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Post by silverseeds on Jan 14, 2010 12:49:36 GMT -5
I recently became aware of the potential of prickley pear cactus.....
Luther Burbank did amazing work in this field unfortunately his work is not hardy here, being able to go to 25 above freezing only..... He bred totally spineless varieties, for table or for range animals.... TRULY amazing potential in dryland areas.....
Coupled with perma culture, that with simple methods enables a grasland to thrive in the most arid regions, this could completely change dryland ranching, and make these areas WAY more productive.
Anyway Im after ALL prickly pears....
PLease link any companies you know who sell the pads or seeds.....
Id also like any local, wild or cultivated pads, IF they are hardy to zone 6 at least, preferably colder, OR they are the totally spineless ones, in which case its worth the extra worth to breed with them.....
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 14, 2010 12:56:37 GMT -5
Gardens North but I'm not sure if they ship to the US: www.gardensnorth.com/site/Go to perennials, letter O, OPUNTIA polyacantha Hardy to Z. 2 but I'm sure you can find better sources. -- edited to say -- I only meant closer and more convenient  Good luck! |
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Post by plantsnobin on Jan 14, 2010 13:09:31 GMT -5
Yep, she does ship seed to US. I love her. I grew the 'Nearly Red' one from seeds from her 2 years ago, good germination. I still have the plants in the germination pot, they could be transplanted this year. I also have the yellow flowered plant that grows wild here. Hardy in this zone, but as with other succulent plants, the key to survival is well drained soil. But, as much as I love Gardens North, she is more expensive, and you need a phyto certificate, so I don't think that is the best place to get seeds for your needs. JLHudson is carrying Opuntia 'Burbanks Spineless', O. macrorhize and O. violacea v. Santa Rita this year. David also carries many other varieties of cactus. Plant Delights Nursery has plants, but I have to say that many of their plants just haven't done well for me long term. JLHudson is always who I would go to first in my search for seeds. They are cheap, and they are good.
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Post by silverseeds on Jan 14, 2010 13:17:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the FAST responses both of you.... It is unfortunate they want a phyto cert.... I want as much diversity as possible.... Im getting the feeling, I may have real long term project here.....
and want everything I can get..... I will be checking these sources out ....well, now actually.
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Post by silverseeds on Jan 14, 2010 13:22:56 GMT -5
LOL I have been forming a huge order at JL hudson for awhile now... didnt see this....(or realize it was the same site whne I read the name) thanks A LOT... I found the burbank cactus in one other source, but I have to buy the plants, which is great since it saves time, but its 30 bucks plus shipping..... Id rather go from seeds at that price......
Karen if you want to trade a pad or two of each of those or either, let me know......
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Post by freedomsailer on Jan 14, 2010 14:13:35 GMT -5
prickley pear cactus grow wild around here, some even produce the prickley pear apples, which is very good to eat when they are ripe, with very beautiful flowers also later on in the year ill see if i can find some small ones just starting out and send them to you if your interested in em silverseeds.
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 14, 2010 14:21:22 GMT -5
I can potentially give you a pad from my prickly pear if it survives the winter. Remind me in the spring.
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Post by mjc on Jan 14, 2010 14:57:29 GMT -5
I've got a couple of pads for you, if you want them...I was thinking of using them for dinner, but..  Seriously, I was given a 'few' pads this past fall and I can't use all of them, so I may as well send a couple to you. They won't be rooted, but should root easily. They've been kept in my 'grow room' so they aren't completely dormant. They are most likely O. humifusa, but I'm not entirely sure. |
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Post by silverseeds on Jan 14, 2010 15:16:14 GMT -5
Freedomsailer, to be honest cactuses are beasts you could cut off the bigger woody ones now, it makes no difference. But if they are thornless, hardy to zone 6 or better, or have some other trait I might be interested, then Id certainly want one to three.
Telsing, thanks I will try to remember.....
mjc 1-3 of them would be great..... to be honest I dont care the variety...... From what I have read all or nearly all seem to cross readily, even from such different areas.....
Id love to breed a thorn less one, for ease of use, and for forage animals, but the main goal is just to increase vigor....
But I have other potentials as well, used as security fences. etc.... its one of few things I can grow here without MASSIVE effort...... Im excited there is a project, I can direct.... but as well I can just save the seeds and spread them in areas Im not using, whatever grows from them I can see if I like it or not..... not many projects I can run in that manner here..... even if I might have to water some of the ones from wetter areas a few times a year.....
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Post by freedomsailer on Jan 14, 2010 15:38:29 GMT -5
haha yeah all mine are very thorny some over an inch long, but most of the smaller ones are under the leaves now an hard to find if you dont know where to look.
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Post by hiven on Jan 15, 2010 16:06:58 GMT -5
SS, I have 2 types of pricky pears seeds ; red fruited type and yellow fruited type.
Both got edible fruit, and young pads, but I have no idea how cold can they take!
PM me if you want to give them good loving home.
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Post by silverseeds on Jan 15, 2010 18:12:57 GMT -5
SS, I have 2 types of pricky pears seeds ; red fruited type and yellow fruited type. Both got edible fruit, and young pads, but I have no idea how cold can they take! PM me if you want to give them good loving home. Are they thornless types? or nearly so? Otherwise its not worth the effort to bring them inside for winter..... Im willing to try them outside if they are not known spineless types, but theres a good chance they are not a cold tolerant variety. If that is a good enough home Id like them if not, then save them.... I have to keep priorities in line..... thanks though.... |
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Post by darwinslair on Jan 15, 2010 22:07:01 GMT -5
there are types that grow up pretty much to Canada in North Dakota. That is zone 3.
Tom
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Post by hiven on Jan 18, 2010 5:08:01 GMT -5
SS, The red peared one is thornless type (it has very small omunt of short thorns) ,BUT it is always indoor. The yellow peared ones are from Canary Island , the pricky pears were sold as local seasonal fruit, however I have no further info about this one. No worries, it is always better to grow the right type of cactus that will suite your climate better, good luck ! SS, I have 2 types of pricky pears seeds ; red fruited type and yellow fruited type. Both got edible fruit, and young pads, but I have no idea how cold can they take! PM me if you want to give them good loving home. Are they thornless types? or nearly so? Otherwise its not worth the effort to bring them inside for winter..... Im willing to try them outside if they are not known spineless types, but theres a good chance they are not a cold tolerant variety. If that is a good enough home Id like them if not, then save them.... I have to keep priorities in line..... thanks though.... |
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Post by ottawagardener on Feb 9, 2010 19:52:37 GMT -5
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