Handling opuntia
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For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
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Handling opuntia
Anybody got any tips? I've never had them before but I've been tempted by a couple of these Opuntia violacea var. macrocentra for the garden. It sounds like they are pretty bullet proof in heat and cold and the long spines and purple colours are attractive but how to handle them without destroying the plant and yourself?
Patrick. Small varied collection of North American, Mexican and Andean Cacti. Variegated Agaves and Echeveria. Developing a succulent garden in Portugal. Joined Somerset BCSS and forum in 2007.
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Re: Handling opuntia
That’s a lovely plant. Handle with care.
- Tony R
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Re: Handling opuntia
Lovely plant!
Try not to handle the plant at all!
Lay down horizontally if you want to take the plant out of the pot. Then just handle via the rootball if you can.
Good luck!
Try not to handle the plant at all!
Lay down horizontally if you want to take the plant out of the pot. Then just handle via the rootball if you can.
Good luck!
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
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Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
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Re: Handling opuntia
Lay down horizontally? Isn’t it easier if you’re standing vertically?
- Phil_SK
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Re: Handling opuntia
A pair of the curved style of these can help to guide it upright again: crucible tongs
Phil Crewe, BCSS 38143. Mostly S. American cacti, esp. Lobivia, Sulcorebutia and little Opuntia
- Paul in Essex
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Re: Handling opuntia
I find newspaper crumpled into sausage shapes and looped around the pads works OK
- Tony R
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Re: Handling opuntia
Herts Mike wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 7:43 am Lay down horizontally? Isn’t it easier if you’re standing vertically?
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
- ralphrmartin
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Re: Handling opuntia
You are doing it wrong if you are standing vertically in the festive season...Herts Mike wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 7:43 am Lay down horizontally? Isn’t it easier if you’re standing vertically?
Seriously, I'd try to ease the plant out of the pot horizontally as suggested, onto cumpled up sheets of newspaper or a polystyrene sheet, to try to avoid damaging the spines too much. Then pick it up by the rootball.
Ralph Martin
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https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/cacti.html
Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.
Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php
My Field Number Database is at https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk
Re: Handling opuntia
As Tony said, I'd avoid touching the plants as the pads are easily detachable. I'd cut the actual pot off. Should be fairly pot-bound and dry so root ball should be easy enough to handle.
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Re: Handling opuntia
Thanks for all your tips. I will try not to mix up my verticals and horizontals and use as much padding as possible. I think cutting off the pot should help too. I've already had a few spines in me but they are not glochids, my main concern is knocking off pads, one came off in transport and it seems to happen easily. I'd usually wash off all the compost but that might be tricky with these.
Patrick. Small varied collection of North American, Mexican and Andean Cacti. Variegated Agaves and Echeveria. Developing a succulent garden in Portugal. Joined Somerset BCSS and forum in 2007.