Forest cactus Ripsalidopsis - features of cultivation and care. Ripsalidopsis: Easter cactus in the home flower garden Ripsalidopsis bouquet for Easter - ensuring flowering

Rhipsalidopsis Rhipsalidopsis is an evergreen shrub, the branching shoots of which consist of flat or ribbed segments of pale green color with delicate bristly pubescence along the edges, and large fragrant flowers at the tips of the hanging shoots.

Etymology of the name

The genus name translates as “braided berry cactus.”

Types and varieties of ripsalidopsis

An inhabitant of the tropical forests of South America, this epiphyte cactus naturally grows on trees or among trees and is therefore very different from the prickly “inhabitants” of the desert.

Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

Abundantly branching shrub up to 30 cm high. The segments are flat, very rarely 3-6-sided, up to 7.5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, dark green with a thin red stripe along the edge (especially in the sun). The flowers are 6-7 cm long, 6-8 cm in diameter, scarlet-red, odorless (“Easter cactus”). Beautiful ripsalidopsis flowers do not have a wide range of colors, but they are, as a rule, very bright and quite large.

Popular varieties:

"Capella"—buds are dark pink, flowers are pink;

"Elisa" - buds are burgundy, flowers are deep red;

"Evita" - burgundy buds and flowers;

"Ian" - dark red buds, bright red flowers;

"Leach"—buds are dark red, almost burgundy, flowers are dark red;

"Nina"—purple buds and flowers;

"Phoenix"—purple buds, light purple flowers;

"Purple Pride"—purple buds and flowers;

"Romy" - bright red buds and flowers;

"Savannach" - bright purple buds and light purple flowers;

"Tricky Pink" - deep purple buds and light flowers;

"Zoe" - dark red buds and bright carmine flowers;

"Flash" - deep pink buds and flowers;

"Yvonne Pelham" - soft pink flowers with longitudinal bright pink stripes;

"King's Dream" - neon pink flowers with an orange border;

"Coraline"—coral-colored flowers;

"Scarborough" - flowers and buds are red-orange with crimson;

"Victoria"—the flowers are painted a mixture of light lavender and brick red;

"Sirius" - flowers and buds are white;

"White Magic" - snow-white flowers that look like white stars.

Rhipsalidopsis rosea

This species is less common. A small shrub, the stems of which consist of flat 3-4-sided segments 2-3 cm long and up to 1 cm wide with yellow bristles along the edges. The flowers are pink, about 4 cm in diameter, fragrant, from 1 to 3 flowers are formed in one areole. Very decorative look.

Ripsalidopsis care

Plants should be placed in a bright place, but not in direct sunlight. It is better to use reflected sunlight or place ripsalidopsis behind tulle curtains. In summer it is useful to take it out into the open air. In winter, place in a cool, dry place with a temperature of +10 ° C. Rhipsalidopsis can be watered with soft water at room temperature on top of the pot once a week. Frequent watering stimulates too rapid growth, due to which the decorative appearance of the plant suffers. In addition, waterlogging of the soil can cause diseases of various types of rot. Before the budding period begins, periodic washing with warm water is useful.

You can fertilize the plants immediately after planting the cuttings. Optimal results can be achieved by applying fertilizers with low concentrations of N-P-K 20-5-10 (1-2 g/l) every two weeks in summer and once a month in autumn and winter. You can use humus and nitrogen-containing fertilizers for forest cacti. When growing an “Easter cactus”, remember that during the period of budding and flowering it cannot be moved, otherwise the plant will shed its buds and you will have to wait until next spring for a new flowering. Although sometimes it can re-bloom at the end of summer. In ripsalidopsis, the upper few segments can be removed at two times: at the end of July to get a larger number of flowers in the spring, or in December for a more compact bush. You can replant after flowering if necessary, using a slightly acidic, moisture-permeable substrate with good drainage. For example: turf soil, leaf soil, peat, sand and brick chips (1:1:1:1).

