Rhipsalis - home care, types, and differences from Hatiora

Rhipsalis is a rather unusual plant, part of the Cactaceae family. There are currently over 50 species in the genus Rhipsalis. In the wild, the flower grows in the humid tropical climates of Africa, South Asia, India, and South America. It can be found in forests, growing on trees and damp rocks, and some species grow on the ground.

The plant also has another name, "twig plant," due to its numerous twig-like shoots. It is often grown as a hanging plant, as its stems cascade gracefully. There are also varieties that can be trained into a rounded cap shape.

Rhipsalis grows well indoors, and with proper care, within a few years, you can grow a large, spectacular perennial, the decorative qualities of which can be appreciated in the photo.

Characteristics of Rhipsalis and species diversity

This epiphytic perennial has highly branched stems ranging from 70 to 100 cm in length. The width of a single shoot varies between 3-4 mm. Its root system is shallow, so to protect itself from heavy tropical rains, the plant settles on tree trunks. The stems are composed of oblong lobes, which can be ribbed, flattened, or cylindrical. The surface of the lobes is covered with a smooth green skin.

Some Rhipsalis species have prominent areoles covered with soft hairs. Each stem forms a fairly large and dense branch. Young plants resemble compact bushes, and as they grow, the stems cascade from the pot. A distinctive feature of this genus is the presence of aerial rootlets. During flowering, small flowers with yellow, white, orange, or light pink corollas form on the stems. After flowering, the plant produces fruits, which can be pink, black, or white.

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Types

Most varieties of Rhipsalis are native to the wild, and only a few can be grown indoors. The following species, with photos and descriptions, can be grown as houseplants:

1. Rhipsalis barchelii forms narrow, cylindrical shoots up to 6 cm long. Primary stems can reach 60 cm. The aboveground portion is covered with a dark green, glossy skin. Small whitish areoles are prominent on the stems.

   

2. Rhipsalis capillaris has relatively thin and long lobes. They are well-branched and slightly twisted. The plant's appearance resembles a shock of light green hair. The flexible stems hang gracefully downwards. In late autumn, the plant blooms profusely with white flowers.

   

3. Rhipsalis pilocarpa is characterized by robust, dark-green shoots. The stems are covered with light yellowish hairs. This plant blooms several times a year. Its flowers consist of white petals and rather long stamens, giving the flowers a pubescent appearance.

   

4. Elliptical Rhipsalis differs from its relatives in its flat, wide segments, which are covered with areoles with a slight pubescence. The stem can reach 2 m in length. Flowers form on the sides of each lobe. The small flowers are light yellow.

   

5. Mesembryanthemum-like rhipsalis closely resembles a compact spruce bush, as its stems resemble bare spruce branches. The shoots are round in cross-section. Primary segments can grow to about 20 cm in length, while secondary segments are no more than 1.5 cm. The lush, small flowers are white.

   

Differences between Rhipsalis and Hatiora

Rhipsalis and Hatiora belong to the Cactaceae family. These related plants have a striking resemblance, so they are often confused, especially when young. Rhipsalis is known to be grown indoors as a trailing plant, with long stems that drape gracefully from hanging baskets. Its relative, Hatiora, forms upright stems, making mature plants difficult to confuse.

The second difference can only be noticed upon careful examination of the plants: Rhipsalis is characterized by oblong, elongated segments, while Hatiora's segments are much shorter.

The plant is easy to identify during flowering. The buds of the cypress can grow along the entire length of the segment, while the hatiora blooms only at the ends of the segments. Furthermore, the hatiora produces larger flowers, which are colored yellow, pink, or red. The flowers of the rhipsalis are significantly smaller, reaching no more than 2 cm in diameter. Its small flowers can be white or yellowish.

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The secrets and challenges of caring for ripsalis at home

The plant is an easy-to-grow crop, so even a beginner can care for it. It grows quite quickly, and some species delight with blooms several times a year.

