Lepismium

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. South America.

Description. Lepismiums are often epiphytic or lithophytic plants with abundantly branching green stems, lateral shoots forming approximately in the middle of the stems. The stems can be flat, segmented, round - up to 2 cm in diameter, or tri- and tetrahedral in cross-section. Young shoots are vertical, but droop with age. The spines are thin and light. Flowers appear on any part of the stem, can be white or pink, up to 1.5 cm in diameter. Round fruits up to 1 cm in diameter appear after flowering and become pink, red or purple when ripe.

Height. The length of the stems reaches 1 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

In summer and spring, a temperature range of 18 to 24° C is suitable. In winter, do not expose the plant to temperatures below 10° C. 

Lighting

A well-lit place with shade on spring and summer days.

Care

Lepismium is easy to grow and does not have any special requirements for living conditions.

Substrate

The soil should easily pass water and air, pH not higher than 6.5. A mixture of leaf humus, turf soil with a large amount of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. You can use a ready-made substrate for cacti and succulents. 

Feeding

During the growing season, fertilizers are applied monthly, in the fall, fertilizing is stopped and resumed only in the spring - with the beginning of new growth. Liquid fertilizers for cacti and succulents with a high potassium content are suitable.

Purpose

Looks great in hanging baskets with long shoots hanging over the edges of the pot.

Flowering time

End of spring - summer. 

Air humidity

In summer, when the heat is intense, spraying with water at room temperature may be necessary. With an increase in air humidity, it is worth taking care of sufficient ventilation so that the moisture has time to evaporate from the surface of the plant before dusk.

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, water the lepismium generously, but allow the top 4 cm of soil to dry out before watering again. In autumn and winter, water much less frequently.

Transfer

In spring, adult plants are replanted every 2 - 3 years.

Reproduction

Side shoots that take root in wet sand in spring and summer. The place where the shoot is cut is dried for several days before planting. Seeds that are sown in the spring. 

Pests and diseases

Lepismium can rot when there is high air humidity and insufficient ventilation in the autumn-winter period, as well as when moisture stagnates at the roots.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.