Re: Eastern prickly pear
So, I live in Eastern PA (zone 6) and have grown this cactus for almost 30 years now. I have the yellow flower type that also has tiny red spines that always get into your skin! I grow it on the grass between my sidewalk and the road and fertilize once or twice a year. It always does well and it grows in my junky clay soil. I have also seen this plant growing in sandy soil close to the New Jersey and Maryland beaches.
You probably don't have to worry about hardiness much. I have lost very few pads over the years. Also, the pear fruit contains lots of seeds and they can easily grow new plants each year. Every summer, I have to cut back most of the new growth to keep the cactus from overgrowing its space.
It sure looks beautiful the one week of the year when it flowers! Enjoy your plant!!
Erik
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