You can break a segment off and let dry for a week and then stick it in soil. It will root.

I thought our local cholla was opuntia imbricata?

Thank you. And you could very well be correct about the scientific name. Talking to people I've heard it called jumping cholla, cane cholla, walking stick cholla, etc. so I was guessing, based on pictures from the internet.

Either way, my hubby wants a hedge of it, and he brought home a big tub of pieces today. I'm going out to the garage now to break off the segments and let them sit and form calluses. I'll plant them in a week. They'll have yellow flowers but thats ok. I got 4 segments off of ebay (they fell off) that are supposed to be purple, and are from Louisiana.

Thanks so much for your input

Hi vidito1-

adp abq is right, the most common native cholla seen in the Albuquerque area is Cylinropuntia imbricata (tree cholla). But Cylindropuntia spinosior is also native to southern New Mexico. These do very well in Albuquerque. In fact, I'll be in town for the next few days, so let me know if you would like some cuttings.

Regards,

cd

Your husband has a good idea. I'd have more cacti in my yard if my wife let me :)

Cholla looks great when not in drought mode.

Thanks Cactus Dude. After breaking off the joints from the pieces brought home, I have plenty even if only half of them take root.

The hubby has some unusual tastes. He also wanted bamboo in the back yard (working on that, what's recommended for this area (Golden Goddess, non-invasive, clumper) and was planted last year, looks pretty poor so far, but it still freezes sometimes at night.

If the cholla takes, I'd like to add some prickly pear, a few Agave, maybe a century plant in the front yard in the rock landscaping. The back I want much greener (but not allowed to plant anything needing mowing). Besides the bamboo, which may or may not be successful, I've had great success with the Datura and Devils Claws. I think there'll be alot of Datura this year because it is so green and showy, but I'll have to keep up with the prickly seed pods.

Thank you for being so generous with your offer Dude.

vidito1

Hi vidito1

No problem, I'm always happy to offer cuttings or plants if I have extra, and believe me, there are plenty of Cyl. spinosior in my mom's backyard.

If you eventually plant prickly pears and/or agaves, here are a few suggestions:

Opuntia ellisiana (very nice spineless pads)
Opuntia santa-rita or Opuntia macrocentra(beautiful purple pads)
Agave neomexicana
Agave parryi

cd

I am in Cloudcroft-arrived today from New Orleans and I want to find some cane cholla dried to bring home. I make mobiles and wall hangings and this wood is perfect. I would like to try to grow it in Louisiana. Planning to go to Santa Fe and several places in Lincoln County. Thanks, Krickett

Is there anyway I could get some starts from your Devils Claw Cholla? I can not find a plant anywhere and I am from MN. Thanks.