Possible problems:

— segments are pale with a reddish tint - intense lighting, brown spots are also possible - traces of sunburn;

— the plant grows poorly, flowering does not occur - the room is too dark, the dormant period is not observed when kept cool, there are not enough nutrients in the soil (the plant has not been replanted or fed for a long time);

— the shoots are drooping, the plant looks lethargic and lifeless - if it is too cold and damp in winter, the roots will rot. Remove the flower from the pot, shake off the old soil and inspect the roots. Damaged, rotten roots must be removed. If a significant part of the roots or all the roots have been damaged, then you can cut off the parts that have not yet withered into cuttings. If the roots are slightly damaged, wash them in hot water (about +55 °C), sprinkle with charcoal powder and plant in fresh soil;

— pests - these plants are not affected by any pests, except caterpillars, slugs and fungus gnats (sciarids);

— illnesses — plants are susceptible to stem and root rot if the soil is waterlogged. Any fungicidal preparations are used for treatment.

To give the plant a more branched shape during propagation, you can plant several cuttings in one wide but shallow pot, from which a wide and lush bush will subsequently grow.

Reproduction of ripsalidopsis

It takes about a year for Ripsalidopsis to grow from a cutting to a beautiful flowering plant. The plant can be propagated by cuttings - just one segment of the stem, resembling a leaf in appearance. Cuttings are carried out from November to January. The segment is separated from the stem with a rotational movement, then dried for two weeks. After this, cuttings of 2-3 pieces. planted in a pot 5-5.5 cm in diameter containing clean, moistened, slightly acidic (pH 6) sphagnum. The cuttings are moistened every week. Over-watering can cause fungal diseases. Planting is carried out five months after planting. You can take cuttings immediately after flowering. Aerial roots develop on the stems, which in a moist substrate quickly transform into a normal root system. Reproduction by seeds is possible.

Energy

Ripsalidopsis, like all cacti, has strong energy. It is able to protect against the negative energy of surrounding people, but unlike most succulents, due to its more delicate structure and lack of thorns, it is softer, so most people can grow it without fear of harsh, negative energy. The energy of ripsalidopsis is characterized by fountain-like fluctuations. Strong, concentrated energy emanates from the plant's trunk in the form of a fountain, then descends and rises again. Healthy plants create a cycle of energy.

Sometimes people incorrectly call ripsalidopsis Decembrist and are very surprised if it does not bloom in December. In fact, ripsalidopsis is very similar to Schlumbergera, which is called Decembrist and Zygocactus, but Schlumbergera has different shaped stem segments. In Ripsalidopsis, the protrusions on the leaf-shaped segments are smoothed, rounded, almost invisible, but spines in the form of thick bristles are preserved at the ends of the segment segments. Schlumbergera has segments with sharp teeth along the edges. In some and others, the sizes of the segments are the same, up to 3 cm wide and up to 6 cm long. Young segments grow at the ends of the shoots, one from the other, towards the ground.

Ripsalidopsis differs from Schlumbergera not only in the structure of the stems, but also in the shape of the flowers. In ripsalidopsis, the flowers are radially symmetrical and have an even corolla. Schlumbergera has slanted corollas. And Ripsalidopsis rosea The flowers are also fragrant.

Rhipsalidopsis is a long-familiar moisture-loving cactus native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. Under natural conditions, these representatives of the cactus family grow on trees, bathe in warm rains, and, unlike their prickly relatives from the desert, love moisture.

Ripsalidopsis has fleshy branching stems consisting of flat leaf segments. At the joints, numerous aerial roots develop, which, when in contact with the soil, take root and give birth to new plants. At the ends of the stems, new segments grow, one from another, and in the spring, by Easter, numerous buds appear and star-shaped flowers bloom.

According to modern taxonomy, this genus Rhipsalidopsis does not exist, and the species included in it were transferred to the genus Hatiora and are considered a subspecies of Rhipsalidopsis, so in flower shops you can find this plant under a new name.

Ripsalidopsis is also called "Easter cactus" or Easter cactus, in contrast to another, very similar plant - Decembrist. Ripsalidopsis is very often confused with (or Decembrist, the old name is zygocactus). These plants are similar in appearance, but belong to different genera. They can be distinguished by their stem blades: in Decembrist they have sharp teeth along the edge, while in Ripsalidopsis they have rounded teeth.

