Common Name: Pickle Cactus
Botanical Name: Delosperma pruinosum, or D. echinatum
Plant Family: Mesembryanthemaceae
The 'Pickle Cactus', Delosperma pruinosum is not a true cactus as the common name suggests, but rather a succulent plant. The common name is due to the fact the fat, juicy, light-green, ovate-hemispherical shaped leaves are covered with bristly papillae (soft pimplelike or nipplelike lumps) which give them the appearance of a pickle or cucumber. The species name pruinosum means 'hoary' or 'frost like' in appearance. The plant is dense, bushy, many branched and of trailing or cascading habit. The solitary (one per stem, rather than in a cluster) insignificant flowers are yellow or creamy-white in color. There is some confusion as to which family the pickle cactus actually belongs to. Some botanists list it under the Mesembryanthemaceae family, others place it under the Aizoaceae family. Its place of origin is Cape Province, South Africa.
CULTURE
These are not difficult plants to care for if we remember they are succulent plants and can go for months without water. Over-watering is generally the main cause of plant death. So, knowing this, it would be wise to use a clay pot rather than a plastic pot for potting up the plant. As for all succulents, using a shallow container is much beter than using a deep one, and of course, the containers must have good drainage holes.
The medium (soil) must be one that drains well - it must be porous or have lots of air spaces in it. Commercial potting soils prepared for cacti and succulents may be used, or, one can be made up using one part sandy soil, one part peat, one part coarse sand and one part of either small gravel with stones at least 1/8 inch in diameter or perlite. A rich soil is not recommended because too much food, and water for that matter, can cause the plant to become overgrown and distorted. The plant should only be fertilized if new growth appears smaller than normal. Feed the plant once or twice a year during its active growing period using a dilute cactus formulated fertilizer such as 'Sudbury Cactus Juice 1-7-6' or 'SCHULTZ Cactus Plus 2-7-7', being sure to follow directions on the containers lables. Remember that under-feeding a plant is far less harmful to the plant than over-feeding it.
The 'Pickle Cactus' needs a bright, sunny, south windowsill. Without adequate light the stems will become elongated and misshapen. During the hottest part of summer, the plant may need to be moved back a bit from the windowpane if it is too close, to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Temperature is an important factor in growing a perfect specimen. The plant can tolerate high temperatures (70 - 90°F) during the summer months, but should be given cool winter temperatures of 40-55°F during its dormant period. Fresh air should be provided to the plant whenever possible - opening a window in the summer, for example. The plant will thrive in rooms with very low humidity. This is not to say the plant should not be given a good shower now and again, to remove any dust and debris or pesky insect that it may collect. Use clean tepid water to wash and refresh the plant.
During the active growing period, water the plant when the soils surface becomes dry. During the plants dormancy (resting period), allow the soil to dry before watering the plant. With the cool temperatures during the resting period, the plant may only need to be watered once every month or two.
New plants can be propagated (started) from tip cuttings taken in late spring or summer. The cut surface should be allowed to callous over before the cutting is inserted in a well-drained rooting medium. This is done by placing the cutting(s) in a warm, dry location out of direct sun, for a few days. The larger the cutting, the longer it will take to callous over (become dry and thicken over with a hard crust), as much as two or three weeks. The rooting medium should be kept just barely moist and the container should not be covered with polythene or glass. If the medium can be kept close to 70°F, the cutting(s) will root much quicker.
