Description: Cactus Pear {Opuntia ficus-indica} Edible | Heat tolerant | Drought tolerant | Medicinal 10 SEEDS USA POST US seller Opuntia, commonly called prickly pear or pear cactus, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae. Prickly pears are also known as tuna, sabra, nopal from the Nahuatl word nōpalli for the pads, or nostle, from the Nahuatl word nōchtli for the fruit; or paddle cactus. Cactus pear fruit tastes like a cross between intense, concentrated watermelon and cucumber. The texture is grainy like that of watermelon but denser and firmer. Named for its pear-like shape and size, the cactus pear comes from one of several varieties of opuntia cactus. Its prickly skin can range in color from green to purplish red; its soft, porous flesh (scattered with black seeds) from light yellow-green to deep pink. Also called prickly pear, this fruit has a melonlike aroma and a sweet but rather bland flavor. The fruits grow on the edges large, flat, green paddles called nopales in Spanish. The cactus fruit itself is called tuna in Spanish. The cactus paddles are also edible, and can be grilled, sauteed or pickled. Both are extremely popular in Mexico, Central and South America, the Mediterranean countries and Southern Africa, and have gained popularity in the United States. * The fruit is eaten raw, cooked or dried for later use. Sweet and gelatinous. Very refreshing, they are somewhat like a watermelon in flavour. The fruits are up to 10cm long and 9cm wide.* Requires a sandy or very well-drained soil. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5. Plants must be kept fairly dry in the winter but they like a reasonable supply of water in the growing season. A position at the base of a south-facing wall or somewhere that can be protected from winter rain is best for this plant. Requires warmth and plenty of sun.* The flowers are astringent and are used to reduce bleeding and treat problems of the gastro-intestinal tract, especially diarrhoea, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. The flowers are also used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland. Scarification: Soak in hot tap water, let stand in water for 2 days.Stratification: none required.Germination: sow seed 1/8" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed.Other: Germination may be irregular and some seed may lie over 2 years before germination.
Price: 6 USD
Location: New York
End Time: 2024-11-24T08:45:42.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: Cactus
Type: Fruiting Cactus
Genus: Opuntia ficus-indica
Common Name: Cactus Pear
Color: Gold, Multicolor, Orange
