Pereskia

The genus Pereskia unites 20 species of shrubby climbing or erect non-succulent cacti with prickly shoots. Pereskia is characterized by true leaves, rather than leaf-like flat stems. Pereskia aculeata is the most well-known ornamental species in the culture. It is an evergreen climbing plant with long, falling shoots of up to 10 m. Leathery leaves are ovate or elliptical in shape, with curved spines, with which pereskia climbs on a support. In October, flattened white (sometimes yellow or pink) fragrant flowers bloom, up to 4 cm in diameter. In the Godsefa variety, the leaves are yellow-green on the upper side and pinkish-red on the lower side. The leaves of P. grandifolia are narrow, elliptical, oval or oval-lanceolate, covered with orange to black spines. Flowers are collected in 3-5 pieces and painted in pink-purple colors. The flowering period lasts from spring to autumn. The shape and size of the leaves of pereskia lichnidiflora (P. lichnidiflora) are very different, the spines are yellow or reddish. In the period from spring to autumn, orange-yellow single flowers with a diameter of up to 2 cm bloom.

The genus Pereskia unites 20 species of shrubby climbing or erect non-succulent cacti with prickly shoots. Pereskia is characterized by true leaves, rather than leaf-like flat stems.

Pereskia aculeata is the most well-known ornamental species in the culture. It is an evergreen climbing plant with long, falling shoots of up to 10 m. Leathery leaves are ovate or elliptical in shape, with curved spines, with which pereskia climbs on a support. In October, flattened white (sometimes yellow or pink) fragrant flowers bloom, up to 4 cm in diameter. In the Godsefa variety, the leaves are yellow-green on the upper side and pinkish-red on the lower side.

The leaves of P. grandifolia are narrow, elliptical, oval or oval-lanceolate, covered with orange to black spines. Flowers are collected in 3-5 pieces and painted in pink-purple colors. The flowering period lasts from spring to autumn.

The shape and size of the leaves of pereskia lichnidiflora (P. lichnidiflora) are very different, the spines are yellow or reddish. In the period from spring to autumn, orange-yellow single flowers with a diameter of up to 2 cm bloom.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Pereskia are grown at home in pots or outdoors on balconies and terraces. In the latter case, if the winters are cold, they should be removed to the house in the fall. Care for pereskia is not the same as for most cacti, pereskia requires more moisture, and in winter more heat. Potting substrate is a soil mixture for cacti with the addition of peat, mineral fertilizer is applied at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of soil. Starting from spring and until the end of flowering, once a month, a complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation at the rate of 15 g per bucket. At the end of the vegetative period during the period when the leaves fall, the branches are shortened by 2-3 cm.

Location

For plants of the genus Pereskia, the main thing is good lighting, a bright or slightly shaded place. But in the summer months, you should avoid the open sun, its direct rays.

Temperature

Pereskia is a plant of tropical origin, very thermophilic, so even in winter the air temperature should not be lower than 15 °C. However, it may be less important for short periods of time.

Watering

Water regularly and abundantly, but without stagnation of moisture. In the cold season, the soil is kept in a slightly moist state.

Care

Remove withered flowers, as well as yellowed and damaged leaves.

Reproduction

Sowing of seeds is carried out in spring in boxes, maintain a temperature of 20-22 °C. Grown seedlings are planted singly in pots. Cuttings 8-10 cm long easily take root in summer or spring in a mixture of peat and agroperlite (or sand) at a temperature of 22-25 °C and high humidity.

Diseases

Rotting of the root neck and roots begins in conditions of excess irrigation water, especially in cold periods. This can also be caused by insufficient drainage of the soil or the container itself. To avoid this, you should use the appropriate mixture and monitor watering. Gray rot of vegetable crops (Botrytis cinerea) causes the appearance of softened mold on individual segments of the stem. The occurrence of the disease contributes to the increased humidity of the ambient air and poor circulation. Adjust the growing conditions and treat with the preparations intended for the following conditions: to combat gray rot. Worms suck sap from leaves and stems. If there are few plants, remove insects with a stiff brush. Otherwise, you will have to perform treatment with anticoccidal drugs. Other pests, such as thrips and mites, damage the flowers, stems and leaves, which leads to deformation of these organs. Treat with appropriate medications. In summer, too much light can lead to a noticeable decrease in the brightness of the leaves ' color. Move the plant to a place where the light is not as intense.

Acquisition

Plants of the genus Pereskia can be found in horticultural centers and specialized nurseries. Choose compact and well-formed specimens, making sure that they are in a healthy state.