#Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’

[cactguy]

All of the Kelly Grummons opuntia from the Texas Native Plant Lab at the Dallas Arboretum, our hands-on teaching space, have been moved out into the Main Garden (the big leagues) Waterwise display. I can’t wait for many more people to see their gorgeous blooms!

Front:

Opuntia polyacantha ‘Citrus Punch’

Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’

Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’

Mid:

Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Back:

Opuntia aciculata

Opuntia aurea ‘Coombe’s Winter Glow’

Opuntia aciculata

Far back:

Opuntia ellisiana

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum

Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’

Opuntia polyacantha ‘Citrus Punch’

Opuntia phaeacantha 'Dark Knight’

Opuntia aurea 'Coombe’s Winter Glow’

Opuntia aciculata / Chenille cactus

[cactguy]

Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’ Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum

We will be lucky to see 40 degrees today after nearly 80 yesterday, so here is an update on this spring’s growth with the Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’. Blooms are imminent.

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum

Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’ Opuntia polyacantha ‘Citrus Punch’ Opuntia phaeacantha 'Dark Knight’ Opuntia aurea 'Coombe’s Winter Glow’ Opuntia aciculata / Chenille cactus

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum The prickly pears are finally showing new growth; I fertilized for the first time this spring, too, so I hope to see some really strong growth. Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’ Opuntia polyacantha ‘Citrus Punch’ Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum

The Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’ is beginning to develop lovely spines on its second year of growth. (And check out the photobomber!)

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum

All the prickly pears are producing new pads:

Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’

Opuntia polyacantha ‘Citrus Punch’

Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’

Opuntia aurea 'Coombe’s Winter Glow’

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum Opuntia phaeacantha 'Dark Knight' February 20 - March 8, 2017

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum Here is the second check-in on the sport prickly pears from Kelly Grummons at https://coldhardycactus.com: Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’
Opuntia phaeacantha 'Dark Knight’
Opuntia polyacantha 'Citrus Punch’
Opuntia aurea 'Coombe’s Winter Glow’
Opuntia aciculata

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum

A few more days growth:

Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’

Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’

Opuntia polyacantha ‘Citrus Punch’

Opuntia aurea 'Coombe’s Winter Glow’

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum 2/5 have bloomed, 2/5 still have buds, and 1/5 have no buds yet - but the first round of growth for the year is looking good. Opuntia sp. ‘Little Monk’ Opuntia polyacantha ‘Citrus Punch’ Opuntia phaeacantha ‘Dark Knight’ Opuntia aurea 'Coombe’s Winter Glow’ Opuntia aciculata / Chenille cactus

[cactguy]

Texas Native Plant Lab / Dallas Arboretum I did my first check in on the native plant lab this week as our first spring student session is next week, and I'm happy to say that all five sport Opuntia have new cladodes emerging! Opuntia sp. 'Little Monk' Opuntia phaeacantha 'Dark Knight' Opuntia polyacantha 'Citrus Punch' Opuntia aurea 'Coombe's Winter Glow' Opuntia aciculata