Zigocactus flowers (Zigocactus): diseases, reproduction or transplantation and care in the photo

HomeAll flowers that start with ZZigocactus flowers (Zigocactus): diseases, reproduction or transplantation and care in the photo

Zigocactus is a genus of epiphytic succulents belonging to the cactus family (Cactaceae). In nature, it grows in the tropical forests of Brazil, distributed in room culture due to the spectacular long flowering that occurs in the winter months.

  • Family: cactus .
  • Origin: Tropics of Brazil.
  • Rhizome: Roots shallow, weak.
  • Stem: flat, segmented.
  • Leaves: no.
  • Fruit: berry.
  • Reproductive ability: propagated by cuttings or grafting.
  • Illumination: shade-tolerant.
  • Watering: plentiful during flowering, limited at rest.
  • Content temperature: from 18 to 30 °C.
  • Flowering time: November, December or January.

General information about the Zygocactus flower from its homeland

Zygocactus is a representative of epiphytic, or forest cacti, whose habitat is the trunks and roots of trees in the tropical forests of South and Central America, but not in the Arab countries. These are fast-growing low, up to 50 cm, shrubs with flat stem shoots hanging down, divided into separate segments, curved in an arc and serrated along the edges. Areoles are located at the ends of the segments and between individual teeth; in most species, spines are absent.

The flowers are zygomorphic, develop at the ends of the shoots in 1-3 pieces, have a pronounced slightly curved tube, wide-open corolla petals and long stamens protruding beyond the flower. Coloring – pink, white or red. In nature, the zygocactus flower is pollinated by hawk moths and hummingbirds.

Zygocactus in the photo

In the rainforests of Brazil, the homeland of the zygocactus, its flowers bloom in mid-summer, and plants introduced into the culture located on the other side of the globe bloom at the same time, in the northern hemisphere it falls on the coldest months of the year, December and January. Because of the unusual flowering time, the culture in many countries is called the “Christmas cactus” or “Decembrist”. The Latin name, Zigocactus, comes from the Greek “zigon”, meaning “yoke” or “rocker”, which is probably due to the shape of the shoots, which always branch in two during growth. The modern scientific name of zygocactus is Schlumberger, it is under it that it is now sold in flower shops.

For more than a hundred years, the flower has been widely grown in culture. As a houseplant , Zygocactus is valued for its abundant and regular blooms during the winter months when many house flowers are dormant, longevity, and ease of care. Zygocactus is grown in ampelous form, many modern hybrids can also grow as upright plants.

Types and varieties of cultivated zygocactus

The first species of zygocactus were brought to Europe in 1816, and since then they have been grown in pot culture. During this time, many forms and hybrids of various colors have been created, both traditionally white, red or pink, as well as yellow, salmon, red-orange, peach, and even multicolor. Descriptions and photos of some species of zygocactus grown as houseplants are given below.

Zygocactus bucklei (Z. bucklei) , 40-50 cm in height, with dark green cylindrical stems and flowers up to 8 cm in diameter, having numerous oblong pink-violet petals and yellow long tubes. Based on the species, many varieties have been created with a variety of colors and shapes of stem segments.

Zygocacus truncated (Z. truncates) , up to 50 cm high, with light green, drooping segments about 5 cm long, leaf-shaped, with sharp teeth along the edge. Flowers are symmetrical, 4-5 long, about 4 cm wide, appear at the ends of shoots 1, rarely 2-3. The color is varied, from purple and lilac to white and pink.

Zygocactus russeliana (Z. russeliana) , grows no higher than 30 cm, has long, up to 1 m, glossy, flat jointed stems and flowers with a greenish tube and a large number of oblong pink, red, purple petals.

Currently, many hybrid varieties have been created based on Zygocactus Rousseliana and Truncated, which are more stable, unpretentious and decorative than varieties of Zygocactus bouclea, and are gradually replacing them on the market. Among these varieties, the following can be noted: Golden Cream, Aspen, Pasadena, Madama Butterfly, Madonna Danse, etc.

