Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
We have topics about "nopalito" - Opuntia pads - use like vegetable.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26103
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16160
I think it is time to have a topic about Opuntia species, varieties cultivated for this purpose.
I opened this topic because I intend to present few of my plants that I grow for this purpose. But I don't know or I'm not sure what species they are.
I hope that if there are other colleagues who cultivate Opuntia as vegetables, they will present their plants, too.
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This topic is not intended to identify which species are edible.
For those who want to grow these plants like vegetable is better to consult the specialists about what kind of species, varieties are good for consumption.
Some say it would be all, other say that not all are edible. I am inclined to believe that not all are edible.
Also need to know what parts to harvest, and perhaps for some species, or for a given geographic area to know when it is the harvest season.
As in general, only young clatodes (pads) are good to eat.
Also, as we know, Opuntia has glochide, so you need to know how to harvest them and how to clean them.
And of course you must to know how to cook.
To be honest, the expert in these matters is mother-in-law. I am agree, as cactushobbyman written here, mother-in-law is the master in this field. I just gardening but I can testify that salad, presented in photo by cactushobbyman, is delicious .
So again, my advice is to ask the experts about what is good to eat. My experience is too low in this area so I can't give authorized advice.
In addition, I must admit that my English writing may contain errors of expression. If it happens, thanks for any correction.
---
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26103
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16160
I think it is time to have a topic about Opuntia species, varieties cultivated for this purpose.
I opened this topic because I intend to present few of my plants that I grow for this purpose. But I don't know or I'm not sure what species they are.
I hope that if there are other colleagues who cultivate Opuntia as vegetables, they will present their plants, too.
---
This topic is not intended to identify which species are edible.
For those who want to grow these plants like vegetable is better to consult the specialists about what kind of species, varieties are good for consumption.
Some say it would be all, other say that not all are edible. I am inclined to believe that not all are edible.
Also need to know what parts to harvest, and perhaps for some species, or for a given geographic area to know when it is the harvest season.
As in general, only young clatodes (pads) are good to eat.
Also, as we know, Opuntia has glochide, so you need to know how to harvest them and how to clean them.
And of course you must to know how to cook.
To be honest, the expert in these matters is mother-in-law. I am agree, as cactushobbyman written here, mother-in-law is the master in this field. I just gardening but I can testify that salad, presented in photo by cactushobbyman, is delicious .
So again, my advice is to ask the experts about what is good to eat. My experience is too low in this area so I can't give authorized advice.
In addition, I must admit that my English writing may contain errors of expression. If it happens, thanks for any correction.
---
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
Opuntia 004
(004 is my code to call this Opuntia - )
Habit:
I'll post soon, I hope tomorrow, some pictures of details and some considerations.
(004 is my code to call this Opuntia - )
Habit:
I'll post soon, I hope tomorrow, some pictures of details and some considerations.
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
Opuntia presented above is a robust plant with thick pads.
Some pictures that illustrate the growth of new pads.
(I highlighted, with green arrows, some keeped pads. With red arrows, I highlighted some pads which were harvested. Harvested, when they had optimal harvesting size. Not harvested when that picture was taken.)
Some pictures that illustrate the growth of new pads.
(I highlighted, with green arrows, some keeped pads. With red arrows, I highlighted some pads which were harvested. Harvested, when they had optimal harvesting size. Not harvested when that picture was taken.)
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
Considering this above picture:
Few details taken on July 25, 2013
For the small pad (in left in mentioned photo) For the large pad (in right in mentioned photo) Few details taken on July 25, 2013
For the small pad For the large pad
And, I can not resist to present you more photos with this cute lady of Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans)
You can see that it's a lady, looking to the pedipalps. (Pedipalps - the pair of appendage that resemble little legs, located in the left and right of cheliceraes).
