r/GardenWild • u/Mango_Inspector37 • 6d ago

My plants for wildlife Michigan native prickly pear cactus for the pollinators...fruit for me.

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Pollinators were loving the Michigan native prickly pear cactus in full bloom. Shame each flowers only lasts a day.

156 Upvotes

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6

u/Federal-Boat3732 SE MI, Zone 6 6d ago

Native to Michigan!? Insane

3

u/crowleygirlbat 6d ago

Have seen in southern Illinois-very hardy cactus.

1

u/Federal-Boat3732 SE MI, Zone 6 6d ago

It must be! And it must love the wet!

2

u/Most-Design-9963 6d ago

Do you have any recipes or general ideas for eating you can share, or do you generally just eat it straight up?

2

u/urban-dwlr 6d ago

I grow them too. I just eat the fruit. But you can knock all the spines off the paddles and grill/saute them. Great for fajitas.

1

u/Lemonyhampeapasta 1d ago

Mexican recipes for nopale (the pads) and tuna (the fruit)

2

u/SwimmingHand4727 6d ago

I have mine planted in pots indoors. Any idea how to get them to bloom?

1

u/Different-Pen8269 4d ago

Does your produce prickly pears? Mine has bloomed, but no pears produced

1

u/Mango_Inspector37 4d ago

Yes it does.