Between 1907 and 1925, Luther Burbank made waves in the world of horticulture by introducing over 60 unique varieties of spineless cacti. These remarkable plants were primarily developed through hybridization of the Indian fig (Opuntia ficus-indica) and the Mexican prickly pear (Opuntia tuna). Burbank’s spineless cactus came in two main types: fruiting varieties, cherished for their vibrant, delicious prickly pears, and forage varieties, cultivated for their edible pads, known as thalli, which could be consumed both by livestock and humans.
Growing Spineless Cacti
To successfully grow spineless cacti, start by planting the pads in sandy, well-drained soil, burying roughly one-third of the lower end of each pad in an upright position. Firmly compact the soil to hold the pads in place, using small sticks if necessary. Find a warm, sunny spot for them and shield them from intense sunlight until they establish themselves. Avoid watering the pads until they display fresh green growth, and from then on, water them infrequently with deep soakings, allowing the soil to thoroughly dry before the next watering. No additional fertilizer should be needed. While young plants may be vulnerable to severe frosts, mature specimens are resilient and able to endure colder temperatures.
Versatile Uses of Spineless Cacti
Luther Burbank, circa 1914, offered a range of suggestions for the manifold applications of spineless cacti:
- Plants: These cacti can serve as excellent hedges and fences, providing natural barriers and beauty to your surroundings.
- Woody skeletons: The sturdy skeletons of these cacti can be utilized in constructing houses, rustic furniture, and even crafted into trinkets like fans.
- Stems: The stems of spineless cacti contain sap that can be extracted and used as chewing gum.
- Thalli: Thalli, also known as pads or leaves, have a plethora of uses:
- They can be used as fodder for livestock and poultry, serving as a nutritious feed option.
- Thalli can act as a substitute for a hot water bottle.
- When split open and soaked in water, they release a healing viscous juice that aids in the recovery of wounds and bruises.
The juice extracted from thalli can also be used for various purposes, including:
- Manufacturing candles.
- Smothering mosquito larvae in water, similar to petroleum (with a lasting effect of up to a year, as reported by Scientific American in 1911).
- Boiling down to create mucilage or mixing with whitewash or mortar to enhance durability and stickiness respectively.
Culinary Delights from Spineless Cacti
The young shoots (known as “nopales” or “nopalitos”) of spineless cacti offer a multitude of culinary possibilities:
- Boil and fry them to create a dish similar to eggplant.
- They have a natural mucilage, like okra, and can be boiled with garlic and onions, then chopped and cooked with shellfish, pork, and eggs. Enhance the flavors by adding chopped tomatoes, chilies, or coriander.
- Pickle them with spices for a tangy treat.
- Pulping and drying the shoots allows for their preservation and future use.
The delicious fruit of spineless cacti (known as “tunas” or “prickly pear”) also has numerous culinary applications:
- Enjoy them raw or chilled with a drizzle of lemon juice.
- Cook them into jams and preserves, similar to apple butter.
- Condense them into a dark red or black paste called “mile coacha,” which can then be fermented into a drink known as “coloncha.”
- Dry them for later consumption or transform them into flour to bake delightful sweet cakes called “queso de tuna.”
- Drying and candying the fruit is another tasty option.
The fruit juice can serve alternative purposes as well:
- Utilize it as a food coloring agent.
- Employ it as a natural dye for yarn.
Even the seeds of spineless cacti have their own value:
- They can be included in soups for added texture and nutrition.
- Alternatively, they can be dried and ground into flour, broadening their culinary potential.
Luther Burbank’s spineless cacti truly revolutionized the world of gardening, offering a host of possibilities for both practical and culinary applications. Discover the wonders of these remarkable plants and unlock their potential in your own garden or home.
