Looking for Prickly Pear

Discussion in 'Cacti and Succulents' started by medusabomb, Mar 5, 2018.

  1. medusabomb

    medusabomb Member

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    Where in BC ( or Canada that would ship) can I find Prickly Pear Cactus. The edible kind!
     
  2. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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  3. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    I have lots of Opuntia fragilis which is edible but perhaps not the species you are looking for. If you would like me to send you a few pads to start growing your own, I'd be happy to share some for the cost of shipping.
     
  4. Larra

    Larra New Member

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    Margot, do you still have edible Prickly Pear pads? I am looking to buy a few pads. I live in Surrey B.C. And would be happy to pay shipping etc. I have scoured my area and no one has any.

    Thank you
    Larra
     
  5. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Hi Larra - I would be happy to send you some authentic Nanoose Bay pads of Opuntia fragilis.

    Let's get in touch off-line to arrange shipping and mailing address info.
     
  6. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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  7. medusabomb

    medusabomb Member

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    Yes please that would be great! How can I connect with you to discuss shipping, etc?
    Very excited!
     
  8. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Click Margot's name in green on the left column on one of her postings; click Start a Conversation. You can discuss more direct contact options in your private conversation.
     
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  9. medusabomb

    medusabomb Member

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    Thank you
     
  10. pmurphy

    pmurphy Contributor 10 Years

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    Not sure if they're the edible varieties (as I understand most varieties are) but I ordered some pads from Valley Succulents in Comox..... I was very pleased with both the pads and their customer service
    Valley Succulents - 2210 Anderton rd. Comox B.C.
     
  11. medusabomb

    medusabomb Member

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    Great! Thanks for the resource I'll look right now...
     
  12. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    I hope you won't be too disappointed when I tell you that I don't think the prickly pear cactus I have growing in my garden would be suitable for eating, mainly because the pads are so small. Here is an article I found this morning that explains the different forms of this species –
    THE DESERT NORTHWEST - A Primer on Washington Native Cacti
    Also –
    Opuntia fragilis Prickly Pear, Brittle pricklypear PFAF Plant Database

    Besides the small size of the pads, only one new one is formed each year and it’s not difficult to knock them off (hence the ‘fragilis’ part of Opuntia fragilis).

    I grow PP cactus because they occur naturally in my area and are very beautiful when they bloom, although that can take years.

    If, after reading this, you still want some pads, I would be glad to send you a few.
     
  13. pmurphy

    pmurphy Contributor 10 Years

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    FYI, I ordered 4 different variety pads from Valley Succulent last spring and by the end of the summer most had 2 to 3 new pad except for one, but that one variety actually flowered before the end of sumer...

    IMG_5020.JPG

    IMG_5095.JPG
     
  14. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Do you know the botanical names of the varieties you purchased?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 12, 2019
  15. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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  16. pmurphy

    pmurphy Contributor 10 Years

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    Opuntia compressa - this is the one that flowered
    Opuntia polycantha (yellow flower red center)
    Opuntia polycantha (lavender flower)
    Opuntia erinacea ‘esquisite’
     
  17. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    HMART > HMART had some today. There are some locations not too far from you.
    More expensive but you can check with Buy Herbs, Spices, Cookbooks, Utensils | South China Seas, Vancouver. There were some at the Granville Island location but apparently they can ship to anywhere in Canada. Might be acceptable is you're looking for a pad or two for propagation purposes.
     
  18. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Just to clarify, Opuntia compressa, O. polycantha, O. erinacea are different species of Opuntia, not varieties of Opuntia fragilis, a BC native plant which does not grow so fast nor bloom so young. They are undeniably beautiful but I am committed to the locally occurring species. Here is Opuntia fragilis in bloom (photo from E-Flora BC, © Ted Edwards email_icon.gif (Photo ID #6824).
     

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    Last edited: Mar 12, 2019

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