The main difference: ripsalidopsis (also known as Hatiora) blooms most often in the spring, which is why it is sometimes called the “Easter cactus,” and zygocactus (also known as Schlumbergera) blooms in the winter, which is why it is called the “Christmas cactus” or Decembrist. The flowers of ripsalidopsis are symmetrical, while the corollas of zygocactus are slightly slanted.

All these names and renamings may worry botanists - systematists. But it is imperative to determine what kind of plant you have in the house, at least in order to know when it has a dormant period and to care for it correctly.

In indoor culture, hybrids of only two types of ripsalidopsis are common: Getner's ripsalidopsis (Rhipsaliodopsis gaertneri) and dwarf pink ripsalidopsis (Rhipsaliodopsis rosea).

Ripsalidopsis are unpretentious, highly ornamental plants. They will perfectly decorate any room and are very beautiful (they look in flowerpots on windows and shelves.

Features of care

Lighting. Ripsalidopsis prefers a bright place, but be sure to shade it from direct sunlight. Under natural conditions, this epiphyte lives in the shade of trees, so it grows well in a north-facing window. In summer, the plant can be moved to fresh air and placed in the shade of a tree.

To form a symmetrical bush, the plant can be rotated, but only until the buds appear.

Temperature. Ripsalidopsis develops well in warm rooms with a slight temperature difference (17-20C in summer and 15-17C during dormancy).

Humidity and watering. Water frequently, but so that the water does not stagnate in the pot. In nature, ripsalidopsis live in the tropics, where there is high humidity. The plant takes moisture from the air, and its roots are underdeveloped, tender, and can rot if overwatered. In dry, hot weather, regular spraying with water is necessary. But during dormancy, the intensity of watering is reduced.

The soil. Plants require rough and loose soil. The substrate for ripsalidopsis should be highly permeable and slightly acidic. It is recommended to use a light peat mixture with the addition of leaf soil and raising agents in the form of coarse river sand and perlite.

Bloom. The flowers bloom at the ends of the shoots and range in color from white to dark red. Rhipsalidopsis bloom in early spring and bloom profusely within 2 months. Flower buds appear 1 -1.5 months before flowering and there may be several buds at the end of each segment.

Attention! When the buds appear, you cannot turn or move the ripsalidopsis - the buds fall off.

Rest period. A light rest period from October to February, the temperature is preferably low, about 15°C. Reducing watering stimulates the formation of flower buds. From mid-February, the plants are moved to a warmer place and watered more intensively.

Transfer. Ripsalidopsis are replanted immediately after flowering in early summer. The pot should not be deep and not very large. When replanting, it is advisable to carefully free the roots from the old soil. When replanting plants, you should not bury the stem in the ground so as not to rot.

Feeding. Root and foliar fertilizing with ready-made mixtures for forest cacti is carried out 1 or 2 times a month, following the instructions. Organic fertilizers are not recommended for fertilizing.

Reproduction. It is very simple to propagate ripsalidopsis: you just need to break off a segment (not cut it off, but break it off by turning it around its axis; the cut piece will rot), dry it a little so that it does not start to rot when planted, and stick it vertically into the ground shallowly. After a couple of days, the cutting will produce roots and it will be planted in an earthen substrate.

Can also be propagated by seeds. But you need to pollinate the flower with pollen from another variety or type of ripsalidopsis. In place of the flower, a crimson fruit with black seeds will appear. Seeds remain viable for 3-4 years. But a flowering plant can form from seedlings only after three years.

Several cuttings can be planted in one wide pot and grow a lush bush. You can use cuttings of different varieties, and then ripsalidopsis with different flowers will bloom in one pot.

Pests and diseases. Ripsalidopsis is quite resistant to pests and diseases. But infection with mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects is possible.

Easter cactus, called - Hatiora gaertneri, was known under the names Schlumbergera Gertner or Ripsalidopsis Gartner. All these definitions are quite complex and may seem unnecessary; the names are useful when searching for information about the plant of interest to us. In the case of the Easter cactus, this is important, because the plant can easily be confused with a closely related species - Schlumbergera truncata, commonly known as Zygocactus or Decembrist. The main (not the only) feature that distinguishes both species is the flowering time; for the Decembrist it falls during the Christmas period, for the Easter cactus in the spring. If we want to wait for the desired flowers at the right time, we must distinguish the species well and care for them accordingly.

