This might seem like a strange plant to "prune", but my Opuntia ficus-indica 'Burbank Spineless' has become really overgrown. Some of the pads are so heavy, they break off the plant. Last year, it bloomed noticeably less than before. This is what it looks like now:
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| the yellow & brown patches are in part due to the snow & water |
It's kind of all over the place, as you can see from this side:
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| more wide than tall |
I really want it to grow like some of the larger ones at the Huntington - woody at the bottom, and more tall. So a few hours later, i was very happy that this plant has no glochids, and had this:
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| a little better? |
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| Still a bit unbalanced from this side. |
Looking at these pictures, i may go pull out a bit more, and see if i can get it a bit more up-right looking. I also want to see what new pads will grow this year. I'm not worried about this plant coming back from this pruning, since it usually grows pretty quickly
And here are two other pretty pictures to close out this "six on saturday":
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| new rose buds and foliage on the plants i pruned back a month ago! |
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| i also uncovered the stairs on the hillside again! |
That last picture has some ugly bare spots, but that's because of our cold winter... the ground cover should grow back quickly now that Spring is (almost!) here!
I can see why you would be glad the opuntia is spineless. Looks better after all your work.
ReplyDeleteThank you! More work is needed, i think...
DeleteI think the Opuntia looks great, Renee, at least from the first angle. I'm headed out to tackle a few chores too, starting with the overflow of Centranthus seedlings packed like sardines on my back slope.
ReplyDeletethat second angle definitely needs more work... I want to see how this year's pads grow in.
DeleteYou did a great job on the Opuntia. It looks a lot better. Spring is here!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yay for spring... and in the spirit of finding silver linings in a very big thundercloud this year... i should have a lot of time to garden at home?
DeleteThose massive woody based opuntia at the Huntington are a great garden goal...looks like you're on your way.
ReplyDeleteit's good to have goals! Now if only the opuntia would also get on board.
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