Acanthoripsalis

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Grows in Argentina and Bolivia.

Description.  Acanthoripsalis is a very popular and easily recognizable species of Rhipsalis, an epiphytic cactus. The stems are truncated or triangular, waxy green, they become woody with age, similar to a small epiphyllum, 2 - 6 cm wide. Has distinctive spikes along the edge. In spring it blooms with large, bright golden-orange, white or red funnel-shaped flowers 1.5 - 2 cm in diameter. After flowering, it forms pale pink, orange berries, elongated or spherical, 1 - 1.5 cm in diameter. Like all Rhipsalis, it is an epiphyte, so it should be kept in a brightly lit place. In addition, acanthoripsalis needs slightly more moisture than other cacti.

Height. From 20 - 60 cm to 4 meters

Acanthoripsalis - home care

Temperature conditions

Optimum temperatures for acanthoriapsalis during the day are 20 - 30 ° C, night temperatures are somewhat cooler, but not less than 10 ° C, especially in winter. Morozov can't stand it.

Lighting

Direct sunlight in the morning and evening with shading on especially hot summer days, as burns may appear on the leaves of acanthorisalis.

Care

A low-maintenance plant. Damaged stems should be trimmed with a sharp, sterile knife. With adequate protection from rain and direct afternoon sun, acanthoripsalis can be placed in the garden or balcony during the summer, but allow them to acclimate to direct sun.

Substrate

The soil should be well-drained; for growing acanthoripsalis, a standard cactus mixture or a composition of clay granules, perlite, sphagnum and bark is suitable.

Feeding

The need to apply fertilizers is rare. Feed with cactus fertilizers at half strength from April to September, once a month.

Purpose

Large hanging hanging plant.

Flowering time

Spring.

Air humidity

Use a room humidifier or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles to increase air humidity, possibly spraying.

Soil moisture

Give the acanthoripsalis as much water as the soil can absorb. Any excess that seeps into the pan should be removed after a few minutes. Standing water can cause roots to rot. Allow the top layer of substrate to dry before watering again.

Transfer

As necessary, change the substrate, young plants - as they grow and fill the pot. 

Reproduction

Easily grown from cuttings. The cut site should be dried before planting for 2 - 3 days. Propagation by seeds is a long process; in addition, caring for seedlings is quite complicated. Take the apical cuttings and place them in ready-made cactus mixture or damp sand. Rooting occurs within two to six weeks. Seeds can be sown in a greenhouse, in moist soil made of sand and peat to a depth of 0.5 - 0.7 cm. Maintain uniform humidity until the plants germinate. Keep young plants in partial shade.

Pests and diseases

Rotting due to too much soil moisture. Acanthoripsalis does not bloom in the absence of light. When kept warm during the winter months, the cactus shoots become longer and thinner. 

The main pests are mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects.