EASTER CACTUS CUTTINGS TANGERINE RARE COLOUR 4 SALE HERE QLD OZ $10

THIS ZYGO, XMAS OR CRAB CACTUS FLOWERS NOW IN OCTOBER. DIFFERENT TO THE OTHER COLOURS. BECAUSE IT IS AN

Easter Cactus – Rhipsalidopsis Gaertneri

Easter cactus is distinctive, first, because of the fact that it is a part of the rhipsalideae family instead of the schlumbergera family.

The cuttings are available at $12 each or $10 each if you buy 5 or more.Pack/post is extra $6.

We do grow them as a houseplant in soil, but they cannot survive if the soil is dense and compacted. Loose potting mixtures that give aeration to their roots is required.

A good mix for Easter cactus soil includes peat moss, coco coirperlite, orchid bark and some compost is ideal. (affiliate links) Mix these in this ratio:

  • 1 part peat moss
  • 1 part coco coir
  • 1 part perlite
  • 1/2 part orchid bark
  • 1/2 part compost

Amending the soil with compost or other organic matter  helps to keep the soil nutrient rich and allows it to drain well.

Orchid bark, perlite, peat moss and coco coir in a collage with words Easter cactus soils mix.

You can also use cactus and succulent soil, or orchid soil with good results.

The ideal pH for this plant is acid – less than 6.5.

Feed the plant monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer during periods of growth and blooming.

Flowers and foliage of Easter cactus

This plant has flattened stems with segments, like the other holiday cactus plants. Its margins are much more rounded.

Flattened stem and flower of rhipsalidopsis gaertneri .

Easter cactus flowers come in a range of colors from red and orange, through to lavender, peach and white.

The plants are often sold in flower at the time of purchase and make lovely popular holiday gifts. With some care, it is possible to get holiday plants to rebloom in subsequent years.

Doing so means long nights and cool temperatures prior to blooming each year. Find out how to get your holiday plant to flower again next year.

Easter cactus bloom time is late winter to early spring. The star-shaped blooms are nyctinastic – they open at sunrise and close at sunset.

Pinch dead flower blooms off as they appear. Prune the plant after flowering if you want to keep the size of the plant maintained.

Mature size of rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

Easter cactus has a growth habit with spreading and arching stems. It will grow to about 2 feet wide and 2 feet tall.

Problems and insects that bother rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

Easter cactus is usually problem-free and not bothered by critters or diseases.

Be on the lookout for common indoor pests, such as mealybugs and scale. Normally, this happens because of infestation from a nearby plant, since the plant itself is not a preferred food source of the pests.

Mealy bugs on an Easter cactus.

Root rot, caused by over-watering or growing in the wrong soil, can also be an issue.

Other problems that you may notice is lack of flowering the following year. (Don’t fertilizer or water 30 days before bloom time.)

Under-watering can cause the leaves of the plant to collapse in toward the pot and start turning yellow. Increase watering slowly if you notice this.

Ideal temperature range and cold hardiness for Easter cactus

Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri is considered a tender perennial. You can grow it outdoors all year long only in the warmer zones 10 and above.

If your temperatures are colder than this, you should grow Easter cactus as an indoor plant. It can be moved outside in the summer months and will benefit from this.

Although the plant name has cactus in it, unlike desert cacti, the plants prefers cooler temperatures, even during the day.

White Easter cactus in bloom with thermostat showing ideal temperatures.

Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri prefers spring, summer, and fall temperatures around 75-80°F (24-27°C). Winter temperatures should be between 45-6°5F (7-18°C) if possible.

They will bloom for months on end if the night time temperatures are between 55 to 60° F. (13-16° C.).

Easter cactus likes a humid environment but will do well in the humidity found in most homes. If the air in your home is particularly dry, you can add extra humidity through misting the plant, adding a humidifier, or placing the plants on a pebble tray.

Propagating Easter cactus

Get new plants for free by propagating rhipsalidopsis gaertneri from stem cuttings. This is easy to do.

Gently twist off a leaf, being careful not to break the base of it. Place the separate leaf into soil and water lightly until the roots begin to sprout. Once growth is evident, water as normal.

Stem cuttings of a rhipsalidopsis gaertneri.

The best time to propagate Easter cactus is 2-3 months after the bloom time has finished.

Additional tips for Easter cactus

Easter cactus likes to be slightly pot-bound, so repotting is only needed every 2 years or so, so that the soil can be enriched. If the roots still have room in the pot, replace in the same container.

Once the roots becomes quite pot-bound, place the plant in a pot 2-3 inches larger. Repotting is best done in spring after flowering.

You can also watch our video on YouTube.

Blooms of pink rhipsalidopsis gaertneri and words How to grow Easter cactus.

Yield: 1 happy plant

How to Grow Easter Cactus

Red rhipsalidopsis gaertneri flower.

Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri is a tough, low maintenance flowering house plant that blooms at Easter. It is also known as Whitsun cactus, Easter cactus and spring cactus.

Materials

  • Easter cactus plant
  • All purposed liquid fertilizer (10-10-10)
  • Well draining soil (a mix of A mix of peat moss, coco coir, perlite, and orchid bark is ideal.)

Tools

  • Watering can

Instructions

  1. Place your plant in a location that gets bright indirect light. If the light conditions are too high, the leaves will easily burn. Outdoors, place in a shady spot.
  2. If your plant is in a plastic pot, repot with the potting soil into a clay pot. Ideal soil PH is acidic – below 6.5.
  3. Water well and allow to dry slightly between waterings. Do not let the plant get waterlogged.
  4. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer and while blooming. Cease fertilizing in the winter months.
  5. Ideal summer temperatures are 75-80°F . Winter temperatures should be between 45-65°F.
  6. Prune the dead flowers.
  7. Take cuttings of the stem to make new plants.
  8. For re-flowering next year, give plant a period of lower temperatures and hold off on watering and fertilizing until buds appear.
  9. Repot every two years with new soil.
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    Easter Cactus Plant rhipsalidopsis Gaertneri
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    Easter Cactus |
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    Easter Cactus Cuttings |

If you are familiar with these plants, you would be aware they are succulents & come in several colours.

I will post more colours & info on same as time permits.

In the meantime secure some of these as they are a scarce commodity in this colour. Henry

Any questions or if buying, contact me HERE    

Author: Henry