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Opuntia fragilis (Southwest Nebraska)
Ball Cactus
Plant Type:
ARID LAND PLANTSOpuntia fragilis (Southwest Nebraska, ex: John Spain) - Beautiful June two-inch flowers occur in great numbers over a period of several weeks, pale yellow touched with peach and turning light peach the second day of bloom. This low grower, to about 4 inches, has been a good increaser forming a dense mound albeit slowly. The silvery white glochids contrast strongly with dark green pads. This charming ball cactus deserves more attention. Our cacti are potted in our 3.5-inch square size. Cutting grown.
Height:
4 inSpread:
12 inColors:
Pale Yellow, Peach PinkCharacteristics and Attributes for Opuntia fragilis (Southwest Nebraska)
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring into Summer
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Four Seasons
Interesting Bark
- Architectonic
- Handsome
- Architectural
- Barbed
- Thorny
Autumn Interest
- Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads
Nature Attraction
- Honey Bees & Native Bees
Light
- Full Sun
Attributes
- Drought Tolerant
- Collector Plant
- Potted Plant
- Rock Garden
- Edging
- Trough
- Bank
- Evergreen
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Slow
Soil
- Sandy
- Calcareous
- Impoverished
- Scrabbled
- Draining
Origins
- Nebraska
Propagated By
- Cutting
- Bare Root
Genus Overview: Cacti
Common Name: Cactus
All cacti are architectonic naturals settled into a stone and gravel garden. Hardy cacti require full sun in very well-drained conditions – this is especially true when planted in the damp, humid eastern U.S. John Spain, guru to cacti growers in New England and beyond, has amended his growing mix to 90% sand and crushed stone to 10% good compost. Raised beds or planting on a south-facing slope are very helpful; low lying areas that hold onto moisture between rains are an anathema to cacti culture. In that there are fungi that can ravage colonies we are offering cultivars that have been completely or relatively disease-free in northeastern Connecticut. Beware the glochids!!! Those are the nexi where the spines emerge. Handle all with care for even those that are spineless can inflict little fiber optic-like hairs which when stuck in the skin may drive you crazy for as long as a week! When cleaning up or propagating I arm myself with my handy Felco pruners in one hand and pliers in the other – for all you classic 50s sci-fi buffs, a modern day Robby the Robot!