Early on I replaced a couple of pads that showed signs of rot, but eventually more of them started to turn. Luckily they were mostly one side only, so I was able to hide them.
This was the worst, shriveling up and showing the wire frame work underneath.
Ick!
Here's the final count after deconstruction: 25 solid pads to plant up and try to root, then plant out somewhere (that means about 15 of them had gone bad). Since I have no idea if these pads are from a hardy Opuntia perhaps there's another project in my future. One that won't have these going in the ground. Hmmm....we'll see.
Weather Diary, Jan 2: Hi 44, Low 30/ Precip 0
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That was a great way to discover the life span of such a creation for next time you do it.
ReplyDeleteNext time? Probably not.
DeleteI never even thought when you built this that you planned to try and save them to root and grow on. I hope they root well, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that they're hardy. Now I'm trying to think if there's a way to keep them moist and perhaps rooting while they're on the framework, in case you decide to do this again.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I didn't have any plans when I built it. I just wanted to create the "tree"...but when it came time to take it down how could I just toss the good pads?
DeleteEven a Christmas tree starts dropping needles after 4 weeks.
ReplyDeleteWhen you go "Hmmm....we'll see" I know there is something brewing :-D
Hey...that's a great point! It's been so long since I've had a "normal" Christmas tree that I'd forgotten.
DeleteWhat Linda said... live and learn! I'm torn between hoping they all root, and that it's a hardy one, and my curiosity to see what your next project would be. I guess I'll hang on and wait!
ReplyDeleteHonestly I have no plans, no project in mind. I'll be surprised to see what happens too!
DeleteAw. The tree was still a brilliant idea. Hope you grow a successful forest!
ReplyDeleteOh I have no regrets, I loved that tree!
Deletewe wait with bated breath to see what happens next on "As the Pad Turns."
ReplyDeleteWouldn't have pegged you as a soaps kinda guy...
DeleteThat's still a LOT of Opuntia pads to work with and a better investment than a traditional cut tree. Ours is now in pieces in the recycle bin - it didn't last much longer than 2 weeks this year.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. That's why I feel like I should do "something" with them. Maybe guerrilla garden all over town!
DeleteI guess I'm pretty surprised so many dried up in such a short amount of time. It sure was cool while it lasted though!
ReplyDeleteMe too, if they'd stayed outside I'm sure they'd have been fine. I've had broken pads lay around for months.
DeleteImpressive amount to make it through the season. I wonder how many will root? And where will they go? Time will tell!
ReplyDeleteIndeed...to be continued...
DeleteThis weekend I finally got around to listening to your piece on Cultivating Place. You did very well, and I just had to come see the O'puntiabaum you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteMost likely Opuntia ficus-indica, said to be hardy to 25 degrees. I have one in a pot (indoors in winter) also grown from supermarket-bought pads.
ReplyDelete