Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa
| Light | Bright, filtered light; strong light (with some direct sun) brings out the red colouring |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular through the growing season, letting the top of the mix dry; keep barely moist in winter |
| Soil | Airy, humus-rich epiphyte mix — bark, coir and grit (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Warm and frost-free; USDA zones 10–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (easy); also seed |
| Toxicity | Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs (not specifically listed by the ASPCA) |
Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa is a trailing, epiphytic cactus from the humid forests of Central and South America, grown for its long, flattened, leaf-like stems that flush a deep wine-red in bright light. In good conditions the plant produces small, star-shaped white to greenish flowers along the stem margins, followed by little translucent berries — a display that has earned it the common name red mistletoe cactus. Like its relatives in the Pseudorhipsalis genus it is a jungle cactus, quite unlike the spiny desert species most people picture.
Description
Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa grows as a cascade of thin, strap-shaped stems that branch freely and hang well over the edge of a pot or basket. The stems are flattened and leaf-like, with gently scalloped or toothed margins, and though they look soft they are true cactus stems — the spines reduced to almost nothing, as is typical of epiphytic cacti. Fresh growth is green, but under strong light the whole plant, and especially the stem edges, deepens to burgundy, coppery red or purple.
Small flowers appear along the notches of the stem margins, generally white to cream or greenish and only a centimetre or so across. They are followed by rounded, semi-translucent berries — often whitish, pink or reddish — that carry the fine seed. The overall effect is delicate rather than showy, valued more for the coloured trailing stems than for any single dramatic bloom.
Distribution and habitat
The species has a wide native range through the moist tropics, from Mexico and Central America down into parts of South America. It grows as an epiphyte, perched on tree branches (and sometimes on rock) in humid, shaded forest, rooting into pockets of leaf litter and moss rather than into soil. This upbringing explains its preferences in cultivation: warmth, humidity, steady moisture at the roots and dappled rather than scorching light.
Cultivation
Grow Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa as you would other jungle cacti — think orchid, not desert. Plant it in an open, humus-rich epiphyte mix that holds a little moisture but drains fast, and grow it in a hanging pot or basket so the stems can trail. It appreciates more frequent water than a desert cactus during the warm months: water when the surface has dried, and ease off in winter to a barely-moist rest, keeping it warm and frost-free year round.
Light is the lever for colour. In shade the plant stays lush green; give it bright, filtered light with a little gentle direct sun and the stems redden markedly. Take care with harsh midday sun, which can scorch the flat stems, and keep humidity up where you can. See Repotting for refreshing the mix as the plant fills its container.
Propagation
The easiest method is stem cuttings: remove a healthy length of stem, let the cut end callus for a day or two, then lay or insert it into a moist, airy mix, where it roots readily in warmth. The species can also be raised from seed cleaned from the ripe berries, though cuttings are faster and keep the parent's colouring true.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of loss; a soggy, airless mix or cold wet conditions in winter will rot the stems and roots. Keep the medium open and back off water when cool.
- Loss of red colour — plants grown too shady revert to plain green; move to brighter (but not brutal) light to restore the flush.
- Scorch — too much direct sun bleaches or burns the flat stems, leaving pale or corky patches.
- Pests — mealybugs and scale can shelter among the trailing stems; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Pseudorhipsalis — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting · Pests and diseases