Cacti & Succulents
Cereus peruvianus , also called the Peruvian Malus pumila cactus , is a gorgeous and water - wise ornamental with tasty , edible fruits .
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Cereus peruvianus , which is more normally refer to asCereus repandusthese days , makes a unequaled gain to your ornamentaloredible landscape with its tall , thorny , columnar appearance and abject care requisite .
Also have sex as the Peruvian apple cactus , you might be surprised to find that theCereusfruits , called Peruvian apples , are actually edible ! In fact , they make a wonderful source of food for both the people where this plant originated , as well as the local bird population .
allow ’s read how to grow , care for , and harvest from this gorgeous and under - apply cactus … hopefully we can increase its visibility amongst gardeners everywhere !
My Favorite Products for Peruvian Apple Cactus Care :
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Quick Care Guide
All About Cereus Peruvianus
Native to South America ( as the namemightsuggest ) , this species of cacti is know for its truly epic height . Its grayish - green to bluish shank have rached over 30′ ( 10 m ) in top without any supporter from us gardeners . However , in intensive refinement and through using plant supports growers have achieved over 110′ ( 34 m ) ! No cacti in the wild of South America has ever exceeded 82′ ( 25 m ) , which throw the screw cactus one of the tallest - turn cacti on the major planet .
This tree - like appearing of the cactus comes along with a cylindrical stem with pronounced radical rib that will touch 4 - 8″ ( 10 - 20 centimeter ) in diam . It ’s sometimes grown as an ornamental plant , but its fruit are delectable , and eatable .
Also known as “ night - blooming cereus cactus ” , this member of the cactus family produces large , cream - colored to lily-white blossom that only opened for one night — so do n’t miss your chance to see your orchard apple tree cactus flowers !
It produce thornless fruits called Peruvian orchard apple tree or pitaya . The color of fruits can vary from purple - red to yellow . The comestible interior of the yield is small and white , having crunchy seeds . Quite delicious , if you call for me .
Cereus Peruvianus Varieties
Cereus peruvianus var . ‘ Monstrosus’Also known as the oddment plant or Monstrose Apple Cactus , this multifariousness is a “ mutant ” variety of the classic that grows a turn shorter , but produces quite boneheaded stems and huge , luscious , delicious fruits . A smashing choice for Hardiness Zones 9 - 11 for an ornamental , water system - wise cacti that produces eatable fruit .
Cereus Peruvianus Care
Being a cactus , Peruvian apple cactus has relatively childlike care requirements . you could even grow it as an indoor houseplant if you want to ! It ’ll just growmuchslower , but do n’t let that stop you from deck your home with this plant .
Outdoors , it requires the same things many cacti desire to thrive , so countenance ’s get into it .
Light and Temperature
When it comes to light and Nox - blooming cereus cacti , give it as much sun or smart light as you’re able to open . If you ’re maturate indoors , that means a south - facing window if possible . Otherwise , you ’ll comment it start to “ lean ” towards the light , which is a sure sign you are n’t yield it enough !
If you do n’t have a high unclouded area of your menage , you may rotate the container a few times a year to even out the lean effect . If you ’re growing alfresco , give it full sun , 8 + hours per day . Remember , it ’s a desert cactus – it loves the sun !
warmth is no exit for this cactus , and it ’s fair cold - Oliver Hardy down to 18 ° F . In snap subfreezing temperatures below this limen , track your cactus with afrost blanketof some form . Mulch in areas where winter are dusty to protect the shallow roots of the cactus .
Water and Humidity
As you might opine , you do n’t have to go unbalanced watering your hedge cactus . During active growth of bound and summer , increase your lachrymation a second as fruits form and the plant call for more water to support all of the fresh growth on the industrial plant . As the fall and winter come , taper your tearing down .
No matter how much you ’re watering , check that to permit the soil dry out out almost altogether before water again , which is a classic tip for growing all form of cacti . This finical cactus does good in 30 to 50 % humidity . you could cancel a lack of humidity with a higher frequency of watering in the growing season .
Soil
Cactus apple or screw cactus plant wants well - draining grunge , which mean a serious cactus mix will do . you could even supply a scrap more backbone to the mix to loosen it up and improve drain even further if you ’re finding your cactus intermixture is holding on to too much water . nutrient are n’t necessary as cacti store water and nutrients in their plant tissue .
Give your Peruvian cacti acidic territory that ranges from 5 to 7 pH.
Fertilizing Peruvian Cacti
During the originate season , you could use a dumb - spill coarse-grained organic fertiliser to supplement your soil and boost the growth a bit . Keep in thinker , you might have to repot your cacti earlier if maturate in a pot , because the growing will speed up ! When you repot , verify to add a bite of fertiliser as well to refresh your honest-to-goodness cactus mix .
