Mistletoe Cactus
Rhipsalis Baccifera
This pleasing mop of green is from Brazil. It is fuss free and will make for an exotic substitution at Christmas.
Plant Care
Light
Light or dappled shade, best described by East or West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering
Allow the soil to dry out slightly between each watering. Reduce watering during winter month.
Humidity and temperature
Mist once every two weeks with a fine mister using lukewarm water. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 12°C (55°F).
Feeding and repotting
Feed with a liquid fertiliser formulated for cacti. If the soil is dry, to avoid root burn, wet it slight before pouring the feed. This soft cactus does not mind being root bound due to its epiphatic nature.
SOS
Quick guide to common problems and how to deal with them.
No flowers or fruit.
Only mature plants tend to put on a display of small white flowers followed by fruit. The remedy is to be patient.
Shrivelled leaves.
A sign of sun scorch and dehydration. Move the plant into filtered light and slowly increase humidity and water.
Soft, browning and limp leaves.
A sign of over watering. At this stage it is best to check if root rot is present and if it is, take as many healthy cuttings as you can find. If, however you can still see white roots then place the earth ball on a saucer to allow for good air circulation and a chance for the plant to dry out.
Leaves turned dull bronze and dropping, noticeable webs appear.
The most likely culprits are red spider mites. They are most active between March - October and love dry environments. Take the infected plant out immediately. Make sure to check all your other plants for cross contamination. Remove the plant from the pot and wash out the soil until the roots clean. Clean your pot thoroughly. Repot the fern in fresh soil and keep quarantined until the plant is re-established and new growth appears. Ensure the soil is kept moist to avoid new infestation. Return the plant to its original place once you are confident the problem has been conquered.
Scales or shell-like bumps on plant stems and the underside of leaves are visible. Sticky, sooty deposits on stems and leaves.
This is caused by the scale insect. If you catch the infestation early you can simply remove it with your fingernail and wash the stems with diluted washing up liquid in lukewarm water. Use 1tbsp washing up liquid to 4L of water.
