Opuntia discata - Prickly Pear

The Opuntia discata is a variety of prickly pear cactus of the engelmannii type, particularly vigorous and relatively hardy. It is characterized by an upright habit and very large almost circular 'pads' with strong white spines arranged in decorative but formidable large stars. The spring to summer flowering is delightful, with lemon yellow cups tinged with orange at the base. This is followed by purple fruits that are very attractive. Hardy prickly pears are grown outdoors, in open ground and away from thoroughfares, to allow them to express freely the spirit that inhabits them, that of the arid landscapes of North America.

The Opuntia discata, a close relative of the Barbary Fig (Opuntia ficus indica), a succulent plant without true leaves from the cactus family. This botanical species originates from southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. It has a compact, upright and well-branched tufted habit. An adult specimen will easily reach 2m (7ft) in height and 1m (3ft) in width. Its growth rate is moderate, producing 1 or 2 new pads per year from spring to autumn. The vegetation consists of pads or cladodes stacked on top of each other, they are flattened, fleshy, thick, circular in shape, and can measure up to 25cm (10in) in diameter. The base of the plant becomes lignified with age. The surface of the cladodes, gray-green in color, are abundantly covered with large ivory-white spines, becoming darker at the base, radiating around orange areoles. The areoles have tiny transparent spines called glochids, which are very dangerous when handling. Abundant flowering occurs from late May to July depending on the climate. Several flowers appear around the periphery of the pads, mainly towards their tips. They are bright lemon yellow in color, sometimes tinged with orange at the base, and often fade to orange. The rounded cup-shaped flowers are composed of fine and slightly translucent petals. They give way to elongated fruits measuring up to 6cm (2in) in length, abundantly covered with glochids, and turning deep red when ripe.

Cultivable in open ground in regions that are not too cold, this amazing cactus is hardy down to -12°C, but requires well-drained, rocky, gravelly or sandy soil. It is a beautiful plant that naturally structures exotic or contemporary landscapes, in a large rockery, on an arid slope, or at the edges of a dry garden. It can also be used to reinforce a defensive hedge. Plant among hardy agaves, Nolinas, and arborescent Euphorbias. Associate it with fairly hardy columnar cacti such as Cleistocactus strausii or Cylindropuntia imbricata. It should be kept away from high traffic areas and children due to its formidable spines.

Attention, the opuntia may be tough, but its joints are particularly brittle! Has a pad fallen during transport or handling? Don't worry, this is how this conqueror spreads in nature: each pad that falls to the ground is capable of generating a whole new plant! This is a great opportunity to have a new opuntia: simply leave the pad in the open air for a few days, allowing the tissue to heal. Then plant this pad vertically, burying 1/3 of its surface, in a well-drained pot with a mix of sand and potting soil. Place in the sun, water when you remember, and it will grow effortlessly!