Pfeiffera

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Argentina, Bolivia.

Description. Pfeiffera is an attractive cactus, similar in appearance to Rhipsalis. The shoots are erect, gracefully drooping with age, flat-segmented or triangular, green, abundantly branched. On the ribs are rare areoles with light, strong, straight thorns. During the flowering period, bright orange or cream flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter appear in the areoles. After flowering, round fruits about 2 cm in diameter are formed, which remain on the shoots for many months.

Height. The length of the stems reaches 50 cm, but develops slowly.

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. In the morning and evening, the shoots can receive 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Care

Pfeiffera is quite unpretentious and can be easily grown indoors.

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

End of spring - summer.

Air humidity

In summer, when the heat is intense, it may be necessary to spray with water at room temperature. As air humidity increases, 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 generously, 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, but the soil ball should not dry out.

Transfer

Replanting is carried out in the spring; adult specimens 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. Grafting onto less demanding rootstocks. Vaccinations increase growth rate.

Pests and diseases

Pfeiffera 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.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.