A fishbone cactus is easy to give care for , durable , and tight - farm which makes it ideal for beginners .
But before you’re able to revel their unequaled foliage in your home or garden , you need to learn how to take precaution of them aright .
This detailed aid guide is designed for you to hear how to grow a fishbone cactus successfully . You ’ll discover their idealistic surround , the best soil and fertiliser , how to water them , the sunshine , temperature , and humidity requirements , and much more .
Fishbone cactus in a hanging basket
Table of Contents
Fishbone Cactus Quick Care Overview
Information About Fishbone Cactus
The fishbone cactus ( Selenicereus anthonyanus ) is an epiphytic plant life native to the tropic rainforest of Mexico . In nature , it anchors itself in the nooks of trees and absorbs moisture and nutrients from the air and rainwater .
The flat leaf - alike branches climb or robe and feature of speech alternating notched lobe that resemble a fish frame , give the industrial plant its common name calling zig zag and fishbone cactus . The branches average about 3 ’ in duration , 6 ” wide , with up to 2 ” smooth lobe on either side .
They are fast - growing , low - maintenance plant that can take a fair amount of neglect and still survive .
Different Types
There is only one rightful character of Selenicereus anthonyanus . But , the foliation shares a similar appearing with anEpiphyllum anguliger , or ric rac cactus , and they are sometimes cite to by the same plebeian name .
While closely bear on , the fishbone cactus is technically a different plant , and has wider , longer lobes that are more jagged and space further asunder , as well as dissimilar colored flowers .
Flowers
Once it grow , your plant life can create nocturnal flowers . The blossoms will unfold for just a single night during late natural spring or summer , but only if the plant gets 6 or more hour of bright light in other spring .
These fragrant orchid - style blooms are 4 - 5 ” wide on average and feature violet external petals with white interior petals .
Toxicity
Selenicereus anthonyanus is non - toxic to favorite , so it ’s dependable to grow if you have a cat or dog . Though they can develop tiny prickly spikes or pricker on the privileged angle of the stems , so you still may want to keep it out of reach .
If you ’d like more information please refer to theASPCA site about toxic and non - toxic plants .
How To Grow Fishbone Cactus
Before we talk about fishbone cactus care , we first need to discuss the best place to grow them . By choosing the right localisation , you ’ll limit yours up for long - lasting health .
Hardiness
This is not a moth-eaten - hardy or heat - tolerant plant . temperature below 50 ° F ( 10 ° atomic number 6 ) will stop growth , and anything below 30 ° F ( -1.1 ° C ) for longsighted period of time of time will kill it .
The plant ’s temperature sensitivity means it can only last outdoors year round in zone 10 - 11 . Otherwise , you may grow it as a houseplant .
Where To Grow
Choose a bright window with indirect ignitor to spring up your fishbone cactus indoors . Keep it off from drafty area or AC and heater vents , which will dry it out .
you’re able to civilize the stems to climb , or let them trail or drapery , which makes them a pop option for hanging baskets . Choose a planter that has drainage hole to help foreclose overwatering .
When temperature are above 50 ° atomic number 9 ( 10 ° C ) , you’re able to move it outdoors to a shady surface area , but convey your plant life back inside before it get too cold in the fall .
Fishbone Cactus Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you have the perfect spot in mind , it ’s time to talk about how to give care for your fishbone cactus . The tips in this surgical incision will help you create the in effect environment for your plant .
Light
Indoors you require to offer hopeful , collateral visible radiation for your fishbone cactus – 5 - 6 hours a solar day is best . Put them in a windowpane that capture break of day or evening sun and good afternoon shade .
alfresco , choose a place with dappled subtlety or where the plant is protected from unmediated sunshine .
To induce bloom , ensure it gets lots of bright lightness in the give . apply agrow lightto supplement at bottom if you have trouble providing enough rude light .
Water
Selenicereus anthonyanus need consistently moist soil and do not like to be bone dry for long . But be careful not to overwater or your plant could start to molder .
The soil should finger dry to the touch before you water again . Then give it a deep drink and make certain all of the excess drains altogether from the pot .
If you have trouble getting it correct , endow in amoisture bore , which can serve you determine the unadulterated meter and amount of water . Aim to keep the reading between 3 - 5 .
Humidity
Since these are epiphytes , they naturally thrive in high humidity surroundings . If the humidness level are low in your home there are a few easy ways to increase it .
seek rig the pot on a pebble tray fill with water , lightly misting the leaf , or running a smallhumidifiernearby .
You should keep your plant aside from smoke and AC vent , because the airflow can create even dry melody , especially in the wintertime .
Temperature
The idealistic temperature range for uprise Selenicereus anthonyanus is between 60 - 75 ° F ( 15.5 - 24 ° C ) . They ’re not very liberal of extremum on either goal .
Anything below 50 ° F ( 10 ° C ) will slow down the growth , while 40 ° F ( 4.4 ° 100 ) or colder can lead to damage , and freezing temperatures will kill the plant .
They wield the live weather much better , but ensure your plant life stays well hydrated during lengthy passion wave .
Fertilizer
To support the loyal growth rate of your fishbone cactus , feed in it in the saltation and summer as a part of your regular care routine .
Give itgeneral purpose liquidness , acompost teasolution , orcactus fertilizerevery 1 - 2 calendar month , or applyslow - loss granulesonce per season .
you could encourage blossom by applying aflowering fertilizer1 - 2 times in early outflow , but do n’t use it yr around because it can cause leggy staunch .
Soil
Epiphytes like this one do n’t technically ask soil to grow . you could embed them in a soilless medium , likeorchid barkorpeat moss , or even ride them on wood or in a tree .
Afast - draing mixwill also work , or you’re able to use ageneral purpose potting soilamended withperliteorpine barkto improve drain and reduce the chance of overwatering .
Repotting
Since they are so fast - grow , you may need to repot your fishbone cactus every 1 - 3 years as part of their unconstipated care .
calculate for roots occur out of the drainage holes or slowed growth as sign that it ’s clip to size up , then do it in the saltation or summer .
prefer a pot that ’s 1 - 2 ” heavy than the current container . fill up it with a thinly moistened , well - enfeeble metier . implant the rootball at the same depth it was before , then fill in with soil , and water lightly .
Pruning
You do n’t postulate to dress your plant , they do n’t demand it . However , you may give it the periodic trim to remove numb or damaged stems and to help control the shape and size of it .
practice acute , sterilepruning shearsto track stems wherever they ’re too foresightful or damaged . If you do n’t like the appearance of the cutting final stage , transfer the total branch near the base of the plant alternatively .
Pest Control Tips
Healthy fishbone cacti seldom have problem with pests , but occasionally mealy bug or scurf can become an outcome .
expend a cotton mop souse inrubbing alcoholto remove seeable hemipteran , then plow your plant with an organicinsecticidal soap . I make my own by combining 1 teaspoonful ofmild liquidity soapwith 1 litre of urine .
you could also try usingneem oil , which will help to get free of any persistent pest infestations .
Propagation Tips
you may easily propagate your zig zag cactus from root cuttings during the leap or summertime .
Trim a 4 - 6 ” piece of a stem or branch and plunge the cut oddment inrooting internal secretion . establish it in a lightly wash , well - drained mass medium , and place it somewhere warm with indirect Christ Within until roots imprint , then pot it up .
you could also propagate segments of branch that produce airy roots without removing it from the mother works . immobilize it down onto softly dampened soil and look until it ’s rooted , then trim it from the female parent and channelize it to a new pot .
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Selenicereus anthonyanus are typically very durable and easy to care for , but no plant is problem loose . If you run into one of the coarse issues below , use my tips to assist you get back on track .
Brown Leaves/Stems
Your flora can begin to recrudesce brown stems or lobe from unconventional lachrymation , too much humidness , or an incorrect amount of light .
Excessive wet on the foliage or overwatering can cause dark-brown staining or mushy leafage . Too trivial moisture , and the stems will turn chocolate-brown and dry out . Use ahumidity monitororsoil moisture gaugeto assistance you get these both right .
lineal sunlight can have browned scorch spots too , so provide good afternoon tincture or move your plant to collateral idle indoors .
Yellow Leaves/Stems
Yellowing theme or lobes on your fishbone cactus are because of lack of luminosity , overwatering , pests , or temperature stress .
Treat any pests you see right away or allow the soil to dry out a little more between drinks . Keep the works above 60 ° F ( 15.5 ° hundred ) and in bright , but indirect illumination . Use agrow lightas needed to supplement .
Red Tips
Red tips are a natural reaction to lots of bright luminance or a sudden change in Sunday vulnerability , but they are n’t harmful .
If you do n’t wish the looking of them or you ’re apprehensive your plant may be nonplus too much visible radiation , move it to a shadier position .
Stem Or Root Rot
Too much water or improperly drain soil are most common cause of both prow and root buncombe .
expend a well - activate chunky potpourri , like potting ground amended with barque and perlite , or an orchid intermixture to facilitate prevent overwatering . Avoid watering to the point of making the soil soggy , and always let the redundant drain from the pot .
New Growth Is Skinny
Leggy , or skinny , new growth on your fishbone cactus can be because of deficiency of lighting . It can also be a solvent of using the incorrect fertilizer or overfeed .
Make trusted your plant receives at least 5 hours of bright , indirect sunlight a day , or add a grow twinkle to assist it out . Avoid using unfolding fertilizers with high phosphorus level as well , and do n’t feed your plant during the wintertime .
FAQs
Yes , fishbone cactus plants are gentle to originate because , with collateral light , modal water , and typical indoor temperatures , they call for very little fear .
Yes , a fishbone cactus can develop tiny spikes or spines along the inside bend of the stems . They ’re unremarkably very small and barely noticeable , but can be irritating if they get into your peel .
The best place to put a fishbone cactus is somewhere indoors where it will get plenty of bright , collateral light and is aside from line vents and drafts . outside , place your plant in partial or dappled shade where it ’s protected from the abrasive good afternoon Lord’s Day .
A fishbone cactus reach a big hang flora because it has long , trailing branches that clothe over the sharpness of container . Plus the flower are long and string up down when they bloom , making it even more adorable .
A fishbone cactus likes to farm in humid status where they get promising , collateral visible light and systematically warm temperatures .
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