Rhipsalis baccifera

The hanging cacti are wonderful. They can be had as a tall, narrow table plant, or on a balcony. But the truth is that, although all species are precious, the Rhipsalis baccifera it is one of the most popular.

With its long, slender stems, it is a plant that everyone, beginners and experienced succulent keepers, will enjoy. Dare to discover it.

Origin and characteristics

La Rhipsalis baccifera It is a cactus native to Central and South America, the African continent and Sri Lanka. Develops hanging stems up to 1 meter long by less than 1 centimeter thick, green in color. It has very small areoles, barely looking like points, white along its surface. The flowers, which sprout in spring, are very curious: they look like 1 centimeter white balls.

Its growth rate is quite fast, and also has the peculiarity that it is very easily propagated by cuttings. So if you are looking for a hanging cactus with which you can decorate your home or garden, get a copy. Here's how to take care of it.

What are the cares?

Once you get one Rhipsalis baccifera, You must provide a series of care so that it can be well. For this, it is important to know that, due to its origin, it is a cactus that in temperate climates cannot be kept outside during winter; although this is not a problem: if you have an interior patio with a lot of light, or if you buy lamps for plants, it will grow well.

But we are going to see in detail everything that needs to be done to keep you healthy:

Location

• Body exterior:- Whenever the possibility exists, the best thing for him will be to be outdoors. In this way, you can feel the warmth of the sun, and that will do you good, as it will stimulate your growth. But yes, it must not be directly exposed to the sun's rays, but must be in semi-shade. And it is that otherwise, its stems would burn.
• Interior: it can be inside the house, but in a very bright room. If there isn't, then a plant lamp will have to be purchased. In addition, it is necessary to be away from drafts, regardless of where they come from (air conditioning, fan, sunsets and / or windows, etc.), as they dry out the environment and cause the stems to dehydrate quickly.

Earth

• Flower pot: you can use universal growing medium (on sale here) mixed with perlite in equal parts. The pot must have holes in its base, and we also recommend that it be made of clay. This is a material that, being rough, allows the cactus to root without any difficulty. Although, of course, you can also choose to plant it in a plastic one.
• Garden: if it is grown in the garden, the soil must be sandy and well drained. If the one there is heavy and compact, you will have to make a hole of about 50 x 50 centimeters and fill it with a mixture of peat and perlite (for sale here), or if you just want to cheek.

Irrigation

Watering will be moderate. The Rhipsalis baccifera It is a cactus that needs a little more water than a common cactus, such as the Echinocactus grusonii for example. For this reason, It is preferable to water it about 2 times a week in summer and a little less the rest of the year, rather than leaving it without water for weeks.

But yes, if it rains frequently in our area, or if the day it is time to water there is a forecast of rain, we will have to adjust this frequency of irrigation taking into account the climate in the area.

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From spring to late summer must be paid with a liquid fertilizer for cacti (for sale here), following the indications specified on the package. And it is that it is not only important to give it water, but also to pay it, because that is the only way to make it really well, and that it can flourish.

But, we must also try not to add more fertilizer than indicated, since otherwise we could even lose the cactus as a result of the damage that the roots would have.

Transplant

Growing up fast If you have it in a pot, you have to plant it in a larger one about every 2-3 years., in spring. We will know for sure that the time has come if at first glance we see that it has occupied the entire container, and if when trying to remove it carefully, the earth bread does not crumble.

When it's time to transplant it, we will do it as follows:

1. First, we will choose a pot with holes in its base that is about 7 centimeters wider and taller than the previous one.
2. Then we fill it with substrate to a little less than half.
3. Then we extract the Rhipsalis baccifera from the old pot, and we plant it in the new one. It has to be more or less centered. And if we see that it is too high or low, we will have to remove it and remove or add more soil, as the case may be.
4. Finally, we finish filling and water.

In case you want to plant it in the garden, it will also be done in spring.

Multiplication

It multiplies by stem cuttings in spring-summer. These have to measure about 20 to 30 centimeters, and they have to be planted in pots with coconut fiber (for sale here) or vermiculite (for sale here), placed in semi-shade. To get them to root, it is advisable to impregnate their base with homemade rooting agents.

In this way, after about two weeks it will begin to produce its own roots.

Plagues and diseases

None, except for snails y slugs. These mollusks can eat the stems of the cactus, so they have to be kept away with repellants.

Related article:

How to eliminate snails from the garden or orchard

Rusticity

Does not resist frost. The minimum temperature should be 0 degrees or higher.

Enjoy it!