Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

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KathNightingale
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Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by KathNightingale »

I have recently returned to the hobby after an absence of about 20 years, so have forgotten quite a bit. I am amazed at the number of new discoveries.
I decided to have a go at something a bit difficult, so I bought a Pediocactus knowltonii which is grafted onto a Pereskiopsis spathula.
Now I find that the two species have different requirements - the pereskiopsis needs a bit of warmth and perhaps a little water in the winter, but the pediocactus wants cold, ventilation and definitely no water.
I suspect I should follow the requirements for the pereskiopsis.
Can anyone help, please?
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juster
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by juster »

Welcome to the Forum Kath, In I'm sure you will find plenty to interest you here. I don't grow any grafted plants, but I should think you are right, if the Pereskiopsis dies then you could lose your Pediocactus. Good luck!
Croydon Branch member, growing mainly cacti and Echeverias
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KathNightingale
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by KathNightingale »

Thanks for the advice, Juster. I have potted up the plant in a compost suitable for the pereskiopsis, but I haven't watered it yet. The plant is now in my greenhouse enjoying some sunshine. I have positioned it near the door, furthest away from the heater, so hopefully both halves will be happy.
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conolady
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by conolady »

Welcome! I'm a newbie, too!
First it was orchids, then, since c.2001, cacti and succulents. I'm into South African plants, mainly conos, lithops and haworthias, with a few cacti, especially 'posh' mamms, turbs and other smalls. Now it’s stapeliads as well...
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KathNightingale
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by KathNightingale »

I'm not exactly new - I first joined the National Cactus and Succulent Society back in the 70's. I was a member and Press Officer of the Northampton Branch. After moving to Stevenage when our son was only 3 I'm afraid I rather neglected my plants and lost quite a lot of them, but a few hardy souls have survived - a Leuchtenbergia principis still looks reasonably presentable but the others are rather tatty. I haven't the heart to throw them out!
Now our son is grown up my husband and I decided to return to the hobby. We joined the Luton Branch, and I am shortly going to become their secretary (are they sure they know what they're doing?!)
I grow cacti, especially small ones and any with unusual spines. A few other succulents are allowed in my greenhouse. My husband grows succulents, especially mesembs.
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KathNightingale
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by KathNightingale »

Hi, Conolady
Just realised my last post might have sounded a bit condescending - I didn't mean it to.
I'm certainly new to the Forum - this wasn't around the last time I was a member!
Thanks for your welcome - hope to hear from you again sometime.
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KathNightingale
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by KathNightingale »

I've just taken over as Secretary of the Luton Branch. I hope I won't let them down!
With regards to the Pediocactus, so far it looks fine, but the leaves have dropped off the Pereskiopsis. Is it supposed to do that?
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ragamala
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by ragamala »

Hi Kath, I am facing a similar predicament. Firstly, our experience is similar in that I rejoined the society after a couple of decades absence when I was living abroad. Like you it took a while to get used to changes in both names and indeed new plants and attitudes.

Because I'm not getting any younger I experimented with grafting seedlings on Pereskipsis, at which I had rather turned my nose up in the past, not being age-challenged. I have healthy Pediocactus scions on Pereskia stocks which have, perhaps like yours, lost leaves and now seem bare. I think you have to feed the stock rather than the scion. But if your Pediocactus is ready to move on it's a choice of cutting off leaving a little of the stock to re-root, or cutting above the join and trying to reroot in the normal way. My own solution was to cut the scion to leave opportunities for new offsets to grow from the truncated scion, which works well, and try regrafting the Pediocactus onto a larger stock like Myrtillocactus. I left too much cut surface to be confident of rerooting direct.

But in this I feel a novice. Maybe if you ask the question in the main forum "The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum" you will get more expert advice than I can provide,.

Best
Alan
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by Diane »

It's quite normal for Pereskiopsis stocks to lose leaves in the winter, when they are not in growth, and nothing to be worried about. As long as the stem is green, it will be able to photosynthesise. It won't grow any new leaves, but may produce new offsets which should be removed.
Diane - member of Kingston branch

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KathNightingale
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Re: Pediocactus knowltonii grafted on Pereskiopsis

Post by KathNightingale »

Thanks, Alan and Diane. I think I'll wait until spring and see what happens. If I manage to get the plant(s) through winter I might get the scalpel out then. If I'm brave enough!

Kath
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