Frozen cacti

I just thought this pic might be of interest.
This Opuntia, (prickly pear), has been frozen solid for the last few days, but the air has been dry and its not been evident.
Things have turned slightly milder today, about 1.5C at the moment, but in doing so the air is now very damp.

This pic shows how the centre of the pads are still solid and frozen, freezing the damp air on contact, but the thinner edges of the pads have thawed so no frost forming there.

 

Blimey, do you think it'll survive Pete?

 

I've seen it before Ziggy, usually without any problems.

 

I keep forgetting there are frosts in deserts in the night.

 

Thats right Ziggy, but usually very dry frosts, a bit like the last week.

Problems can start during thawing if its very wet leading to rot.

But then Opuntia has a very large range in the Americas, some growing right up into Canada I believe, so there are a few very hardy ones, trouble is the real hardy ones are not always the most interesting.

 

I read somewhere that if palms freeze, it is recommended to spray the growing point with a copper based spray to stop disease (did not research further and cannot remember the name of the copper stuff)

 

Yeah, I can believe that *dim* I've lost a few through the years, mostly small plants.
I'm sure it would help with the rot that takes place in the crown of a palm after freezing.

 

Are these the ones with edible fruits, like in The Jungle Book?

 

No, sorry.
The one in my pic might just have edible fruits, but its never flowered in nearly 30yrs, (this is a cutting), most of the hardy ones do not have edible fruits.
But it would be nice to be proved wrong.

 

Ah well, that idea is out the window then.

 

I know what you're thinking.
Grow your own.:D

 

Now that looks good Pete.

 

we have prickly pears in parts of South Africa ....very sweet and tasty, but you have to be carefull with the thorns which are tiny ... makes excellent jam .... some old wifes tales make mention that you should not eat too many as the pips can block your intestines

 

Talking about frozen cactus , I`ve been away for 2 weeks and missed of the cold....lost few plants in the green house but the most strange thing is that I`ve lost 2 aloes that i had indoor , both keept dry and both suppose to take some cold.

 

Here'sa a picture of The Smooth Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)? I belive which doesen't seem to mind the weather too much at Ventnor Botanic Gardens on the isle of wight


Smooth Prickly Pear by carlbullock, on Flickr