Editing Pereskia aculeata (section)

== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==

Flowers are bisexual and open from spring to summer in the dry-tropical pattern; Singapore's flora record lists bees and carpenter bees as visitors, and growers report fruit set following visible pollinator activity on the flowers.<sup>[[#cite_note-4|[4]]]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-11">[[#cite_note-11|[11]]]</sup> Regional timing differs with climate: in Jamaica blooms were recorded in June and October–November with fruit maturing in March and October, while in the Pelotas field study flowering began in March and fruiting followed in April.<sup>[[#cite_note-5|[5]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-8|[8]]]</sup> Firsthand reports of bearing are mixed: one grower's plant had never fruited while a friend's solid-green clone fruited, and the grower planned full-sun exposure and cuttings in an attempt to trigger fruit; another gardener in India reported good fruit set after heavy pollinator activity.<sup>[[#cite_note-7|[7]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-11|[11]]]</sup> Treat bearing in an individual garden as something to observe and encourage with sunlight and pollinator access rather than as a guaranteed yield.

Fruit is ready as the skin colors fully and the leafy sepals curl away; the ripe pulp is subacid to tart and is usually eaten cooked, stewed or preserved.<sup>[[#cite_note-5|[5]]]</sup><sup>[[#cite_note-6|[6]]]</sup>