Rhodocactus grandifolius
Rhodocactus grandifolius
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Most Rhodocactus species occur in dry forests and thorn-scrub habitats in a tropical climate with a more or less pronounced dry season of about two to five months[1]. This species can tolerate temperatures down to about -3°c, though the leaves are deciduous at temperatures below 10°c[2]. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[2]. Requires a moist but well-drained soil[3, 2]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5[3]. The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental in the Tropics. It has become naturalized in many areas of South and Central America[2]. Unlike other species in this genus that only open their flowers for one day, the flowers of this species are usually open for two days[1]. The fruits are produced in clusters of 1 - 12 (exceptionally 30) fruits[1]. Species in this genus are deciduous under conditions with seasonal drought and, in cultivation, also lose their leaves if the mean temperature falls below around 15°c[1]. Plants can resprout from the base if cut down[PFAF]. The plant contains a mucilage. When the fresh or dried, sectioned fruits are put in water, the mucilage swells and exudes in large amounts from the cut mucilage cavities[1].
Propagation
Seed - fresh seed can be slow to germinate, it is best to sow seed that is between several months to 2 years old and this should germinate after a few days. Even when five years old, seed can have a 50% germination rate[1]. Easily grown from cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken during the dry season[4, 1]. Small cuttings taken from flowering shoots will continue to produce flowers every year as small pot plants[1].. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Rhodocactus+grandifolius>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]Pereskia (Cactaceae) — Leuenberger B.E. · The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York · 1986 · ISBN 0-89327-307-4 ↩︎The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants.
- [2]Desert Tropicals — http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ ↩︎The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
- [3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [4]Fruits of Warm Climates — Morton. J. · Florida Flair books, Florida. · 1987 · ISBN 0961018410 ↩︎A very well written guide to about 125 species.
- [5]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
- [6]Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants — http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 ↩︎Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
- [7]Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory — Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M. · U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service · 1987 ↩︎A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
- [8]The Cactus Family — Anderson E.F. · Timber Press; Portland, Oregon · 2001 · ISBN 0-88192-498-9 ↩︎An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