Three-ribbed Cactus (Hylocereus undatus) in Pots Rarely Blooms: Detailed Growing Guide
AbstractGrowing soil: fertile, loose, slightly acidic soil rich in humus. Light and temperature: in summer place in a semi-shaded environment, in winter place indoors in a sunny spot, keep the temperature above 10°C to prevent frost damage. Watering: in spring water once every 10-15 days, mist the plant every day to increase air humidity, in summer water once a day, in winter water less or not at all, and cover the pot with plastic film to help the plant overwinter. Pruning: regularly prune old branches and weak shoots.
What is the three-ribbed cactus
The three-ribbed cactus, also called night-blooming cereus or climbing cactus, is an epiphytic climbing succulent of the genus Hylocereus in the cactus family. It has many branches in a three-ribbed columnar shape, with broad but thin ribs that are wavy along the edges; the stems bear aerial roots that can attach the plant to trees or walls.
The flowers of the three-ribbed cactus are rather large, white, and funnel-shaped, about 30cm long, with yellow-green outer petals and white inner petals; they usually open at night, and the flowering period is from May to September; the berry is oblong, about 10-12cm long, red, fairly fragrant, and edible.
The three-ribbed cactus is native to Mexico and the West Indies, and is also cultivated in other tropical and subtropical regions; in China it is also found in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and other places. The climate of its place of origin is warm all year round, with abundant rainfall and high air humidity, and sometimes brief dry periods; it likes to grow in a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment. Under direct sunlight the plant turns yellow, but in winter the light must be sufficient.
How to grow the three-ribbed cactus
1. Growing soil
For planting the three-ribbed cactus, it is best to choose loose, fertile soil rich in humus. For potting soil you can use a mix of 1 part leaf mold and 1 part coarse sand with a small amount of decomposed chicken manure or cow manure added.
2. Light and temperature
In summer, place the three-ribbed cactus in a semi-shaded environment; in winter, when the temperature is lower, place it in a spot with sufficient light, preferably indoors in a sunny place, and keep the temperature above 10°C; if the temperature is below 10°C, the three-ribbed cactus is very prone to frost damage.
3. Watering
When growing the three-ribbed cactus, do not water too much in spring; generally watering once every 10-15 days is enough, but mist the plant with a spray bottle every day to increase air humidity; in summer, when the temperature is higher, water once every morning or evening; in winter, make sure the potting soil stays moderately dry, and you can wrap the pot with plastic film to ensure the three-ribbed cactus overwinters successfully.
4. Pruning
To prevent the three-ribbed cactus from aging too early and to ensure vigorous growth at its base, prune it regularly: cut off the old branches that bloom less, and also remove the weak shoots growing below, so as to encourage the terminal buds to develop fully, elongate and bloom.