Friday, August 15, 2008

New Baby

Opuntia phaeacantha

Several of my Prickly Pear species are currently putting on new pads, which sometimes happens this time of year, probably because of the summer rains. The strange looking little nubs become the thorns as the pad grows.

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16 comments:

  1. ClaudeAugust 15, 2008 at 2:52 AM

    Mine are putting out new growth too, a last push before they settle down for the fall and winter.

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  2. kesslerdeeAugust 15, 2008 at 6:04 AM

    I just love the babies! They are so green and soft at this stage!

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  3. GailAugust 15, 2008 at 7:04 AM

    We have an Opuntia that is native to Tennessee and I have loved watching it grow! The little dear is quite prickly and I try to be careful around him! I like your phoo!

    Gail

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  4. Yolanda Elizabet HeuzenAugust 15, 2008 at 8:32 AM

    That's a pretty baby eventhough it's a bit on the prickly side. Do you just break it off when it's big enough to stand on its own 2 feet?

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  5. SplinksterAugust 15, 2008 at 9:03 AM

    have you ever taken some pads off and added them to salsa or fried up to add to cacos? they taste great, and do you get many fruit?, as I live up north too far I think I need to invest in a greenhouse as I have never been able to successfully get any fruit to eat yet..

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  6. walk2writeAugust 15, 2008 at 12:09 PM

    That baby face is one only a cactus mother could love or hold. No really, it is quite adorable. I just found your blog as a link in someone else's. It's interesting and lovely.

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  7. Jocelyn H. ChilversAugust 15, 2008 at 1:26 PM

    Love this photo---what a great perspective!

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  8. beckieAugust 15, 2008 at 3:33 PM

    Aiyana, the one I have inside is doing the same thing. Mine is one I dug up from a neighbor's yard when we went to Florida a few years ago. Looks a lot like yours, but is probably a different species. Cute baby!

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  9. AnonymousAugust 15, 2008 at 6:59 PM

    Aah, God makes baby everything so cute. Thanks for sharing your little one.~~Dee

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  10. GinAugust 15, 2008 at 7:27 PM

    Cactus babies are so cute! I remember how cool mine were when they had babies!

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  11. JulieAugust 15, 2008 at 8:55 PM

    What a good looking little baby!!! So green and healthy!

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  12. Ashraf sharifAugust 16, 2008 at 4:01 AM

    very nice , in my country not summer rains only hardy sun and dry.
    my cactus take yellow colour in this time

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  13. AiyanaAugust 16, 2008 at 11:18 AM

    Thanks for all the comments.
    Yolanda, I usually just let them grow. The pads can be snapped off when they are mature, and then can be placed in soil where they will root.
    Splinkster, Yes, I've had them that way, but it's easier to just buy them in the store. They are plentiful here.

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  14. EveAugust 16, 2008 at 12:13 PM

    That's the first time I have seen that. Sure doesn't look dangerous as a baby does it? I love them but cats who won't stay out of trouble, I don't dare bring one home. Pepper would probably push Shad into one on purpose, just to hear him hollow. LOL

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  15. LythrumAugust 16, 2008 at 5:57 PM

    I had a prickly pear that I got from the woods by my mom's house in Arkansas. I had it for eight years and it never put on any growth. Then one year it took off like mad and eventually I got blooms from it. Just shows that you can't force mother nature. :)

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  16. MrBrownThumbAugust 21, 2008 at 7:47 PM

    I loled @eve. It does look kind of cuddly doesn't it?

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