Wittia

Family. Cactaceae.

Description. Wittia is an epiphytic forest vertically growing branched cactus with flattened, jagged, dark green, often pendulous stems up to 50 cm long and 5 - 8 cm wide, and tubular, pink, purple and violet flowers that appear in the spring on the tops of the stems.

Height. Up to 50 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Needs warmth all year round, including in winter, preferably above 15 ° C. 

Lighting

Requires a warm, bright location without exposure to direct sunlight. 

Substrate

Use a mixture of 50% soil and 50% coarse sand or a standard cactus mix with sand or perlite added to improve drainage.

Feeding

Apply fertilizers for cacti and succulents monthly during the period of active growth.

Purpose

Wittia is ideal for growing in hanging baskets. This rare species is ideal for lovers of unusual things.

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

Requires high air humidity, especially in the warm season.

Soil moisture

This plant requires more water than its desert relatives. Water regularly throughout the year.

Transplant

Replant adult specimens every two or three years, or as needed to change the pot or substrate to a fresh one. 

Reproduction

Seeds in spring. Sprouts appear quickly - within 7 - 14 days. Keep the seedlings under a plastic cover to maintain moisture. Gradually increase the ventilation time when most of the seeds have sprouted.

Pests and diseases

Aphids, mealybugs.