Cut it off? Leave it? They look ugly after flower dies.
If you leave this, there is a potential that it will grow an edible fruit when peeled. If you pluck it off, it will help the plant look better, but there will be no fruit. It is up to you, and either can be fine.
This article is on the prickly pear that is assumed to be tropical, but there are many subspecies that are very hardy with the same care, so this will give you more information on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/prickly-pear/growing-prickly-pear.htm
Plants are three years old
This is usually due to a lack of fertilization, but I am also in zone 7 and it took mine 6 years to send the first fruit out! It is likely that the cultivar is only barely hardy in our area, and will take a lot longer to bear a fruit.
This article will give you information on the general care of opuntia, or the prickly pear: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/prickly-pear/opuntia-cactus-varieties.htm
Can I cut a large plant down to the woody part when pruning. Will it produce new Leaves if I do? Or will I kill it?
This will not kill it off. These are very hardy. It will set it back some, and will take some time to regrow, but you may notice it will get bigger than originally.
This article will refresh you on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/prickly-pear/growing-prickly-pear.htm
Tiny shoot with two leaves emerged from seed, nothing since, for a number of weeks.
It can. What kind of light do you have this under? this can be a slow process without the proper lighting.
You will want to try and provide similar conditions to what they will see in nature. This article will give you more information on the care that these require: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/prickly-pear/growing-prickly-pear.htm
Thanks for the answer. It is in a pot beside a South facing window so gets a fair amount of natural and artificial light.
Do opuntia cactus taste sour? I grow them but they are too sour to eat the pads.
It has a flavor that is reminiscent of a bell pepper with the undertones of a green bean.
How it is cooked can determine the flavor. Try doing a search for different recipes.
I need to know if you sell the plant of :Indian fig prickly pear and as much cost .I live in :Orlando ,Florida Please let me know any informations if you sell and send to my address. Thank you, frank
We do not sell, or offer places to purchase plants. I would recommend contacting a local nursery, or an online one. Many will ship to just about anywhere.
This will be grown indoors.
I would only use 1 per pot.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/prickly-pear/growing-prickly-pear.htm