Opuntia Species, Eltham Indian Fig, Pak'an, Sweet Prickly Pear

Opuntiadillenii

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Species
dillenii (dil-LEN-ee-eye)
Synonym
Cactus chinensis
Cactus dillenii
Opuntia indicus
Opuntia melanosperma
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
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
Red
Orange
Gold (yellow-orange)
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
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
From softwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost
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:

Phoenix, Arizona

San Antonio, Texas

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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J
San Antonio, TX (Zone 9a) | March 2010 | positive

If you want a back corner filled up fast this is the cacti to get. I personally have this in my garden and it has exploded in growth.
...Read More

I
Keizer, OR (Zone 8b) | May 2005 | positive

Like all Opuntias I've seen bloom--pretty flower, tasty fruit. It's a valuable plant for mittigating dune erosion.

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | April 2005 | neutral

Ecuadorian cactus

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | November 2004 | neutral

Flowers variable from lemon yellow to orange-yellow to orangeish and sometimes reddish. It is much debated wether O. dillenii should be i...Read More

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