Ric rac cactus is a tight - grow and prosperous to care for flora , make it ideal for beginners . It ’s durable and can survive a dear amount of disuse too .
But before you bestow the zig - zag foliation to your houseplant assembling , you should find out about what it want to thrive .
This detailed ric rac cactus care template will show you precisely what you need to know . You ’ll discover what the water , light , soil , and humidity pauperization are , how to troubleshoot the most usual problems , and more .
Blooming ric rac cactus hanging in a tree
Table of Contents
Ric Rac Cactus Quick Care Overview
Information About Ric Rac Cactus
The ric rac cactus ( Epiphyllum anguliger ) is a tropic epiphyte native to Mexican rainforests , where you ’d ascertain it anchored in the nook of trees . It can absorb nutrients and moisture from the airwave and rain through its arm and roots .
The draping , leaf - like branches have round lobe that protrude from either side in an alternate pattern .
They can range between 2 - 9 ’ in duration , with each average 6 ” all-embracing with 1 - 2 ” lobe . The flat branches reckon like a dull saw bound , which is how this industrial plant got the nicknames zig zag and ric rac cactus .
Different Types
There is only one type of Epiphyllum anguliger . But it has a similar show and maturation habit to Selenicereus anthonyanus , aka the fishbone cactus . They are even often concern to by that same common name .
But the ric rac cactus is technically a different plant that has white flowers , and the lobe are closer together and more rounded . You canlearn all about the fishbone cactus ( Selenicereus anthonyanus ) here .
Flowers
If your ric rac cactus is ripe and gets 6 or more hours of bright luminance a Clarence Day in other outflow , it can grow nocturnal efflorescence that bloom for just one nighttime . Its other nickname , moon cactus and female monarch of the night , come from this nighttime flowering habit .
The orchid style blooms bod at the end of long stems and have off - whitened yellowish outer petals with a central white - colored blossom . They ’re very fragrant and range of mountains between 4 - 5 ” across .
Toxicity
The ric rac cactus is not toxic to pet , so it ’s a safe choice to grow near your cats and dogs . However , it develops small spike or spur on the inside box of the stems and on newfangled ontogeny , so it ’s still a serious idea to keep it out of reach .
If you ’d like more information , please refer to theASPCA website on toxic and non - toxic plants .
How To Grow Ric Rac Cactus
Before we babble about ric rac cactus caution , we should discourse the good place to grow your plant . By opt the right location , you ’ll set it up for long - endure health .
Hardiness
The ric rac cactus can not tolerate uttermost heat or cold-blooded . It need temperatures between 50 ° F ( 10 ° hundred ) and 80 ° F ( 26.6 ° C ) to expand . Anything outside this mountain chain can cause damage , and freezing temperatures will eventually stamp out the plant .
Due to its sensitivity to the common cold , you’re able to only spring up it outdoors year - daily round if you live in zona 10 - 11 . Otherwise you ’ll have to keep it as a houseplant during the winter .
Where To Grow
Indoors , place your Epiphyllum anguliger near a bright window where it will get indirect light . But keep it away from AC volcano or heaters , which can dry out it out .
out of doors , take a shady localization that receive mottled sun or only morning Light Within , and pay close attending to the temperatures .
The draping nature of the stems makes it a democratic choice for hang baskets or planters , but you could also train it to rise . No matter the container you pick out , it needs to have drainage hollow in the bottom to keep overwatering .
Ric Rac Cactus Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you know where to get it , we can chat about how to give care for your ric rac cactus . Use the tips below to help create the perfect growing environment .
Light
verbatim sun can burn off the arm . So give your ric rac cactus vivid , indirect light for 5 - 6 hour a day . An east or Dame Rebecca West - facing window that scram sunup or evening sun is a good choice for indoor plants .
Outdoors , recover a maculation that fetch partial or mottled shade and will protect your plant from the harsh , good afternoon sunlight .
catch the ripe amount of light in the bounce is substantive for blossom . If you have fuss providing 6 hours indoors , you may add agrow lightto assistance affix .
Blooming ric rac cactus hanging in a tree
Water
The tropic nature of a ric rac cactus means it likes fortune of wet . However , overwatering can have root or stem rot .
Water the soil whenever the top 1 ” dries out . But never oversaturate it to the point of being soggy , and ensure that any excess water drains from the toilet .
In the wintertime , let it dry out out more between potable . When buds start to set in the fountain , take up regular watering .
If you struggle to get it just right , habituate amoisture metre probeand keep it between 3 - 4 on the gauge .
Humidity
Your Epiphyllum anguliger will thrive in gamey humidness , but it ’s a very indestructible plant that can easily defy ironic indoor tune too .
you’re able to add a smallhumidifier , plant the pot on a pebble tray occupy with H2O , or light mist over the branches occasionally to help increase humidity levels .
Temperature
Ric rac cactus plants prefers temperatures between 60 - 75 ° F ( 15.5 - 24 ° C ) , which create them ideal to manage for indoors .
Anything below 50 ° F ( 10 ° hundred ) will bar ontogenesis , and below 40 ° F ( 4.4 ° degree centigrade ) will cause wrong and ultimately result in expiry .
temperature above 80 ° F ( 26.6 ° C ) can apace desiccate your plant and can do it to droop .
