Key Features
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Botanical name: Opuntia chlorotica
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Common names include dollarjoint pricklypear and pancake pricklypear
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Distinctive blue-green, flattened, nearly rounded cactus pads
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Develops an upright, tree-like form with a defined trunk over time
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Produces attractive yellow flowers during the warmer growing season
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Adapted to sunny, dry, rocky and desert-style environments
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Excellent choice for xeriscape gardens, cactus collections and arid landscapes
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Suitable for containers when provided with excellent drainage
Growing Benefits
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Adds bold architectural form to desert and succulent gardens
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Blue-green pads create strong visual contrast with surrounding plants
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Naturally suited to bright, sunny growing conditions
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A rewarding long-term project for cactus and succulent enthusiasts
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Helps create an authentic southwestern-style landscape
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Can develop into an impressive upright cactus with age
Seed Specifications
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Plant Type: Perennial cactus with an upright, tree-like growth habit
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Botanical Name: Opuntia chlorotica
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Foliage: Flattened, rounded to obovate blue-green pads
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Flowers & Fruit: Yellow flowers followed by fleshy red, barrel-shaped fruits
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Growing Conditions: Full sun, warm conditions and sharply draining soil
Growing Tips
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Use a gritty cactus or succulent growing medium that drains rapidly.
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Provide strong sunlight to encourage compact, healthy growth.
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Water thoroughly but infrequently, allowing the growing medium to dry between waterings.
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Handle mature plants carefully because the areoles may contain glochids and spines that can irritate skin.
Seed Storage
Keep unused seeds in a cool, dry and dark location inside an airtight container. Protect them from moisture and excessive heat. Label the container with the seed name and storage date for easy future reference.
Unique Facts About Seeds
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Opuntia chlorotica is a true prickly pear cactus belonging to the cactus family Cactaceae.
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It is also known as dollarjoint pricklypear and pancake pricklypear.
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Unlike many low-growing prickly pears, this species can develop a noticeable trunk and tree-like form.
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Its rounded pads are typically blue-green and can form an upright branching structure.
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Yellow flowers can appear during spring and summer, followed by red, barrel-shaped fruits.
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The species occurs naturally across parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, as well as northern Mexico.
Growing Instructions
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Planting Season: Sow during spring or another warm growing period when temperatures remain consistently mild.
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Sowing: Use a sterile, gritty cactus seed mix and lightly press the seeds onto the surface.
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Depth: Cover only very lightly or leave the seeds nearly exposed because tiny cactus seeds can struggle when buried deeply.
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Spacing: Sow with enough room between seedlings to reduce crowding and improve airflow.
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Sunlight: Begin with bright filtered light and gradually introduce seedlings to stronger sunlight as they develop.
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Soil: Use a porous cactus or succulent mix containing plenty of mineral material for rapid drainage.
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Watering: Keep the seed-starting medium lightly moist during germination, never saturated. Once established, allow the medium to dry between waterings.
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Germination: Germination can be variable and may take several weeks depending on seed freshness, temperature and moisture conditions.
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Transplanting: Move seedlings carefully once they are established and large enough to handle, using a small pot with excellent drainage.
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Fertilizing: After establishment, use a dilute cactus fertilizer during active growth according to the product label.
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Care: Provide warmth, excellent airflow and gradually increasing sunlight. Avoid prolonged wet soil, especially during cooler periods.
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Maturity: Mature plants develop increasingly substantial pads and may eventually form an upright, tree-like structure. Flowering and fruit production occur after the plant reaches sufficient maturity.
Opuntia Chlorotica Cactus Seeds for Planting | Heirloom Seeds
Grow Opuntia chlorotica cactus from seed with blue-green pads, yellow flowers and a striking upright form for sunny desert and succulent gardens.
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Opuntia Chlorotica Cactus Seeds for Planting – Blue Green Prickly Pear Cactus
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Grow a Striking Desert Cactus
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