Question
Not sure what this cactus is, some kind of Opuntia? http://www.freewebtown.com/esthalon/PhotoAlbum/1910/13844.jpg

In Summer it's in a North facing glass porch (Unheated, Ireland), watered every 1-2 weeks depending on how much it's dried out. In winter it's indoors near a south facing window (heated room) watered maybe once a month. It's about to topple over, especially now that a new pad came out about a month ago and each new pad seems to get bigger than the last, Is there anything I can do to make it branch? Also it's never flowered but I think that's asking for too much in the Irish climate.
I know the pot is very small, but I hear cacti's perform best when they are pot bound and it does seem to be growing well (if one new pad a year is good for Ireland).
Any advice will be much appreciated.

Answer
Hi June,

That is a beautiful cactus specimen. It appears to be a prickly pear or Opuntia ficus-indica.

There is no predictable way to get this plant to branch or put out multiple pads at each joint. A lot of it is genetic. Sometimes breaking off a pad will cause two pads to develop in its place, but there is no guarantee.

Given the height it has reached and its tippy stature, you should remove one or more of the upper pads. The height you would like it to be will determine how many you remove. Let the cut-off pads heal in the open air for a couple of days, then you can pot them up in separate pots filled with cactus soil or in the base of the existing plant.

Your prickly pear is more likely to flower if it gets lots of direct sunlight each day, something that may be nearly impossible in the Irish climate. Cooler winter temps and greatly reduced water wil aslo help trigger fowers. Finally, tightly potted roots also stimulate flowers.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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