These tropical cacti, often called leaf cacti, are unusual and have many characteristics unlike those of other plants in their family. Instead, Pereskia cacti usually look more like plants from other families. For instance, they often have large, bright green leaves and long stems, two characteristics uncommon among cacti. Leaf cacti also show considerable diversity in growth habits and preferred treatments.
Pereskia qualify as cacti because their spines develop from areoles, a distinctive characteristic of the Cactus Family. They can be divided into Leuenbergeria and Pereskia. Pereskia species are usually found in tropical areas, while Leuenbergeria species are found farther north. Many of these plants have lovely foliage. For instance, Pereskia grandifolia, used by native Brazilians for its medicinal properties, has large pinkish flowers that develop from the end of dense inflorescences.
Pereskia are often used as flowering hedges, and varieties that bear edible fruits, such as Pereskia aculeata, are also grown for their fruit. Unfortunately, many plants in the genus Pereskia are rare, and the genus's diversity makes it difficult to generalize about their characteristics. Still, Pereskia is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and unusual cactus genera.
Growing Conditions
Light: Lots of direct sunlight every day. Like most cacti, Pereskia benefit from lots of light.
Water: Err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering. Pereskia can be watered fairly infrequently and survive.
Temperature: Temperature needs vary by species, but these are generally tropical plants that require warm conditions.
Soil: Use a typical cactus potting soil containing some organic material and ensure good drainage to avoid damaging the roots.
Fertilizer: Feed regularly with a balanced, water-soluble cactus fertilizer to encourage blooming.
Propagation
You can propagate these cacti fairly easily by taking cuttings. Snip off a piece about 2 inches long, treat it with a good rooting hormone, and plant it in cactus potting mix. It can take a little while to root, but they are not picky about propagation and should grow easily in a new environment. Keep them in a warm, moist area.
Repotting
Pereskia likes dry conditions and doesn't need to be repotted often, but it is still a good idea to refresh the soil occasionally. Be careful when repotting any cactus to avoid getting hurt by its sharp spines; lift the plant from its mix, place it in a new container, then backfill with soil. Do not water for a few weeks after repotting. The plant is still acclimating to its new container.
Grower's Tips
As with many cacti, Pereskia can be almost ignored and still flourish. One major advantage of succulents as houseplants is their ease; overwatering or overfeeding is a greater danger than neglect, as it can damage their roots. If you repot them, leave them alone briefly to avoid overstressing them, and watch for common houseplant pests. Many of these cacti can not be grown as houseplants because of their shrubby growth habit, and others are very rare, but when you do find one, Pereskia can be good in cultivation.
Source: about.com
Links
- Back to genus Pereskia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus