This flower blooms 100 flowers at a time, with a flowering period lasting 1 month, blooming so joyfully it lifts your heart

Many people have heard of the night-blooming cereus, whose flowers last only a short time and usually open secretly at night, so many people miss them and they wither before being seen! In fact, there is another flower called the false Christmas cactus (Rhipsalidopsis), which blooms more than the real night-blooming cereus, with a huge flower quantity and extreme beauty. Let's take a look!

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"False Christmas cactus"

The false Christmas cactus (Rhipsalidopsis) is an epiphytic cactus of the genus Rhipsalidopsis in the cactus family. Its flower colors are generally pure red and peach red. The flowers open during the day and close at night, with a flowering period from March to May.

-Soil-

For the false Christmas cactus, choose loose, breathable, well-draining soil. You can mix 6 parts peat soil, 2 parts coarse sand, and 2 parts perlite. Repot once every 1-2 years.

-Watering-

For regular watering of the false Christmas cactus, do not water until the soil is dry, and water thoroughly when you do. Be careful not to let water accumulate; too much moisture will cause flower buds and leaves to drop. After the flowering period ends, there is a 2-3 week dormant period. During summer high temperatures it also enters a dormant state. At this time, control water appropriately, just make sure the potting soil does not become overly dry. After the dormant period ends, resume normal watering.

-Fertilizing-

During the growing period, the false Christmas cactus can be given a diluted organic liquid fertilizer once every half month. During the flower bud differentiation stage, apply 1-2 additional doses of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. After the flowers fade, the false Christmas cactus enters a brief dormant state, and during summer high temperatures it also enters a dormant state, so stop fertilizing.

-Light-

The false Christmas cactus is best kept in a spot with diffused light. Ensure sufficient light and good ventilation. In summer, provide shade and avoid harsh sun exposure; in spring, autumn, and winter, let it see more sunlight. After flower buds form, move the pot as little as possible, otherwise it will cause bud and flower drop.

-Temperature-

The suitable growing temperature for the false Christmas cactus is 15-25°C. At around 10°C and under short-day conditions, flower buds can form in 50 days. Above 15°C and under long-day conditions, flower bud formation is inhibited, and above 20°C it is difficult for flower buds to form. For winter overwintering, the temperature must not go below 5°C, otherwise frost damage will occur.

-Propagation methods-

The propagation of the false Christmas cactus is almost identical to that of the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera). It is generally propagated by cuttings or grafting. Cuttings are usually taken in spring or autumn when the weather is cool. Cut off healthy stem segments of the false Christmas cactus, let the wounds dry, then insert them into loose potting soil. They will root in about 1 month.

Grafting is generally done in spring. You can choose Hylocereus undatus (three-ribbed arrow), thick cactus pads, or Pereskia as rootstock. Between the pith and the cambium there is a ring of pale yellow line, which is the cambium. You can cut the base of the false Christmas cactus into a wedge shape, exposing the white vascular bundles, and insert the cut false Christmas cactus branch into the cambium layer of the cactus or other rootstock. The false Christmas cactus can rely on the strong root system of the cactus, growing better, less prone to root rot, and blooming more and more brilliantly.

Just cut the three-ribbed column straight down the middle and insert it in

A flower lover's false Christmas cactus bloomed several hundred flowers, so beautiful!

If you also like the false Christmas cactus

Then grow a pot of it

Show it to flower lovers who need it!