Ok thanks guys, how long will roots take to form, will it be weeks or months?

So I planted an opuntia velutina pad about 10 days ago, and I don't think any roots have formed yet. Anyhow, it is starting to look a little withdrawn and shrivelling a little. Is this a sign it needs watering? I am going on holiday for a week tommorow so won't be able to tend to it during that time...

They are rather cute and irresistible aren't they
Now you're going to have to grow some edible cactus for him/her...

Hi, I don't know much about cacti, so wondered what is the big ball thing?
Thanks

I got one! I got one! Check the sticky pet thread under Free For All.

Yay You got a really nice russian/horsfield there! Lovely smooth shell it has, where did you get him/her from in the end?

I'm sure you'll enjoy your new addition whenever you get it and whatever type you decide on. They really are great little things! Don't worry, you didn't hijack the thread, I got my answer and my tortoise had his first munch on the sacrificed pad this morning

Thanks for the help everyone the cactus pad destined for growing has been potted up! If you want a tortoise, there are many options like horsfields (aka russians), hermanns (the type that I have). They are small in size, quite simple to look after as far as tortoises go and hibernate. There are othe...

Thanks, have done.
Also, its an opuntia velutina, does anyone know the growth rate of it, or when more pads might start growing off it?

So I want to grow on a opuntia velutina pad for a food source to my tortoise (see my other thread for pics). It's end seems to be 'scarred' over, or just basically no fresh flesh is showing at the break off point. I have a pot ready to put it into, but just wandered, do you just put it in there and ...

Here's Elvis, 11 month old hermanns tortoise. He weighs 31 grams :) http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn167/xBeax16/S7001319-1.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn167/xBeax16/S7001363.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn167/xBeax16/S7001285.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn167/xBe...

Ok, so if I sacrificed one pad and chopped bits off, would it be ok at room temperature or would it have to be a fridge? And also, what do I do with the pad I want to grow on? It hasn't got any roots and is approx 8cm tall, 5cm wide. I'll post some pictures of my tortoise in a bit just got to get so...

I have recently purchased 2 opuntia veluntina (sp?) cactus pads (un-rooted) to feed to my tiny tortoise (4cm). I was going to plant them, and grow one on and feed the other. Thing is, too much of them is bad for my tortoise, so it would have to be fed over a couple of months. I don't know much about...

Thanks for the ID and the tips!

Hi, I have no idea what this is. I think ut is a succulent? maybe an aloe (zebra one)? Anyway, I have several, some small and a medium one and a big one that has dried up at the bottom (basically nobody in the house watered the pot for months! i am trying to rescue them) the pics: http://i304.photob...

Ok, as promised an update! I don't think the cactus is looking too good, or maybe it's supposed to react this way?: http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn167/xBeax16/S7001125.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn167/xBeax16/S7001126.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn167/xBeax16/S7001127.jp...