This sun-loving succulent will thrive and produce the juiciest fruits with our Peruvian Apple Cactus Care and Growing Guide!
This South American autochthonous basic is an sinful nocturnal boo-boo with the sweetest fruits ever ! treasured for centuries for its culinary and medicinal feature film , as well as its handsome social organisation , this well-to-do - cultivator has made a home for itself across the world . And we will help you welcome the phenomenal Peruvian Malus pumila cactus into yours !
Peruvian Apple Cactus—Key Facts
Peruvian Apple Cactus Information
Also called the “ giant club ” cactus , this monumental succulent with tenacious ribbed prow can grow up to 30 - 34 m. But that ’s not all ! Emerging like a prima donna in the darkness , it produces boastful , fragrant lily-white flowers that open at night , draw various nocturnal pollinator like bat and moth !
As if that were n’t enough , we have gathered here today for its yummy fruits ! Called pitaya by locals , the Peruvian apple is a small to medium - sized fruit with a regal - magenta proscribed back . Once ripen , the juicy and crunchy flesh is white or pinkish with black seeds . gently dulcet and sharp , this fruit is also rich in vitamins C and A , and fibre .
This drouth - resistant cactus is a real trooper , survive in live and arid region and indoors ! Without further ado , let ’s stick out into our Peruvian Apple Cactus Care and Growing Guide !
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Propagating Peruvian Apple Cactus
you’re able to grow this cactus using fore cuttings or seeds . However , softwood or semi - hardwood cutting will procreate faster , and you wo n’t have to buy seeded player then !
Pick a intelligent , mature , plump stem that ’s 3 - 4 feet long and full of ribs . Then , cut out a 6 - 10 inch piece from its top . let it to form callus under brilliant , indirect light for a day or two before you embed it .
Now , take a pot and take it with a potting mixture suitable for cacti and succulents . Here are somegood filth recipe . implant the cutting about 1 - 2 inches late into the potting mixing .
append a stakes or some pebbles around the base of the cutting for keep since these incline to be quite large . Once it ’s planted , give it a good misting with pee and keep it in a sunny lieu .
Once determine , water supply only when the soil palpate completely dry . In a few weeks , the press clipping will form roots and start growing into a new Peruvian orchard apple tree cactus plant . When you notice the source , transplant the cactus seedling into a liberal container or directly into the footing in your garden .
Requirements for Growing Peruvian Apple Cactus
Light
The Peruvian orchard apple tree cactus is like other cacti and needs bright light . If you ’re growing it indoors , find a window that gets a great deal of direct sunlight for most of the day . Outdoors , full sun works well . However , under utmost heat , give it some afternoon shade to prevent it from burning .
Soil
Like most succulent , these juicy desert dwellers do not like squashy foot , so well - draining soil is vital ! For a medium with good aeration , mix two function of a light and airy cactus mix with one part of perlite or pumice .
Watering
Watering your Peruvian Apple cactus is all about mimicking a desert downpour — it has to be periodic and abstruse , and then you take to let thing dry out out completely .
Indoors , water it until it flows out of the drainage holes , and then let it dry . If necessary , water once every week or two . The same is true for outdoor finish . If your orbit gets regular rain , ensure it dries up , or give it shelter .
Temperature
These cacti thrive in temperatures of 60 - 75F ( 15 - 24C ) . Surprisingly , they are also quite frost - tolerant , surviving dips as humiliated as 32F ( 0C ) for a short while .
However , prolonged freeze winter can be prejudicial , such as those experienced in USDA Zones below 9 . Just take your cactus indoors and keep it affectionate through harsh coldness .
Peruvian Apple Cactus Care
Fertilizer
If you follow the soil mixture above , they will boom long without a fertilizer rise . However , occasionally , feed them a balanced cactus plant food diluted to half strength during the grow time of year . obviate this in fall or wintertime .
attend for an NPK ratio of around 10 - 10 - 10 or 20 - 20 - 20 . keep off fertilizers that are high in nitrogen , as they will make your plant dumb but via media flowers and fruits in the physical process .
Pests and Diseases
With too much watering and root putrefaction , Peruvian Malus pumila cactus encounter cuss like snails , slugs , and mealy bug . To tackle mealybugs , useneem oilor carefully hit them using cotton swob soak in scratch alcohol . As a principle , forfend overwatering . Plus , you may also lookat the signs and solutionsif your cactus is give out .
Harvesting Peruvian Apple Cactus
You ’ll have to be patient with this stunning cactus , as it will take a few days before your Peruvian orchard apple tree cactus bulge out flowering and fruiting . But it ’s sure enough worth the wait !
glean the yield 2 - 3 months after the peak disappearance . It should feel plump and may start to open slightly . mildly wrestle and rip the fruit towards you to remove it easily .
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