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When you think of the cactus kinfolk , you probably envisage plants with temporary or no foliation . But , the genus Pereskia ( per - ESS - kee - uh ) is the big exception .

The genus consist of 9 unlike evergreen specie , which uprise from Florida in the United States through the Caribbean , Mexico , and Central America , as far in the south as Brazil in South America .

Pereskia Flower from the cactus family

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A related to genus , Leuenbergeria , was part ofPereskiauntil 2013 and its 8 species are still unremarkably referred to asPereskia .

There are a few popular species and cultivars which are specially prized in garden and as houseplants :

Pereskia aculeata bears the common name Barbados Ribes uva-crispa .

Other common names forPereskiaand its species include :

Pereskiais a naive , non - succulent cactus that has not develop to lose its leaves .

The areoles each curb 2 to 3 spines , hold it the appearance of a succulent if the winter chill translate it leafless .

While some specie have golden leaves with a green nerve center , others have amber - yellowness with peach accents .

The ornamentalPereskia‘Godseffiana ’ has yellow - green foliage variegate with purpleness or red on the underside and scarlet and atomic number 29 on the top .

Pereskia Care

Size & Growth

Most species ofPereskiahave a thin woody , vertical emergence of 10 to 20 ’ understructure , with some reach up to 40 ’ substructure .

Some are more vine - like , clinging to surfaces with hooklike spine .

Leaves grow to 8 ” inches long and are evergreen , but may fall off in nearly - freezing temperature .

emergence is slow for favorable - leafage varieties but temperate for other species .

Flowering and Fragrance

Depending on the species , Pereskiacreates blossom either singularly or in group of two or more which set out from ¾ to 3 ” inches in diam .

Pereskia grandifolia , for exercise , has inflorescence of 10 to 30 large pink efflorescence .

The panicles of Pereskia aculeata hold up to 70 flowers .

LikeChristmas RoseandPortulaca plant , Pereskia blooms resemble untamed rose and may be cream , orangish , pink , purple , red , sick yellow , or whitened and generally seem from mid - springtime throughout summer .

Some species have a firm fragrance , while others are quite pungent .

The Pyrus communis - determine fruit of many species are edible and may be chocolate-brown , orange , red , or yellow - putting green , with a few coinage having lustrous pear-shaped bootleg fruit .

Of the edible species , the fruit resemble gooseberries and are full of flavor .

Numerous kidney - shaped seeds occupy the yield .

Light & Temperature

Unlike many other plants in your garden , Pereskiarequires full sunshine and wo n’t get sunburn even in intense direct sun .

Failure to provide adequate sunlight will make the leaves sour light-green , which is an unhealthful color for members of this genus .

These plant life are frost lovesome , yet they can handle temperatures down to freezing if kept perfectly dry and the base are keep on warm .

Ideally , the plant should be grown in USDA hardiness geographical zone 9 to 11 .

Watering and Feeding

During the growing time of year ( March to September ) , these plants should be watered regularly .

Be sure the soil is well - drain , as even brief stop of standing water can harm the roots .

In wintertime , attempt to keep the plant mostly teetotal , as Robert Frost can make damage , and be suspicious of winter precipitation .

Indoors , a humidity of 40 % percent or high is recommended , and frequent misting of the plant life both indoors and outside is a great way to simulate its natural increase habit .

Use a balanced fertilizer to feed the plant monthly throughout the grow time of year .

Soil & Transplanting

Pereskia relish rich , organic , well - drained soil .

A potting mix of :

… sum up extra welfare .

Grooming And Maintenance

genus Peireskia require little to no criminal maintenance and can be disregard for period of fourth dimension without harming the flora .

It may be lop or mold if trust .

How To Propagate Rose Cactus?

You may reap the come from overripe fruit , clean , teetotal , and store them for plant in fountain .

apply an adequate mix of peat and perlite to sow seeds , keeping the surface moist until sprouting 21 to 30 days later .

Stem press clipping are another option , and the cuttings may further be used for grafting .

Choose untried stem which have begun inure for your cuttings .

Place them in and or the peat and perlite mix like a shot and piazza in bright , collateral light .

It accept approximately 4 day for root to begin grow .

PereskiaPest or Disease Problems

As with most cacti , this works is plan to be drought resistive but may suffer some leaf drops .

It is reasonably disease resistant , although scale andmealybugs on succulentsare an issue .

mention that the spines are penetrative , requiring care when pruning or harvesting .

Suggested Rose Cactus Uses

The leafage of bothPereskiaaculeataandPereskia grandifoliaare edible and are high-pitched in protein and branding iron .

All edible foliage and fruit may be eat naked or falsify .

The fruit also attract birds .

Pereskia works great on trellises or as container plant .

When grown as an decorative or secrecy hedge , it quickly fills out into a heavy bulwark .

The small vining plant life may be kept in hanging handbasket .