prickly pear question?

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

last week when i was heading into work i stopped by and chatted with the security guard at my contracted job. the lady is really friendly and seems to be a garden/plant person. she happened to mention to me about her having a prickly pear cactus that grows wild in her yard and if i'd be interested in a 'baby' she's dig up. SURE! i thought it really neat and didn't realize they could survive a zone 5 winter. is this a certain variety or do most grow well enough to survive a northern New England winter?

Marshall, i hope you'll chime in since i've seen you mentioning them before.

 

[897tgigvib]

Most prickly pear that are good to great eating are hardy to around here. Some real old Burbank planted plants ahundred years old have survived 12 or so degrees once every say 20 years. I actually don't know the hardiness of all the varieties.

But I know there are prickly pear close relatives that grow in Montana. Those are much smaller plants and so thorny they can give a 4 wheel drive with fancy new knobby tires a flat. They go right through nice heavy hiking shoes too...reaches for left foot to the exact spot I got one in 1988 or so...

If your friend has it growing outside near you and has a similar microclimate to what you can give it, it should do well. Make sure you ask your friend about the conditions their plant is in...sunny south exposure? Good soil drainage will be important.

 

[Carol Dee]

I live in Eastern IA and have a prickly pear cactus that I brought home from WY about 25 years ago. I have it in a clay pot on the back porch. It stays outside all winter. Through snow, ice, freezing and below freezing temp. Enjoy your new plant.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

yeah, she warned me about the thorns. she said she got stuck with one of the 2" long thorns and said she was lucky to have some help to pull it out. i'll probably keep it as a house plant and take it out during the spring through fall. i just have to rearrange my other plants to give it a safe spot from my animals.

 

[so lucky]

Those little thorns that grow in tufts are really a pain. You can barely see them, but you sure know you have them when you accidentally brush up against the cactus. That is one plant I wouldn't have in my house or yard. (Just my opinion, of course.:/)

 

[bj taylor]

I have a big spineless prickly pear. it's a beautiful shade of blue gray green. it's architectural. I love it. it has small hair spines - so not for handling without gloves, but won't jump out and attack you like the spined does. I put it further back in the bed so people aren't brushing against it accidentally.

 

[hoodat]

Those little thorns that grow in tufts are really a pain. You can barely see them, but you sure know you have them when you accidentally brush up against the cactus. That is one plant I wouldn't have in my house or yard. (Just my opinion, of course.:/)

The way I get them out is to coat the spot with Elmers glue and allow it to dry. When you peel off the glue the spine usually comes out with it.

 

[Carol Dee]

Those little thorns that grow in tufts are really a pain. You can barely see them, but you sure know you have them when you accidentally brush up against the cactus. That is one plant I wouldn't have in my house or yard. (Just my opinion, of course.:/)

The way I get them out is to coat the spot with Elmers glue and allow it to dry. When you peel off the glue the spine usually comes out with it.

My aunt worked in ER at a hospital in AZ. They kept bikini wax on hand for such problems. Apply wax and peel. VIOLA
I bet the glue works the same way and everyone has glue around. Great tip.