Description

Easter cactus is a succulent from the Cactus family, native to the tropical forests of Brazil. In nature, it is an epiphyte that lives on other plants, and therefore has a poorly developed root system. When grown at home, they are grafted onto other cacti that have more powerful and developed roots.

The cactus has fleshy, flat, oval, green segments that fold like a chain, creating slightly curved, cut shoots that grow 30-40 cm tall. The “leaves” consisting of shoots are devoid of thorns and have tufts of thin, yellowish and inconspicuous hairs along the edges. In spring, from dormant buds located at the ends of the smallest elements - the areoles - numerous flowers of intense red color with yellow, protruding anthers develop (there are varieties with orange, white or pink flowers). They have rather narrow, sharp petals, lying in the direction of the shoots. Flowering begins in March and continues until May, if the plant has passed the required dormant period. Before flowering, the leaves of the cactus turn red.

Care

Since the cactus comes from tropical areas, care is not easy; providing conditions close to natural conditions at home is not easy. The plant during the growing season requires a lighted place, protected from direct sunlight, a moist substrate and air (preferably frequent spraying and regular watering with soft water) and a relatively high temperature (22-25 ° C). During the period of growth and flowering, it does not tolerate temperature drops below 15° C. It grows well in light peat-based soil with a small addition of fine-grained sand, since it does not like excess water in the root area, appropriate drainage must be provided (from expanded clay balls). During the flowering period and during the growing season, you can feed with fertilizers intended for cacti.

Interestingly, Easter cactus is great for hydroponic growing.

Periods of rest

The main reason why a cactus does not bloom is the lack of a dormant period. The dormant period begins after flowering (V-VI) during months from X to XII or from XI to I (the dormant period lasts from 8 to 12 weeks). Then the plant should be moved to a cool (10-15° C), bright place, stop feeding and reduce watering to the absolutely necessary minimum (so that the substrate does not dry out at all!). Only in this way will the cactus bloom at the right time, producing beautiful and decorative red flowers.

Reproduction

The plant can be propagated independently by rooting the tips of the shoot segments (leave it to lie for a day or two so that the wound can dry out sufficiently) in moist, sandy soil, since it will be quite difficult to preserve a diluted cactus; it is better to buy a grafted specimen, which has a greater chance of growing success.

Diseases

The biggest threat to growing an Easter cactus is the mistakes we make. Excessive watering leads to rotting of the roots and the appearance of fungal diseases, too dry air promotes the development of pests (spider mites), temperature fluctuations and changing the location or turning the pot during the growing season and flowering can lead to the buds falling off, drying out the substrate causes wrinkling and wilting of the segments.

Among the epiphytic cacti there are many plants that are interesting to lovers primarily for their highly decorative flowering. The most common include Schfumbergera, which we call “Decembrist” and the so-called “Easter cactus” - Rhipsalidopsis, now belonging to the genus Hatiora. Many hybrids have been bred from these cacti.

Schlumbergeras belong to the genus Schlumbergera of the same name. The birthplace of natural species that gave rise to the entire variety of modern hybrids were cacti from the humid mountain forests of Brazil.
The first hybrids were obtained by crossing the species Schlumbergera truncatus and Schlumbergera russelliana. Hybrids of these plants in the West are called “Christmas cacti” due to the flowering time close to Catholic Christmas.

Their “compatriots”, Ripsalidopsis, are very similar to Schlumbergera. They differ only in the shape of the flower and stems, as well as the timing of dormancy and flowering. It is this cactus that we will talk about.

Almost all of the first hybrids of these plants were obtained by crossing two species: Rhipsalidopsis rosea and Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri. These cacti are called “Easter” cacti, as they bloom around Easter - in March-May.

