Rhipsalis Lepismium Asuntapatense Red Chain Succulent X-Large 20cm pot
£85.00
Out of stock
Rhipsalis is a highly interesting genus of plants that is surprisingly part of the cactus family and is the only cactus in the family that grows outside of North and South America. There are approximately 35 to 60 species that make up this genus of epiphytic (grows on trees) and lithophytic (grows on rocks) plants that can be found in the rainforest of Central and South America, remote jungles of Africa and Asia, and a few islands throughout the Indian Ocean. This genus has been one of the most successful members of the family and has spread itself further than any cacti has gone before!
While in the same family as cacti this plant is very different. Often the way to take care of these plants is not the same as how you would expect to look after a regular dessert cactus. While most species of cacti are known to be covered in needles and preferred to live in dry and arid environments, Rhipsalis is quite the opposite and would struggle to survive in the same conditions due to its lack of needles and ability to tolerate the glaring sun. These differences have put Rhipsalis into its own category of cactus often referred to as the jungle cacti.
This stunning plant is more of a trailing wonder, in its natural habitat, it produces narrow thread-like stems that wrap and twist around trees stretching out up to 30 feet long, producing gorgeous displays of red, yellow, orange or white flowers that eventually turn into berries. While not impossible for it to flower as a houseplant it is highly unlikely to be able to recreate its natural conditions well enough to encourage it to flower but nonetheless still makes for a stunning trailing houseplant.
Light
Rhipsalis are surprisingly versatile plants when it comes to light conditions. In the most optimal spot, this plant will receive a few hours of direct sunlight in the morning while spending the rest of the day in a flood of indirect natural light. But can also tolerate lowish light locations, as long as there is a relatively high temperature and it is still receiving some ambient light.
It’s important to know that without a high enough level of light, the plant will never stand a chance of flowering and may even stunt growth. You can also encounter problems if the plant is exposed to high levels of direct sunlight throughout the day, this will cause sunburn and scorching.
Humidity
Rhipsalis are not overly fussy when it comes to humidity level and are more than happy with the average humidity of most rooms around 40%. But it’s good practice to remember this cactus is coming straight from the jungle so will not be happy in a dry environment and will need a decent level of humidity to stay healthy. This problem can often arise when the heating comes back on in the winter, this plant will not enjoy being near a radiator or draft that will draw the moisture out of the air.
Water
The water requirement for this plant heavily depends on the location of the plant, the shadier the position the less water it will need and the more ambient and direct sunlight the plant receives the more often it will need to be watered. In either case, the soil of the plant wants to be kept slightly moist but never saturated or overly damp to the touch. These plants are very sensitive to overwatering and can often struggle as a result.
If in doubt it’s better to keep these plants on the drier side and they will often let you know if they are desperate for a drink. When they become dehydrated the tendrils start to lose their rigidity and the plant begins to droop and pucker, if left to dry out further often the tendril will start to turn brown and become crispy. But if your plant ever reaches this stage it’s not the end of the world. Rhipsalis are robust and forgiving and will soon bounce back once watered.
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Rhipsalis Lepismium Asuntapatense Red Chain Succulent X-Large 20cm pot
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