Pereskia

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Caribbean countries, South and Central America.

Description. Pereskia is a small genus of about 24 species of cacti that resemble shrubs or small trees, with some species acting like vines. The stems are abundantly branched, bear areoles with long, thin spines, and become woody with age and covered with gray-brown bark. The leaves are simple, green, lanceolate, hard, with a glossy sheen, up to 20 cm long, arranged alternately. Young leaf blades can have a reddish or yellow tint. In spring and summer, large inflorescences with spectacular, large - up to 5 cm in diameter, often fragrant flowers of cream, white, pink or red shades appear on the tops of the shoots. After flowering, oblong fruits are formed, reminiscent of hawthorn fruits.

Height. It develops quickly; in adult specimens, stems can reach a length of 1 to 10 m.

Caring at home

When it blooms 

Spring - summer, flowering occurs only with good care. 

Reproduction

Propagated vegetatively - by cuttings or generatively - by seeds. Seeds are sown in spring, the germination period takes 3-5 weeks. Seeds are sown in spring in a mixture of half peat, half perlite and the growing medium is kept moist. The germination period is approximately 21-30 days. Stem cuttings are separated with a sharp tool. The base of the cutting is sprinkled with rooting powder. Young seedlings are placed in a warm place without direct sunlight; watering at this time is best replaced by spraying. Rooting occurs very quickly - within 1-2 weeks, even in a glass of water.

Growing at home, pruning 

Pereskia is more likely to suffer from over-care than from neglect. This plant can be safely recommended to beginning gardeners. Long stems sometimes require support. After flowering, the branches can be shortened with a sharp sterile tool.

Diseases and pests 

If kept in cool conditions or if the substrate dries out, the plants lose their lower leaves. Pereskia can rot if kept in cold conditions or with insufficient drainage. Rotten manifestations are especially common in the autumn-winter period.

Of the harmful insects, cacti can be attacked by mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects.

Containment temperature

Enjoys the summer heat; the dormant period should be cool, but at a temperature not lower than 12°C. Winter dormancy is necessary for the formation of flower buds for the following season.

Lighting

A brightly lit place with access to direct sunlight for 3 to 4 hours daily, morning and evening. It is better to provide shade from scorching rays during the daytime. If there is insufficient natural light, additional illumination with fluorescent lamps is possible. 

Soil

Pereskia requires more nutritious soil than most cacti. The soil should easily pass water and air, pH not higher than 6.5. A mixture of leaf humus, turf soil with a large amount of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. You can use a ready-made substrate for cacti. 

Fertilizer

When growth begins in spring, feed with water-soluble fertilizer for cacti every 2 weeks. Feeding should be done with a weak solution. Do not feed the flower in autumn and winter.

Spraying

It tolerates dry indoor air well and does not require spraying. In autumn and winter the air should be dry. It is advisable to provide plants with a place where there is good air circulation. 

Watering

In warm weather, watering should be abundant and regular. Between waterings, dry the soil to a depth of about 3 cm. In autumn, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced and in winter the soil is dried to half the depth. Pereskia tolerates drought well, but does not like waterlogging.

Transplant

Pereskia has a shallow root system and can be planted in shallow bowls. Replanting is carried out in the spring, every 2 - 3 years, if it is necessary to change the soil to fresh one or the plant has become cramped in the pot. 

Purpose

Representatives of this genus are undemanding and are often used as rootstock for more capricious cacti.

Varieties:

Pereskia aculeata

In its natural habitat, this cactus is a small tree up to 10 m high with a spreading crown formed by abundantly branched stems. The shoots are thin, often drooping. The leaves are green, glossy, broadly lanceolate, arranged alternately, on short petioles. The flowers are attractive, cream or white, appearing on the tops of shoots in the summer months. Flowering is very abundant and long lasting. The center of the flowers is yellow or orange. After flowering, the plants form entire clusters of round, glossy, orange berries, often with thorns on the surface. The berries are considered edible and have juicy, slightly sour pulp.

Pereskia godseffiana

An evergreen plant with a spectacular, bright appearance. It has abundantly branched, thick stems with brown, strong, straight spines. The leaves are lanceolate, glossy, of a wide variety of colors - from the standard green shade to yellow, orange, light green, pink and even burgundy with all sorts of combinations of these tones. The flowers are attractive, small, yellowish. Throughout the summer, the plants are able to form buds and have a pleasant aroma during the flowering period. After flowering, spherical, yellow berries are formed.