Opuntia, commonly called prickly pear or pear cactus, is a genus of flowering plants 
in the cactus family Cactaceae. Prickly pears are also known as tuna, sabra, nopal 
from the Nahuatl word nUpalli for the pads, or nostle, from the Nahuatl word nUchtli 
for the fruit; or paddle cactus. 

Cactus pear fruit tastes like a cross between intense, concentrated watermelon and 
cucumber. The texture is grainy like that of watermelon but denser and firmer.

Named for its pear-like shape and size, the cactus pear comes from one of several 
varieties of opuntia cactus. Its prickly skin can range in color from green to purplish 
red; its soft, porous flesh (scattered with black seeds) from light yellow-green to 
deep pink. Also called prickly pear, this fruit has a melonlike aroma and a sweet but 
rather bland flavor. The fruits grow on the edges large, flat, green paddles called 
nopales in Spanish. The cactus fruit itself is called tuna in Spanish. The cactus 
paddles are also edible, and can be grilled, sauteed or pickled. Both are extremely 
popular in Mexico, Central and South America, the Mediterranean countries and Southern 
Africa, and have gained popularity in the United States.

* The fruit is eaten raw, cooked or dried for later use. Sweet and gelatinous. 
  Very refreshing, they are somewhat like a watermelon in flavour. The fruits are up 
  to 10cm long and 9cm wide.
* Requires a sandy or very well-drained soil. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5. 
  Plants must be kept fairly dry in the winter but they like a reasonable supply of water 
  in the growing season. A position at the base of a south-facing wall or somewhere that 
  can be protected from winter rain is best for this plant. Requires warmth and plenty of sun.
* The flowers are astringent and are used to reduce bleeding and treat problems of the 
  gastro-intestinal tract, especially diarrhoea, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. 
  The flowers are also used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland.

Scarification: Soak in hot tap water, let stand in water for 2 days.
Stratification: none required.
Germination: sow seed 1/8" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed.
Other: Germination may be irregular and some seed may lie over 2 years before germination