COLD HARDY PLANTS Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants

COLD HARDY PLANTS Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants

*Opuntia sp. 'erect'*
Quantity of plants tested: 1 Size of plant tested: three padded cactus placed in the ground in July 2002. Soil texture: loamy sand covered with granite peastone. When planted: the plant was planted in the ground in July 2002 as an unrooted cutting. Winter protection: a poly roof covered the cactus from late November through early March. Microclimate: warm microclimate, approximately 4 feet off a south facing wall. Temperature: refer to 2002-2003 winters on this chart Findings: the plant has done well and has not been damaged so far.
	March 22, 2003 - This photo shows the pads in late winter. Notice the pads did not flop over this winter and remained upright.
	August 31, 2003 - Here's the same cactus at the end of summer. Notice it grew two new large pads.......much larger than the pads sent to us for testing. We'll see if it can remain upright during winter cold with the new large pads.
	August 31, 2003 - here's a close up of the pad joint. It's quite large.