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Mistletoe cactus , Rhipsalis baccifera ( RIP - sa - lithium bak - IF - er - uh ) belong to the Cactaceae family and the Rhipsalis genus .
The Rhipsalis works is a lush epiphytic cactus ( likefishbone , Orchid cactus EpiphyllumandHatiora ) meaning it arise on other plants , draw nutrient from the surround .
Mistletoe cactus acclaim from the rainforests of Central and South America . It earned the vulgar namemistletoe cactusbecause of the spineless appearance giving a drooped over outcome . It makes a fantastic hanging flora .
The botanical name Rhipsalis comes from the Greek word ‘ rhips ’ which references to the plant life ’s flexible branch . ‘ Baccifera ’ mean berry - aim nodding to the plant life ’s bloodless berries after the flowering season in early saltation .
Other common figure admit :
Mistletoe cacti are not easy to come across in the United States and may be difficult to get your hands on .
However , once purchase , Rhipsalis mistletoe cactus will live for many age under right weather .
These hobo camp cacti take a slight skill and will help any gardening - fancier sharpen their grow skills .
Rhipsalis Mistletoe Cactus Care Needs
Size and Growth
It is a easy - growing plant with naturally pale green stanch , and a drooping and trail growth . It can get up to be 30′ feet long with narrow stems up to 0.2 ” in diameter .
This epiphytic cacti grows attach to other plants when in the wild .
It anchors itself to molder leaves and moss when it grows up in trees in its born home ground of the rainforest . At home , grow in dirt that mimics those condition .
Flowering and Fragrance
Rhipsalis cactus blossom in the first calendar month of the year . The pick or white flowers do n’t have any fragrance and are loosely pocket-sized at 0.25 ” wide .
Light and Temperature
The mistletoe cactus plant is sensitive to too much Sunday . Avoid direct sun and full Sunday for best growth . A shadowy outdoor spot with indirect light or a semi - shaded stead indoors works finely .
This plant involve a sightly amount of humidity ; somewhere around 50 % which would mimic the atmospheric condition of its natural home ground .
Epiphytic cactus spring up best in USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b and thrives unspoiled in temperatures between 25 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit .
Watering and Feeding
The watering needs of Rhipsalis cactus vary throughout the twelvemonth . It should be watered more on a regular basis throughout the grow months between February to July .
Allow the potting soil to dry out out between watering .
During the rest months in the downslope , water system it only sparingly when the surface of the dirt starts to dry do n’t let it dry out out completely .
you may mist it on a regular basis with cool water alternatively of watering good .
Begin watering again on a regular basis from November to February when new buds come out .
Overwatering mistletoe cactus causes beginning putrefaction . Once that happens , saving the plant life is difficult . Be careful and pay attention to your plant ’s needs .
The works want feeding with a weak phosphate fertiliser once between February and July .
Soil and Transplanting
Getting the soil in good order is important to get this plant to originate well . It ask an airy potting mix rich in humus . This type of soil is dissimilar than the traditional cactus intermixture . The sound mixture is an airy sphagnum mixture with leaf mould or partial rotted compost .
Avoid stomach water at the foot of the flock . Make certain there is adequate drainage and a well draining soil . Do n’t permit the soil juiceless .
This flora should not be transplanted as it could smash the tender roots .
Instead , top off the sens or basket with new soil .
Carefully , remove the old soil , make certain not to damage the roots and fill it again with moist sphagnum or coarse peat moss .
Grooming and Maintenance
This plant does not postulate a lot of grooming . However , if the stems begin to turn too long , snip back to give them a neater appearance .
How To Propagate Mistletoe Cactus Plants
Rhipsalis propagation is loose using mistletoe cactus press clipping .
Quick Tips On Mistletoe Cactus Propagation
Take a matured Rhipsalis prow cut
Mistletoe Cacti Pests and Diseases
This plant can get a few plague . Mealybugs and graduated table louse are easy enough to get rid of and prevent .
They appear as blank blobs or raise brown scales on the plant . You should remove them with tweezers and swob the area with inebriant to prevent future infestation .
Other pests such as wanderer mites or red spider soupcon are hard to identify as they will become unmistakable after make their first attack .
Get rid of them , spray your plant with Neem insecticide or a premix of systemic pesticide .
Uses For Mistletoe Cactus Rhipsalis Baccifera
This industrial plant is beautiful when produce as an ornamental , hanging accent plant . It is best turn nearlarge W or west - front window , or on a shaded porch .
Because of its inert vividness , it goes beautifully with a figure of different blossom .
If arise outdoors , add it to a shady spot like a porch as it will have ample quad to grow and will not risk getting too much sunshine .
The industrial plant is also edible . It has medicinal properties which make it democratic for certain remedies such as herbal path or as a salve to help treat combat injury .
The small , orb - like yield the plant bears in spring is also edible and taste juicy in a way like to minor grapes when eaten .