The tip of adult female's pedipalps are thin and delicate. The tip of adult male's pedipalps, are swollen, resembling boxing gloves. (For immature spiders, the pedipalps are similar for female and male - aren't swollen to the tip)
Few details taken on July 25, 2013
For the small pad (in left in mentioned photo) For the large pad (in right in mentioned photo) Few details taken on July 25, 2013
For the small pad For the large pad
And, I can not resist to present you more photos with this cute lady of Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans)
You can see that it's a lady, looking to the pedipalps. (Pedipalps - the pair of appendage that resemble little legs, located in the left and right of cheliceraes).
The tip of adult female's pedipalps are thin and delicate. The tip of adult male's pedipalps, are swollen, resembling boxing gloves. (For immature spiders, the pedipalps are similar for female and male - aren't swollen to the tip)
- Brunãozinho
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- Location: Paraíba, Eastern Brazil
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
My plant has not yet made flowers. It seems to me to be a more southern species/variety, which thrive better in warmer areas. The pad was received through a friend, from a person from my area. Unfortunately, this person moved to another city and I had not the opportunity to see the mother plant. But from what the friend told me, it blooms and bears fruit in this area. I don't know if the fruits are good to eat, the mother-plant was grown just for landscape decoration.
Perhaps, because we talk about gardening, are useful some notes about my area in terms of climate.
Plant Hardiness Zone for my area is 9a. But I'm close to limit with area 8b. Climate is classified as humid subtropical. In winter, can be frost, but the temperature does not drop much below freezing. The frost usually occurs at night. normally, during the day time the temperature rises above the frost.
Occasionally the temperature may drop more. The record low temperature was 9 ° F (-13 ° C) - recorded in 1989. Snow is very rare.
I think to the 9 ° F (-13 ° C) this Opuntia 004 will be lost. In this case, the only thing I could do, would be to try cover the plant or to save a few pads and try to put to rooting next spring.
This December we had a few light frosts.
This Opuntia 004 entered in winter sleep. I have two other Opuntia who continued to vegetate without problems even in these conditions. Conditions in wich the others sleep. I have and a Nopalea (today considered Opuntia, too) who continued to vegetate but the very young pads was affected by frost.
The real problem is the combination of cold and humidity. It's a pretty humid area. Sometimes even very humid. Distance from the Gulf of Mexico is around 50 miles.
Sometimes even in condition of few rain or no rain, condensation occurring in the morning is high. Of course there are dry times, too.
But this combination, cold and humidity, seems to be a bigger problem especially for other species of cacti.
I hope my location, in the south, to not discourage those who would like to cultivate Opuntia like vegetable for pads, in areas further north. I know it is possible. Just need to find varieties suited for area. And of course knowing the harvest season. Eventually, more far in north, need a plant protection over the winter.
Perhaps, because we talk about gardening, are useful some notes about my area in terms of climate.
Plant Hardiness Zone for my area is 9a. But I'm close to limit with area 8b. Climate is classified as humid subtropical. In winter, can be frost, but the temperature does not drop much below freezing. The frost usually occurs at night. normally, during the day time the temperature rises above the frost.
Occasionally the temperature may drop more. The record low temperature was 9 ° F (-13 ° C) - recorded in 1989. Snow is very rare.
I think to the 9 ° F (-13 ° C) this Opuntia 004 will be lost. In this case, the only thing I could do, would be to try cover the plant or to save a few pads and try to put to rooting next spring.
This December we had a few light frosts.
This Opuntia 004 entered in winter sleep. I have two other Opuntia who continued to vegetate without problems even in these conditions. Conditions in wich the others sleep. I have and a Nopalea (today considered Opuntia, too) who continued to vegetate but the very young pads was affected by frost.
The real problem is the combination of cold and humidity. It's a pretty humid area. Sometimes even very humid. Distance from the Gulf of Mexico is around 50 miles.
Sometimes even in condition of few rain or no rain, condensation occurring in the morning is high. Of course there are dry times, too.
But this combination, cold and humidity, seems to be a bigger problem especially for other species of cacti.
I hope my location, in the south, to not discourage those who would like to cultivate Opuntia like vegetable for pads, in areas further north. I know it is possible. Just need to find varieties suited for area. And of course knowing the harvest season. Eventually, more far in north, need a plant protection over the winter.
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
Few details for areolas and spines.
