How to Acquire and Grow a Peruvian Apple Cactus

The Peruvian Apple Cactus

• This columnar, branching cactus actually goes by several names, including hedge cactus and night blooming cereus. The Peruvian apple cactus is a large cactus with deeply ribbed, upright columns. Clusters of spines line the apex of each rib. The ribs are occasionally broken up by knobs or ragged lines. Flowers are extremely showy and short-lived. Each flower opens after dark and dies before dawn. The fruit is large and edible with smooth, red skin, white flesh and a mild, sweet flavor. The Peruvian apple cactus requires full sun and little water once established.

Acquisition

• As with most cacti species, you can propagate the Peruvian apple cactus from seed or from cuttings. Seeds and mature plants are available online. Seeds are inexpensive, at around $2 for a pack of 10 to 20 as of late 2011. The cost of mature plants varies and depends on the size of the plant. If you know someone who already has a Peruvian apple cactus, taking cuttings is simple, quick and effective.

Propagation From Seed

• Use a potting medium of 50 percent pumice and 50 percent peat. Spread the medium on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes to sterilize it. Use a container with drainage holes, and fill it with the sterilized potting mix. Spread the seeds over the top of the mix, and lightly cover them with coarse sand. Place the pot in a plastic tub, and fill the tub with water until half the pot is covered. Cactus seeds are small, and overhead watering may inhibit germination. This method of watering allows the soil to soak up moisture without endangering the seeds. Cover the tub with plastic wrap to trap humidity. Seedlings will emerge in two or three weeks and can be transplanted when they are 2 inches tall. Keep seedlings moist but not soaking until they are established.

Propagation From Cuttings

• Clean a sharp knife with a solution of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water. Cut anywhere along the stem, but ensure the cut is at a 45-degree angle in order to help the parent plant heal. Straighten the bottom of the cutting, and dust it with a rooting pheromone. Leave the cutting out to air dry until a callous forms at the point of the cut; this may take several months, according to the University of Arizona. When the cutting is calloused over, stick it in a container filled with half pumice and half peat. Water thoroughly, and keep the potting medium moist but not soaking. Place the pot in full sun. Rooting can take anywhere from four to six weeks.