Rhipsalis pilocarpa (Hairy Stemmed Rhipsalis)

Rhipsalis pilocarpa (Hairy Stemmed Rhipsalis) is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family. It has dark green to purple stems, sometimes unbranched, up to 40 cm long, covered with fine white hairs growing from the areoles. The blooms are very fragrant, small, up to 2 cm broad, white with pink centers, slender and bell-like but open widely and appear at the ends of the stems. The branches often end in three to six smaller branches. The blossoms are followed by hairy red to maroon fruits.

Scientific Name: Rhipsalis pilocarpa
Synonyms: Erythrorhipsalis pilocarpa
Common Names: Hairy Stemmed Rhipsalis, Hairy-Fruited Wickerware Cactus.

How to care and grow Rhipsalis pilocarpa (Hairy Stemmed Rhipsalis)?

Light:

It thrives best in bright indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight. Exposure to afternoon sun can burn the leaves, turn them yellow, or lead to spotting.

Soil:

It grows well in slightly acidic, well-drained, mix of two parts peat moss and one part sand with one part fine-grade fir bark.

Water:

Water your plant regularly during the growing season and always keep the soil evenly moist but never allow your plant to sit in water. You can allow the topsoil to become slightly dry between each watering. During the winter months, reduce watering.

Temperature:

It prefers ideal temperatures between 70 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit / 21 – 24 degrees Celsius at daytime and 60 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit / 16 – 21 degrees Celsius during nighttime.

Fertilizer:

Fertilize once a month with a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer during the growing season. Do not fertilize the plant during winter.

Propagation:

Hairy Stemmed Rhipsalis plant can be easily propagated by seed or stem cuttings. Use a sharp knife to take stem cuttings. A milky, white sap may ooze from the cuttings, so allow the cut ends to dry for one day. Then insert the cut end into a sterile potting medium. Keep the medium barely moist until the plants germinate.

Pests and Diseases:

Rhipsalis pilocarpa has no serious pest or disease problems.