Bunny Ears Dropping Pads

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Can anyone shed any light on what has lead to these two dropping their pads? Could it be that the mix is too gritty? what can I do to prevent the top one from losing more pads?

They get watered weekly as the mix is dry within 3 days unless there have been rainy days, in which I withhold water an extra week. They have been in front of a west facing window and I rotate them 180 degrees each day.

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palmbob

11 years ago

Not sure I understand… you said you water less often if it rains …. does it rain in your house? I water my Opuntia microdasys about every 3 days… it is in a pretty well draining mix and sun hits it in the window sill daily. We NEVER get rain here, so rain would not be an issue in or outdoors. Pads fall off this genus normally (though probably not as often as you're seeing)… one of the ways it propagates itself. I had a new plant lose almost all its pads due to a particularly windy day, and now I have 4 different plants growing in the same area (most of the fallen pads rooted).

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Comments (6)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
11 years ago
Do you have a cat knocking the pads off?
aboges26 thanked hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
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joediedrichs
11 years ago
I have the same kind except it's blue I think that that's how it reproduces. I got mine at Walmart and it looked like that but smaller and blue so i don't think there is anything wrong with it. Maybe you should try stick the pieces that feel in to the dirt to see if they will grow.
aboges26 thanked joediedrichs
aboges26
Original Author
11 years ago
palmbob - Due to the semi-arid nature of Lubbock, the soil dries out fairly quickly normally, but if it rains, then it stays humid for a day or two and the soil will not dry out at all. It only ever rains in my house if I do not close the windows quickly enough, but I have a balcony which my plants sit out on when weather permits. I let them ride out little rain events when possible too which also is why I wait longer to water sometimes. I hope it is just normal and that I will have a new plant soon!

hoovb - I do not have a cat, both happened inside when there was no one in the house. Supposedly... but seriously I live with my girlfriend and two dogs, and both times we all were out of the house and they were safely inside behind closed windows.

joediedrichs - I hate to break it to you, but that blue is paint and it is probably not too good for your little opuntia. I got mine from Walmart too and that actually worries me further knowing their lackadaisical care. I fear it may be rot due to miss-care for the little one, but the big bunny ears' pads all seem to be healthy and holding on well. The only plus side is that the pad should propagate, so I do plan to see if it does grow into a healthy plant!
joediedrichs
11 years ago
Did yours live? what can I do to help Sapphire (yes, I name my plants).
joediedrichs
11 years ago
Wath should I do I'm freaking out will my plant live!!???????? Help me I don't know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is there something that can fix it or what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!