Home / Guides / Plant Files / Cactaceae

Opuntia, Prickly Pear Cactus 'Mesa Melon'

Opuntia

Upload Image Print Article

Family

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)

Info

Genus

Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)

Info

Synonym

Height

Unknown - Tell us

Spacing

18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Sun Exposure

36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Danger

USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)

USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)

USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)

USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)

USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)

USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)

Hardiness

Bloom Color

Bloom Time

Foliage

Bloom Time

Bloom Color

Bloom Time

Class

Bloom Time

Bloom Color

Class

Bloom Color

Bloom Time

Other Details

Seed Collecting

Full Sun

Fruit Shape

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Fruit Size

Coral/Apricot

Fruit Colors

Mid Spring

Growing Habit

Provides Winter Interest

Days to Maturity

Unknown - Tell us

Seed Type

From leaf cuttings

Allow cut surface to callous over before planting

Usage

Unknown - Tell us

Disease Resistance

N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed

Leaf Type

Unknown - Tell us

Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics

Unknown - Tell us

Water Requirements

Cactus and Succulents

Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Soil pH requirements

Unknown - Tell us

Patent Information

Unknown - Tell us

Plant Size (check one)

Growing Habit

Growth Rate

Leaf Shape

Leaf Appearance

Degree to which the appearance is present

Unknown - Tell us

Leaf Texture (top)

Unknown - Tell us

Leaf Texture (bottom)

Leaf Color

Color of Leaf Margin

Leaf Substance

Number of Vein Pairs

Appearance of Margin

Margin Width

Flower Shape

Flower Fragrance

Does it set seed?

Flower Size

Flower Type

Blooming Habit

Foliage Habit

Ploidy

Color Patterns

Awards (if applicable)

Unknown - Tell us

Gardener's Notes:

Post Comment

positive

neutral

negative

Sort By:

Post Comment

Sort By:

Xenomorf

Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | April 2011 | positive

Unique color of flowers which are large, beautiful & watermelon colored. Medium large pads, with short spines. Low growing and sprawling ...Read More

Popular Plants

SEE ALL

Featured

BUG FILES

Painted Apple Moth

(Teia anartoides)

BIRD FILES

Magellanic Penguin

(Spheniscus magellanicus)

Featured

BUG FILES

Painted Apple Moth

(Teia anartoides)

BIRD FILES

Magellanic Penguin

(Spheniscus magellanicus)

Opuntia, Prickly Pear Cactus 'Mesa Melon'

Opuntia

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

Get to Know Dave's Garden

Follow Dave's Garden