6 Facts About Peruvian Apple Cactus
Cereus Peruvianus is the original scientific name. Cereus Repandus is another name for it. Whatever you call it, the plant is one of the largest cacti species and most likely one of the top five most popular.
The Peruvian “apple” distinguishes it. The Cereus fruit is a small fruit produced by the plant. Other cacti may produce yields, but they are not safe for human consumption. So what is the Peruvian Apple? This is it.
It blooms at specific times of the year because it produces fruits. These flowers, like those of other cacti, bloom at night. Regardless, it’s stunning to look at. However, pollination is carried out by animals such as moths and bats.
Another noteworthy feature is its height in comparison to other similar cacti. It can quickly grow to be several feet tall.
In any case, the Peruvian Apple Cactus is one of the most visually appealing of its kind. As you might have guessed from the name, it’s a South American species. Except when we have a frost or freeze, it grows well in our area. Temperatures below freezing cause damage to the growing tips, which must be pruned as a result.
This plant can grow quite large in ideal conditions protected from cold temperatures. The fruit is edible, and birds, insects, and desert tortoises may consume it as it ripens and falls to the ground.
Peruvian Apple Cactus Propagation
Assume you started growing Peruvian Apples at home using the advice we provided above. What comes next?
Well, you’ll get to enjoy both the blooms and the fruits over time. However, the most exciting part is when the offsets begin to appear. Then, these pups can be separated from the main plant and planted in separate pots for propagation.
Cuttings are a second way to propagate the plant. Cutting the stem at the top and planting the cutting, believe it or not, can eventually grow into a full-fledged Cereus Peruvianus. Maintaining a high temperature of at least 70 degrees is critical to be successful. Before cutting, the cutting should be thoroughly dried.
Finally, seeds can be used to propagate the cactus. This is the most common method because the seeds germinate quickly. It necessitates the most resources because the seeds germinate quickly, and the plant begins to consume a lot more nutrients much sooner.
In the warmer months, thoroughly water Peruvian Apple Cactus. Very important.
We rarely think of Peru when we think of glaciers, but it has 1,769 glaciers spread across its 28 climate zones. The ancient Incas were serious astronomers, thanks to their big sky and high mountains, and they were the only ancient culture to define constellations of darkness and light. Even today, Cuzco’s main streets are laid out to align with the stars on feast days.
The flower of the Peruvian Apple Cactus (Cereus Peruvianus, or Cereus Repandus syn.) is also produced by night, with each bloom lasting only one night. After that, the massive cream-colored flowers give way to thornless violet-red to yellow fruits with crunchy white flesh and edible seeds.
This stunning ornamental blue-green upright cactus, also known as giant club cactus or hedge cactus, grows in a single column with three to five blades. They are long-lived and can easily reach six or seven feet in height indoors after many years. Their upright growth makes a stunning display in hallways, bedrooms, offices, and living rooms.
Because Peruvian Apple Cactus is resistant to salt spray, it can spend the summer outdoors, even near the ocean.
This plant, being a cactus, prefers bright light and only a little water. Therefore, choose a location in your home that receives direct sunlight; a south-facing window is ideal.
Water it thoroughly when the Peruvian Apple Cactus is actively growing during the spring and summer. During the winter, give it a lot less water. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering.
Use well-draining cactus potting soil. You could even add a little more sand to ensure that the earth does not retain water. Then, when the cactus is actively growing, apply a slow-release granular organic cactus fertilizer in early spring and summer.
Every year in the spring, re-pot the young plants. Once mature, you will only need to re-pot them every few years, always moving to a slightly larger pot size.
Take cuttings from the stem top to propagate Peruvian Apple Cactus. Allow the cutting to dry out and callus over for a week or two before planting. During the spring and summer, you may notice small new plants or offsets growing at the base of the plant. These offsets can be potted up as new plants right away.
Because Peruvian Apple Cactus blooms at night, the flowers may need to be hand-pollinated with a soft artist’s brush. Moths, flies, and bats are among the night pollinators.
Fruit will appear in late fall to early winter, just as the dormant cactus. The fruit is delicious and nutritious, as it contains beta carotene, fiber, and vitamin C.
If your cactus is leaning toward the light source, simply rotate the pot every few months, and it will grow straight and tall again.
Plant a Peruvian Apple Cactus and enjoy stunning grey-green columns that burst into bloom at night, when perhaps only the dark constellations of the Incas can see them, and remind you that we are not alone in the universe.
