Sunday 1 April 2007

Wax rose is not a rose


กุหลาบพุกาม Wax Rose or Rose Cactus is NOT a rose.
Wax rose or Pereskia Wax Rose or Pereskia Rose Cactus is a deciduous, leaved cactus that is native from Mexico to Panama. Although the plants resemble wild roses, they are actually primitive cacti with leaves. The stems are not succulent, and have prominent spines. The vegetative plant hardly resembles the typical desert cacti, nor is it as drought resistant. She can reach up to 12 feet (3 m) in height and a width of about half its height. The dark green leaves can reach 8 inches (20 cm) long by 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) wide. They are easy cacti to grow and should be in every cactus collection.

Blooming Time : Native, in spring to early summer, the Orangish-red, 2 inch (5 cm) blossoms open late in the afternoon and last only one day. They are very showy. If fertilized, they create a waxy hemispherical fruit that is quite conspicuous. SO LUCKY!!! In Thailand she gives her vivid orangish-red flower for ALL year……yippieeeee !

Culture : Wax rose needs full sun to partial shade, with a rich, well-drained soil.
I found in many articles said : In the greenhouse, they use a soil mixture consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 2 parts sand or perlite. During the spring and summer, the plants are kept moist and fertilized on a weekly basis. Since the plants are fast growers, you may have to keep them pruned to keep a desired form. In the greenhouse, they will grow up to 2 feet a year. In the winter months, the plant should be watered only enough to keep the stems from shriveling.

** Flower from home

4 comments:

magiceye said...

wow that is beautiful

maiylah said...

am not sure if i've seen one before ... such vivid colors!

Poulet S.A. said...

Thanks Magiceye. :))

Poulet S.A. said...

You might seen some from my photo reel, Maiylah..
And, might seen in real in the Philippines...I guess. :))

This is infront of my front door !