Craaaaaaazy Cactus!
Remember my spineless prickly pears I planted outside in the dead of August in triple digit Texas summer temperatures? 
Here is a picture I took on August 23rd – only 13 days ago.
And here is a picture I took today on Sept. 5th. This opuntia engelmannii var subarmata is a beast! I am so impressed at its growth rate – actually stunned is a better word. Every time I go out and look at them (I have three and all have this same rate of growth) I am in awe.
Had to share – there are some things you can plant in the summer that will still do well! A little positivity for those of us that just can’t stop planting – even in the middle of summer.
- Posted in: Front Garden - year 1
Xericstyle 
That is absolutely insane! I love it!
meeeeee toooooooo! – xericstyle
ok i got dibs on the first paddle that falls off that thing!! I love spineless. I wonder if it’s the same one I have?? Mine is a little twisty looking. It went wild, and then has been dormant for a while. I wish I understood the life/growth cycle of these guys.
Hey – you got it gal! :) I know what you mean…they are so neat to plant…to watch…and to learn about aren’t they!? – xericstyle
Isn’t it amazing how well they grow, even in the middle of summer? My purple Optunia macrocentra has been growing so well, even with all the neglect I’ve been giving the garden the last few weeks… I can’t wait for fall to get here so I can plant some more plants!
Hey Renee – yes it is incredible. I am so mesmerized with cacti this summer – IN LOVE! An Optunia macrocentra is next on my list for my front purple garden….they are sooooo pretty. I loved your melon experiment by the way – how did they taste? – xericstyle