Pereskia has the origin of cactus plants that are common in Central and South America. In the past, cacti consisted of leaves, and in too dry climates in deserts, they began to turn into thorns. And the central part of the plant is capable of performing all the functions of the leaves.
Pereskia is a large shrub or low tree with thorny stems and green or purple leaves. Islets with spines are located in the axillary areas of the leaves; they can be singly or in bunches. During growth, in nature, pereskii with the help of thorns clings to the trunks of various trees. Over time, the leaves fade, dry out, and crumble at rest.
Caring for ossification at home
Location and lighting
It is important to observe the correct lighting regime: the peresky loves light, so it is better to place it on the southern windowsill. In order not to burn the leaves, when the sun is too active, the plant must be shaded. In summer, pereskiy can be taken outside, but the container with the plant should be located so that precipitation does not fall on it. It can be placed under a canopy or in another covered place.
In the absence of such an opportunity, it is necessary to actively ventilate the room in the summer so that the plant receives more air. In winter or autumn, it is also necessary to provide good lighting. In the spring, the light becomes more, the plant must be taught to this gradually, so as not to burn the leaves.
Temperature
Pereskia feels favorable at a temperature of 22-23 degrees, while it is desirable that the cactus receive fresh air. In the autumn, this indicator must be reduced to 15 degrees, the pereski is prepared for a state of rest, in the winter, the coolness is observed, from 12 to 16 degrees, but not lower than 10 degrees. The room should be regularly ventilated and well lit.
Air humidity
Pereskia is able to tolerate dry air, but the leaves acquire a beautiful and healthy appearance only with periodic spraying, for this they use soft water.
Watering
In spring and summer, watering is carried out as the soil surface dries. Since autumn, the number of waterings is reduced, and in winter the plant is rarely watered to prevent leaf shedding.
The soil
For growing pereskia, soil of a fertile and loose type is used, humus can be added to it. Usually, several types of soil are combined: leaf, clay-soddy, humus and sand, the latter should be one part less (2: 2: 2: 1).
Top dressing and fertilizers
Starting in spring, the plant is fed twice a month. For this, special fertilizers are used for cacti, only the concentration is made by half. To prevent unwanted development and growth in winter, no feeding is done.When using fertilizers of a mineral type, nitrogen should be in a minimum amount, otherwise the roots will begin to rot.
Transfer
The transplant is carried out as the plant develops, usually up to several times a year. Pereskia roots are powerful, so large containers are selected every time. Drainage must be laid at the bottom. After the plant is transplanted, it begins to grow actively.
Reproduction of pereskii
Pereskia is able to multiply using seeds or cuttings. Seeds are planted in containers in the spring, while maintaining the temperature in the range of 20-22 degrees. Cuttings of the stem type are cut in the spring or summer, they are immersed in a moist perlite or peat composition, and then covered with a film. In order for rooting to occur quickly, a temperature of 25-28 degrees is observed. Roots can emerge and develop in water, which takes about 3 weeks. After that, they are seated in small containers.
Diseases and pests
With an excessive amount of liquid, especially in cold weather, the neck and roots begin to rot. This can happen in the absence of drainage or insufficient drainage. To prevent such a problem, you must carefully monitor the implementation of watering so that it is not excessive.
In some areas of the stem, mildew of a softened type may appear, this disease is called gray rot. Such a disease arises from high humidity and when circulation does not occur. To combat the disease, it is necessary to change the conditions of detention, as well as to process the plant with special compounds.
Mealy worms extract juice from the leaves and all stems of the plant, as a result, it dies. To combat such pests, they are removed with a hard-looking brush. If there are a lot of plants, then it is necessary to carry out additional processing with special means that can prevent the development of cocoons.
There are also other types of pests, for example, ticks or thrips, they can infect all organs of the plant, flowers, leaves, stem. To combat such a problem, pereskii are processed with special means.
Popular types
Large-flowered pereskia differs in shiny leathery leaves, they crumble at temperatures less than 10 degrees, that is, in winter. The stem is covered with thorns that are up to 3 centimeters long. The inflorescences have a beautiful pink color.
Orange pereski has large foliage with veins that stand out well. The color of the flowers is red-orange, and the sizes correspond to medium-sized roses, that is, up to 6 centimeters, they open in the evening. Such a plant has fruits that smell like pineapple, the color is bright yellow, but they are not edible. In order for the plant to acquire a neat appearance, it must be regularly trimmed.
Spiny pereskia has the appearance of a climbing bush, the stem is fleshy, and branching profusely, its diameter can reach 1.5 centimeters. The color of the leaves is dark green, their shape is oval, the length is up to 9 centimeters, and the width is up to 4. After the time elapses at the bottom of the plant, the leaves crumble, and areas with thorns remain, up to 3 pieces on each former leaf. In this case, the color of the areola turns brown, and in its lower part there are two curved spines. At the end of the summer period, and by the beginning of autumn, on the processes of the young species, a color that has a fragrant smell, a cup-shaped shape, and a white-yellow color with a pinkish tinge bloom. The flower diameter can be up to 4.5 centimeters. Such a plant has fruits, yellow in color, the length of which is 2 centimeters, they are edible.
The most common is considered Pereskia Godseff, some manuals define this plant as a separate species.
my pereski))))