Opuntia ficus indica PRICKLY PEAR (15 seeds)

Prickly Pear, also known as Paddle Cactus or Barbary fig, is a large, fast-growing tree-like cactus from the Cactaceae family.

The "tunas," as the Aztecs called it, is a plant native to Mexico brought back to Europe by Christopher Columbus. It can reach heights of 3 to 5 meters and is found naturally in North Africa, as well as in Southern Europe under mild climates.

Prickly Pear seeds from Opuntia ficus-indica are beige and very hard; they are somewhat rounded and measure 4 millimeters in diameter.

Its large flowers are yellow, orange, or red and bloom in the spring from May to the end of June.

Its leaves are large, wide, conical, and elongated, covered with numerous small needles that serve as a defense. They are fleshy, dark green in color, and are sometimes called "Mickey Mouse ears" due to their shape.

The red, yellow, and sometimes orange fruits are prickly and called prickly pears. They are beautiful, fleshy, edible, and very sweet fruits containing between 20 and 50 seeds each. They grow starting in July and are harvested from the end of October.

- Uses:

It is primarily cultivated for its sweet fruit, which is rich in vitamins and minerals and an excellent source of fiber. Its fruits and seeds are also used for the production of cosmetic oil.

In dyeing, the fruit pigments are used as natural dyes to create a yellow pigment and a red-violet one.

Its young leaves are edible and can be eaten raw; the gel from its leaves is also used to soothe sunburns and heal minor wounds. Do not consume without medical advice from a healthcare professional.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The period for sowing paddle cactus begins in June and lasts until the end of August.
• Lightly scarify the seeds with sandpaper.
• Soak the seeds for 12 hours in warm water before planting to accelerate germination.
• Prepare small pots with equal parts potting soil and sand, then bury the seeds 1/2 cm deep.
• Water the crop manually by spraying.
• Place the culture in a greenhouse at a minimum temperature of 35°C.
• Germination will take place 2 to 8 weeks after planting.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

It grows very well in a mineral-rich substrate; the soil must be loose and very well-draining.

- Exposure / Light:

Like most cacti, it needs a lot of light; full sun exposure is perfectly suited for it.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

The cactus that produces paddle leaves grows in extreme temperatures reaching up to 40°C. Regarding hardiness, it tolerates significantly negative temperatures down to -10°C in a very dry environment. In cold and humid climates, it must be brought indoors.

- Watering / Irrigation:

The "tunas," as Mexicans call it, does not need regular watering; its leaves serve as water reserves during periods of drought. It can be watered once a week in the summer if grown in a pot. In winter, it is not recommended to provide moisture, as this could damage its leaves.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

There are two ways to reproduce it easily: either by seeds or by leaf cuttings. To do this, cut a paddle at the base of the leaf, let it dry for 10 days, then plant it in a pot 3 cm deep. Roots will appear after 15 days.

- Pests and Diseases:

Its main enemy is the mealybug, which attaches to the leaves to extract the sap. An effective solution to get rid of them is to spray a mixture of 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of black soap diluted in 1 liter of water.