How to Propagate Pereskia: A Detailed Guide to Common Propagation Methods

Pereskia has thick, leathery leaves that are yellow-green with a red blush, and the undersides are purplish-red-green. It has a strong affinity with cactus-type plants and is generally used as a multi-variety composite plant, with a certain ornamental value. So what are the propagation methods for Pereskia?

1. Propagation Methods

Pereskia is mainly propagated by two methods: sowing and cuttings:

1. Sowing: Its seeds have a hard outer coat, so before sowing they should be soaked for 24 hours. The suitable germination temperature is 22°C to 24°C. They germinate 15 to 20 days after sowing, and the seedlings grow relatively quickly.

2. Cuttings: Because it is very vigorous, cutting survival rates are high. Propagation is carried out in spring or early summer, and relatively high temperatures must be maintained after cutting. From May to July, cut 2-year-old mature branches into 15 cm to 20 cm segments, insert them into a sand bed, with the buried depth at 1/3 to 1/2, keep them moist, and they will root in about 20 days.

2. Pereskia Care

1. Soil: Pereskia is generally potted in spring. The soil should be fertile, loose, well-draining and slightly acidic. For potting Pereskia, a mix of 1 part leaf mold, 1 part garden soil and 1 part coarse sand, with a small amount of bone meal and plant ash added, can be used as the growing medium. Newly planted and repotted plants should be kept in a shaded place for care.

2. Light: Care for Pereskia is very important, especially in summer, when it should be properly shaded; it grows well in diffused light. In winter it should be placed in a sunny spot indoors, with sufficient light.

3. Temperature: Spring to autumn is the growing season. The suitable temperature for Pereskia growth is 24-29°C during the day and 18-21°C at night. In winter, the daytime temperature should preferably be kept at 18°C, and the nighttime temperature should be kept at around 10°C, which can prevent leaf drop. If it is below 5°C, the leaves will fall off and it will enter dormancy. However, cactus-type plants grafted onto Pereskia rootstock should be kept at a wintering temperature above 10°C.

4. Watering: Follow the principle of letting the potting soil “dry before watering, and water thoroughly when watering.” The potting soil must not be too dry or too wet. In winter, reduce watering and keep the potting soil dry; as long as the Pereskia plant does not shrivel, that is enough.

5. Fertilizing: Each spring, some decomposed cake fertilizer and bone meal can be applied. During the growing season, apply 2-3 more times a month with decomposed, diluted cake liquid fertilizer.

Pereskia is a very good ornamental plant. Its symbiosis with other plants is beautiful and distinctive, very nice. If you grow cactus-type plants at home, you might as well plant some Pereskia too.