I split my off subject post out, so here is Mike Co's reply back on subject...comike wrote:HELLO !
I agree they look better standing up.
At least from what I've seen, in nature they only propagate laying downwhen they get knocked off the main plant.
While growing, to adapt to drastic weather variations, the connected P.P. pads raise or lower to root standing up.
Second I forgot to say before. A slight advantage to laying the pad down (in a home growing project) is that its easy to see when the pad needs water.
(after it sprouts, using the pads' wrinkles to decide when it needs water)
best regards, Mike Co
prickly pear propagation...lay them down or stand them up?
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti