Turning the cactus into a cash crop

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Tony R
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Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by Tony R »

Good to see some use of opuntias in Kenya too!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-4 ... -cash-crop
Tony Roberts
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cactuspip
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by cactuspip »

That's the problem with Opuntias - they get everywhere!

Can't see why people grow them!
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by Patrick »

Well in a collection I can't see why people grow them either. But on our property in Portugal (where there are already a few massive Opuntias) we will be planting them as a part of a firebreak which is another thing they are useful for!
Patrick. Small varied collection of North American, Mexican and Andean Cacti. Variegated Agaves and Echeveria. Developing a succulent garden in Portugal. Joined Somerset BCSS and forum in 2007.
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gerald
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by gerald »

Of course they're no good for growing in the UK, but I know some Opuntiphiles in the US where there is a lot of space and everyone's happy :smile:

This is a great idea for Kenya, if not other impoverished countries around the world with a similar climate.
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ragamala
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by ragamala »

Speaking for myself, I'd need a lot of persuading before encouraging the spread of an aggressive invasive alien plant species where it didn't belong!
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habanerocat
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by habanerocat »

I got 100% germination of my Opuntia seeds this year. (tu)
Should I bin the lot :?:
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Paul in Essex
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by Paul in Essex »

ragamala wrote:Speaking for myself, I'd need a lot of persuading before encouraging the spread of an aggressive invasive alien plant species where it didn't belong!
I guess it depends on how many days it was since you last ate a square meal.
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ragamala
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by ragamala »

Paul in Essex wrote:
I guess it depends on how many days it was since you last ate a square meal.
I guess that view depends on whether you are an arrogant imperialistic person who believes that all the third world lives in squalor.
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Paul in Essex
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Re: Turning the cactus into a cash crop

Post by Paul in Essex »

Was that really necessary?

happy holidays to you to.
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