r/Opuntia

These plants never cease to amaze and impress. Picture 1 is the result of reading this sub a while back and noting someone’s comment about the hardiness of opuntia’s and that even a paddle falling on the ground will just grow new roots and start a whole new plant. Smash cut to….

A few weeks later a wind storm knocked down the arm of the parent plant in Picture 2 and a few paddles that I rooted in some pots to eventually plant around the property. While cleaning up the fallen arm, the aforementioned Redditor’s comment made its way to the forefront of my brain and I just decided to stick it randomly in some dirt (ie, sand) in a back corner, out of the way landscaping area (you can see the weed-block fabric I pulled up to get to the bare earth) and let it ride.

It sat there for weeks just chilling when all of a sudden - is that? Yep, sure as shit there another paddle popping up. Just how we draw up the plays, right team? 😂

Anyway. Nothing amazing or new here in this message, just another humble cactus and succulent fan continually impressed at their innate ability to grow and thrive.

Oh, and funny enough, the parent plant was probably the size of the plant in Picture 1 when I bought her at Hime Depot and planted her. :)

I bought this Opuntia yesterday, not sure of the species..

gosseliniana, macrocentra, azurea? I find it impossible to tell those apart.

I didn't find many pictures online of either species with this coloring.

This is probably my most special plant. In the fourth picture you can see the original wild collected pad that I started this native Kansas cacti from. I love seeing that new green growth as he goes into his third growing season since I've had him. I left him outside all winter. Gave him a proper dormancy. I'm really hoping this is the summer that I get flowers.

I will update in a couple months with the new growth and if he flowers.

I ordered this cutting off etsy and it’s been in soil for a month. About how long should it take until I see growth and is the top okay? It looks like mold but that’s how I received it or it could just be dry I’m only watering it every 2 weeks since there’s little to no roots. Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

at the galapagos tortoise exhibit of the Cincinnati zoo. zone 6b