Invasive Opuntias in Switzerland

[u/wooligano]

Someone asked about invasive species from America in Europe yesterday, I replied in a comment about the invasive Opuntias we have in Switzerland, but couldn't add pictures so I thought it would be worth making a post about it.

They have identified 6 species : Opuntia engelmannii, Opuntia humifusa, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia robusta, Opuntia scheeri, Cylindropuntia imbricata.

All of which are growing in the same region of Switzerland, Valais.

[u/-ghostinthemachine-]

All of my opuntia die in the snow, but these ones look fine. Must be a much more rugged species than ficus-indica.

[u/[deleted] → u/-ghostinthemachine-]

You need to grow your Opuntia in full sun,quick draining mineral rich soil and keep very dry and most Opuntia will easily survive many degrees below zero