Cacti and succulents are a popular choice for people looking to add color, texture, and style to their homes. The Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus is one of the most popular cacti varieties on the market today.
However, these plants do require some attention in order to maintain them properly. In this blog post, you will learn how to care for your Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus so that it can thrive!
Light
Cacti like Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone cactus are actually not native to the desert, but rather originate from tropical rainforests and need plenty of light and water (like most houseplants). They should be placed in a sunny window or near artificial lighting at all times.
The best light is natural, but artificial lighting will work in most cases as well (though they may need more frequent watering). If you want to move your cactus outdoors during the summer months, be sure that it gets plenty of morning sun and then shade from the afternoon heat.
When bringing plants back into a room with low-light conditions after being outdoors for long periods of time or when going on vacation so that someone else can water them: place them near an east-facing window where they’ll get early morning sunlight through most winter days.
Soil
The native soil of the cactus is in the Cactaceae family. It’s succulent and is found naturally nestled between rocks, cliffs, and other plants on sandstone outcrops. The substrate for this type of desert environment typically has a rocky or sandy texture with good drainage properties; it’s generally not too acidic but can often be low in nutrients due to poor fertility levels.
Watering
Care for these plants is not difficult at all. They can take some abuse from being neglected and will still survive, but they do need regular watering to live a healthy life. The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely, so check it daily if you are gone all day!
Watering your plant should only require about one gallon of water every week in average conditions. If you notice that the leaves feel spongy or soft when you touch them then it’s time to give your cactus some drinking water!
These plants thrive on humidity and very little direct sunlight; afternoon sun has been known to harm this kind of succulent over long periods of exposure. It may also help decrease leaf loss due to lower light levels.
Humidity
Cacti grow in many different types of climates and environments, so there are a lot of varying opinions on how much humidity they need. There’s no hard rule for this because every plant will be slightly different depending on the temperature and light exposure it receives.
In general, cactus plants require less moisture than other indoor plants (not that you’re not watering them just as often). In fact, if your home is naturally very dry or has poor air circulation it might even harm your Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus more than providing enough water would help it thrive!
Fertilization
The best time to fertilize a cactus is in the late summer, just before it blooms. Some people prefer to use organic fertilizer or nightcrawlers as plant food for their cacti and succulents. Fertilizers that contain nitrogen are also recommended because they provide quick-absorbing nutrients. It’s important not to overfeed your plants with fertilizer; too much can burn them and damage roots while underfeeding will cause stunted growth and more frequent browning of leaves.
Temperature
These cacti should be kept in a cool, dry environment with temperatures between night and day. The temperature range for these plants is 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 60 to 65 at night.
During summer months it is best practice not to water your plant as often because watering causes more heat accumulation inside the pot which can lead to root rot or other diseases such as stem rot.
You will want to give them less than normal amounts of water (maybe every week) while they are outside in this season. However, when winter comes around you’ll need more frequent watering about once per month just so that their roots don’t die from lack of sustenance! If you’re living somewhere cold, then only do this during the winter months.
Pests and Disease
Cactus pests and diseases are not as common in the United States. However, if you use cactus plant food with pesticides or other synthetic chemicals it may kill beneficial organisms that keep potential pest populations low. The best thing to do is avoid using chemical fertilizers on your plants. If insects appear, it’s usually just aphids feeding and you can use a soap-based spray to get rid of them.
If your plant is developing yellow leaves, this may be due to insufficient light or too much water. Move the cactus into an area with more sun and let it dry out slightly between watering cycles if necessary. If leaf tips are browning, check for spider mites or scale.
A common disease is rotting. It’s difficult to get rid of and usually starts in the roots, so be on the lookout for stem discoloration or drooping leaves that may signal root problems. Dry air can also lead to this type of problem because there isn’t enough water being delivered from the roots up into the plant.
To solve this, water the plant’s soil deeply and then let it dry out slightly before watering again. You may need to do this a few times until your cactus is healthy enough for you to return to normal watering cycles. If there are signs of rot or insects, cut away affected parts as soon as possible because they can quickly spread and kill the whole plant.
