In September 2017 we went to the south of France for a holiday and when we visited a gardencenter there I found a cactus that I really wanted to have and as it was small it was easy to take it home in the car without damaging it.
Much to my surprise it grew a new disk in the Summer of 2018.
And in 2019 it got another disk.
This year, no new disk, I don’t know why, it is healty and growing good, those brown spots are normal. I was hoping for a new disk and maybe a flower or 2.
The following pictures were taken only a few days ago.
But this plant with only 3 disks is soooo very heavy I can’t lift it anymore, luckily I have a husband and a son. In Winter it stays in an unheated greenhouse cos it doesn’t like wet weather but in Spring it comes out again and gets the sunniest spot in the garden. Each time I look at it it reminds me of France.
Why I wanted this cactus ? There are lots of these cacti in the south of France, some turned into really big “bushes” with bright yellow flowers and edible fruits. It can take frost as long as the soil is dry. And last but not least it is almost spineless. There are other opuntia’s that are more beautifull but they all have a lot of spines, I have grandkids and dogs so that would be too dangerous.
At the moment we have a heathwave and the end is not in sight. So I have a lot of watering to do in the garden and especially the plants in pots need a good watering every day. But my French opuntia loves it.
Have a great weekend all and keep safe !
GWENNIESGARDENWORLD 
I really love the cactus! I have had mine (two) for a long long time. I’ve putting them outside during the summer and they take off every year. Repotting gets to be a challenge… but I’m always up for a good one!
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My cactus is 3 years old now and it looks healty but so far it didn’t produce flowers, maybe next year ? I’d love that.
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Cool cactus! We have something like this in the U.S., called prickly pear. In addition to yellow blooms, it can be found with orange or pink blooms.
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This is the prick-less pear š
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Wow. Like a child, she has gotten SO big. I enjoy watching her grow. Thank you. Beautiful cacti.
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Thank you. I am glad I managed to keep it for 3 years. But I am surprised it is so very heavy with only 3 disks and a plastic pot. As I am not keen on plastic pots I put it in a stone pot but even without the stone but i
I can’t lift it. I’d love to plant it out in the garden but our Winters can be very wet and sometimes hard frost.
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