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.
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
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.
I found some pads last year at Persia Foods on Broadway in Vancouver, pictured in the following post: Identification: - Cactus as produce.
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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.
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.
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...
The following thread in an external forum lists a number of sources in Vancouver: Nopales in Vancouver? : vancouver.
Opuntia compressa - this is the one that flowered Opuntia polycantha (yellow flower red center) Opuntia polycantha (lavender flower) Opuntia erinacea ‘esquisite’
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.
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 (Photo ID #6824).
