Purple Prickly Pear - September Succulent of the Month

I absolutely love Purple Prickly Pear Cactus, (Opuntia violaceae var. santa rita).  The color contrast of their blue-grey pads and the shades of purple are so striking in the landscape.  This succulent makes a beautiful accent plant for the landscape.  The pads and fruit are edible, (but you might want to remove the spines first ;-).  Cold temperature and drought intensify the purple color.

Purple Prickly Pear are native to the Southwest regions of North America.  They can grow as large as 6 ft. x 6 ft., but can be pruned to maintain a smaller size.  Yellow flowers are produced in the spring, followed by red fruit in the summer months.  Javelina, rabbits and pack rats will eat the pads.  Pack rats use the pads to make their homes.

The pads of the Prickly Pear are covered with clusters of 2" spines as well as tiny spines known as glochids.  Glochids are extremely irritating to the skin and detach from the pad very easily.  Their tips have a tiny barb, which makes them difficult to remove from your skin.  If you need to handle them, use a few layers of newspaper or a piece of carpet.  Do not make the mistake of touching the pads with gloves because the glochids will attach to your gloves and render them useless, (I ruined a perfectly good pair this way).  **There are different ways to remove these small spines, including applying Elmer's glue and letting it dry and then pulling them off.  However, many people have reported greater success just by using duct tape. 

USES: In addition to serving as an accent plant in the landscape, they can also be used as a screen.  Some may be surprised to learn that they also make excellent container plants, just make sure they are not near any foot traffic areas.  They do well in full sun or light shade in well-drained soil. 

MAINTENANCE:  Prickly Pears are very low-maintenance plants.  They can be pruned.   I always use tongs to pick up the pads that I have pruned, or you can use newspaper.  Although, extremely drought-tolerant, periodic irrigation during the hot summer months will be appreciated and will improve the appearance of your Prickly Pear.  Shriveled pads indicate acute drought-stress.

 

Many people believe that the appearance of white, cotton-like areas on the pads is a sign of a fungal infection.  However, it is actually caused by a small insect that secretes the white cottony mass, called Cochineal Scale.  Control is very easy.  Spray off with a strong jet of water from the hose - that's it!

PROPAGATION: Prickly Pear can be planted from seed, but there is a much easier way.  Simply cut off a pad that is at least 6 inches tall.  Put the pad upright, in a shady, dry place for at least about 2 weeks.  This allows a callus to form at the bottom.  Plant with the cut end down.  Do not water for the first month because the bottom is susceptible to fungal infections.  After the first month, water every 2 - 3 weeks until established.  If planted in the summer, provide shade until established (about 3 months).  *I generally do not recommend planting in the winter, but encourage waiting until spring when the soil warms up. 

If you have an overgrown Prickly Pear, you can prune it, or you can start over by taking it out and cutting off some of the pads and plant them in the same place.  Many of my clients have done this and been happy with the results.

INTERESTING HISTORICAL FACT: The Aztecs would cultivate Prickly Pear cactus infected with Cochineal Scale because the insects secrete a dark red dye with crushed.  This was used to dye cloth.  The Spanish exported this dye from Mexico back to Europe where it was used to dye royal garments and British military uniforms.  The dye was highly valued by the Spanish, next to gold and silver.  It takes 70,000 insects to produce 1 pound of dye.