Fertilizer
steady eating help support the speedy growth of a ric rac cactus , and stimulate inflorescence . Apply them in the spring and summer , then stop completely in the dusk and winter .
Use ageneral purpose liquid , compost tea , or acactus specific onemonthly , or applyslow release granulesonce per season .
In the spring , you’re able to also use anorchid fertilizerorone for flowering plants , but avoid practice it year - rhythm as it may have leggy , thin growth .
Soil
Epiphytes like this one do n’t actually require soil to grow . They can anchor themselves to trees and rock , or you’re able to put on yours to a board .
So you should utilise a medium that ’s gritty , coarse , and well - draining to fill your pots . orchidaceous plant bark , peat moss , afast - draining mix , orgeneral use potting soilamended withperliteare all good options .
Repotting
Since they grow so speedily , you may need to repot your ric rac cactus every 1 - 3 years as part of its regular tending . Roots growing out of the bottom , a bulging pot , or slowed growth are all signaling it might be time to size it up .
In the spring or summer , lightly remove your ric rac cactus from its previous container and move it to a new spate that ’s 1 - 2 ” larger . Plant it at the same depth it was before , fill it in with territory , and weewee well .
Pruning
Pruning your ric rac cactus is not necessary , but it is right to give it an occasional trim to move out damaged , stagnant , or leggy branches , and to master its shape and size .
Use sharp , sterilepruning shearsto cut away offset wherever they ’re too longsighted or damaged . If you do n’t like the spirit of a calloused top , remove the branch at the base instead .
Wearglovesto help protect your hand from the burry spines between the lobes while you work .
Pest Control Tips
A healthy Epiphyllum anguliger rarely has issues with pest , but mealybugs and scale can occasionally become a job .
apply a cotton wool swab dipped inrubbing alcoholto hit any visible bugs , then handle the plant with aninsecticidal soap . I make my own by combining 1 teaspoonful ofmild liquid state soapwith 1 l of water .
Propagation Tips
you’re able to easy diffuse your ric rac cactus in the spring or summer with healthy stem clipping . Cut a 3 - 4 ” plane section or a whole branch and let it sit down out for a day or two to form a indurate .
Dip the excision end intorooting endocrine , then plant it in light moistened , well - draining land . Put it somewhere quick with indirect light until roots shape , then pot it up .
you could also practice any ethereal roots that mold along the branches to distribute your plant . They seem like small white tendril . Gently pin the branch down so the roots are in contact with the soil . Once the branch has settle , trend it from the female parent plant and transfer it to a unexampled potful .
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even easy - care plant like a ric rac cactus are n’t entirely job - free . If you happen to bunk into one of these more vulgar proceeds , use my tips to help you get your flora back on track .
New Growth Is Skinny
scraggy young emergence or leggy branches are make by lack of light , or from using too much or the wrong kind of fertiliser .
Provide at least 6 hours of hopeful indirect sunlight a day , using agrow lightindoors if take to supplement . Avoid feeding your plant more than once a month , and only implement fertilizer in the bound or summertime . It ’s also best to avoid using flowering plant food outdoors of early spring .
Stems Rotting
Rotting root are induce by overwatering or improper soil . It ’s of import to use a well - enfeeble mixture that does n’t keep too much moisture .
When you water , wait until the top in has dry out and avoid puddle or making the soil swampy . Ensure you drain away all the surfeit from the jackpot as well , so the rootball is never drench .
Flower Buds Dying
If the flowers shrivel and pass quickly after blossom , it ’s nothing to worry about . The nocturnal bloom only last for one night .
If , however , the buds are expire before they open , it could be a symptom of stress from underwatering or temperature fluctuation . Keep them between 60 - 75 ° F ( 15.5 - 24 ° coke ) and make indisputable the grease is never ivory ironical for long geological period .
Yellow Leaves Or Stems
yellow leaves or stems are usually because of improper lachrymation , inhuman temperatures , or deficiency of light .
fend off letting the dirt dry out completely , but do n’t piss so much that it ’s wet and sodden . Make indisputable your industrial plant also receives at least 6 hours of bright luminousness every day and is never exposed to temps below 50 ° farad ( 10 ° 100 ) .
Brown Leaves Or Stems
Brown staunch or leave-taking on your ric rac cactus are a symptom of improper watering or too much light .
If you overwater , you may notice dark-brown diffused stems or spots , which are significative of putrefaction . Underwatering will lead to dry shriveled radical . Keep the soil moist , but let the top in teetotal between drink , and hack back on lacrimation in the winter .
verbatim sun can also have sear brownish pip along the branches . Move your plant to a shadier location or to a window that does n’t get verbatim sunlight in the afternoon .
FAQs
Yes , a ric rac cactus is easy to give care for because they ’re very indestructible . Even if you block to water or do n’t give your plant enough sunlight at first , they can often brave and recover just ok .
No , a ric rac cactus does n’t need to fall . you’re able to farm it in any container with drain holes , mount it on a board or tree , or train it to climb . However , because it has draping branch , it ’s often a democratic choice for hanging planters .
No , a ric rac cactus is n’t a rare plant . you’re able to find them for sales agreement in numerous places online or at your preferent local nursery .
Yes , a ric rac cactus can go outside , as long as the temperature is consistently above 50 ° F ( 10 ° blow ) . Also , make trusted to put it a spot that provides shade in the afternoon to protect the branch from scorching .
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