christmas cheer succulent Zygocactus Christmas Cheer

christmas cheer succulent Zygocactus Christmas CheerEpiphyllum are epiphytic cacti as their name suggests. Some call them orchid cactus due to their large bright blooms and growth habit. Epiphytic plants grow on other plants, not in a parasitic fashion but as hosts. They are not cold hardy and generally can be found only as houseplants or greenhouse specimens. Read more at Gardening Know How: Epiphyllum Plant Care: Tips For Growing Epiphyllum Cactus https: www. gardeningknowhow. com ornamental cacti

These beautiful plants have a botanical name that is difficult to pronounce: schlumbergera. They are named after Frédéric Schlumberger, a collector of cacti who lived in a château near Rouen in France in the mid-nineteenth century. Although they are cacti, they are not desert plants. They are epiphytes (plants which depend on others for support, but not nutrition) from the jungles of southeast Brazil, a humid area with high rainfall. In days gone by, zygocactus were mostly seen with bright cerise pink flowers. However through the efforts of local as well as American and Japanese breeders, a stunning range of flower colours and shapes is now available.

CULTIVATION TIPS
We recommend purchasing 2 or 3 cuttings when planting up a pot as it will ensure the development of a robust and aesthetic plant.

Zygocactus do best in partial shade in a fertile soil mix. Keep reasonable moist throughout the year, a little less so in winter. They enjoy humidity and so benefit from spraying.