sum-up

splenetic pears , with their intriguing shape and sweet , juicy shape , are a delectable accession to any garden . If you ’re eager to cultivate these desert airiness in your own backyard , thiscomprehensive guidewill provide you with everything you need to know about how toplant prickly pearoutside .

Choosing the Right Location

The cardinal tosuccessful prickly pear culture liesin selecting the ideal location . Thesesucculents thrivein well - drained soilthat receives plenteous sunshine . Choose a daub that gets at least six hours of lineal sun day by day and has a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 .

Soil Preparation

bristly pears are not particularly demanding when it come to territory , but they do prefer well - draining soil . If your filth is operose or mud - like , remedy it with sand or flummox to amend drainage . you may also add someorganic matter , such as compost or manure , to enrich the soil .

Harvesting and Storing Pads

Before planting , you ’ll necessitate toharvest prickly pear pads . Look for healthy , mature pad that are at least 6inches long . Use asharp knifeor shear to cut the pads from the main industrial plant , tire gloves to protect your hands from the spines . Once harvested , hive away the pad in a cool , ironical situation for a few days to let the stinger ends to callus over .

Planting the Pads

When planting prickly pear diggings , dig a kettle of fish that is doubly as wide as the domiciliation and rich enough to reconcile the pad’sentire duration . pose the pad in the hole with thecut ending facingdown and thespines facingup . Firmly pack soil around the pad , check that it is secure but not too tightly pack .

Watering

setaceous pears are drouth - tolerant plant , but they dorequire occasional watering , peculiarly during hot , dry weather . water supply deeply and infrequently , allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings . Overwatering can lead to root rot .

Fertilizing

Prickly pears do notrequire frequent impregnation . However , you’re able to fertilize them lightly once a class with abalanced plant food . Avoid using too much fertiliser , as this can damage the plant .

Harvesting Prickly Pears

Prickly pears typically ripen inlate summeror early fall . They are ready to harvest when they arefully coloredand somewhat soft to the touch . To glean , wear gloves andcarefully cutthe fruit from the pad .

Pests and Diseases

Prickly pears aregenerally resistantto pests and diseases . However , they can occasionally be affected by mealybugs , aphids , or scale of measurement . Treat infestations promptly with an appropriate insecticide .

Growing Prickly Pears in Containers

If you do n’t have space for adedicated prickly pear garden , you could rise them in container . Choose a pot that is at least 12inches wideand deep and has drainage holes . Fill the kitty with well - draining potting mixand works the bristly pear pad as described above .

Key Points: Embark on Your Prickly Pear Adventure

With a lilliputian care and attention , you cansuccessfully cultivate barbellate pears outdoorsand enjoy theirunique flavorand nutritional benefit . Whether you ’re planting them in a garden or a container , these unfearing succulents will add a touch of the desert to your out-of-door space .

Questions We Hear a Lot

1 . Can Iplant prickly pear pads directlyin the ground?Yes , you canplant prickly pear pads directlyin the ground , as long as the filth is well - drain and the location get sizable sunlight.2 . How deep should I plant prickly pear pads?Plant prickly pear pads deep enough to conciliate theirentire duration , with the cut last facing down and thespines facingup.3 . How far apart should I plant prickly pear pads?Plant prickly pear launch pad at least 2 feet asunder to give them room to grow.4 . How often should I water prickly pears?Water prickly pears deep and infrequently , reserve the soil to dry out out completely between waterings . Overwatering can lead to root rot.5 . Doprickly pearsneed fertilizer?Prickly pear tree do notrequire frequent fertilization . However , you may fertilise them gently once a class with a balanced fertiliser .