I don’t know the id of the Opuntia in question, but I think whatever nursery that pic was taken at supplies my little local nursery. The Tacinga looks very familiar;).

Plus my nursery got a huge shipment of the Echinopsis with the yellow flowers that are in the back of the top pic.

Kara, long time since i've been on the forum (time constraints *sigh). Glad to see you're still here also along with my friend Rina. -- The nursery is Waterwise Botanicals in Bonsall, California in San Diego County. I asked Dave at the nursery and he could not ID it for me. I know they're familiar with Flora Grubb, Ruth Bancroft and Poots. I literally begged them to sell me a pad and they politely refused. The plants are in 15 gallon containers and i wasn't sure if i had the space to take on a tree-size opuntia! Yours is a beauty by the way : )

Neil

Very nice to see you back !!! Hope you'll have time to post again, at least some times :) Sorry, can't help with opntia ID...

Check out Opuntia pycnantha

Pic from Dave‘s Garden

Kara Thank you!!! that's it. I was headed out to the nursery to just buy it, saw your link @ Dave's and read Palmbob's comment. If he's had issue with this species and he's more knowledgeable and experienced than i am, what would my chances be? lol.

Waterwise botanicals has a new cultivar of the "Santa Rita" called the "Pinta Rita," which they say flowers more readily. Here's the link: https://www.waterwisebotanicals.com/plant/opuntia-pinta-rita/

I can only get one so this will be a tough choice for me. Thanks again for the ID. If you can make it, the SD Cacti & Succulent Society's show and sale is on June 1st in Balboa Park. Just a short 7-hour drive for you : )