Optuna

[anna m]

I bought 2 Optuna plants ages ago. I fed one to my 2 boys and left the other one alone. So the plant grew a bit on top then another bit and then another. Now it's looking to be toppling over. The new growths are thin. If I divided it up by sections would this be ok? Would it grow new plants?

Also the plant I cut up, well cut to the ground has a small Optuna growing, I've never even watered this as I thought the plant had died but never got round to empting the pot

Really I need to ask, are they easy to grow? Also what about the spikes? If I cut one up and left a few spikes would it grow? Or is that asking too much? Do they need the complete blade?

[Alan1]

Some info here http://www.glenhirstcactiandpalms.co...stortoise.html

I doubt if it would grow cut up, the roots would grow from the bit that was previously attached to the main plant I think but I'm only guessing

[Kirkie]

Hi Anna,

I've had Opuntia grow back from half eaten pads. They go grow quite slowly but the routine I use is to leave them alone with no watering through the winter months then water once a week in the summer. They put on a huge growth spurt after the first watering and the pads balloon up as they take on and hold the water. Mine are in the porch of my house which is fully glazed and very hot. They love it.

[anna m]

Thanks Alan and Kirkie
I've never had flowers on my plants
That would be nice

[Kirkie]

Anna,

I took this especially for you. In the middle is an Opuntia cactus I left out in the garden last summer. Snails demolished it as you can see from the bottom piece but it's growing back!


Never give up on a cactus

[anna m]

Thanks Kirkie
Only just found this
Can they grow outside? Or not recommened?
There's no room in this house for me what with the animals and plants

[andy1]

Anna

Many types of opuntia can be grown outside as most are frost hardy, however they dont like to be cold and wet.


you can grow them direct in the ground or in pots, but either way there must be plenty of drainage,

In the sring,summer and autumm most will do well ,but i have had mixed sucsess leaving pots out over winter,some people erect simple covers over to keep them dry, put them on a south facing balcony, or under a porch all have worked.

In summer as long as the pots are not in saucers it is unlikely to cause them any harm getting wet in the rain, in fact most people keep cacti to dry anyway.If kept outside what you will notice is they wont be as prolific in forming new pads, but what the pads will do is swell to a much thicker proportion to those kept dry and in a greenhouse or similar.

I can supply many different types ,email or pm for prices

Andy lewis.67@googlemail.com