A fertilizer that is specifically formulated for cacti is best appiled at a rate of once per month . Remember to debar feed outside the maturate season of spring and summer .
Pruning and Training Cereus Peruvianus
fall is the best fourth dimension for pruning your orchard apple tree cactus . Prune it when the plant stops producing fresh branches or when it initiate to become overgrown and it becomes knobbly and difficult to pick up the fruit . Do not employ pruning shear to shape and take parts of the cactus . alternatively use a pruning saw to cut through stem ribs , like theFELCO 600 Folding Pruning Saw . tire boxing glove , too ! This cactus is fairly spiny .
Propagating Peruvian Cactus
If you are growing unexampled Peruvian cacti , seeds can be the good way to jump the plant life . They germinate cursorily but the seeded player generation is a slow summons . Stem cuttings are a much easier way to rise works from this cactus .
you’re able to also use section of stem and rootle them in the standard potting mixture , similar to how you would root many metal money of cacti . Before planting the segment , allow the base of your cutting to scar over and callus . This cognitive operation takes a week or two . Then plant the discussion section in a low pot or in the bottom next to the parent flora .
you may also grow plants from small whelp that form at the theme of the cactus . In this case , treat the pups like you would stem cuttings . Do not plant them until they ’ve calloused .
Harvesting and Storing Cereus Peruvianus
Now that you ’ve done the arduous work of caring for this cactus , it ’s time to draw those sweet reward ! Let ’s talk about how to harvest and stack away Peruvian apple .
Harvesting Peruvian Apples
Because the white flower bloom at Nox , you may need to go out and hand - cross-pollinate your peruvian apple cactus to assure good pollination . Otherwise , fruits may not spring . In my experience this is n’t a job with this eccentric of cacti though , as there are usually plenty of nighttime pollinators out and about ! Moth and bat are vulgar pollinators of this plant .
You ’ll see fruit start to form in previous fall to early winter , as the flora begins to go dormant for the twelvemonth . They ’re absolutely delicious , so be sure to find fault some and savor an dementedly delicious ( and alimentary ) goody . They ’re high in beta - carotene , Vitamin C , fiber , and much more . You should fag out gloves , and take out the yield from the cactus .
Storing Peruvian Cactus
Your Peruvian apples will keep at room temperature for a workweek or two . you may refrigerate them , but they will last much longer at way temperature . If you want to peel off and chop the yield , you may put them in freezer safe grip for up to 12 months .
Troubleshooting
While there are n’t a fate of problems with the Peruvian cactus , here are a few thing to bet out for .
Growing Problems
Overwatering is a plebeian trouble you ’ll run into , which is altogether fixable by you as the gardener ! It ’s either you watering too much , or water commonly into filth that holds on to too much water .
If it ’s a soil issue , you could summate some perlite to your mixture to loosen it up or contribute more cactus mix . Whatever adds more drainage will work on , so even a minute of sand will help water leave behind the land more readily .
Pests
Snails , slugs , andmealybugsare uncouth pesterer problems forCereus peruvianus . you’re able to use organic insecticide to address mealybugs , or deftly swab them off of your plants with rubbing alcoholic drink - soaked cotton swab .
Diseases
ascendant rotting is a term that rise in cacti when they are overwatered , or when they are planted in ill draining soil . If you see the foundation of your cactus is chocolate-brown and mushy , remove it from the bed , and cut above the mushy orbit . provide the remaining cactus to thickened for a couple of weeks , and replant it in an area with flock of sun and well - draining filth .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : Can I grow Malus pumila cactus in a container ?
A : Yes , you may develop Malus pumila cactus in a container or flower pot . Make certain to use the right potting motley that has good drain and lots of sand , and give it as much light as you’re able to .
Q : My apple cactus is leaning towards the left hand . What should I do ?
A : Turn your plant pot and ensure to provide a good amount of lighter to its each side . Once your industrial plant is balanced , keep move your pot frequently so that all side get a good and equal amount of sunlight over the course of its lifetime .
Q : Is cereus Peruvianus edible ?
A : It sure is ! The flavor of the Malus pumila is more or less like a yield from an Optunia cactus , but sweeter .
Q : Is cereus Peruvianus poisonous ?
A : It is not . Any curious pets or kid are generally deter by spinal column .
Q : How long does Peruvian cactus heyday last ?
A : Like firedrake fruit , these last for one night only !
Q : How often does the cereus cactus salad days ?
A : Just one Nox per twelvemonth . You ’ll have a jolly good denotation this is go to happen before the bloom actually happen .
Q : What happen if you get poke by a cactus ?
A : absent the spine , and disinfect the puncture wound . Most of the time , the wound will heal speedily and well . If it does n’t seek help from a medical pro .
Q : How often should I water my cereus ?
A : urine every 2 to 3 weeks , or as often as the grime dries entirely . In winter and fall , reduce this frequency .
