Rhipsalis RAMULOSA

Rhipsalis RAMULOSA - Red mistletoe cactus, Rhipsalis ramulosa, Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa.

Rhipsalis is a plant genus in the family Cactaceae, including about 60 species of various representatives that grow in the tropical rainforests of eastern Brazil and other areas of South and Central America. This cactus is capable of growing as an epiphyte on other plants, or as a lithophyte on rocks and stones. The stems are usually devoid of spines and branch abundantly, often hanging down from trees and rocky ledges. These stems have aerial roots capable of absorbing moisture directly from the atmospheric air. The fruits of the plant are juicy berries with many small black and sticky seeds. Rhipsalis are unpretentious, grow quickly, and bloom readily in spring and summer. In summer they need partial shade, high humidity, and frequent misting; in winter, relatively cool conditions and good lighting. Very good plants for hanging planters.

Rhipsalis ramulosa is an elegant succulent growing in the form of a branching shrub with distinctive violet-red cascading main stems 30-70 cm (12-28 in) long and secondary green stems emerging from the main ones, 7-25 cm (2.8-9.8 in) long and up to 15 cm (5.9 in) wide. White berries from 4 to 8 mm (0.16 to 0.31 in) in diameter are arranged on the areoles of the secondary stems at a distance of 10-20 mm (0.4-0.8 in) from one another. It blooms with greenish-white or pinkish 6-7 petaled flowers, one per areole. The seeds are small, black. It grows at an elevation from 500 to 2200 m (1640 to 7220 ft) above sea level in foothill and mountain forests of Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, and Venezuela.

By cuttings and seeds. Seeds are sown superficially on soil steamed in an oven. They are moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light at a temperature of 21-22 °C (70-72 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Waterlogging and drying out of the crops must be avoided.

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Rhipsalis is one of the most unpretentious cacti and can delight with beautiful dense clusters of stems cascading over the rim of the pot. During the summer period, the plant can be placed outdoors in a bright location without direct sunlight. For normal growth in the spring-summer period, maintaining a temperature of 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) is desirable. In winter, it is recommended to keep the cactus in cool conditions, at a temperature of 12-16 °C (54-61 °F), but not lower than 10 °C (50 °F). It does not like being moved or experiencing temperature fluctuations. It prefers bright diffused light, but can also grow in partial shade. With a lack of light, stunted growth or chlorosis and yellowing of stem margins may be observed. For generous and showy flowering, good diffused lighting is necessary, preferably on windows facing west or east. On north windows, flowering may be less profuse; on south windows, shading is necessary during midday hours.

In the spring-summer period of budding and flowering, fairly generous watering is required as the top layer of substrate dries out, using soft settled water. From autumn, watering is reduced; in winter, it is watered limitedly and cautiously. Excessive watering as well as drying out of the root ball harms the plant. Rhipsalis is not as sensitive to air humidity as other forest cacti; however, in summer the plant is recommended to be misted with soft settled water, as well as increasing humidity by placing the plant on trays with wet expanded clay or peat. During growth and flowering, the plant is fed twice a month with half-strength mineral fertilizer containing low or medium nitrogen, an excess of which is contraindicated for cacti as it promotes root rot. The optimal ratio is nitrogen (N) - 9, phosphorus (P) - 18, potassium (K) - 24. During dormancy, the plant is not fed. Repotting of young plants is performed annually after flowering, mature specimens as needed every 2-3 years, and large specimens every 4-5 years. Regular cactus soil is unsuitable for Rhipsalis; soil mixes for orchids or bromeliads containing peat or sphagnum moss must be used. A humus-rich slightly acidic or neutral soil is used: 1 part leaf mold, 1 part turf soil, 1 part peat, 1 part sand. It is desirable to add crushed brick to the substrate, and ensure good drainage at the bottom of the pot. Shallow pots are preferred.