COLD HARDY
PLANTS
Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy
Plants |
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Opuntia phaecantha var.
arenacea
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Quantity
of plants tested: 1
Size of plant tested: single pad placed in the
ground in August 1999.
Soil texture: sandy loam covered with yellow river stone.
When planted: the plants were planted in the ground in August 1999.
Winter protection: it was covered by a plastic tarp during the
1999-2000 winter, no protection afterwards.
Microclimate: warm microclimate, approximately 3 feet off a
south facing wall.
Temperature: refer to 1999-2001 winters on this chart
Findings: the plant has done well and has not been damaged so
far. It is our favorite cactus since it does not deflate much in
winter and the spines are very attractive. |
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February
24, 2000 - This photo shows the pad as of February 24, 2000 at the end
of the winter. Notice the pad does not deflate that much and keeps
it's upright position. Low temperature during the 1999-2000 winter
was -2F and one day's high was only 12F. |
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May
6, 2000 - here's the plant as of May 6, 2000. The
plant has many new growth points. |
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May
27, 2000 - here's the status as of May 27, 2000. Notice
that five new pads are growing off the one original pad. |
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June
3, 2000 - this photo shows the plant as of June 3, 2000. There
are five new pads growing off of this one pad. |
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August
23, 2000 - here's the status as of August 23, 2000. |
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Mid
May 2001 - here's the status of the cactus in Mid May 2001.
Notice all the new pads are growing now. |
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August
14, 2001 - here's the status as of August 14, 2001. |
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June,
2002 - here a close up of the flower. A nice red color. |
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June,
2002 - here's another photo of the flowers from above. |
