ID please Opuntia

[Eric Williams]

Could any kind person please identify this Opuntia. Thanks

[Phil_SK]

I think that's Nopalea cochenillifera.

[Tony R]

Most people in the UK call it Nopalea cochenillifera, from the look of its body and past "mis-identification" but it probably isn't!! You can only really tell when it flowers, because the Nopalea flower is unique having a quite different flower structure to a typical Opuntia flower and is red. It is more likely to be a form of Opuntia elata, which has typical yellow-orange flowers. I have one such bedded out and flowering at the moment.

[Eric Williams]

Thanks Phil,and Tony. Did a bit of of looking around and found this is one of 180+ species. Only then did I realize what a difficult task I had set for forum members. If it is elata. how big will it grow, and how many years until it flowers. Thanks both.

[Tony R]

Hi Eric, Mine is bedded out in the greenhouse and is about 6 ft tall. Has flowered regularly once ca. 4ft tall.

[RAYWOODBRIDGE]

agree with Tony looks like O. elata with the hint of red/brown in the areoles.
if it gets a bit to dry in the winter small end pads will drop off quite easy.
so you will soon have lots of spare plants and flowers in time.
good luck

Ray

[Tony R]

Hi Eric, Mine is bedded out in the greenhouse and is about 6 ft tall. Has flowered regularly once ca. 4ft tall.

Hi, Eric, Here is a photo of my O. elata today with flower and floral remains - I found a stem at bench level rather than in the sky, once I'd moved a few plants out of the way!

[Liz M]

Is this an Opuntia that is used for grafting?

[Tony R]

Yes indeed, Liz! Here is one of my several trays of "grafting stock":

[Eric Williams]

Hi Tony, beautiful colour on the flowers. Also looking at the pictures I am convinced my plant is O elata. Cheers, ps do you root your single pads before grafting ?