If leaf tips are browning, check for spider mites or scale. These pests can be hard to identify, but their presence is usually indicated by small bumps on leaves that feel rough when you rub them with your fingers. To get rid of these bugs, use insecticidal soap spray both from above and from the soil level, which penetrates better through leaves.
If that doesn’t work, an insecticide labeled for use on house plants may be needed to eradicate these pests. Begin by spraying both leaf surfaces and let dry between coats of spray to kill spider mites or scale hiding inside plant tissues. Wash off any chemical residue with cold water.
Repotting
For the Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus to grow large and strong, it needs plenty of water. It also needs a potting mix that drains well. The best way to provide these things is by repotting your plant every year or two.
To repot your Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Remove any soil that is clinging to the roots by gently shaking them. Then use a sharp knife or razor blade and carefully cut through the root ball at an angle just below the surface of the potting soil.
- Place your Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus in a new container that is at least two inches wider and taller than the old one. Add some of the same potting mix to fill any gaps between roots, or use a fresh potting mix if transplanting into a larger container. Cover with more soil until it reaches halfway up the root ball’s height. Pat down gently but firmly so there are no air pockets left and water well when finished for best results!
Size and Growth
Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus can grow up to 20 inches (51 cm) tall and wide. These plants are usually grown indoors or in greenhouses, so they should not be exposed to direct sunlight as this will cause damage. They require little water except during the warmer months of summer when it is necessary to keep their soil moist at all times.
Grooming
It is important to use a stiff-bristled brush with soap or detergent every few months. This will help remove dust and dirt that has collected on the leaves, spine, mid-stem region as well as loosening up any dried-out layers of skin from around its root system when it starts new roots for future healthful reproduction phases of the plant.
This process should start when the cactus is a young seedling and continue on until it has reached maturity, which usually takes about 12 years.
It’s very important to brush along the spines of your Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus as this will remove any dirt that may accumulate in the rough-textured skin.
Planting Mix
Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cactus thrives best when planted into a potting mix that provides consistent moisture without becoming saturated as peat moss-based mixes do. A typical mixture consists of sphagnum moss, perlite mixed with either ground bark or finely chopped fir tree branches, and ground compost.
The potting mix should always be slightly damp, but not wet or soggy; the moisture content is determined by how quickly it’s absorbed into a sponge placed on top of the soil.
If it takes longer than five minutes for the water to soak through then it needs more watering – this will help avoid root rot from over-saturation as well as prevent seedling failure in young plants due to under-watered roots.
Flowering and Fragrance
Epiphyllum Anguliger Fishbone Cacti are prized for their gorgeous blooms. They can produce spectacular flowers, with some reaching up to three feet wide! These plants bloom year-round and enjoy warm temperatures of 75F or above. Their flowers range in color from yellow to pink but generally have a white center.
The flowers produce a light, sweet scent. If you’re lucky enough to grow one in your home or office space, be sure not to miss out on any fragrant blooms! These plants are perfect for those who enjoy having fresh cut flowers around the house.
Propagation
Start with a healthy, but not too large cactus. Cut the top off and strip away all of the spines from the edges.
Misting
The root system is sensitive to drought, so mist your plants regularly or place them near a humidifier if you live in a dry climate.
Watering
Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. It is important not to water your plants at night because it will rot their roots.
Light
Cacti need four hours of sunlight every day, so make sure they are in a spot that gets lots of natural light or place an artificial plant grow light near them if you live in an apartment where windows do not get enough sun.
Airflow
Make sure there isn’t too much humidity around the plant and don’t put them next to heaters or air conditioners as this can also cause rotting on its stem and root system.
Temperature control
If nights are below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, cover the cactus with a glass jar for insulation.
Fertilizer
Fertilize once monthly with a houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the strength recommended on the label.
Dormancy
In the wild, a cactus typically experiences periods of dormancy and growth. In general, it is best to mimic these conditions when growing them indoors by providing their soil with an appropriate level of moisture during active growth phases before entering into dormancy – this will vary from plant to plant and can be observed in its size.
During dormant periods (usually wintertime), keep watering to a minimum or none at all; make sure they are not exposed to any additional heat sources aside from natural light if you have any windows that could provide such access.
This process may take some time for plants that come from areas where there is more snowfall than rain, as they may need up until late spring/early summer for new leaves and flowers to emerge.
