Propagation
Separate seeds from pulp and sown in autumn in a moist medium and maintain a temperature of 5ş C (41ş F) for 3-months. Germination rate is less than 30%.

Softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots are taken from spring to autumn and place on a misting bench until roots appear with in 6 to 8 weeks. Avoid excessive moisture for both cuttings and seeds.


Botanic information
Leaf: The leathery textured obovate to ovate leaves have 1-6 spiny pointed marginal teeth and a short petiole. The upper surface is a glossy dark green on the underside is a pale yellow-green. There are 2-5 leaves arranged in a cluster and accompanied by a 3-branched spine that is up to 4 mm (? in)long.

Flower: The nodding dark orange cyathiform flowers have 6-petal-like sepals and 6-petals arranged in alternating whorls of three with 6-stamens and the ovary contains a single cell. There are 10-30 flowers with reddish pedestals arranged in a raceme up to 50 mm (2 in) long and appears in the leaf axils from mid-to late spring.

Fruit: The small blue-black waxy berry has a fleshy texture and is covered in a powdery secretion (pruinose). The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively to avoid natural hybrids. The edible berries are very acidic and are disbursed by birds.