How do you get rid of prickly pear cactus?

Answer 1

When I transplanted mine I put on gloves, pulled up some of the plant and laid in on the ground in a dry place with mostly morning sun putting just a little dirt around it. The plant will also root by laying the plant on the ground. New roots will form under each piece - it is easy to start them. Although they look dead in the winter, they bounce back. (I had a hard time getting mine to bloom until someone told me I needed a male and female).

Answer 2

In fact, it is not recommended to try and grow prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp) from seed.

Specifically, this particular cactus responds best to being grown from stem sections. At the end of dormancy, the pad-like jointed stems need to be cut from the parent at a joint. One complete pad represents one complete cutting.

The pad must be kept dry and warm for the cut to callus over. Then it needs to be planted in the smallest pot in which the section stands up without falling over. The pot needs to be filled one-third up with cactus potting mix and two-thirds up with small washed grit. The soil must be kept slightly damp and set in bright shade at 64-75 degrees F/18-24 degrees C.

Roots usually appear within 3-12 weeks. But a rootless section may root later in the year if kept dry during the pad's next dormancy.

Answer 3

Remove it from the soil by removing the plant from the main roots.