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How can I make my night-flowering Cereus branch without breaking it off?
I have one big Cereus which branches on its own, and another which
just keeps growing up--it is now about eight feet tall with no sign of a side-branch. Is breaking it the only solution? Also, "The Royal
Horticultural Garden Encyclopaedia" states that red fruits appear
after the flowers--mine have never done so, nor have others I have
seen--do the flowers need a special pollenator?
Thankyou Birdsx61 for your answer, however it seems we are talking at crossed purposes. I used the general term "night-flowering Cereus" and thought I had made it clear which type
of cactus I have by stating the height.
This particular type looks like a tree--
I think it is Cereus Peruvianus, so there
is no question of pruning drastically.
I just need to do something to make it branch, and hoped it would not involve
having to break it off, a method that works, but spoils the look of the cactus.
2 Answers
- Old Punk DadLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
You need to trim it way down, they will throw new branches from the old leaf axils. I cut mine way back every fall to branch it out. As for the berries, they are pollinated by night fliers, mainly moths. They aren't exactly desirable, HIGHLY toxic. I wouldn't stress not getting the berries, not that attractive anyway, not like say a holly.
OOPS!!!! Sorry about that, I don't know how I got them confused. Peruvian Apple Cactus, yeah there really isn't a way to cut them back and have them look good. Some people do that around here, but you're right, spoils the look. You may not have the large night flying moths in your area that pollinate these guys. Not to worry, you can use a small paintbrush or even a Q-tip and hand pollinate them. A tip; harvest the fruit when they are full deep red, if you leave them on they will split leaving them open to bugs. Tastes something like a cross between a bland melon and dragon fruit. I like them, my wife gives them a pass.
Sorry about the confusion earlier.
