2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Lepismium (lat. Lepismium) - thin-stemmed epiphytic cacti from the cactus family of the same name.
Description
Lepismium is a very graceful epiphytic (that is, growing on other vegetation) cactus. The stalks of this handsome man are divided into many separate independent segments, the middle parts of which often branch out. Moreover, in their cross-section, they can all have the most diverse shapes.
Small bell-shaped flowers, located at the edges of the stems, begin to appear closer to the end of spring. And these flowers open only during daylight hours. As for the fruits of this plant, they can boast of a fairly bright color.
In general, the genus lepismium has not so many species - only about a dozen.
Where grows
The main place of growth of lepismium is the forests located in the territory of tropical America.
Usage
Lepismium is very much appreciated for its high decorative effect - this plant is rather actively grown as an ampelous plant, in spacious hanging containers with spectacularly hanging stems. No less often Lepismium is grown in ordinary pots. Only in order for water to stagnate in pots, a good drainage layer must be laid on their bottoms.
Growing and caring
Lepismium is recommended to be planted in wide and relatively shallow containers, in a soil mixture designed specifically for cacti, which is poured into a container in very small quantities - with this approach, lepismium will always delight with its excellent flowering. It is important to take into account that this plant feels great only at high humidity. That is why in the summer period lepismium needs abundant watering (they are carried out at least two to three times a week), and in winter it is watered much less often, about once or twice a week. As for direct sunlight, lepismium does not tolerate them at all.
Lepismium needs feeding only if it has not been transplanted for a long time and this has entailed depletion of the substrate - this plant is fertilized with mixtures specially designed for tropical cacti. Ideally, it should be transplanted annually, and spring is best suited for this. And lepismium can be propagated both by seeds and by a vegetative method, by separating cuttings.
Sometimes a handsome lepismium can be affected by a spider mite or root worm, as well as by such unpleasant fungal ailments as spotted rust, fusarium or root rot. That is why all recently acquired specimens are recommended to be first placed in the so-called "quarantine", trying to isolate them as much as possible from any other plants. The fact is that even an absolutely healthy outwardly specimen may well be a carrier of various pests or be affected by some kind of fungal or bacterial disease. In addition, it is best to try to transplant the new green pet into a substrate specially designed for spectacular tropical cacti as soon as possible. And do not forget that transplanted cacti should not be watered until the moment of their successful rooting!
Also, sometimes lepismium can encounter such troubles as a change in the color of the shoots, as well as the appearance of brown spots or redness on the plant - the causes of such phenomena can be both direct sunlight and sunburn. And with a lack of lighting, lepismium shoots can begin to stretch.