If your ripsalidopsis does not bloom on time (blooming begins from April to May), you may have made mistakes in care. The first common reason is that the air temperature in the room where the flower is located is too cool. For the dormant period, which lasts from October-November, the plant needs 13-15 degrees, but from February it needs to be brought to a warm and bright place to lay buds. At this time, watering is increased (during the dormant period, watering is minimal) and fertilizing with fertilizer for cacti is introduced.

Young plants that are actively growing must be replanted annually in new soil. This is done after the plant has completely flowered. Otherwise, it simply will not have the strength to bloom. Adults are replanted every 2-3 years or simply sprinkled with fresh soil on top.

Overwatering or lack of light can also cause a lack of flowering. Make sure that the water does not stagnate in the pan and spray the ripsalidopsis daily. Only a plant full of vitality will delight you with abundant and bright flowering for several months.

Since ripsalidopsis grows in nature, where there is high air humidity, the conditions for good growth and flowering must be created appropriately. Such plants usually have underdeveloped, delicate roots, and they do not need either soil rich in organic matter or an abundance of earthen moisture - they will simply rot. Plants require coarse and loose soil: coarse sand with crushed stone without dust, clay-turf soil with lumps, but without remnants of grass and roots, charcoal and crushed brick without dust. Before planting, the prepared soil mixture is subjected to heat treatment (steamed in the oven). For 3-4 liters of this mixture add 1 tsp. superphosphate and 1 tsp. crushed plaster (slaked lime, chalk). These forest cacti require soil with a slightly acidic reaction - pH from 6 to 4.5. Added superphosphate will acidify the soil.

Ripsalidopsis are replanted immediately after flowering: late May-June. Considering that the size of the root system is relatively small and they have a high need for air, the dishes should not be deep and not very large. If the roots are healthy and well developed, the size of the pot is increased by 1.5 times; if the roots are depressed and small, the pot is not changed or a smaller one is taken. When planting, the roots are evenly distributed throughout the volume of the pot and carefully covered with soil. When replanting plants, you can first deepen the stem, then slightly pull it up and finally fill and compact the soil by tapping the walls of the pot with your hand. The soil on top is lightly compacted by hand. The trunk of the plant cannot be buried deeply in the ground. The green part is not covered with earth at all - it will rot. Then the plant is watered and placed in a shaded place.

During flowering, ripsalidopsis is watered frequently, but so that the water does not stagnate in the pot. Excess moisture on the stems is not a hindrance for epiphytes; they like daily spraying and frequent washing with warm water (before the buds appear). Ripsalidopsis are watered all year round, but during dormancy - from October to February - the intensity of watering is reduced and they are not fed. From February (in the period before flowering) to March, watering is slightly increased and root and foliar fertilizing is carried out 1-2 times a month with humus- and nitrogen-containing fertilizer ready-made mixtures for forest cacti, following the recommendations of the instructions. Under no circumstances should organic fertilizers be used to feed ripsalidopsis.

Ripsalidopsis, like all living things, are susceptible to diseases and pests. Most often this is expressed in the falling and drying of plant segments. You should start examining the suspicious plant from the top. Inspect the segments for the presence of light rusty deposits and stripes. If such spots are observed, check to see if there are ticks on them (they are rare). It’s easy to fight mites on epiphytes; just pour hot water (not boiling water) over the segments.

If the segments wither and fall off in large numbers, this indicates poor roots. Roots are suppressed for several reasons:

excess moisture and stagnation of water;
poor and depleted soil (not replanted for a long time); c) excess organic matter, burns of roots with concentrated fertilizing (feeding should be done after watering, and not before or instead of it);
worms appeared in the ground - white worms. In any case, you need to remove the plant from the pot and inspect the soil and roots. Remove diseased and limp roots, pour healthy ones with hot water (as soon as your hand can bear it), rinse in a dark crimson solution of potassium permanganate, dry and plant in fresh soil. In this case, the above-ground part of the plant can be trimmed a little so that in the first time after transplantation it will not be difficult for the roots to feed the entire bush.

Plant segments may fall off due to excessive dry air, stress resulting from frequent rearrangement, and if the plant is cold.

