Prickly pear cactus

Texas prickly pear cactus is a variety of cacti that can be found in many different climates. It is native of Mexico, United Sates and South America but it grows very well all around the world, Australia Africa and in the Mediterranean. In Mediterranean areas there are big and large commercial plantations.

To Sicily is an important agricultural crop. This is a variety of cacti that is adapted to a wide variety of soils, temperatures. From spring to the summer the cacti bloom. In this period the plant needs much water and bright. Each pad of the Texas prickly pear cactus can have many flowers, 10 or 18 are normal. The flowers will turn into good fruit. The cacti can be propagated from seeds. They don’t need sun to grow, they need a shady place. Like this they grow slow and the pads will need about 3 years to get flowers and fruits. If the propagation is made from pads, it will be faster and simpler.

Many uses have prickly pear cacti. They can be used as a fence repelling any intruder larger than a rabbit. They are used too, to make control in deforested areas. Also they are used like the aloe vera. The juice is used to cure a bruise, burn or cut. A good laxative is taken from the pureed young pads .It can be grown into strong fences.

There are other many uses for Texas prickly pear cactus. From the strong fibres are made baskets, fans, mats and paper. Needles and pins are taken from the large spines these cacti. Their skeletons are used in the construction of rustic furniture and houses. The best fruit for eating from these cacti are which ripen from September through November. The perfect stage for ripening of each Texas prickly pear cactus fruit is about 8 or 9 days.