The Coral Cactus ‘Rhipsalis Cereuscula’

Rhipsalis Cereuscula is a hanging cactus, also called a coral cactus. It is a perennial plant that lives for several years; it can also reach about 50 centimeters; This plant is from South American countries. It comprises cylindrical stems that grow leaning on other plants, but not parasitically, using these as support, and blooms produce white flowers gathered in clusters.

This plant needs a location with soil that can filter well to prevent water and moisture from accumulating. If kept indoors, it can withstand relatively high temperatures during the summer months.

The tropical plant grows in bright areas but not in direct sunlight.

Direct sunlight exposes the plant very slowly. We should not place it too close to a window as it can suffer burns from the Sun, but it must be sufficiently illuminated. If kept in the garden, moving it to more shady places during heat waves or high temperatures is advisable.

When planting it in a pot, we must fill it with some orchid compound, made up mostly of bark pieces, and it is essential to choose a vase with holes in its base, to allow the water to drain effectively. If you want to plant directly in the garden, you must fill a hole with the same orchid compound, always caring that the soil has good drainage to drown our Rhipsalis Cereuscula.

Care For The ‘Coral Cactus’ Rhipsalis Cereuscula

#1. Watering

Hanging cacti require moderate watering, ideal for watering it every day, or even two days, in between, since if it is watered daily or when the soil is still wet, it is possible that it suffers from excess water.

The soil or compost is allowed to dry out completely and should be watered 3-4 times a week. During colder times, it should only be necessary to water it 1-2 times a week. Something advisable is to keep the irrigation limited to the rains, of course, if you live in a warm area with frequent showers.

If a rainy season begins, it is advisable to move it not to develop excess water. The irrigation frequency is necessary only when the soil dries completely if the plant is kept indoors.

We must always avoid wetting its leaves directly when watering it, and if the pot has a plate underneath, we must often remove all excess water to prevent our plant from rotting.

#2. Fertilization

So that our Rhipsalis Cereuscula can grow correctly and healthily, we must fertilize it approximately once a month from early spring to late summer. We can use a liquid or granulated fertilizer, being imperative to follow all the indications to the letter, since when using fertilizers, there is the risk of causing an overdose by burning the roots and killing our little cactus.

#3. Temperature

The ideal temperature for your Rhipsalis Cereuscula is between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime. At night, it prefers 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also advisable to avoid placing your Rhipsalis Cereuscula in locations that experience too cold temperatures. This plant will thrive at around 50 to 55 percent terms of humidity. Therefore a normal and dry environment is what this succulent prefers.

Propagation

It is possible to multiply our Rhipsalis Cereuscula through seeds or cuttings during the spring or early summer. If you want to use seedlings, we must sow them in pots that are quite wide; they must be filled with some orchid compound and moistened, the seeds are planted trying to leave a good separation between them; finally, they are covered with a little more compound. Let them germinate, somewhere where they are kept at a warm temperature, for about two weeks. Another faster and easier way to multiply it is using cuttings. To do this, we must cut a branch of the plant, let it dry for a few days, plant it in soil or composed of orchids, water it, and voila, a new Rhipsalis Cereuscula will soon begin to grow.

Humidity

These plants are generally quite resistant; they only have a particular weakness for cold, humid climates and low temperatures. Being native to tropical climates, we must keep this plant in a warm, temperate environment to avoid damage by low temperatures. As for pests, this plant is also resistant to many problems. But we have to protect it from animals such as snails and slugs. You can also suffer from a mite or lice infestation if you do not take proper care and are neglected. Something that usually attracts these pests is root rots resulting from too constant watering.

Rhipsalis Cereuscula is an ideal plant to grow indoors in hot and humid climates. Thanks to its buds that can hang out over time, it does not become too bulky and can be easily located inside the home. It is a cactus that is relatively easy to care for and multiply.

We only have to be careful in the cold and winter seasons. Due to its tropical origin, this cactus is not resistant to these environments and can even die if exposed to it for too long. In these seasons, we must keep our cactus in a dry and warm place inside the house, trying to give it as much indirect sunlight as possible during the day.

Growth of Plant

The plant tends to grow a lot. Therefore it may be necessary to transplant it rather than keeping in small pots. The Rhipsalis Cereuscula generates very few roots in a shallow way; these should not be difficult to manipulate at transplantation. An ideal time to do this is during their growing season in spring or early summer. To do this, we have to remove the cactus, carefully clean its roots and place it in the new pot, taking care not to hurt its roots.

During the spring, once the cactus is mature, it will begin to produce some sporadic spines on its upper stems, these spines do not last long on the plant and tend to fall off on their own. It also makes some relatively small white flowers, which only last a few days on the plant. They grow on the lateral parts of the highest branches and are quite cute. After they wilt, the cactus develops whitish fruits that remain on the cactus for several weeks. Pruning is also beneficial for Rhipsalis Cereuscula, and this can help it grow and gain volume. After winter, it is usually ideal for carrying out these since the plant usually enters its growth stage healthily and regularly once the end and spring of the low temperature begin.

Pests And Diseases

The common pests and diseases that your Rhipsalis Cereuscula might experience are powdery mildew, fungal roots, and root rot. These pests can appear on your plant as white spots, chlorosis, and build-up of sticky substances. If left unattended, pests on your succulents can cause severe damage or even death to your Rhipsalis Cereuscula.

Mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, etc can be removed by spraying 70% isopropyl alcohol on your succulent. In some cases, water might also work instead of using alcohol. To avoid any common diseases such as powdery mildew and root rot, it is very crucial to prune any infected part of your Rhipsalis Cereuscula. Pruning helps to avoid any further damage to your plant’s whole health status. In some severe cases, it might also be helpful to change the soil of your plant. It is helpful to ensure that there are no hidden pests or diseases from your plant’s current soil. Being observant helps watch over your Rhipsalis Cereuscula and avoid further damage from pests and diseases.

Conclusion

By this article’s end, we hope you are now more familiar with Rhipsalis Cereuscula. This non-toxic and white flowers bearing plant could be the perfect addition to your house plants. With proper sunlight, soil, temperature, and extra eyes to avoid pests and diseases, your Rhipsalis Cereuscula will thrive. We hope that this article was able to equip you in case you consider having your own Rhipsalis Cereuscula. Given the wide variety of succulents available for you, we can’t wait to see your next plant baby bloom!

ABOUT ME

Richard Miller

Salute everyone. It's Richard, the author of this Succulent & Xeriscaping blog. I am a traveler and a nature lover looking for a connection with the wild green. In my journey, I found a love for succulents and xeriscaping. What attracts me is the long-lasting & unique beauty of every plant I have the chance to see with my own eyes. Welcome to my little blog and let's enjoy a good time together!

Contact me: richard.succulentcity@gmail.com