In South and Central America not only the fruits of the Opuntia, which can be eaten raw, are on the menu, the shoots or segments can also be peeled and eaten cooked. Some opuntias are now also used as fodder plants.

Not only the fruits, but also the leaves of the opuntia are edible

When can the fruits of the opuntia be harvested?

One of the tastiest edible opuntias is the opuntia ficus indica, the prickly pear. Harvesting times vary greatly between different species. Harvesting of some opuntias begins in late summer, while others ripen well into November.

As soon as the fruits of your Opuntia turn reddish, you may be tingling to start harvesting. But you still need a little patience. They are only really ripe when the fruit gives way under slight pressure.

Break the ripe prickly pears off the plant with light pressure or cut them off with a sharp knife. Peel the fruit if you want to add it to a fruit salad, for example, or simply scoop out the tasty prickly pear.

What can I do for a good harvest?

Although the opuntias are considered easy to care for, you have to do a little for a rich harvest. On the one hand, the location should be chosen well. Opuntias like it warm and bright. If they feel uncomfortable in their place, they may not flower. If the fruits are formed, you should increase the watering amount.

Opuntia in medicine

Various types of Opuntia, such as the prickly pear (bot. Opuntia ficus indica) are used in folk medicine. The flowers are best collected in spring, the fruits from July to November. While the flowers are mainly used for strengthening, the high-fiber fruits are used in a variety of ways, for example to promote digestion, heal wounds or relieve cramps.

The essentials in brief:

  • Fruits eaten raw, should be peeled
  • Segments cooked edible
  • peel carefully, risk of injury from spines
  • Flowers can be used as edible decoration
  • Healing effect of the prickly pear: digestive, strengthening, wound-healing, antispasmodic

tips

If you would like to eat the fruits of your Opuntia, then when you buy it, look specifically for an edible and tasty variety such as the Opuntia ficus indica.

Category:

Vegetable garden