Opuntia Species, Prickly Pear Cactus, Silver Dollar Prickly Pear, Dinner Plate Cactus

Opuntiarobusta

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Species
robusta (roh-BUS-tuh)
Synonym
Opuntia camuessa
Opuntia gorda
Opuntia guerrana
Opuntia larreyi
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Height
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Aguila, Arizona

Chandler Heights, Arizona

Green Valley, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona(2 reports)

Apple Valley, California

Garden Grove, California

Long Beach, California

Nuevo, California

San Leandro, California

Valley Center, California

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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M
M
Garden Grove, CA | November 2014 | positive

Opuntia Robusta is also called "Wagon Wheel Opuntia."
I grew mine from seed. It came in one of those seed packets you buy at Walm...Read More

D
D
(Zone 7b) | January 2009 | neutral

This is a semi-hardy Opuntia, it will stand frost up to about -8c (especially if kept dry) but doesn't have the ability to tolerate cold...Read More

L
Somewheren Desert, AZ | October 2008 | positive

I have several old well established ones here on property that are well over 10' tall and 6' wide... Trunk on one is 26" circumference......Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | January 2005 | neutral

Native to central Mexico.
My plant is in very strong light all day, in fact, too much light and heat because it was stating to bur...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | March 2004 | positive

This is the big daddy of the Opuntia world- massive pads up to over 1' across... can develop into a massive plant up to 20' and nearly as...Read More

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