FTGH Opuntia
 

I can't believe I'm posting this. WW seemed to think someone might be interested.

This spring I'll be digging up my 8x10' patch of Opuntia (Prickly Pear cactus). I do not know what type they are. They're hardy here in zone 6a, bloom yellow every spring and the bees love them.

If any brave souls would like some, I'll send them for shipping costs. Buy your own gloves and planting tongs.

Do these also make tasty fruit like the red flowered ones?

I don't know how tasty it is but, yes, they set fruit.

Yes, the fruit is tasty. So is the pad. It's just a matter of fighting to get to it. I have definitely lost my mind, because I'm getting some when Dolly digs.

Then again, I have a friend who regularly visits western Kansas. Every time he goes, I have him dig up and bring me back more soapweed. He thinks I'm nuts. Perhaps, perhaps.

I've never had an O. humifusa fruit that tasted bad, but I have had them from several populations that were practically tasteless. And some were wondrous.

I am not a fan of Mexican food. I have no idea what these taste like. I just wanted to offer them since someone on the OB recently PAID for some.

How hardy are these? I'd be willing to give them a shot up here in zone 4/5!

Since I didn't have any takers, I sprayed them with Roundup last week. I'll look up the zone and if they're hardy by you and any are alive I'll send them to you.

Sweet! If any survive Roundup they should be able to survive a little bit of snow and cold up here lol!

Just out of curiosity, what has caused you to come to the decision to part ways with Opuntia? Obviously you are serious if Roundup is involved.

When i was a kid, my grandma had Opuntia in her yard. When we would play outside, we would fall into it or brush against it, so we were always getting those annoying little thorns on us. Finally she decided to just remove the plants, because I guess that was better than removing the thorns from my brother and me all the time.