Sometimes people incorrectly call ripsalidopsis Decembrist and are very surprised if it does not bloom in December. In fact, Ripsalidopsis is very similar to Schlumbergera, which is called Decembrist and Zygocactus, but Schlumbergera has different shaped stem segments. In ripsalidopsis, the protrusions on the leaf-shaped segments are smoothed, rounded, almost invisible, but spines in the form of thick bristles are preserved at the ends of the segments. In Schlumbergera, the segments have pronounced teeth along the edges. In some and others, the sizes of the segments are the same, up to 3 cm wide and up to 6 cm long.

Rhipsalidopsis, or translated from Latin ripsalidopsis, is an evergreen epiphytic shrub that is a member of the Cactus family. Its homeland is considered to be the mainland of South America, namely its tropical forests. Currently, about ten different species of these epiphytes are known.

Unlike other plants in the family, ripsalidopsis loves moisture and abundant watering. This is due to the fact that it is a forest species and not a desert species.

In its natural environment, it prefers shady tropics, so it lives in the rainforests of Brazil.

Close relatives of Ripsalidopsis are Zygocacti, Rhipsalis, and Epiphyllum. They are also considered forest cacti.

More recently, scientists have assigned rhipsalidopsis plants to the genus Hatiora, which has led to changes in the names of many flowers. But this epiphyte has two more names: Easter cactus or Easter cactus and forest cactus.

This is how the plant was dubbed by the people, the first name was not given by chance, it appeared due to the fact that many ripsalidopsis begin to bloom in mid-spring and often the opening of the buds coincides with the bright holiday of Easter.

Often such plants are confused with Christmas or Decembrist, which bloom in winter, and often they are distinguished only because of the different time of appearance of flowers. Among other characteristic features of the Easter egg, one can highlight the shape of the leaf plate; it has rounded edges, while the leaves of the Christmas tree are pointed on the sides. You can also note the differences between these ornamental plants by looking at their inflorescences; they differ from each other in shape. Easter cactus flowers look much more symmetrical.

It is important to know the characteristics of plants in order to be able to determine what species they belong to. After all, the needs of a flower and the rules for caring for it depend on its belonging to a certain species. Inexperienced gardeners often confuse Ripsalidopsis and Schlumbergera because of their rather similar appearance. But these cacti have fundamental differences:

If you have determined that it is a forest cactus that “lives” on your windowsill, then you should determine what species it belongs to. There are two of them: dwarf pink ripsalidopsis (Rhipsaliodopsis rosea) and Getner's ripsalidopsis (Rhipsaliodopsis gaertneri).

It’s quite easy to understand this issue, since their main difference is size. As you can guess from the name, the dwarf species is much smaller than the Getner cactus.

Ripsalidopsis are very convenient to keep at home, which is what many gardeners around the world use. This popularity is primarily due to its ease of care and unusual appearance. They look great in hanging pots or on window sills.

Gallery: Easter cactus rhipsalidopsis (25 photos)

Description of the cactus

This decorative flower came to us from America and has taken root well on the windowsills of many Russian residents. Today it is very popular among lovers of indoor flowers.

This plant has long drooping branches and oval-shaped leaves with blunt spines, colored light green. Ripsalidopsis reproduces by small aerial roots, which, upon reaching the soil, immediately take root and eventually form a new plant. The flowering period occurs in spring, when the cactus is covered with numerous buds, which, when blooming, turn into star flowers of pink, white or red.

Shoots and branches are divided into four to six flat or ribbed segments. Each of them reaches three centimeters in width. If the plant is placed on the sunny side, the shoots may acquire a reddish tint.

Since rhipsalidopsis is a member of the cactus family, it has spines. They are located at the very tips of the shoots.

Blooming cacti

Many novice gardeners are interested in when ripsalidopsis begins to bloom. The flowering period of these cacti occurs in March - May and lasts about two months. It has beige, burgundy, coral flowers that bloom where the spines are located - at the ends of the shoots.

The more the plant grows, the more magnificent it becomes. A large number of shoots ensures lush and abundant flowering. Branches that are too long exhaust the plant and make it look sloppy, so rhipsalidopsis need pruning. If you shorten the shoots, the plant will look nice and resemble a lush, flowering bush. Cactus pruning should be done after flowering has ended.

