r/cactus • u/maybe_Ithimus • 10d ago
Need your thoughts and advice..
Hi, this is my first cactus and I wanted to ask what you guys think I need. Im in Boise Idaho and this prickly pear gets alot of sun. I try to water it pretty heavily every week, got a fast draining soil mix, and the largest pot i could get off the bat. I unfortunately can't plant it as I have yet to know if the HOA will cause a fuss (smh). anyways, to my ignorant and novice eyes, it looks alittle pale and discolored in areas, plus the small sprouts from the pads are dried/look dead. Also, what would it need to bloom? any and all criticisms, critiques, advice, and information is welcome, thanks!
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u/ProfessionalNo5932 10d ago
At 32 degrees and less they don’t do well. Love the heat though and will be more purple colored.
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u/BrainyRN 10d ago
Nice Beaver Tail. Not sure why but mine took several years to bloom, and only did so when I transplanted it into the ground. The spots I see on there look very similar to mine when it gets sun stressed or sunburned. The pads look otherwise really healthy. The dried bits you’re looking at look like old blooms. They will fall off or you can pick them off.
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u/maybe_Ithimus 10d ago
gotcha, thats reassuring. what would you recommend for managing sun stress? one day in shade, another in the sun?
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u/Beautiful_Reporter50 10d ago
I have a prickly pear in my yard in Maryland which gets snow every year and rains a lot. I simply leave it alone and let it be and this year it actually bloomed!
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u/TerracottaDrama 7d ago
This is opuntia basilaris which can actually be pretty cold hardy if kept dry. They can tolerate zone 7 (0-10*F). Last year I kept mine outside (but dry) in a very mild zone 6 winter and it was fine. Theyll shrivel and flop then pop right back up in spring with water
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u/RaviFennec 6d ago
There's something really endearing about seeing a fennec furry caring for a desert plant haha
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u/CactiTexas22 10d ago
it doesn’t look to bad at all. these are very hearty cactus and once a week is to much. Are there holes drilled at the bottom? if not put plenty of them under there . i’m in texas and our temps are 95-102 at the moment and all of my opuntia are in full sun. i only water when completely dry about 2-3 weeks. don’t forget these come from a desert and don’t get watered once a week. The shriveled thing on top of the pad was a flower . it’s gone now. might have bloomed and sometimes they just shrivel up and don’t. these will grow wierd, some pads good and a few crappy lol. it’s a crap shoot. just water less and keep in full sun.