Opuntia robusta grow and care – cactus of the genus Opuntia also known as Wheel cactus or giant Prickly pear cactus, Opuntia robusta perennial thorny plant also used as ornamental plant can grow in desert, subtropical, tropic, mediterranean or temperate climate and growing in hardiness zone 9+.
Stem color green gray with round shape when mature become brown and change their shape more oval as stem, the stem called cladode some refers them as leaves.
Flower color yellow, the flower bloom on top of bud like fruit.
Fruit color can be: purple- red, the peel covers with spines.
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed / Vegetative Reproduction
Is it necessary to use vegetative reproduction? Yes
Difficulties or problems when growing: Spine
Recommended planting season? Spring / Summer / Autumn
Pests and diseases: Snails, slugs
Pruning season: All years
How to prune:
More for design the ease to pick the fruits
Size of the plant? 2-6 m, 6-18 feet
Growth speed in optimal condition: Medium growing / Slow growing
Water requirement: Small amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes
Blooming information
Bloom season: Spring
General information about the flower Yellow flower, in the shape of the fruit
Pollination is done by: Bees, butterfly, humming bird
Edible Fruit
Fruit harvest season: Summer
Fruits pests or diseases: Snails, slugs, birds
What can be done with big quantities of Opuntia robusta fruits? Eat raw, juice, jams
Work requirements on the fruit: Pick the fruit is hard (the spines can be loose when try to pick them) recommend to pick the fruits with sunglass and gloves
