Peruvian apple cactus - Cereus repandus

Description and Uses

Cereus repandus (Peruvian apple cactus) is a tropical cactus from Andes. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (medium shelflife), The crop is harvested by hand picking. It starts flowering after 4 - 5 years. The first yield will be 2 fruits/cactus/year but in its top season there will be a yield of 50 to 60 fruits/cactus/year. After 6 years the cactus can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Cereus repandus has a lifespan of 200 years.

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Environmental limitations

The cactus is 10 meters tall. It is medium growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Cereus repandus has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. Cereus repandus is evergreen and not allelopathic and has thorns.

Cereus repandus thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1500 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 2°C and optimally between 17 - 35°C. The optimal rainfall is 500 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 200 - 600 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 7.0 - 9.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire a bit tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 3 months. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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