Woestijn-desert Opuntia vulgaris - Prickly pear cactus

• Article number: OPUVUL02

Opuntia vulgaris or Opuntia Ficus indica also known as fig cactus is a special succulent that gives edible fruit.
This prickly pear cactus is best kept as a tub plant, if it is kept in the ground it must be dry and heated at temperatures below -8ºC.
Also, this type of cactus has few spines in relation to other species.
The fig cactus stores a lot of water in its flat circular stems. These are also edible.
Like all succulents, the Opuntia vulgaris endures extreme drought and a warm place is no problem. Especially for forming fruits it is advisable to put the plant in full sun.

In April to June the prickly pear cactus will bloom with yellow flowers with an orange / red core.
The flowers are about 7 cm wide.
After flowering the fruits grow on the cactus leaf. These can be up to 10 cm in size.
If the fruits are orange / red in color, usually in August, they are ripe and can be eaten. First remove the skin with a peeler.
The flesh is golden to orange / red in color and there are soft little black seeds in it that can be eaten with the flesh. The fruits have to stick to the cactus, pick too early and do not work after ripening.

The taste is between papaya and watermelon is sweet, the tastiest taste the fruits when they are cold and have just settled in the fridge.
The ripe fruits can be kept in a refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 weeks.
In the April give a little bit of nutrition in the form of cow dung or Cactus Focus and repeat this again in July. The growth is slow and fine as a tub plant.
Winter hardiness zone 8b (-8ºC).