What are epiphytic cacti and what are their features?
These varieties of succulents are members of the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to the tropical forests of South and Central America, at altitudes ranging from 900 to 1500 m. These rainforest cacti get their name epiphytic because they grow on other plants (usually trees or shrubs). , although they are not parasites. Unlike most cacti, which live in arid desert conditions, epiphytic cacti growing in tropical forests can receive up to 400 cm of rainfall annually.
Most cacti in this group grow among fallen leaves high on tree branches in the rainforest. They get water from the air and nutrients from rotted leaves and forest organic matter. With their roots, they are fixed in the forks of tree branches, where organic remains decompose. This light, loose medium allows water and oxygen to reach plant roots, which absorb water and dissolved nutrients. Some varieties of epiphytes grow on rocks and have hard roots in the ground (lithophytes).
Epiphytic cacti are a wonderful collection of leaf succulents with some of the most unexpected and exceptional features anyone who purchases this plant species will encounter.
Features of flower care at home
Cactus is not often found in apartments due to the misconception that it is difficult to care for. Many gardeners constantly work with the variety and do not consider it too capricious or demanding.
- Temperature
Indoor araucaria - planting and care at home
In the summer heat, the plant lives at a temperature of 20-25 degrees. In winter, it is moved to a cool room with a temperature of 15-17 degrees.
Important! The culture has a negative attitude towards drafts and sudden changes from cold to hot. If the mode is not suitable, then it will discard all the already formed buds. It will not be able to bloom normally.
- Lighting
Direct sunlight cannot cause significant damage to the crop; most gardeners prefer to place pots on the south and southeast side.
- Watering
Soil moisture is required after the top layer of the substrate has dried. Overwatering has a bad effect on the root system and can lead to its rotting.
Watering is carried out with soft and settled water, with the addition of a few granules of citric acid.
- Spraying
The variety does not need spraying of the stems. When carrying out hygienic measures, its stems are washed with warm water or wiped with a moistened cotton pad.
Validus (Selenicereus validus)
- Humidity
Culture grows and develops in an ordinary city apartment. She does not require humidifiers.
- Priming
The earth is enriched with mixtures for cacti and succulents purchased at a flower shop. Drainage made of finely broken brick or special expanded clay is placed at the bottom of the container.
Important! Prevention of root rot is carried out by adding crushed charcoal to the substrate.
- Feeding
Accelerated growth requires a large amount of useful elements. Feeding is done three times a month, using universal solutions for cacti and succulents.
Disocactus
The genus Disocactus (obsolete Aporocactus) belongs to the plant tribe Hylocereeae and grows as forest leaf cacti - epiphytes (on trees) or lithophytes (on rock formations). Native to parts of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, this plant is a challenge for the experienced gardener.
Growing Disocactus species can be challenging, but once you learn how to care for your succulent when your plant reaches maturity, you'll enjoy the magic of these fragrant, night-time bloomers. Flowers are formed along the entire length of the stems or at the growing ends of the cacti (depending on the species).
Disocactus flagelliformis
Disocactus or Aporocactus whip-shaped has a rounded stem structure, with thick and hanging stems reaching a length of 1 m, and almost 2 cm in width.
These bright green stems are covered with clusters of indistinct tufts of needles, each composed of thin orange spines. The flowers are large and beautiful, appearing en masse along the stems in late spring - early summer.
Transfer
Young individuals of Selenicereus require transplantation work annually - this is carried out in the spring. Adult plants are transplanted only after strong growth, when the original pot becomes small.
Important! If it is not possible to transfer the crop to new containers, then annually it is necessary to replace the top layers of soil with fresh ones. The old soil is cleaned off with the utmost care, trying not to damage the root system.
Fertilizer for selenicereus
Epiphytic cacti of the genus Epiphyllum (Epiphyllum)
There are 19 species in this genus, all of which exist as epiphytes with thick, wide and flattened stems, mostly with wavy, lobed edges. Epiphyllum cacti are characterized by large, impressive flowers. In the last few years, the plants have undergone extensive hybridization to produce a variety of flowers in varying shades.
Epiphyllum is an easy-to-grow and fast-growing genus of succulent that enjoys moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade.
Epiphyllum serrated
The beautiful flowers of Epiphyllum crenatum grow from late spring to early summer. The flower itself is cup-shaped with long, creamy-white inner tepals and pale yellow stamens.
In total, the flower can reach 29 cm in length and up to 20 cm in width, has a strong aroma and is nocturnal, opening at night to attract insects for pollination. The flowers will remain open for several days.
Cactus Epiphyllum acupetallus
Epiphyllum oxypetalum is widely known as the only Epiphyllum species to be widely used for cross-pollination with other genera, such as Disocactus, in an attempt to develop a range of colored hybrids.
Epiphyllum acupetallus
The flower color of Epiphyllum hybrid varieties varies from white to light yellow and orange, and sometimes dark amber hybrids can be found.
Epiphytes Hylocereus
The unusual leaf cacti of the genus Hylocereus are among the largest of the epiphytic cacti. These large, climbing semi-epiphytes native to Central and North America have fleshy, articulated stems with aerial roots. They use their roots to cling to trees and shrubs in dry and open forested areas.
Their triangular stems grow to an impressive 5m in length, allowing them to reach a total height of up to 10m. The fruits of the Hylocereus species are completely edible. They contain white pulp studded with hundreds of black seeds. They are also called “dragon fruit”. These exotic-looking fruits are now grown for juice, wine and liquor and eaten fresh in many countries around the world.
