Q. I have a cactus that has small flat paddles with no
visible needles. The problem it has is that all of the paddles seem like they
are chewed around the edges. Every time a new paddle grows, the edge soon
becomes brown around the edges.
visible needles. The problem it has is that all of the paddles seem like they
are chewed around the edges. Every time a new paddle grows, the edge soon
becomes brown around the edges.
A. This is most likely rabbit damage. Just because you don’t
see any needles doesn’t mean they are not there. There are plenty of cacti that
seem to have no needles at all. But they are small and even more of a problem
for humans and other animals than cacti with large needles simply because you
are not as cautious around these types.
see any needles doesn’t mean they are not there. There are plenty of cacti that
seem to have no needles at all. But they are small and even more of a problem
for humans and other animals than cacti with large needles simply because you
are not as cautious around these types.
 |
| Rabbit damage to nopal cactus with very tiny spines |
One primary reason for having
needles, and particularly large needles, is to prevent animals from eating the
pads. The spines, or needles, on cacti are at locations on the plant which are
not random. If you look at them closely they follow a spiral pattern with
spaces between them.
needles, and particularly large needles, is to prevent animals from eating the
pads. The spines, or needles, on cacti are at locations on the plant which are
not random. If you look at them closely they follow a spiral pattern with
spaces between them.
 |
| Nopal Cactus with large spines |
When a plant has large spines or
needles it helps prevent the animal from getting close enough to take nibbles.
The smaller the spines, the closer animals can get and chow down.
Rabbits love cacti with very
small spines. They will eat between the spines being very careful not to let
their mouth come in contact with them. Of course the easiest place for them to
chow down is on the margins of the pads, between the spines.
You most likely have rabbit
damage and you will have to exclude them from the plant if you want to keep
them from getting damaged. Chicken wire in 24 inch widths with 1 inch hexagon
openings will keep rabbits away from these plants if they are put around the
perimeter. Make sure the rabbit cannot put its nose under the bottom edge and
get under it.
damage and you will have to exclude them from the plant if you want to keep
them from getting damaged. Chicken wire in 24 inch widths with 1 inch hexagon
openings will keep rabbits away from these plants if they are put around the
perimeter. Make sure the rabbit cannot put its nose under the bottom edge and
get under it.