Opuntia Species, Prickly Pear Cactus, Quimilo

Opuntiaquimilo

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Synonym
Opuntia distans
Platyopuntia quimilo
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Spacing
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 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
Red
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
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
From softwood 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:

Phoenix, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Bostonia, California

Riverside, California

Sacramento, California

Salinas, California

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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F
Sacramento Valley, CA | February 2017 | positive

Amazing combination of huge thick spines like an Argentinian toothpick saguaro and very waxy smooth pads that can easily be held bare-han...Read More

S
Salinas, CA (Zone 9b) | August 2015 | positive

This has the longest spines of any Opuntia: sometimes more than 8 inches (20 cm) on older stems!

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

The flowers are reported to be Red only. Maybe on the outside of the petals or sepals they are red, mine are orange mostly. The Pads are ...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | June 2004 | neutral

large highly branching plant with bright orange flowers in late spring... sparsely spined. From Bolivia

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