Today we come to talk about the prickly pear or nopal. It is a type of cactus that comes from America. They are plants that prefer desert climates where high temperatures and little rainfall abound. Both the leaves and the fruits (the prickly pears) are edible and can be grown as an ornamental plant.
In this article we are going to show you How to grow nopales easily. Do you want to learn how to grow prickly pears to enjoy the beautiful flowers they have? Keep reading
Cultivation of nopales from seed
The cultivation of nopales can be done in two ways: by seed or by cuttings. You can get the seeds either in a garden store or by extracting them directly of the fruits of the prickly pear cactus. For more information on the different varieties of prickly pear cactus, you can consult our article on the nopal and its varieties, where its uses and cultural importance are highlighted.
Once you have the seed, place it in a pot. Place the seed inside the pot and add half soil and half sand, mixed with coarse pumice or loam. This ensures good drainage, as these plants do not tolerate any moisture. Also, if you want more information about the cactus careYou can find it in our guide to cactus types and care, which offers tips on caring for each species. It's also a good idea to read about other growing methods to optimize your experience growing nopales.
Once planting is complete, simply add water until the sand is moistened, not soaking or wet. If you're interested in learning more about other cactus species, you can read our article on Opuntia Dillenii, which can also be a good option for your garden.
Nopales cultivation by cuttings
The other way is to take a cutting from the mother plant and plant it in a pot. We must select a cutting that looks healthy to be able to propagate it. It is cut and expected, placing the cutting in the shade, until a callus forms. This way, we'll prevent the plant from becoming infected. If you'd like to learn more about caring for different types of cacti, visit our guide on .
Once the callus has formed, we proceed as with seeds. We prepare a pot with half soil, half sand, and stones to improve drainage, and moisten the soil to promote growth. Keep in mind that You should not insert it too deep, 2 cm will suffice. I hope that with these tips you can learn to grow nopales.