Rhipsalis pilocarpa (Erythrorhipsalis pilocarpa) is a particularly attractive tropical epiphytic plant cylindrical stems and white, very fragrant, flowers about 2 cm in diameter. The plant forms pendent bushes and is quite variable. Stems are dark green to purple, slender, cylindrical, at first erect, sometimes 40 cm long and unbranched, erect at first, in time the whole plant becoming pendent, terminated by 2 to 4 branches in a whorl, the ultimate branches 1 to 4 cm. long, 6 mm in diameter. Flowers at ends of terminal branches, singly or in pairs, opening slowly, up to 20(-35) mm broad. Flower-tube about 2 mm. Long, reddish on the inside.
How to Grow and Care
Mistletoe cactus are easy to grow and have minimal needs, besides low to moderate light exposure and even moisture during the growing season. They grow best with good drainage; use quick-draining cactus mix or a bark-filled orchid mix for potting, and make sure containers have drainage holes.
Give plants low to moderate water in spring and summer, keeping the majority of soil evenly moist but allowing the top inch or so to dry out between waterings. Lightly fertilize at this time too, if desired. In fall and winter, dial back to only occasional water.
Temperature requirement: Grows anywhere as a houseplant; outside, it grows best in mild climates, preferring a temperature range between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.6 and 23.9 degrees Celsius, although some sources list them as tolerant down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 degrees Celsius; plants grow best in humid environments
Water requirement: Low to moderate in spring and summer; lower needs in fall and winter
Light requirement: Varies by species, from full shade to partial shade or bright, indirect light.
Origin: Southern Minas Gerais,(Rio Preto) southern Espirito Santo(Domingos Martins), north-western Rio de Janeiro, southern Sao Paulo, and eastern Parana, Brazil.
Hardiness:
Hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Propagation: The stems of mistletoe cactus are brittle, and it’s easy to knock off portions of them when repotting or repositioning containers. You can use the broken sections for propagating new plants, or cut sections from the plant using a clean knife or shears.
As with other succulent and cactus propagation, allow cut sections to dry for a few days to form a callus. Then place the callused end in a container or tray with cactus potting mix. Allow to root for a few weeks in partial shade, then pot up.
- Scientific Name: Rhipsalis pilocarpa Loefgr.
- Common Names: Hairy Stemmed Rhipsalis, Hairy-Fruited Wickerware Cactus
- Synonyms: Erythrorhipsalis pilocarpa
- Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Tribe: Rhipsalideae
- Genus: Rhipsalis
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How to Grow and Care
Mistletoe cactus are easy to grow and have minimal needs, besides low to moderate light exposure and even moisture during the growing season. They grow best with good drainage; use quick-draining cactus mix or a bark-filled orchid mix for potting, and make sure containers have drainage holes.
Give plants low to moderate water in spring and summer, keeping the majority of soil evenly moist but allowing the top inch or so to dry out between waterings. Lightly fertilize at this time too, if desired. In fall and winter, dial back to only occasional water.
Temperature requirement: Grows anywhere as a houseplant; outside, it grows best in mild climates, preferring a temperature range between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.6 and 23.9 degrees Celsius, although some sources list them as tolerant down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 degrees Celsius; plants grow best in humid environments
Water requirement: Low to moderate in spring and summer; lower needs in fall and winter
Light requirement: Varies by species, from full shade to partial shade or bright, indirect light.
Origin: Southern Minas Gerais,(Rio Preto) southern Espirito Santo(Domingos Martins), north-western Rio de Janeiro, southern Sao Paulo, and eastern Parana, Brazil.
Hardiness:
Hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Propagation: The stems of mistletoe cactus are brittle, and it’s easy to knock off portions of them when repotting or repositioning containers. You can use the broken sections for propagating new plants, or cut sections from the plant using a clean knife or shears.
As with other succulent and cactus propagation, allow cut sections to dry for a few days to form a callus. Then place the callused end in a container or tray with cactus potting mix. Allow to root for a few weeks in partial shade, then pot up.
- ALSO READ some more info HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR Rhipsalis
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| source pic: TheGardenShoppe |
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