COLD HARDY PLANTS Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants

COLD HARDY PLANTS Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants

*Opuntia tortispina*
Quantity of plants tested: 1 Size of plant tested: single pad placed in the ground in August 2000. Soil texture: loamy sand covered with granite peastone. When planted: the plants were planted in the ground in August 2000 as an unrooted cutting. Winter protection: no protection. Microclimate: warm microclimate, approximately 3 feet off a south facing wall. Temperature: refer to 2000-2001 winters on this chart Findings: the plant has done well and has not been damaged so far. This cactus is different from others since new growth emerged about 1 month later than other opuntia.
	September 2000 - This photo shows the pads only one month after placing into the ground.
	January 21, 2001 - here's the plant as of January 21, 2001. Our gardens received approximately 50" of snow this winter and the month of March was very snowy and wet with 8.5" of precipitation with the average high of only 40F.
	August 14, 2001 - here's the status as of August 14, 2001. One new pad formed this summer. No damage was observed after the winter.
	July, 2002 - here's the pretty golden yellow flower.
	September 13, 2002 - here's the seeds of the tortispina.