Areolas: small, round or elongated.
Spines on the areola: Frequently none, or one or two. Rarely three or more.
Size spines: If present shorter. Usually around 10 mm, rarely some to 20 mm.
Glochids: few, small.
Few pictures
Data measured on December 27, 2013:
Plant height: 40'' (approx 1 meter)
Largest pad size:
-Length: 16'' (approx. 0.4m)
-Width: 10 "(approx 0.25 m)
-Thickness:
-- An estimated average: around 1.5'' (between 3 and 4 cm)
-- At the junction with the lower pad: around /more than 2.5'' (around / more than 6 cm)
Areolas: small, round or elongated.
Spines on the areola: Frequently none, or one or two. Rarely three or more.
Size spines: If present shorter. Usually around 10 mm, rarely some to 20 mm.
Glochids: few, small.
Few pictures
Data measured on December 27, 2013:
Plant height: 40'' (approx 1 meter)
Largest pad size:
-Length: 16'' (approx. 0.4m)
-Width: 10 "(approx 0.25 m)
-Thickness:
-- An estimated average: around 1.5'' (between 3 and 4 cm)
-- At the junction with the lower pad: around /more than 2.5'' (around / more than 6 cm)
-
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- Location: Geronimo, Texas (near San Antonio) Edge of zone 8a - 8b.
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
hello fellow Texan.
I am also interested in learning to eat my prickly pears -- or grow other more 'tasty' varieties.
I am also interested in learning to eat my prickly pears -- or grow other more 'tasty' varieties.
My cactus must be gods. They demand blood sacrifice.
-
- Posts: 1011
- Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:24 pm
- Location: South London baybee !
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
I can't say I have ever been a grower of Opuntia's but, I do look seeing the progress of this plant as it has grown over time.
This amount of attention to a plant must make it a great friend of yours. Cant wait for it to flower and fruit *nods*
The spider is very pretty. Almost invisible on the pads.
=^_^=
This amount of attention to a plant must make it a great friend of yours. Cant wait for it to flower and fruit *nods*
The spider is very pretty. Almost invisible on the pads.
=^_^=
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
Native Cultivars of Cactus Pear in México
https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/pro ... 3-446.html
Cacti as Crops
http://www.lapshin.org/cultivar/N42/crop-e.htm
https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/pro ... 3-446.html
Cacti as Crops
http://www.lapshin.org/cultivar/N42/crop-e.htm
Re: Growing Opuntia - fresh vegetable from your garden
I do have at last count 16 kinds of Opuntia growing in both my front and back yard. Most likely, the plant you are presenting was or still is in my possession. I at least did have some very fast growing, almost spineless prickly pear plants that were sensitive to frost.
The species could never be figured out though. The major problem, when trying to identify the plant is the fact, that most of the members of the genus Opuntia, which have been cultivated and are widely used, are hybrids. They were selected by the Native Americans, and perhaps the Spaniards also, for producing superior fruit and cladodes.
Sometimes the flower color and the fruit will help to perhaps venture an educated guess about which "pure" species were most likely used in the hybridization process.
This year, I am going to actually taste test all my named plants and figure out, which one tastes the best to me. My box tortoises do prefer my Opuntia violacea over all the others. Which of those plants has the best-tasting pads, I may never figure out, because that most likely would include cooking them. My wife will not allow those to be brought into the house, She is afraid of the glochids.
Harald
The species could never be figured out though. The major problem, when trying to identify the plant is the fact, that most of the members of the genus Opuntia, which have been cultivated and are widely used, are hybrids. They were selected by the Native Americans, and perhaps the Spaniards also, for producing superior fruit and cladodes.
Sometimes the flower color and the fruit will help to perhaps venture an educated guess about which "pure" species were most likely used in the hybridization process.
This year, I am going to actually taste test all my named plants and figure out, which one tastes the best to me. My box tortoises do prefer my Opuntia violacea over all the others. Which of those plants has the best-tasting pads, I may never figure out, because that most likely would include cooking them. My wife will not allow those to be brought into the house, She is afraid of the glochids.
Harald