Aporocactus (Aporocactus) is of Mexican origin, belongs to epiphytic plants. The plant is found not only on the branches of trees and shrubs, but also grows well among rocky stones, on steep rocky slopes.
The stem of the aporocactus is fleshy, about three centimeters in diameter and almost a meter in height, very branched and hanging in the form of lashes in adulthood. The surface of the stem is ribbed, densely covered with small spines. The color of the stem is a bright green hue, the flowers are crimson or pink. The fruit of aporocactus is a rounded red berry, the surface of which is covered with soft bristles.
Home care for aporocactus
Location and lighting
The lighting for the aporocactus must be bright, but the cactus must be protected from direct sunlight. Indoor windows that face the east or west side will be a favorable place for growing aporocactus. On the southern windows, it is recommended to shade the plant from the sun during the hottest daytime hours.
In the winter months, the formation of buds and the future period of aporocactus flowering depend on full lighting. Therefore, during a short daylight hours, it is imperative to use additional highlighting of the cactus.
Temperature
The temperature regime for aporocactus in spring and summer should be in the range of 20-25 degrees Celsius. During this warm period, the cactus can be outdoors, away from direct sunlight. In the cold autumn and winter months, the plant requires a dormant period with a temperature of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Air humidity
Air humidity for aporocactus does not matter much. Summer spraying from a sprayer is allowed, but not necessary in winter.
Watering
Watering aporocactus during the warm period is regular, the soil should always be slightly moist. In the autumn-winter period, it is recommended to water the cactus after the earthen coma has completely dried.
The soil
The land for growing aporocactus should consist of turf, leaf, peat land and sand in equal amounts. Ready-made commercial substrate for cacti is also suitable.
Top dressing and fertilizers
From March to mid-summer, aporocactus is fed with fertilizers for cacti once a month. After flowering, top dressing is not recommended.
Transfer
Young aporocactus are transplanted every year, and adults - once every 2-3 years. Due to the poorly developed root part of the cactus, the flower capacity is selected at a shallow depth, but wide in diameter. There must be a good drainage layer at the bottom. The soil should be loose, water permeable (for example, a substrate for cacti).
Reproduction of aporocactus
Aporocactus propagates by cuttings and sometimes by seeds.
The best breeding method is cuttings.The long stem must be cut into several pieces of 7-8 centimeters long and dried within seven days. After that, each part is buried a couple of centimeters in a sand-peat mixture and a flower container covered with glass is kept in a warm room with a temperature of about 22 degrees. After rooting, the cuttings are transplanted into separate small pots.
Diseases and pests
The main pests of aporocactus are spider mites, scale insects and nematodes. Fungal disease can begin due to an excess of moisture in the soil.
Popular types of aporocactus
Aporocactus conzattii - has a long creeping stem of a bright green hue, reaching up to 2.5 centimeters in diameter, the surface of which consists of a pair of well-defined ribs (in the amount of 6 to 10 pieces). The cactus is covered with yellow thorns and blooms with dark red flowers.
Aporocactus martianus - the cactus is distinguished by large dark pink flowers, which reach 10 centimeters in diameter, and long stems, the surface of which consists of 8 weakly expressed ribs. The surface of the stems is covered with small gray spines.
Aporocactus whip-shaped (Aporocactus flagelliformis) - differs in a large number of hanging shoots, having a thickness of about 1.5 centimeters in diameter and reaching a length of about 1 meter, the stem is covered with numerous thorny yellow-brown bristles. Flowers - a bright pink hue, fruits - in the form of a round red berry with fine bristles over the entire surface.
