Disocactus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Peru.

Description. Disocactus (synonym - aporocactus whip-shaped) are epiphytic, sometimes lithophytic cacti with long, often branched stems - flattened or cylindrical, covered along the entire length with spines. The flowers are large, showy, funnel-shaped, pink, bright red, yellow-green, salmon, with yellow stamens in the center. They look very impressive when grown as indoor plants.

Height. The stems reach a length of 1.2 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Maintain at a temperature of 16 - 24ºC during active growth. During the dormant period, daytime temperatures should be 16 - 18ºC, dropping to 4 - 12ºC at night.

Lighting

Bright sunlight in the morning and evening hours is preferred. During the day, the disocactus should be slightly shaded. Specimens grown in sufficient light have dark green stems with red edges.

Care

For abundant flowering next year, a winter dormancy period is necessary. Move the cactus to a cool place and water it minimally. Do not disturb the plant during flowering - it may shed its buds.

Substrate

With excellent drainage, consisting of peat, pumice, pine bark with the addition of perlite and coarse sand.

Feeding

During the growing season, 2 times a month with fertilizers for cacti and succulents in half the concentration. 

Purpose

Looks great in hanging baskets with the ends of the stems hanging over the edge of the pot.

Flowering time

Spring Summer. 

Air humidity

In spring, summer and autumn, normal indoor air humidity is allowed. During winter holidays, the air should be dry.

Soil moisture

Water sparingly during warmer months and allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. In winter, reduce watering enough to prevent the earthen ball from drying out. 

Transfer

Young disocactus are replanted as the root system develops, every 2 years, in the spring into a pot one size larger. Do not remove old soil from the roots when replanting, but simply add new soil on all sides. Never replant during flowering.

Reproduction

When propagating by seed, you should be patient - specimens obtained from seeds bloom only at the age of 12 - 15 years. You can propagate by cuttings in the spring and in the first half of summer, in this case the cut site must be dried for several days.

Pests and diseases

If there is a lack of light, plant development slows down, and if there is overwatering, rot occurs.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.