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Red Gem Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia)

Opuntia hybrid 'Red Gem'

$15.99
$15.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Sale |
ZONES  4-10 | Good to grow! Zone

• Opuntia x ‘Red Gem’ (Prickly Pear Cactus) is a classic addition to desert gardens and xeriscapes
• This evergreen groundcover cactus blooms with abundant deep-pink flowers, attracting hummingbirds and bees in spring and summer
• ‘Red Gem’ is exceptionally cold-hardy and able to withstand both extreme heat and harsh winters
• Once established, it is both deer and rabbit resistant, and drought resistant/drought tolerant (xeric)

Red Gem Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia)

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Description

Opuntia x ‘Red Gem’ (Prickly Pear Cactus) is a stunning evergreen groundcover cactus that brings vibrant color to rock gardens and containers. Small, round 2-3” pads have densely packed, short spines and in June, magenta-pink flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. This beautiful little Prickly Pear was developed by Colorado’s Kelly Grummons, and is thought to be a hybrid between Opuntia basilaris or aurea and Opuntia fragilis.

‘Red Gem’ thrives in full sun to part shade in gritty, well-drained soil. It is hardy enough and the perfect size for a large trough; it has thrived in pots at 7000’ in New Mexico. Water sparingly and keep the plant dry during winter months to prevent root rot. This resilient plant can withstand both extreme cold and heat once established, and is deer, rabbit and wind resistant. Handle with care as the fragile pads can break off easily.

Planting & Care

Tips for Growing Cacti and Succulents

Cacti shipped early in the spring may be dormant. As the weather warms, these cacti will expand and green-up. Remember, after an initial watering to settle the soil around the roots, no further water should be applied until the weather warms up. If plants are dormant and the spring weather is rainy, protect the plants from too much moisture by covering them with a gallon plastic milk container with the bottom cut out. Leave the top off the jug so heat build up isn’t excessive in sunny weather.

Soil Preparation

All the species of hardy cacti and succulents require fast-draining soil.

Planting in the ground

Put the plants on a slope or raised area of the garden, not in a low spot which collects water. Select a bed with full sun exposure, preferably next to a south or west facing wall. These areas will provide extra winter warmth. In heavy clay soils, it is essential to replace half or more of the soil from a 10”x 10” or larger hole with coarse sand and gravel mixed thoroughly with the remaining soil to ensure adequate drainage. No compost should be added, only a small handful of Planters II and Yum Yum Mix®.

Planting in an outdoor pot or planter

Use a planting mix of 3 parts garden soil + 2 parts coarse sand + 2 parts coarse perlite (or similar material). When growing plants indoors in pots, use a good quality potting
soil to mix with the sand, and expanded shale instead of garden soil.

Planting Instructions

1. Cacti, agaves, and tap-rooted succulents (Aloinopsis, Titanopsis, Nananthus) should be transplanted bare-root. Let the soil in the pot dry out for a few days. Then remove the pot and gently loosen the soil so it falls away from the roots. Trim off any broken roots. Bare root plants should then be planted into a shallow hole. Spread out the roots evenly and sprinkle the soil into the hole until full. The base of the plant should rest on top of the soil. Mulch with a 1⁄2”-1” thick layer of pea-sized gravel around the base of the plant to protect it from contact with soggy soil over the winter months. (See planting diagram on page 12 of our Planting Guide.)

2. Succulents with fibrous roots (Ruschia, Delosperma, Sedum, and others) need not be transplanted bare-root, instead, the root ball should be scored and roughed out like
other perennials.

Watering

1. Bare-root cacti and tap-rooted succulents must not be watered right away, but should sit dry for a day or two to allow the roots to callus over any broken or damaged
areas. Other succulents can be watered in right away. Water thoroughly with a mixture of SeaCom-PGR and Superthrive to stimulate strong new root growth. Water again with this mixture two weeks later.

2. Outdoor beds with new plants should be initially watered once every 5 to 7 days for the first month or so after transplanting. Cacti and succulents enjoy regular watering
during the heat of the summer and will grow vigorously. After the first year, most cacti species need a good soaking only once every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer if there has been no rain.

3. Potted plants require more frequent, regular watering, especially if the weather is hot and dry.

4. To prepare cacti and succulents for the approach of winter, begin withholding water in the fall so the plants can begin to dehydrate and shrivel. Plump, well watered plants are ripe for cold damage when temperatures plunge in late fall/early winter.

Fertilizing

Cacti and succulents are very modest in their fertilizer requirements. When planted in the ground, fertilizing in spring with SeaCom-PGR and Yum Yum Mix® will encourage plentiful flowers and good stem growth. When planted in pots, remember to feed monthly with the same mixture as above, beginning in late summer.

Winter Protection

Garden plants: Many cacti and succulents are quite cold hardy if kept dry in the cold winter and spring months. In areas that receive a lot of winter and spring moisture
(especially rain), it is strongly recommended that plants be protected from cold, wet soil conditions. For example, a temporary cold frame can be constructed using pipe or
PVC hoops covered with a clear plastic sheet to cover the entire bed. Or individual plants can be covered with plastic gallon milk jugs with the bottom cut out to keep
the ground around the plants dry. Leave the top off the jug so heat build up isn’t excessive in sunny weather. Problems will occur if plants are in wet soil all winter or
sit under melting snow for extended periods.

Potted plants: Should be moved under a roof overhang on the south or west side of the house or placed in a well ventilated cold frame. Water pots and other containers lightly a few times over the winter during warm spells.

All our cacti, agaves and succulents are seed-grown or cutting-grown in our greenhouses. Cacti and agave plants are 2-4 years old; succulents are 1-2 years old. Please, never collect cacti from the wild unless it’s to rescue plants from construction sites. Many species are close to extinction in their native habitats due to irresponsible collectors.

Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

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key features

Advantages
  • Native
  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant
  • Groundcover
  • Easy To Grow
  • Evergreen
  • Container Planting
  • Rock Gardens
Light Requirements
  • Full Sun
Bloom Time
Spring to summer

Additional information

Planting Time
  • Spring / Summer
Soil Moisture
  • Very Waterwise
  • Waterwise
Soil Type
  • Well-Drained Soil
Mature Height
3-5" tall
Mature Spread
12-18" wide
Growing Zones
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10
Ideal Region
  • West
  • Southwest
  • Hot Desert
  • Pacific Northwest
  • Coastal California
  • Suitable Above 7000 ft
Native To
North America
Neonicotinoid Free
Yes
Non-GMO
No
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