Easter cactus: why not Ripsalidopsis blooms and what kind of care does he need?

Ripsalidopsis is a forest cactus, which is popularly called the Easter Cactus. This species is unusually beautiful during flowering. Flowers appear at the tips of segments, they are wide open, up to 4 cm in diameter, from one to three flowers emerge from one areola. The color of flowers of different varieties is diverse - from pink to dark red and white. After flowering, soft berries are formed. Ripsalidopsis looks very similar to Schlumberger. Everyone can grow a forest cactus at home.

When and how does it bloom?

Ripsalidopsis begins to bloom in early spring and blooms luxuriantly for two months. Buds appear a month before flowering. Flowers bloom at the ends of the shoots. Their colors are pleasing in abundance and can be from white to red.

Ripsalidopsis has a variety of species that can decorate both indoor and outdoor areas. The following varieties are considered the most common:

1. Epiphytic and bushy Ripsalidopsis Gartner. This is a creeping plant, whose height is 20 centimeters. The shoots are green and flat and in length reach up to seven cm. From April to May, the cactus pleases with scarlet flowers.
2. Small bushy pink. The flowers are pale pink, with a diameter of 5 centimeters. In care, the flower is not capricious and unpretentious.

You can mix several varieties in one pot or in a flower bed and get an original decoration of a house or a plot.

What to do in preparation for the rest period?

After the cactus has bloomed, it remains a naked peduncle. If you do not touch it, then either it will wither or go to growth, and new flowers will appear. If the peduncle withered it needs to be removed. Sometimes right after the opal flowers are cut, the flower stalk is pruned. Do it over the third node. The plant may release a new flower stalk or give a young shoot.

After flowering, a period of rest should pass. It begins immediately after flowering. A flowerpot with a flower needs to be taken outside to a shady place, or to a balcony. He needs to be in the fresh air until September, this contributes to further abundant flowering. From October to January, ripsalidopsis is left in a cool room. For lush flowering, he will need 80 cool days to form buds.

Reasons why flowering does not occur

Flowering begins from April to May. If this does not happen, there are errors in the care.

The most common causes of lack of flowering:

1. The room temperature is too low.
2. Untimely transplant. Young individuals are transplanted annually after the cactus has flowered. Otherwise, he will not have the strength to bloom.Transplantation is necessary for adult plants every three years, or you can just sprinkle the earth.
3. Overfill or lack of light. It must be ensured that the water does not stagnate in the sump. Spray the flower daily.
4. Nutrient deficiency. Better to choose fertilizers rich in phosphorus or potassium. They stimulate the nucleation of buds.

A large amount of nitrogen in fertilizers inhibits the budding.

How to make a cactus form buds?

To stimulate the appearance of buds, a temperature difference should be made. It must be reduced to four degrees. To do this, special devices that can be purchased at flower shops will help.

Many beginners find that the ideal conditions created for the plant did not give the desired result. The reason may be that the cactus sent all its strength into growth and stopped throwing buds. You can speed up flowering by moving the plant to a cooler place or reduce watering.

General care rules

• Lighting. It is better to give preference to a bright place, but in direct sunlight, the cactus needs to be darkened. Since the plant in natural conditions lives in the shade of trees, it will grow well in the apartment on the north window. In summer, epiphyte is better to transfer to fresh air and place under a tree.

  In order to form a symmetrical bush, the flower can be rotated. This must be done before the buds appear.

• Temperature. In the summer, the temperature should be 20 degrees. In February and March, the recommended temperature is 12 degrees for the formation of buds.
• Humidity. Cactus needs high humidity. It is periodically sprayed with water at room temperature. In winter, spraying is stopped.
• Watering. In the spring and summer, water abundantly watered as the top layer of the soil dries. In the fall, watering is reduced, and in winter it should be moderate.
• Illumination. Lighting should be diffuse. In the summer, the flower is taken out to the street.
• Top dressing. Fertilizers are applied twice a month. To do this, use special mixtures intended for forest cacti.
• The soil. For cacti, a breathable soil with a slightly acidic reaction is suitable. It is recommended to use a light peat mixture with the addition of sheet soil and baking powder in the form of coarse river sand and perlite.
• Transfer. The transplant is done after the plant has flowered. The pot is selected shallow and not very large. Before the procedure, the roots are freed from the previous substrate.

More details about caring for ripsalidopsis at home and on the street are described here.

Useful video

We offer you to watch a video about the features of ripsalidopsis care for lush flowering:

Conclusion

After acquiring ripsalidopsis, he can lose his buds as a result of stress. In this case, do not worry. With proper care, the plant for the next year will delight with its lush and bright flowering.

Watch the video: Easter Cactus! Care & Bloom Encouragement. rhipsalidopsis Hatiora gaertneri (April 2024).