Plant care

Many indoor plants require good lighting, but the forest cactus does not. In its natural environment, it prefers to grow near large trees and bushes, and sunlight rarely reaches such places.

When growing at home, there is no need to place ripsalidopsis on southern windowsills and balconies; it is better to give it a shaded place where direct sunlight does not reach it. They are dangerous for the plant, can cause burns and create uncomfortable conditions for the cactus. Windows facing north, east or west, as well as corridors, halls and basements are perfect for Easter. In such places there is little natural light and the plant will be very comfortable.

Temperature and humidity

Regarding the temperature, it is worth noting that it should be moderate and maintained at almost the same level all year round, varying slightly depending on the time of year. So for the summer period, the ideal temperature is considered to be eighteen - twenty-three degrees Celsius, and for the winter period - sixteen - eighteen degrees.

In hot weather, the plant feels uncomfortable; it is very difficult to tolerate high temperatures. Therefore, on especially hot days, it is recommended to put the Easter cactus in the coolest and darkest place in the apartment, for example, the bathroom is perfect for such purposes. Ripsalidopsis will live quietly without natural light for some time, but the heat can cause harm and irreparable damage to its health.

Since the home Easter egg belongs to forest cacti, and in the wild it prefers tropical forests, we can conclude that air humidity is a very important aspect when keeping it in an apartment.

High air humidity is simply necessary for this plant for healthy growth and development. Therefore, it should be regularly sprayed with a spray bottle, and the leaves should be wiped with a soft, damp cloth or dish sponge. Such procedures are best carried out late in the evening, after sunset.

If the air in your house or apartment is very dry, a special device - an air humidifier - will help save the situation. In cases where you do not have such a device, and purchasing it will cost a pretty penny, you can use a cheaper method to provide the plant with the required level of humidity:

occurs from January to September, during which time ripsalidopsis requires abundant watering. Water is needed for the formation of buds and lush, abundant flowering in the future.

The watering regime follows a simple pattern; the soil in the pot should always be kept moist. As soon as the soil dries out slightly after the last watering, it needs to be repeated. Make sure that the soil is damp and not flooded.

To water the forest cactus, use clean, soft water. Filtered or bottled is perfect for these purposes. In extreme cases, you can use tap water, but before you start watering, it should be poured into a container and allowed to sit in a dark place for several days.

At the beginning of autumn, the plant goes into a dormant state, which lasts about three to four months. During this period, the amount of watering should be reduced, but the soil should not be too dry.

Plant propagation

If you already have a rhipsalidopsis flower in your house, you don’t have to run to the store to get a new plant. You can propagate an existing cactus using one of the following methods:

Feeding and replanting

Ripsalidopsis prefers light, breathable and nutritious soil. It should also be slightly acidic - with a pH level of no more than six. Soil for planting and replanting can be found at a flower shop; ready-made substrate for cacti is perfect for this. You can also prepare the soil yourself using the following ingredients:

Six hundred grams of leaf soil.
One hundred grams of turf soil.
Four hundred grams of humus or peat.
Two hundred grams of clean river sand.

It is best to calcine the sand before use to destroy all bacteria and viruses.

Due to their unusual life cycle, forest cacti should be replanted not in the spring, but in the early summer, after the plant has finished blooming. This procedure helps the plant to hibernate in time and replenish its strength in order to bloom in full force next season.

Young ripsalidopsis are replanted annually, and adults once every two to three years. The new pot should not be too deep or large. To replant the plant, remove it from the pot, carefully remove the roots from the old earthen ball and replant it in fresh soil. Keep in mind that the stems should not be buried in the soil, this can lead to negative consequences, such as plant rotting.

During the period of active growth, ripsalidopsis needs additional feeding, which should be applied once every two weeks. Organic fertilizers for forest cactus are strictly contraindicated. Therefore, you need to use mineral complexes for cacti with a minimum nitrogen content; they can be purchased at any flower shop.

Common mistakes in care

Flower growers sometimes make mistakes in care. Wrong actions can lead to disease and death of the flower. You should pay attention to the following symptoms: