Rhipsalis, planting guide and care tips

rhipsalis-baccifera-care-conditions

Rhipsalis takes its scientific name from the ancient Greek term “interweaving,” which refers to the plant’s distinctive form. Rhipsalis, popularly known as the mistletoe cactus, is a type of epiphytic cactus. It is indigenous to Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. They can also be found in isolated regions of Africa and Asia. This is the most common and largest genus of epiphytic cacti (plants that survive on other plants without damaging them). Rhipsalis comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, with over 35 distinct species.

These plants are mostly pendulous, although some of them grow vertically. Stems are classified into three types: cylindrical, with edges, and flattened. While all stems are succulent to some extent, the degree of succulence varies depending on the species. The flowers are tiny, reaching around 1 cm in diameter and are usually white or bluish. There are, however, species with yellow (R. dissimilis and R. elliptica) and red flowers (Rhipsalis species).

Rhipsalis – Environmental conditions

Rhipsalis is found in the lower part of tree tops in nature. It thrives in indirect and direct light, but can tolerate direct sunlight in the morning and evening.

Light. Although Rhipsalis is quite resilient, it is best placed a few meters away from a window. It can survive in low light conditions for long periods of time, especially if fertilized. It can even grow under fluorescent lighting in a few cases. However, if you choose low light settings, it is recommended to move the plant to a brighter place on a periodic basis to refresh its vigor.

Temperature.The cactus thrives in temperatures ranging from 12 to 25°C. To induce this cactus to blossom, temperatures of 18°C or below are required. The exposure period is one or two months after flowering and again before the plant begins to develop buds. However, it must not be exposed to temperatures below 10°C.

Humidity. Rhipsalis prefers moderate humidity. It is ideal to keep the humidity level at 50%.

Substrate. The mistletoe cactus prefers rich substrate with good drainage. The soil mixture is made with: one part perlite (helps with drainage), one part potting soil, one part peat moss, and one part coarse orchid bark.

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Care for Rhipsalis.

Watering frequency is adjusted according to seasonal temperature changes. Water usage is decreased during the pre-flowering stage to allow the soil to dry out in between waterings. The soil is kept wet for three to six weeks after blossoming. It is advised to use rainwater to water rhipsalis plants because they do not like hard water.

Fertilization. A succulent plant fertilizer can be applied once every two weeks during the flowering phase and then once a month for the rest of the year, with an exception after blooming. It is advised to stay away from fertilizers with a high nitrogen content for these plants and all other succulents.

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Repotting. Even though it is doubtful that the roots would exceed the capacity of a container, repotting can be done annually after flowering. A pot of a similar size with new soil in it is ideal because blossoming thrives in slightly crowded envDaca planta incepe sa se ingalbeneasca la varfuri, inseamna ca udarea s-a facut in exces, ceea ce va duce la ruperea structurii celulare. ironments. It is advised to handle the plant carefully during repotting to prevent damaging fragile elements.

Pruning. Rhipsalis stems that are particularly long can be trimmed down. Use a clean, sharp blade or pair of scissors to cut the plant close to the stems juncture. Wear gloves, you should avoid the white sap that may leak because it may irritate you.

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Propagation. There are two ways that it can be done, by stem cuttings or seeds. Before placing the cuttings into the soil, they must air out for a period of two to three days to help prevent the stem from decaying. After that period of two days, having an elevated level of humidity is beneficial.

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Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

In addition.

  • If the plant begins to turn yellow at the tips, it has been overwatered, causing the cellular structure to break.
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