Lighting

Rhipsalis's natural habitat is a shady tropical forest, so indoor conditions should be as similar as possible. Avoid placing the pot on south-facing windowsills, as the scorching rays can damage the plant. Optimal light levels are found on west- or east-facing windowsills, but the plant should be shaded from the hot midday sun. You can place the pot on the north side or in the back of the house, but flowering is unlikely in these conditions. The ideal lighting for the cactus is partial shade.

Temperature and humidity

During the active growth period (spring to early fall), it's best to maintain a room temperature of around 20°C. This shady forest dweller dislikes heat but also doesn't tolerate cold air. In winter, the ambient temperature shouldn't drop below 12°C, but should be around 15°C. On hot days, ventilate the room frequently or move the pot outside to a shady spot. This cactus is draft-resistant, but strong winds can damage the fragile stems.

The plant adapts well to indoor humidity, so there's no need to provide an additional source of moisture. It's recommended to give it a warm shower periodically, and in winter (if the pot is near a heat source), it's advisable to mist the above-ground portion with room-temperature water.

Watering and fertilizing

This cactus variety is a moisture-loving plant, so watering should be generous and regular. The need for watering is determined by the top layer of soil, which should be dry to a depth of 1/3 of the planting container. Use only soft water—rainwater, filtered water, or water that has been left to stand for at least two days. During winter dormancy in a cool location, reduce watering.

Fertilizers are applied only from March to October, when the plant is actively growing. They are fed with liquid mineral fertilizers designed for cacti or succulents. The frequency of application should not exceed once every two weeks. If specialized fertilizers are unavailable, other houseplant fertilizers can be used, but the dosage should be halved.

Diseases and pests

The plant most often suffers from chlorosis, caused by insufficient light or improperly selected soil. Affected flowers take on a yellowish tint, the above-ground portions shrink, and deformed leaves may fall off. Chlorosis prevention involves providing adequate light and planting the plant in a soil with a pH of 5-5.5. Poor tap water can also cause the disease.

The plant can also be damaged by insects, such as scale insects and spider mites. Scale control requires a very responsible approach, as simply treating the plant with an insecticide is not enough. First, the adult insects are removed by hand. After removing the pests, the above-ground portions are washed under a warm shower and left to dry. Then, apply insecticides.

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Spider mites can appear in low humidity. The first step is to increase the room's humidity. Rhipsalis can be treated with Aktara, Apollo, or Klishchevit.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

Like all indoor perennials, the house cactus requires periodic repotting. The frequency of this procedure depends on the plant's age:

• young cacti require annual repotting;
• medium-sized specimens are replanted every 2-3 years;
• Large flowers can be replanted no more than once every five years.

Avoid repotting the plant frequently, as its fragile roots are easily damaged. Choose a shallow but wide planting container. These can be floor-standing pots or hanging planters. The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic. The substrate should include the following components:

• peat;
• leaf humus;
• turf soil;
• sand.

After the procedure, it is necessary to reduce watering for a week.

The rhizome can be propagated in two ways: by cuttings and by seeds. When propagating by seed, it's important to remember that the seedlings should be planted immediately after collection, as they quickly lose viability during storage. The seeds are immersed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect them, after which they are sown in a small container filled with vermiculite and peat. No need to cover the seeds with soil.

The soil is moistened and covered with glass or film. The container is moved to a bright room with a temperature of approximately 24°C, and the mini-greenhouse is ventilated daily.

To propagate by cuttings, a cutting with several lobes is unscrewed (not cut) from an adult flower, dried, and then planted in a moist soil mixture of sand and peat.

The cutting will take root after 7-14 days, after which young segments will begin to form.

Frequently asked questions about growing

This indoor cactus is easy to care for, making it a home favorite for any flower lover. Trailing varieties make a wonderful addition to any home, and their lush blooms add even more decorative appeal to the green shoots.