Avoiding glochid attachment?

Sometimes when we badly handle Opuntioidae cacti we get a bad memory of it.
But are there ways to avoid it?

Glochids are nasty for many reasons but one is their stealth. You know a big spikey cactus is going to be painful, but those long spines might actually protect one from getting stuck by glochids if they're dense enough. Are there Opuntiads with spines so long that the glochids are effectively harmless?

And for those short spined ones, will glochids grow back if you deliberately rub them off?

Whenever I've repotted the treacherous species, I found that making use of thick leaved weeds from the garden are great to protect from hazard. Not sure the name of the weed but pretty much any that have leaves thicker than the length of the glochids will do. All the nasties end up stuck in the disposable weed leaves rather than in me. Works a treat.
As for deliberately scraping them off, I don't think I could conscience doing that. They may be nasty but they are an integral part of the species to be admired from a position of safety.

Do they all even have bad ones? the description in The Cactaceae of O. ficus-indica says "...glochids yellow, numerous, soon dropping off...". Does that mean that an adult pad can be handled safely?

And some time ago I deliberately got stuck by a Pereskiopsis and found they came out easily. They were not barbed. A bit like broken Cleistocactus spines...

Spines long enough ? hehe

Or better still, same plant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfNL-6r-Blw

_________!!!! !!! !! !

That's Austrocylindropuntia subulata right? I've never seen one of them in person.

I was actually more concerned with the density of spines rather than their length, and the shielding effect they could have on stopping loose clothing, etc. from getting at the glochids.

Yep that's the plant, I believe it is just going by the name Opuntia Subulata these days. I was just having a bit of fun sorry to steer away from your idea

Don't be sorry. That was insane. Shows that if you don't respect cacti and heed their warning then you're entering a world of pain. Classic and wrong.

revived.

wasnt mentioned here so thought ide put it out there.

disposable latex gloves can be had pretty cheap. find them in your supermarket or what have you.

just in case you happen to have an unfortunate encounter with some glocidies normal everyday sticky tape is very effective at removing the fine little buggers.


ps. opuntia subulata is not going to prevent you from glocky attack... those long spines are fish hooks and do a good job of draging you and plant together... i could never work out wether the plant wanted me to stay? or wanted to follow me around?

Hellonasty wrote:

Spines long enough ? hehe

Pretty sure this is the plant that's up the road from me, the one I intend to take a cutting from.
At least it appears to be, it may be something completely different but seems to look the part.