---
title: "SOS. My variegated prickly pear is doing well (just produced a new…"
description: "SOS. My variegated prickly pear is doing well (just produced a new pad) but one of the pads (on left) has dropped to a 50% angle. Not only am I worried about…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/1vtMUINeyZeETKzrwAk1bF"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "BlondeinBrooklyn"
published: "2026-04-24T14:30:44.571599Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-ShWEt3pG3w99K5uKkTYNi_tnY0M0QyASTVM574HHQ0/olnEWo7rQ4Cwv_fu249sEQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md)

# SOS. My variegated prickly pear is doing well (just produced a new…

_Posted by BlondeinBrooklyn on 2026-04-24_

SOS. My variegated prickly pear is doing well (just produced a new pad) but one of the pads (on left) has dropped to a 50% angle. Not only am I worried about it throwing the plant off balance, it's awkward looking. Am thinking of chopping \& propping. Have propagated succulents from leaves but never a cacti pad. Thoughts and or tips?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-ShWEt3pG3w99K5uKkTYNi_tnY0M0QyASTVM574HHQ0/olnEWo7rQ4Cwv_fu249sEQ.webp?size=large)

## 13 comments

### Kirsten commented on 2026-04-24

I haven’t been good with cactus propagations, although it sounds easy, but I’d like to offer another solution:  
If you’d like to rehabilitate the affected limb, you can give it a sling and it will callus itself back to adhering to the plant. I did this for my cactus, and attached, before, rehabbed, and after pics

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/FdHooJPbSSGSDqllNcDUHg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/vyC7nySfQSmD3G-iNn9N2A.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/WnOsYMhFSR-5bNgdT_zmwQ.webp?size=large)

#### Kirsten replied on 2026-04-24

The time between rehabbed and after is about a month and 2 weeks

#### BlondeinBrooklyn replied on 2026-04-24

Wow! This is a great suggestion \& one I never would have thought of!!! Thanks so much.  
PS-your cactus is rad!!!

#### BlondeinBrooklyn replied on 2026-04-24

OK, she's slinged up. It definitely tore the pad connection a bit so I guess that's where it'll callous?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-ShWEt3pG3w99K5uKkTYNi_tnY0M0QyASTVM574HHQ0/mNPLJwMxTDGkDF3rUtGeww.webp?size=large)

#### BlondeinBrooklyn replied on 2026-04-24

Torn area. Should I treat it with anything? Root hormone? Keiki paste?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-ShWEt3pG3w99K5uKkTYNi_tnY0M0QyASTVM574HHQ0/F58EAF0JR--X3HErU0CHxA.webp?size=large)

#### Kirsten replied on 2026-04-24

That sling looks great and should callus. Give it a month or two and gently remove the rubber band to see if it’s sticking.

_2 more replies in the app_

### Christina commented on 2026-04-24

You can absolutly chop and prop. I recently did that to my brazilian prickly pear and they are all thriving and exploding with new growth. I try to always use the twist method to remove them from the OG and let them callous for a few days and then drop them right into dirt with supports till they take root. Dont water when you plant them. Wait a week or two so the roots can start to form and search for water. Then give them a good soak and drain.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/8RoxPak5YLy4dIduutbPGBLiR_zbSZ6ojYQ9GOZame8/oMwBLGNsRAij0E-eaEcPzw.webp?size=large)

#### Christina replied on 2026-04-24

OG Mother for reference. She was gettung skinny and those 2 were weighing her down. She has also plumped back up a bit

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/8RoxPak5YLy4dIduutbPGBLiR_zbSZ6ojYQ9GOZame8/uXd4x-wpSSOQIJue4DIseQ.webp?size=large)

#### Bebe🌵🤍 replied on 2026-04-26

I like how she’s giving me the finger😂

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/EKbKISFhrkptGCozrTPTuD0vgyW2Myf0SIis-60LlxE/fcdBJ3IAS5-l1DzWvo5juQ.webp?size=large)

#### Christina replied on 2026-04-26

I absolutely love that im not the only one that thought that😆😆

### BlondeinBrooklyn commented on 2026-07-09

The sling worked! Woke up this morning \& it had busted through the rubber band after 2+ months in place. It's the arm on the right.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-ShWEt3pG3w99K5uKkTYNi_tnY0M0QyASTVM574HHQ0/MKNQ8GixQzGnZwgBW87P3w.webp?size=large)

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