Hylocereus wavy or Hylocereus sinuous (Hylocereus undatus)
This ampelous cactus is the most cultivated of all species of the genus Hylocereus. Dark-colored spines grow only on the mature branches of this climbing cactus, and gorgeous flowers bloom at the ends of the branches.
In summer, the ripe buds bloom and a white, bell-shaped flower appears. These powerful and fragrant flowers reach 35 cm in length and up to 30 cm in diameter, opening at dusk for one night only.
Epiphytes of the genus Hatiora
The next genus of epiphytic cacti is Hatiora, native to the tropical forests of southeastern Brazil. In nature, they grow on trees and sometimes on rocks. All plants of this genus have succulent stems that grow straight or trailing, without thorns.
This genus is divided into two subgenera - Hatiora and Rhipsalidopsis, each of which has the following distinctive characteristics and plant forms:
- Plants of the subgenus Hatiora typically have a woody base, a cylindrical segmented stem structure, and an erect growth habit. The flowers of this subgenus are usually quite small and come in red, orange and pink colors.
- Plants of the subgenus Rhipsalidopsis have a more flattened structure in the form of segments of a more pendulous stem. The flowers are much larger in size and are red or pink in color. There is only one exception, Hatiora epiphylloides with small yellow flowers.
Hatiora gaertneri
The well known Hatiora gaertneri, also called "Easter cactus" in the west. One of the most famous epiphytic cacti, which even amateur gardeners know about. This plant belongs to the tribe Rhipsalideae.
It has flattened, segmented, pendulous stems with flowers appearing from March to April. These wonderful tube-shaped flowers grow at each end of the stem and vary in shades of red or pink and have lighter stamens. The flowering period can be extended if suitable conditions are created - more water and a cool evening temperature of about 7-8 degrees.
Hatiora herminiae
Another representative of epiphytes is Hatiora herminiae, a representative of the subgenus Hatiora. Erect, with a cylindrical segmented stem structure.
Its unique and mostly solitary flowers grow again at the top of the stem, a beautiful deep pink color, each growing to approximately 2.5cm in length. The fruits of Hatiora herminiae reach 8 mm in length and are olive green in color.
These types of tree cacti are relatively easy to grow, preferring environments with high humidity and cooler temperatures than most other tropical plants.
First steps after purchase
An adult plant needs a period of acclimatization. In order for it to be successful, it is necessary to initially place the cactus in a place as close as possible in terms of conditions to what it is used to. Getting used to the new apartment living conditions takes place gradually. The plant is placed in its future permanent place every day, increasing the time of such movements every day. During acclimatization, you should refrain from watering and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, but try to ensure the required level of humidity. This is especially important if the cactus was purchased in the summer. After a week, Selenicereus can be placed in its permanent place.
Epiphytic cacti of the genus Lepismium
This is an epiphytic genus of cacti native to the lowland tropics and moist montane forests of South America. The Lepismium culture has about a dozen varieties. Let's look at the two most popular types.
Lepismium cruciform
Lepismium cruciforme is more commonly found in cactus collections consisting of long, twisting succulent stems, each armed with tiny, furry clusters of white spines.
In bright sun, the plant changes color from a natural green shade to a dark pink-burgundy. The stems are very diverse, have a polygonal structure and reach 50 cm in length and 2 cm in width. The flowers are borne along the long, spiny edges of the stem and are quite small and vary in color from creamy white to yellow-pink.
Lepismium floribundum
A recently discovered species with much larger and more fragrant flowers than other members of the genus.
Its dark green, curved and flat stems begin to droop over time, reaching several meters in length. Along the stems are many fragrant, pale pink, bell-shaped flowers. A cold-resistant specimen of a plant with a beautiful bend and a high growth rate.
Ampelous cacti of the genus Selenicereus
More commonly known as the Queen of the Night, it is a genus of epiphytes, lithophytes, and terrestrial plants native to most American rainforests. There are a couple dozen species in the genus, all with a similar climbing stem shape. Their shape varies from flat to thin and ribbed, each with many knobby areoles and aerial roots that help them climb trees, shrubs and rocks.
Selenicereus testudo
Ampelous cacti of this species produce funnel-shaped, fragrant, white flowers that open at dusk for one night only.
Selenicereus grandiflorus
Photo of the ampelous cactus Selenicereus grandiflora (flickr.com)
The most famous variety of Selenicereus, also known as the “queen of the night.” This species is very rarely grown, although it is known throughout the world for its large and shiny white flowers. Each flower reaches 20.32 cm in length and exudes a sweet night scent.
Diseases and pests
The description of the species says that the main problem when growing is the development of root rot due to excessive moisture in the soil. The problem can be solved by reducing the frequency of watering.
Cactus pests include spider mites and scale insects. After parasites are detected, the cactus needs to be treated with insecticidal preparations.
The Selenicereus cactus, which blooms several times a season, requires regular attention. Violation of watering rules can cause the death of a cactus. But if everything is done correctly, the unusual exotic will definitely please the owner.
Pfeiffera monacantha
A relatively compact and slow-growing ampelous cactus, native to Argentina and Bolivia, another example of a plant belonging to the tribe Rhipsalideae. The young plant has an erect and spiny stem, almost triangular in shape. Over time, the flower takes on a flatter, more branched, and more pendulous shape.
These linear, oblong branches can reach 45 cm in length. Each areole on the stem produces small, tubular, waxy orange flowers along the length of the flattened branches. Pfeiffera monacantha is a prolific flowering unusual epiphyte that requires little care, warmth and partial shade.
Like any other organism, epiphytic cacti play a role in nutrient cycling, increasing the diversity and biomass of the ecosystem in which they live.
The article used materials from the site worldofsucculents.com
