opuntia rooting?

Multiplying your cacti vegetatively.
Post Reply
Rachael321
Posts: 56
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:01 am
Location: Tasmania, Australia

opuntia rooting?

Post by Rachael321 »

These small blobs came off the big plant pictured poking up above the 6 foot high fence you can see. One was on the ground, the other I snapped off. Are the small blobs too small/immature to root? Do I need to cut the broken stalk bit off or slice right across the base of the blobs to expose flesh to get them to root?

Also any ideas what species? The blobs are about 2inches each and have a half inch depression in the tops (pic3).

Thanks
Image
Image
Image
User avatar
Andy_CT
Posts: 2101
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:44 am
Location: Connecticut, USA

Post by Andy_CT »

That looks like Opuntia Ficus-Indica

Those blobs are unripened fruits, I'm not sure about this species but some fruits will root and start a new plant. They root through the areoles so you don't need to expose flesh underneath. The easier way to start a plant is to cut a large pad of the main plant, let the cut area dry for a week then plant. It will root quickly in warm weather.
ihc6480
Posts: 5838
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:39 am
Location: Kansas City, Kansas--USA

Post by ihc6480 »

I agree with Andy on his ID and growing tips :wink:
Bill

If it sticks ya or pokes ya, I like it
User avatar
TimN
Posts: 3443
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:01 pm
Location: Phoenix, Arizona USA

Post by TimN »

You can root some Opuntia fruit, but they make funny looking plants that take a while to look like anything (compared to rooting a cladode.)
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.

Tim
Saguaro123
Posts: 2974
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:17 am
Location: SF Bay Area (Zone 9b)

Post by Saguaro123 »

TimN wrote:You can root some Opuntia fruit, but they make funny looking plants that take a while to look like anything (compared to rooting a cladode.)
Well, you could sell it on ebay and call it a monstrose. :lol:

What does a rooted fruit look like?
Loph
Posts: 1027
Joined: Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:46 am
Location: Taiwan (south)
Contact:

Post by Loph »

the fruit is delicious when ripe! great for adding colour and mild flavour to juices and teas 8)
Stephen Robert Irwin: 22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006. Rest In Peace.
User avatar
birdguy34
Posts: 812
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 4:04 am
Location: No. Calif.

Post by birdguy34 »

Byron,
Here are a couple of rooted Opuntia fruits I found in the driveway. I believe there are O. elata or possibly anacantha. It blooms later than most other Opuntias I have here, so the fruits are usually sterile and almost all grow into new plants when they hit the ground. They make great grafting stock also. ImageImage
daiv
Site Admin
Posts: 23625
Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:15 pm
Location: Long Prairie, MN
Contact:

Post by daiv »

I've rooted A. cylindrica from a fruit and it came up 'normal'. No unusual growth on that one.
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
Saguaro123
Posts: 2974
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:17 am
Location: SF Bay Area (Zone 9b)

Post by Saguaro123 »

They do kind of have some thin pads.
Thanks for the example Chris. :)
Moonbeam
Posts: 678
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:32 am
Location: Bacliff, Galveston County, TX
Contact:

Post by Moonbeam »

I planted a fruit from one and it is growing and flowering. Old pic, it's gettin' really big now.

Image

The ones in front are not the same as the ones in back. They were just temporarily sharing a pot.
ihc6480
Posts: 5838
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:39 am
Location: Kansas City, Kansas--USA

Post by ihc6480 »

Thats pretty neat Moonbeam :wink: Nice flower too :)
Bill

If it sticks ya or pokes ya, I like it
daiv
Site Admin
Posts: 23625
Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:15 pm
Location: Long Prairie, MN
Contact:

Post by daiv »

Yeah, I love the flower right off the fruit like that!
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
Post Reply