,in sunny sheltered places close to the house wall.
        They have been frozen solid some winters and survive.
        Unfortunately I don't know which they are just random seed collected in the wild many years ago.
        They are the simplest things to root cuttings from, so I'd take a cutting and put the mother plant in the greenhouse.
         
      • Philippa

        Philippa Gardener

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        The only Opuntia I've grown outside in a previous garden was O robusta - did well in a S facing site and flowered every year ( large yellow flowers ).
        If you are unsure of your variety, I'd do as @pete suggests.
         
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        • Alisa

          Alisa Super Gardener

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          Thank you, decided, in the greenhouse it goes.
           
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