damir,
Have you ever tried O. engelmannii. They are can be very cold hardy if from higher places. They don't make it through my winters, but
in zone 6-7 should be good?

To continue this thread, here is that same patch of Opuntia humifusa (Onatario native form?) after the winter. It's been cool to see all of the variations of O. humifusa and other cacti in this thread. Most of the pads have started to straighten up again, and this spring I've already removed around 12 to sell. Don't mind the weedy/dirty cacti bed 😆 :

Cam- If you ever want to try some different cacti just let me know!

I think I will leave a cutting from my chlorotica out this winter. I want one that looks awesome like Aarons! Aaron, btw if you ever do get seeds again, or seedlings from that plant please let me know!

I guess this info is good here. I tried some larger/more southerly cacti this winter... Not much to report. I lost O. macrocentra (syn. violaceae) which had survived a previous winter. I had an Opuntia humifusa var. ammophila mostly (but not completely) killed... This is the southern upright form of the species. I also lost another form of Opuntia basilaris. Still looking for a true var. basilars that has those awesome white pads and is hardy. No luck yet (but any other var. seems fine).

The tallest 'erect' type of cactus which I've come across which is long term hardy is this baby. If it forms seeds I'll save them for anyone who wants them.

<img src= >

Cam- If you ever want to try some different cacti just let me know!

I think I will leave a cutting from my chlorotica out this winter. I want one that looks awesome like Aarons! Aaron, btw if you ever do get seeds again, or seedlings from that plant please let me know!

I guess this info is good here. I tried some larger/more southerly cacti this winter... Not much to report. I lost O. macrocentra (syn. violaceae) which had survived a previous winter. I had an Opuntia humifusa var. ammophila mostly (but not completely) killed... This is the southern upright form of the species. I also lost another form of Opuntia basilaris. Still looking for a true var. basilars that has those awesome white pads and is hardy. No luck yet (but any other var. seems fine).

I lost all my O. macrocentra, but I have hybrids from thier seeds and this will be thier first year in bloom. 😀 You ca have some of the seed paul if you want?

This was my winter protection for cacti. You can call it tipi 😆

Thats how I protect my stuff, works good. 😀