prickly-pear

Prickly-pear (Opuntia aurea 'Coombe's Winter Glow') is a drought-tolerant cactus that doesn’t require frequent watering. Watering should be kept to a minimum during winter when the cactus is not actively growing to prevent rot. During the warm summer months, lightly water the cactus when the top 2 inches of the soil has dried out. It is also important to allow the water to fully drain away after each watering to avoid stem rot. During periods of heavy rain, water the cactus less or not at all.

Prickly-pear (Opuntia aurea 'Coombe's Winter Glow') requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering. The best time to receive this sunlight is during the morning and early afternoon hours. If you live in an area with a very sunny climate, exposure to full sunlight all day may be beneficial. In areas with more temperate climates, such as those in the northern United States, try to limit exposure to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. With this species, it is better to provide more exposure to partial sun during the hottest hours and more direct sunlight in the morning and early afternoon.

Pruning should be done on prickly-pear (Opuntia aurea 'Coombe's Winter Glow') plants twice a year, once in early spring and once in late fall. During the first pruning, about 1 third of the stems should be removed, taking care to trim away any dead or unhealthy looking stems first. The second pruning in late fall should be slightly lighter, removing about 1 fourth of the stems but still ensuring done any unhealthy stems. During both prunings, any new growth should be trimmed away to increase air flow and maintain an open shape. In addition to the twice a year pruning, any diseased or damaged stems should be removed immediately to help keep the plant healthy.