Rhipsalis

The genus Rhipsalis includes 60 succulent tender plant species. These are epiphytic cacti with highly branching stems of various shapes. In nature, they can be found in hot and humid places. The shoots are long and elongated. Numerous small flowers are located throughout the shoot, later small berries are formed. Rhipsalis cassutha has drooping cylindrical shoots, very long, up to 3 m, with greenish-white or cream-colored fragrant flowers that bloom in late spring. In their place, red berries are formed. Rhipsalis cereoides (R. cereoides) is a species with green thin erect cylindrical stems up to 40 cm long. Sometimes they branch at the ends and form side shoots. At the end of winter, yellowish-white or pink flowers are formed, later white berries appear. Rhipsalis curly (R. crispata) has light green stems 60 cm long. They are composed of flattened segments with central veins and serrated edges. In each segment - a depression with small areoles, from which white or light -yellow flowers develop at the end of winter. Rhipsalis Houletta (R. houletiana) is characterized by drooping light green stems, several thin cylindrical shoots, the rest are flat, with a serrated edge; on the shoots - bristly areoles, similar to leathery leaves. In winter, and only on flat shoots, flowers appear: numerous, yellowish-white, fragrant, then red berries are formed. Various hybrids were artificially bred from the most widely grown species.

The genus Rhipsalis includes 60 succulent tender plant species. These are epiphytic cacti with highly branching stems of various shapes. In nature, they can be found in hot and humid places. The shoots are long and elongated. Numerous small flowers are located throughout the shoot, later small berries are formed.

Rhipsalis cassutha has drooping cylindrical shoots, very long, up to 3 m, with greenish-white or cream-colored fragrant flowers that bloom in late spring. In their place, red berries are formed.

Rhipsalis cereoides (R. cereoides) is a species with green thin erect cylindrical stems up to 40 cm long. Sometimes they branch at the ends and form side shoots. At the end of winter, yellowish-white or pink flowers are formed, later white berries appear.

Rhipsalis curly (R. crispata) has light green stems 60 cm long. They are composed of flattened segments with central veins and serrated edges. In each segment - a depression with small areoles, from which white or light -yellow flowers develop at the end of winter.

Rhipsalis Houletta (R. houletiana) is characterized by drooping light green stems, several thin cylindrical shoots, the rest are flat, with a serrated edge; on the shoots - bristly areoles, similar to leathery leaves. In winter, and only on flat shoots, flowers appear: numerous, yellowish-white, fragrant, then red berries are formed.

Various hybrids were artificially bred from the most widely grown species.

Cultivation

Some types of Rhipsalis are grown as ampel indoor plants in pots or hanging baskets, but they require high humidity. In the warm season, you can put it in the fresh air. In winter, additional artificial lighting is useful. Transplanted into a new pot late in spring, once every 2 years, if the former substrate is compacted. To ensure better drainage, a little coarse sand is added to the soil. It is recommended to feed Rhipsalis once a month in the summer with complex fertilizers in the amount of 10-15 g per bucket of water. The plant needs light shading, high humidity, regular spraying.

Location

Plants of the genus Rhipsalis require a bright place, without direct sunlight.

Temperature

They grow well at room temperature in up to 25 °C. In winter, it is enough to maintain the air temperature at 10-15 °C.

Watering

Water often, abundantly, but avoid stagnant dampness in the summer, during active development. In the autumn-winter period, water as the substrate dries up. Hard water for irrigation must be acidified.

Transplant

Make a transplant, if necessary, in late spring, use new pots of a larger size compared to the previous ones.

Care

Remove discolored and damaged parts.

Reproduction

Propagate in summer by cuttings. Cuttings easily take root at high humidity and soil temperature of about 25 °C. Aerial roots are often formed on shoots, especially if they lie on a substrate.

Diseases

Rotting of the root neck and roots occurs due to excess water, this is especially dangerous in winter or due to insufficient drainage. Gray rot causes soft rotting of the shoot segments. Excessive ambient humidity and poor air circulation favor the disease. Worms suck sap from leaves and stems. A small number of parasites can be removed with a stiff brush. Otherwise, treatment with anticoccidal drugs is carried out. Pests such as thrips and mites can also attack, which primarily affect the flowers, causing them to deform, as well as stems and leaves. If the leaves are too light in summer, this may be due to the increased level of illumination.

Acquisition

Potted plants can be purchased at flower growing companies that grow cacti, and in specialized retail outlets. Check that the plants are compact, so that there are no spots and signs of rot at the base, and also make sure that there are no worms.

Very similar genus Two species belonging to the genus Rhipsalodopsis are often misclassified as the genus Rhipsalis. These are really very similar plants. But Rhipsalis is grown more often, and it has other requirements for cultivation conditions. Rhipsalodopsis gaetneri is a 40 cm tall plant. The stems consist of purple segments with a scalloped edge. Bright red flowers bloom in March-April. Rhypsalodopsis rosea is a 15 cm dwarf species. The stems consist of greenish-red segments. Pink or white flowers bloom in May and June. Various hybrids were artificially bred from these species. The most famous of them is Rhipsalodopsis x graeseri, a plant with flowers of various red spectrum.

Very similar genus

Two species belonging to the genus Rhipsalodopsis are often misclassified as the genus Rhipsalis. These are really very similar plants. But Rhipsalis is grown more often, and it has other requirements for cultivation conditions.

Rhipsalodopsis gaetneri is a 40 cm tall plant. The stems consist of purple segments with a scalloped edge. Bright red flowers bloom in March-April. Rhypsalodopsis rosea is a 15 cm dwarf species. The stems consist of greenish-red segments. Pink or white flowers bloom in May and June.

Various hybrids were artificially bred from these species. The most famous of them is Rhipsalodopsis x graeseri, a plant with flowers of various red spectrum.