Handling opuntia

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el48tel
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by el48tel »

Isn't the detached pod a bonus?
Another plant in the making, for a friend/sale/raffle prize/fun?
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
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TomInTucson
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by TomInTucson »

I started holding on to the spiniest cacti (or Euphorbias) by using antiquated cooking tongs used primarily for flipping bacon slices, but I discovered that the newer types of tongs with a lock on the handle such as these

Image

work well with the lock in place. It allows you to position the spiny plant while you re-pot it.
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Tina
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by Tina »

Could also try the soft edge barbeque tongs, two sets of them would be ideal and maybe safety glasses.
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varied collection of succulents and cacti but I especially like Euphorbia's, Ariocarpus and variegated agaves.

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el48tel
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by el48tel »

Tina wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:24 pm Could also try the soft edge barbeque tongs, two sets of them would be ideal and maybe safety glasses.
Well it is the season for Elf 'n Safety
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
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Patrick
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by Patrick »

el48tel wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:17 pm Isn't the detached pod a bonus?
Another plant in the making, for a friend/sale/raffle prize/fun?
One maybe, but not more, I don't want to destroy a lovely plant. I got a nice Cylindropuntia tunicata last year and by the time I got it home I had about 6 of them but the mother plant itself was rather diminished!
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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Patrick
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by Patrick »

TomInTucson wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:04 pm I started holding on to the spiniest cacti (or Euphorbias) by using antiquated cooking tongs used primarily for flipping bacon slices, but I discovered that the newer types of tongs with a lock on the handle such as these

work well with the lock in place. It allows you to position the spiny plant while you re-pot it.
That looks interesting Tom, I've got a wooden pair of something similar but not as strong and certainly not locking
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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TomInTucson
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by TomInTucson »

Tina wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:24 pm Could also try the soft edge barbeque tongs, two sets of them would be ideal and maybe safety glasses.
If safety is a concern, I find that a pair of welders gloves with nearly impenetrable leather (with a soft interior for comfort) work very well to reduce the chance of being severely impaled by punctures. I always use these when trimming leaves off of my Phoenix canariensis palms (along. with safety goggles and a pith helmet).
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Patrick
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by Patrick »

Despite being unable to find my pith helmet I have successfully completed the operation and got it in the ground without harm to self or plant. Thanks for all the tips
IMG_2602.jpeg
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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RayW
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by RayW »

Looking good. :grin:
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Tony R
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Re: Handling opuntia

Post by Tony R »

(tu)
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(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
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