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Opuntia Species, Smooth Prickly Pear, Tulip Prickly Pear, Spineless Prickly Pear

Opuntialaevis

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Opuntia laevis by beckstrommarc
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Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Info
Species
laevis (LEE-viss)
Info
Synonym
Opuntia phaeacantha var. laevis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light 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)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
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)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Vegetables
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

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:

Livermore, California

Fruitland Park, Florida

Key Largo, Florida

Baltimore, Maryland

Austin, Texas

Copperas Cove, Texas

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Sandwichkatexan
Copperas Cove, TX | April 2012 | positive

Purchased a pad from lithops.net has yet to bloom but has grown quite nicely . in winter it turns burgundy and shrivels a little but but...Read More

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

Found only in Arizona & southwestern New Mexico on rocky slopes. Has nearly no spines but does have tiny yellow glochids.

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