opuntia ficus

Opuntia ficus indica, commonly called Indian fig or prickly pear, is a large cactus capable of growing to the size of a small tree. It is native to arid parts of North and South America and will grow at both high and low elevations. Opuntia ficus indica produces brightly colored blooms which are followed by edible fruit.

1. Uses

   • Opuntia ficus indica is more than an unusual addition to the landscape -- it has long been used in a variety of ways. The pads and edible fruit were at one time a major food source for native people in both North and South America. Parts of the plant have also been used in homeopathic remedies to treat a variety of conditions including nosebleeds, whooping cough and diabetes.

   Features

   • Opuntia ficus indica has large, 10 to 20 inch, edible pads that appear smooth but have small, fuzzy patches that are not comfortable to touch with bare hands. A trunk forms as the cactus matures, from which new growth develops into a tree-like shape. In spring and summer pink, red, yellow or orange blooms appear along the edges of the pads. The flowers are soon followed by 3 to 4 inch long green fruit that turn purple when fully ripe.

   Growing Conditions

   • Opuntia ficus indica does best in a location that is very hot and dry during summer and is protected from cool winter winds. Full sun most of the day is vital. Soil that doesn't drain well will quickly prove fatal for this cactus. Opuntia ficus indica is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Zones 8b through 10 -- the plant is damaged by temperatures that drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

   Care and Maintenance

   • This cactus requires very little care. Occasional supplemental watering during the first growing season is necessary once or twice each month, unless there has been significant rainfall. Once established, watering is not needed unless conditions are extremely dry. Feed with a fertilizer high in nitrogen if you plan to harvest the pads. If not, feed with 0-10-10 fertilizer once each month throughout the year to encourage abundant blooms. Pruning is not a requirement, but can be done to control the size of the cactus.
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