Cactus e Dintorni

Habitat: tropical America.
Description: a primitive genus of cactaceous plants forming shrubs with a prostrate or climbing habit; the leaves are oval and stalked, the areoles large with tufts of tough spines. The fragrant flowers are reminiscent of those of the dog rose and are only produced by mature plants. There may be synonyms within the genus Rhodocactus.
Soil: basic mix; add some peat to lower the soil pH.
Location: They prefer filtered light and enjoy a humid but airy environment.
Temperature: keep the minimum around 12-15°C (54-59°F); temperatures lower than 7-8° (45-46°F) cause the leaves to drop. In the summer, the maximum should not exceed 30° (86°F).
Water: During the warm months keep the soil always moist; during the rest of the year as well as in the winter, water sparingly to prevent the plant from withering.
Cultivation tips: species that flower in late autumn need warmer temperatures and more water. Seedlings must be kept at 12°C (54°F) in the winter and moderately but constantly watered. Repot and fertilize each spring. Easy to propagate from cuttings in the summer. They can be pruned like grape vines once reached maturity. They’re fast-growing and suitable as house plants. They make an ideal rootstock for Schumbergera. Watch out for spider mites.
Main species of Perskia: Pereskia aculeata, with fragrant, white flowers, needs more water;
Pereskia grandifolia; Pereskia sacharosa.

Note: PERESKIOPSIS has leaves very much like those of Pereskia but smaller, glochids and flowers resembling those of Opuntia; grafting of small plants, even of thirty-day-old seedlings, can be easily performed on rooted portions of young branches of this species.
Main species of Pereskiopsis: Pereskiopsis gatesii; Pereskiopsis velutina.