Update: My neighbor's 'rare' cactus from a Tucson market is taking over his yard

He bought it three years ago, and now it's sending runners under the fence. I had to dig out a dozen new shoots from my side last week. Anyone know a safe way to stop a spreading Opuntia without killing everything else?

3 comments

3 Comments

stella4991mo ago

Did you try putting a root barrier down?

lunaw721mo ago

My friend had that exact problem with her neighbor's bamboo! She put in a root barrier, but it was already too late. The stuff had spread way under her fence and popped up all over her flower beds. She ended up having to dig a huge trench and install a super deep barrier, like two feet down. It was a massive job and she's still pulling stray shoots. That stuff is no joke.

noahpark23d ago

Ever wonder if the type of bamboo makes a difference? I've heard clumping bamboo is way less of a problem than the running kind that just goes everywhere. Like @stella499 said, a barrier is key, but you have to get the right kind from the start. If your neighbor planted the running type, even a good barrier might not stop it if it's already deep under your yard. You might be fighting those shoots for years no matter what you do.

-1