I have prickly pear cacti that survive in zone 5, but the pears that you get from them are miniscule! I saw prickly pear cacti in Virginia beach Va and they were HUGE pears! Note: Don't pick prickly pears while you are smashed....

yes i have been growing cacti here in ohio for 10 years justv asking bout planting seedling from the store bought fruit..

Plant the tuna, or Nopalitos, Even the leaves may be used for food prepared in many ways. See the Cactus and Succulent Society's CACTUS COOK BOOK (126 pages) Norma

Heya Blownz,

I think the fruit you are referring to might be Opuntia ficus indica. not hardy. but try and see.:)

Dave
Milwaukee

Hey Dave

Yeah maybe i will try to plant it and see.. the fruit is good tasting even though tons of seeds..

I always eat store bought prickly pears. They are delicious! Over the winter, I ate a whole bunch and spit out the seeds, then washed the seeds well and let them dry out. I put them in some pots with very coarse soil and a few of the seeds actually took. They are "germinated" now (I guess that's what you call it...I've never grown from seed before). But I'm still waiting for it to take the form of an opuntia pad...I'll probably be waiting a LOOOONG time. If you like the fruit, you have nothing to lost by planting a few seeds.
Good luck.
Gabi