Rooting an Opuntia Pad

[danl]

Hi All,

Being new to growing cacti and succulents, I've been experimenting with raising inexpensive seed. Below is a No-ID Opuntia that I grew from a mixed sachet of seeds.

Initially I was a little underwhelmed as it grew this kind of thick, featureless stem, but this year it has added a rather nice pad.

Firstly, is this growth typical, or does it speak to mistakes I made in raising the seed? Secondly, I'm thinking of removing the pad, allowing it to heal and rooting it for a more aesthetically pleasing plant, is that a good idea?

Finally, if anyone has any guesses as to what it might be, do let me know. I've spent some time digging around but have no idea beyond Opuntia!

Many thanks,

Dan

[Terry S.]

You have grown the plant well from seed and have done nothing wrong. The first growth on an Opuntia does tend to be different and more cylindrical with the padded growth developing on from it.

One needs to be a bit of an Opuntia specialist to get an accurate ID on a plant like this, but considering the source, it is going to be one of the commoner ones.

[Cactusgirl]

Whatever type of Opuntia it is that's a very nice looking plant. so satisfying as well to know you've raised it from a seed.

[habanerocat]

Everything good so far. I wouldn't change anything except maybe a bigger pot as it may topple over.
I've also seen people weigh down the pots with big stones.

[MalcolmP2]

, but this year it has added a rather nice pad.

Hi Dan, that is very interesting to see (to see what mine will eventually do perhaps !)
How long since you sowed the seed, is this maybe its 3rd year ?

I have also been experimenting with Opuntia seeds and was uncertain what to expect. The good people here reassured me that all was fine
https://forum.bcss.org.uk/viewtopic.php ... ia#p293692

Mine are in their 2nd year and being very slow !

[danl]

Thanks all.

habanerocat - you'd think to look at it that it would be unstable, but the main stem is so thick it seems to be managing to hold its weight quite centrally. Perhaps it'll become more unbalanced as the pad matures, rest assured I'm keeping an eye on it!

Malcolm - very interesting, thanks for the link. Yes this is nearing 3 years old - when I potted it on from its smaller seedling pot I buried the 2 seedling leaves (cotyledons?) Like your images the leaves were quite high prior to repotting. Yours are looking good. Different entirely from the ones I've managed to grow from mixed seed. I've got a cylindrical opuntia come up which is quite interesting, and a very slow as yet unidentified thing. Definitely Opuntia though as it has no shortage of glochids!

[MalcolmP2]

I buried the 2 seedling leaves (cotyledons?)

Good idea, I will try that with some of mine, I have several still surviving from the same fruit. See if it gives them a boost !