After I first noticed this plant a few years in the past, it was in a dangling basket at a neighborhood backyard middle tagged as a fern. It was a big plant and out of my worth vary. The label perplexed me, to say the least. The leaves resembled a fern, however the texture was rubbery like a succulent. I by no means came upon what it was till years later and I by no means noticed one on the market once more till lately. I grabbed it up instantly! It’s a Selenicereus chrysocardium (previously Epiphyllum) or fern leaf cactus. Let’s discuss how you can take care of the fern leaf orchid cactus.
The fern leaf cactus does have a leaf that resembles a fern
As we talked about final week, these fern-shaped leaves are cladodes. Cladodes are stems, not leaves in any respect. These modified stems perform like leaves, in that they photosynthesize and make meals for the plant. The roots are what attaches it to the tree (or different merchandise) it lives on and acquire vitamins for the vegetation.
The leaf is a cladode or flattened stem
This cactus is certainly one of many jungle cacti that develop within the crooks of bushes. Their roots cling to the tree and use vitamins produced from decomposing particles dropped from vegetation, birds, and different small animals. We use fertilizer in our properties to imitate the vitamins vegetation get from nature by way of soil or as on this case, particles. It’s a true cactus although this explicit one is a spineless selection.
Fern leaf orchid cactus
As a result of this can be a true cactus and an epiphyte, this plant would like a excessive porosity potting medium. Which means it likes a number of air round its roots, so once I repot this, I’ll use some orchid bark combined in with my potting soil, in addition to added perlite and vermiculite. As this can be a jungle cacti, it could favor to not fully dry out like its desert cousins.
As an epiphyte in its pure habitat, this cactus has a tree cover above it and leaves shading it. Which means it doesn’t want or need a full solar scenario, however can dwell in an east or west window or underneath lights with no drawback. If it have been in full solar, resembling a south window or exterior for the summer season, it could develop brown spots from sunburn.
In case you are fortunate sufficient to have this plant bloom, which I’ve not been, it is going to be a white flower, just like the queen of the evening or Epiphyllum oxypetalum. I’m fortunate sufficient to have the queen of the evening bloom in my dwelling. I like it! Beneath is an image of my Epiphyllum oxypetalum blooming final month.
Queen of the Night time attracts bats and moths to pollinate it
This cactus is straightforward to propagate by utilizing a cladode slicing. I lower roughly 3″ off the top of the stem and let it callus over or dry for a number of days (this can be a should) Then I inserted the top right into a small pot of moistened potting combine and am wanting ahead to new shoots showing in a number of weeks.
Reduce the top of one of many cladodes
Permit the top to callus over
Insert in moist potting medium
You possibly can see within the image beneath, a bit of the cladode was inserted into the soil and progress comes from the perimeters.
Fern leaf orchid propagation space
I’m glad I discovered this plant once more and was capable of purchase it. It’s so cool and if it by no means blooms, I’m okay with that. Typically it’s in regards to the foliage! And everyone knows I like ferns, so a fern cactus appeared to be a should for me.
Have a fantastic week, plant associates!
The fern leaf cactus does have a leaf that resembles a fern
Selenicereus Has Cladodes
As we talked about final week, these fern-shaped leaves are cladodes. Cladodes are stems, not leaves in any respect. These modified stems perform like leaves, in that they photosynthesize and make meals for the plant. The roots are what attaches it to the tree (or different merchandise) it lives on and acquire vitamins for the vegetation.
The leaf is a cladode or flattened stem
Selenicereus is an Epiphytic Cactus
This cactus is certainly one of many jungle cacti that develop within the crooks of bushes. Their roots cling to the tree and use vitamins produced from decomposing particles dropped from vegetation, birds, and different small animals. We use fertilizer in our properties to imitate the vitamins vegetation get from nature by way of soil or as on this case, particles. It’s a true cactus although this explicit one is a spineless selection.
Fern leaf orchid cactus
Potting Combine
As a result of this can be a true cactus and an epiphyte, this plant would like a excessive porosity potting medium. Which means it likes a number of air round its roots, so once I repot this, I’ll use some orchid bark combined in with my potting soil, in addition to added perlite and vermiculite. As this can be a jungle cacti, it could favor to not fully dry out like its desert cousins.
Mild Choice
As an epiphyte in its pure habitat, this cactus has a tree cover above it and leaves shading it. Which means it doesn’t want or need a full solar scenario, however can dwell in an east or west window or underneath lights with no drawback. If it have been in full solar, resembling a south window or exterior for the summer season, it could develop brown spots from sunburn.
Selenicereus Blooms
In case you are fortunate sufficient to have this plant bloom, which I’ve not been, it is going to be a white flower, just like the queen of the evening or Epiphyllum oxypetalum. I’m fortunate sufficient to have the queen of the evening bloom in my dwelling. I like it! Beneath is an image of my Epiphyllum oxypetalum blooming final month.
Queen of the Night time attracts bats and moths to pollinate it
Propagation
This cactus is straightforward to propagate by utilizing a cladode slicing. I lower roughly 3″ off the top of the stem and let it callus over or dry for a number of days (this can be a should) Then I inserted the top right into a small pot of moistened potting combine and am wanting ahead to new shoots showing in a number of weeks.
Reduce the top of one of many cladodes
Permit the top to callus over
Insert in moist potting medium
You possibly can see within the image beneath, a bit of the cladode was inserted into the soil and progress comes from the perimeters.
Fern leaf orchid propagation space
I’m glad I discovered this plant once more and was capable of purchase it. It’s so cool and if it by no means blooms, I’m okay with that. Typically it’s in regards to the foliage! And everyone knows I like ferns, so a fern cactus appeared to be a should for me.
Have a fantastic week, plant associates!