Control width of growth (otherwise they get seriously out of hand and ugly) by removing cactus segments at the segment origin point only.Remove from resting room in early March or when buds form. Plant watering should be minimal during this time. Provide it with daylight during the normal hours the sun is up. Beginning in December, move your orchid cactus into an unheated, dark room. In order to ensure blooms in the following year, these plants require a winter resting period. Permit the cuttings to harden for one week, then plant exactly two leaf serrations deep in soil. Propagation of a flowering plant takes one year, and is achieved by breaking off sections at least two leaf segments long. During the winter rest, humidity should be lowered with a dehumidifier in the resting room.įrom seeds, this cactus takes 12-15 years to mature to the blooming stage. During the winter rest period, use the balanced fertilizer, but reduce feeding to once per month.ĭuring the spring, summer, and fall, normal room humidity is tolerated. In the spring, a blooming fertilizer such as 7-9-5 should be used. Once a week during the summer and fall months, offer your orchid cactus a balanced mixture of fertilizer such as 10-10-10, diluted to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon. Instead, shake the excess off, and fill in the gaps around the roots with new soil. Do not remove the soil from around the roots during transplant. Every 2 years, move the plant to a single size larger pot. Pumice is preferred.Īs the root system expands, your plant will need to be re-potted. The roots must never dry out, but the top 1/3 inch of soil should become dry between watering.īest mixture for this plant to thrive is 3 parts potting soil to 1 part pumice, bark chips, or perlite. The soil of Disocactus ackermannii must have careful attention paid to its moisture levels. A healthy plant will show dark green growth with red edges if the right amount of light is being provided. Do not expose to sunlight during the heat of the day. These plants prefer their sunlight to be indirect or filtered. During the resting period, daytime temperatures must be 60-65✯ (16-18✬) and night-time temperatures must be 40-55✯ (4-12✬). Keep this cactus between 60-75✯ (16-24✬) during its active cycle. Disocactus Ackermannii (botanical/scientific). This cactus will continue producing additional segments until it measures 4 feet (1.2 m) wide. The edges of these segments have a natural wavy appearance, with each wave point containing cactus spines. Once this has finished growing, future cactus segments will begin as plump sections which will mature into flat segments up to 30 inches (75 cm) long each. Stems begin as round bases that grow to 7 inches (18 cm) long. How It Looks: The Disocactus ackermannii grows in a fern-like manner, arching toward the ground. They will produce a small seed bearing fruit. The flowering process occurs in mid-spring, and, once open, blooms will remain open day and night. These are shades of bright red, with yellow stamen in the center. Flowers of the orchid cactus form green tubes at the base, which spread out into 4-6 inch (10-16 cm) blossoms. Its scientific name has recently been changed to Disocactus ackermannii from the previous Epiphyllum ackermannii, rendering some amount of confusion in the botanical world.įlowering: Never disturb a plant that is actively flowering except to water it. Natural growth periods are in the spring and fall only. Despite the name cactus, it enjoys water. This native of southern Mexico flourishes in the tropical environment.
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