During the spring and summer, you may notice small new plants or offsets growing at the base of the plant. Allow the cutting to dry out and callus over for a week or two before planting. Take cuttings from the stem top to propagate Peruvian Apple Cactus. Once mature, you will only need to re-pot them every few years, always moving to a slightly larger pot size. Then, when the cactus is actively growing, apply a slow-release granular organic cactus fertilizer in early spring and summer.Įvery year in the spring, re-pot the young plants. You could even add a little more sand to ensure that the earth does not retain water. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering. During the winter, give it a lot less water. Water it thoroughly when the Peruvian Apple Cactus is actively growing during the spring and summer. Therefore, choose a location in your home that receives direct sunlight a south-facing window is ideal. This plant, being a cactus, prefers bright light and only a little water. Their upright growth makes a stunning display in hallways, bedrooms, offices, and living rooms.īecause Peruvian Apple Cactus is resistant to salt spray, it can spend the summer outdoors, even near the ocean.

They are long-lived and can easily reach six or seven feet in height indoors after many years. 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. After that, the massive cream-colored flowers give way to thornless violet-red to yellow fruits with crunchy white flesh and edible seeds. 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. Even today, Cuzco’s main streets are laid out to align with the stars on feast days. 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. We rarely think of Peru when we think of glaciers, but it has 1,769 glaciers spread across its 28 climate zones. In the warmer months, thoroughly water Peruvian Apple Cactus. It necessitates the most resources because the seeds germinate quickly, and the plant begins to consume a lot more nutrients much sooner. This is the most common method because the seeds germinate quickly. Before cutting, the cutting should be thoroughly dried.įinally, seeds can be used to propagate the cactus. Maintaining a high temperature of at least 70 degrees is critical to be successful. Cutting the stem at the top and planting the cutting, believe it or not, can eventually grow into a full-fledged Cereus Peruvianus. Then, these pups can be separated from the main plant and planted in separate pots for propagation.Ĭuttings are a second way to propagate the plant. However, the most exciting part is when the offsets begin to appear. Well, you’ll get to enjoy both the blooms and the fruits over time. Peruvian Apple Cactus PropagationĪssume you started growing Peruvian Apples at home using the advice we provided above. The fruit is edible, and birds, insects, and desert tortoises may consume it as it ripens and falls to the ground. This plant can grow quite large in ideal conditions protected from cold temperatures. Temperatures below freezing cause damage to the growing tips, which must be pruned as a result. Except when we have a frost or freeze, it grows well in our area. As you might have guessed from the name, it’s a South American species. In any case, the Peruvian Apple Cactus is one of the most visually appealing of its kind. It can quickly grow to be several feet tall. However, pollination is carried out by animals such as moths and bats.Īnother noteworthy feature is its height in comparison to other similar cacti. These flowers, like those of other cacti, bloom at night. It blooms at specific times of the year because it produces fruits. So what is the Peruvian Apple? This is it. Other cacti may produce yields, but they are not safe for human consumption. The Cereus fruit is a small fruit produced by the plant.

Whatever you call it, the plant is one of the largest cacti species and most likely one of the top five most popular. Cereus Peruvianus is the original scientific name.

Peruvian apple cactus