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Hello and welcome to Brainy Gardener! In this video I'm going to show you the best way to take care of your Peruvian Apple Cactus. A lot of people don't know how to properly take care of these plants and as a result they die prematurely. But with the right information, you can keep your cactus healthy and thriving for years to come. So stay tuned and I'll show you everything you need to know.
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The Best Way to Take Care of a Peruvian Apple Cactus
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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
0:58 - Light and Location
1:24 - Watering
1:54 - Temperature
2:11 - Humidity
2:27 - Fertilization
2:39 - Propagation
3:26 - Potting and Repotting
3:49 - Toxicity and Common Pests
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Summary
The Peruvian Apple Cactus is native to regions of South America. Wild specimens are commonly found in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. This cactus has cylindrical stems that are green to blue-green. The columnar growth can get quite tall, up to 50 feet. The flowers are particularly colorful, but they bloom at night and fade by the morning.
1. Light and Location
Peruvian Apple Cactus needs a bright spot with plenty of direct sunlight. Sometimes, if the sun is scorching hot, you might want to move your plant someplace slightly shadier; even cacti can get sunburn. Its columnar growth won’t crowd out other plants despite its impressive size, making it a perfect accentuating plant.
2. Watering
This plant is succulent and needs very little water to survive. Overwatering is the most common mistake made when caring for this cactus. The best way to water your cactus is to allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Typically, one watering session every two weeks is recommended in the summer months, but each specimen’s needs vary slightly.
3. Temperature
Peruvian Apple Cactus prefers a warm temperature. The optimum temperature for flowering and fruiting is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. But this is a hardy plant, particularly when it comes to temperature; tolerating temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit is well within its capability.
4. Humidity
This cactus doesn’t care about humidity too much. Average room humidity levels are acceptable, and even if the moisture levels dip, it’s nothing to be concerned about. This makes it an ideal plant for homes and offices with dry air.
5. Fertilization
Unless the soil quality is exceedingly poor, there is little need for fertilizer. But if you want the best for your plant, you can fertilize the soil with slow-release liquid fertilizer in the growing season-space out the feeding sessions by a month or so to prevent overfeeding.
6. Propagation
Peruvian Apple Cactus can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or offsets. Stem cuttings are the easiest to obtain and root readily, making them the go-to method. Cuttings can be taken from the topmost parts of the stem and should be allowed to callus over before planting. Once the cutting is ready, plant in moist, rich organic compost, preferably peat-based. The plant can take a few weeks to become established. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained medium, such as sand or gravel, and should be kept moist and warm until germination.
7. Potting and Repotting
Peruvian apple cactus requires well-drained soil and full sun to thrive. It can be potted in a standard potting mix, but make sure to add plenty of grit or sand to the mix to help with drainage. Repotting should only be necessary every few years when the plant becomes root-bound. Wait until the threat of frost has passed in spring to repot, as it can be tender at this time.
8. Toxicity and Common Pests
The Peruvian apple cactus is neither poisonous nor does it have psychoactive properties. These are non-toxic to humans and animals. This Cactus is a major host to mealybugs. Luckily, there is almost no place for these pests to hide on this plant, making identifying them relatively easy. Rub horticultural oil on the surface to deal with early-stage infestations.
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