Pseudorhipsalis

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Central America.

Description. The genus Pseudorhipsalis consists of six epiphytic species with abundantly branching, thin stems. Young specimens often have erect stems, but with age they droop. The leaves are flattened, light green, pink or burgundy in color, with serrated edges. Flowers are numerous, white or red, appearing in areoles, giving way to small round berries.

Height. The length of the stems reaches 50 cm.

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 location with some shade in spring and summer. Shoots and leaves can receive 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day in the morning and evening. When grown in direct sunlight, the leaves turn pink or red, and in the shade they remain green.

Care

Pseudorhipsalis is easy to grow and does not have any special requirements for growing conditions and does not require pruning.

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, fertilizing should be monthly; in the fall, fertilizing is stopped and resumed only in the spring - with the beginning of new growth. For feeding, liquid fertilizers for cacti and succulents with a high potassium content are used. 

Purpose

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

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

In summer, when there is intense heat, it may be necessary to spray with water at room temperature. When the air humidity increases, it is worth taking care of sufficient ventilation so that the moisture has time to evaporate from the surface of the leaves before dusk.

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, water abundantly, but allow the top layer of soil, about 4 cm thick, to dry out before the next watering. In autumn and winter, water much less frequently. During the winter months, do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Transfer

In the spring, every 2 - 3 years, or when the plant becomes cramped in the pot and roots appear in the drainage holes of the pot.

Reproduction

Propagated by apical cuttings, which are rooted in wet sand in spring and summer. The place where the shoot is cut is dried for several days before planting. When using fresh seeds, which are sown in spring, the crops are kept at a temperature of about 25 - 27 °C.

Pests and diseases

Pseudorhipsalis 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. Plants get sunburned when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time during the day. Aphids, mealybugs.