Re: Pereskia . . . a cactus in transition.

Cereusly · Post by **Cereusly** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:09 am

Is anyone out there growing Pereskia? The Pereskia aculeata 'godseffiana' I started from a cutting last Spring, and the Pereskia grandiflora 'Rose Cactus' is from seeds I started in December '07.
Cereusly

Post by **CoronaCactus** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:10 am

I've got a small Pereskia aculeata variegata, has similar colors to your 'godseffiana'. Maybe the same?

Nice seedlings!

Post by **daiv** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:48 pm

Not enough people are growing this wonderful genus and I can't figure out why. Maybe that is my calling??

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:25 am

If it would survive my winters I'd be growing it

Lewis_cacti · Post by **Lewis_cacti** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:52 am

I love Pereskia!

the most neglected genus in the entire cactus family. deserve to be much more popular! some i have seen in books and in posts here (by CV) have among the best cactus flowers i have ever seen.
if they were more widely available here i'd collect the entire genus.
i have 2 P. aculeata cv. 'Godseffiana'. one is small and the other over half a metre tall. it even flowered, a little white rose.
Godseffiana has very beautiful leaves.
i am trying to find a normal P. aculeata but my search has been fruitless, not helped by the fact that it is actually a noxious weed in certain parts of this country and it is rather er illegal to cultivate elsewhere. hence in the other places where it is not a weed it is near impossible to find. paradoxically, i am absolutely amazed that it is actually legal to import seeds of this species. don't know how that works.

Very well grown plants you got there, i am most impressed.

i especially like the P. grandifolia, only seen that one in books.
hmm wonder if i can sneak in some seeds

Cereusly · Post by **Cereusly** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:25 am

I purchased the seeds for Persekia grandiflora from http://www.tradewindsfruit.com , do a Seed Search to find the seeds offered. I planted two 4" pots (four seeds per pot), placed in a warm sunny window, and 6 seeds popped in two weeks. I know that they've got a way to go, but once they develop a healthy root system they should take off. Here's a nice picture and information about Pereskia grandiflora 'Rose Cactus.' http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/rose_cactus.htm .

blossfeldia · Post by **blossfeldia** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:51 am

I love Pereskia species too. Fortunately I collected some rare ones like P. weberiana and P. sacharosa variegata.

I will post my photo very soon

Post by **daiv** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:17 am

blossfeldia wrote: I will post my photo very soon

Yes, please do!

Cereusly · Post by **Cereusly** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:40 am

The Pereskia bleo is the one I'm looking for now. I don't think this one is less tolerant of the cold. Does anyone know where 4" potted plants or seeds are available? I love that orange/red color.
Cereusly

TimN · Post by **TimN** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:56 pm

In the Pilbeam book "Cacti for the Connoisseur" he does not recommend ANY Pereskia/Pereskiopsis for collection. Doesnt' seem to care for them, apparently...

In the book, each genera section has a recommnedation section for species from that genus.

Tim

iann · Post by **iann** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:45 pm

Its fairly easy to see why this genus isn't widespread. They are huge and ungainly, unsuitable for any but the largest greenhouse, and lacking any useful sort of frost hardiness. They are also essentially non-succulent. Great for a southern Florida garden, useless for most of us. If you're in England, grow a Rose instead

Lewis_cacti · Post by **Lewis_cacti** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:31 am

iann wrote:They are also essentially non-succulent

Another reason to grow them! for the curiosity of having a non-succulent cactus!

lancer99 · Post by **lancer99** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:49 am

iann wrote:...unsuitable for any but the largest greenhouse, and lacking any useful sort of frost hardiness.

So that's why all you Brits grow columnar cacti, Pachypodiums, etc.?

LOL!

-R

Chicago Cactus · Post by **Chicago Cactus** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:45 pm

I've got three P. grandifolias that I started from seed from Tradewinds last April. Only one of them is going strong, and is about two feet tall.

The others are around a foot tall. Didn't help that I got them sunburned this May when I put them outside.

By now they have outgrown that though.
Watch out for the spines though, ouch! Sharper and sneakier than cacti.

john b · Post by **john b** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:44 pm

Pretty plants, but I can't seem to get them to grow on this cool, drippy coast.

John B

Re: Pereskia . . . a cactus in transition.

Re: Pereskia . . . a cactus in transition.

Re: Pereskia bleo . . .