Strange Opuntia behaviour

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Rayc11
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Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by Rayc11 »

Has anyone seen this strange behaviour that's happened on my Opuntia Pycnacantha where a new pad has developed that is also a flower?
_DSC2921.jpg
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by Liz M »

You expect either a bud or a pad, it seems this Opuntia can not make up its mind. I wonder if it is our strange weather this year, which is responsible for this?
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by Tina »

Hi
I had this once with a flower/pad mix but the pad didn't really grow much, I pulled it off in the end.
I don't keep these now after fighting with it when I was bubble wrapping the greenhouse.
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anders
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by anders »

It happened to one of mine once:
365_4.jpg
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by RAYWOODBRIDGE »

I have an O. pycnacantha doing exactly the same thing Ray, will be interested to see how it developes. will post photo later.
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by picnic »

anders wrote:It happened to one of mine once:
365_4.jpg
Fantastic shade of green and lovely flower. I've just bought O. robusta and have a couple of O.microdasys but I read somewhere that they are unlikely to flower. Shame as they grow like crazy - a thumbnail sized cutting taken in March is now about 4 inches tall!
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Rayc11
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by Rayc11 »

As A follow up to my original post this errant Pad/flower is still growing on the plant and has decided to produce a new pad as can be seen from the latest photo:-
_DSC5395.jpg
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by ralphrmartin »

Not only on Opuntias. I've had the odd Rebutia offset which has turned into a flower.
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by el48tel »

Certainly proves a biological theory that all cells have the capability to develop into specialist cells and organs. Presumably the atmospheric conditions were such that it encouraged the plant to divert its original intentions.
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Re: Strange Opuntia behaviour

Post by topsy »

HI,

There is a form of O.johnsonii which always does this and sets seed within the bad after flowering, the pad swelling in pregnancy.

BTW I believe that the correct spelling is Opuntia pycnantha, at least according to RBG Kew it is.

Suzanne
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