Zygocactus Golden Cream in the photo

Zygocactus Aspen in the photo

Zygocactus Pasadena in the photo

Zygocactus Madama Butterfly in the photo

Zygocactus Madonna Danse in the photo

Care and growing problems: why the zygocactus does not bloom

For zygocactus, home care at different times of the year is not the same. During flowering, which usually occurs in December-January, it requires bright light without direct sunlight, temperatures from 18 to 32 ° C and abundant watering to ensure constant substrate moisture. It is important to avoid stagnant water, which contributes to the occurrence of root rot. The dryness of the air during this period can cause the flower to drop buds, so it can be carefully sprayed with warm water or placed on a tray filled with wet expanded clay or pebbles. A flowering plant cannot be moved, it can react to a change in position by dropping buds.

At the end of flowering. in February, the zygocactus enters a dormant period, lasting until the beginning – mid-March. It is transferred to a cool room, with a temperature of about 10-14 ° C, watering is sharply limited.

Usually, by mid-March, the stage of intensive growth of shoots begins. At this time, the zygocactus does not bloom, but actively increases the vegetative mass, for which it must be provided with heat (from 18 to 30 ° C), moderate watering as the surface layer dries and regular, but infrequent top dressing. With a frequency of 1 – 2 times a month, the flower is fed with mineral fertilizers balanced in potassium and phosphorus, with an average amount of nitrogen. Ready-made flower fertilizers are used in half the dose. During this period, the plant is regularly sprayed, it is also useful to give him a warm shower. From the beginning of summer, you can begin to form a bush. To do this, manually, without using a knife, the segments are broken off, removing excess, damaged branches, and giving the plant the desired shape. Such pruning not only makes the bush more decorative , but also contributes to better flowering, as it stimulates the growth of young shoots.

In early autumn, the plant enters a very important period of budding and preparation for flowering. It usually lasts 75-90 days, during which the succulent is provided with cooler conditions and limited watering. From September, they stop fertilizing and spraying.

In the autumn months, the formation of flower buds occurs in conditions of short daylight hours, so it is enough to lower the temperature to 17-20 ° C. If the temperature is lower, from 10 to 15 ° C, the buds are laid at any length of daylight hours, which is successfully used for forcing. As soon as the first flowers appear, the plant is transferred to heat, they begin to water it intensively, and it again enters the flowering period.

Plants are resistant to pests. Of the diseases, zygocactus are sometimes affected by fungal infections (phytophthora, fusarium, phytium). Fungicides are used to control them. Sometimes flower growers have a question why the zygocactus does not bloom. The reason for this is care errors, for example, lack of lighting, nutrients or watering.

Transplantation and propagation of a houseplant zygocactus

Zygocactus transplantation is carried out during the dormant period, before budding or active growth begins. Use shallow wide pots with good drainage and a loose substrate, usually consisting of equal parts of humus, peat, sand and soddy soil, or purchased soil for succulents. Young specimens are transplanted annually, adults – less often, after 3 years. Large plants can not be transplanted up to 5 years.

For propagation of zygocactus, fully matured cuttings are used. In April or May, 2-3 extreme segments are separated, dried for several days until a transparent film forms on the cut, and then rooted in a moist substrate.

Beautifully flowering standard specimens can be obtained by grafting a plant onto another cactus, such as perescia. To do this, cut off the top of the rootstock and split it using a sharp knife, insert a zygocactus stalk into the split and fix it with a perescia thorn, and then with a thread. When the graft begins to grow, the bandage is removed, and all leaves are removed from the rootstock. Such a standard tree definitely needs support.

Share with your friends

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Other flowers
Other people actively read

Saintpaulia care: watering the uzambar violet

Wasps with a bizarre flower shape and chimeras with a unique...

Types of haworthias

Haworthias are characterized by a high degree of variability, most species...

Flower female happiness zamiokulkas: types and varieties

The genus Zamioculcas (Zamioculcas) includes only one species, Zamioculcas zamielistny (Z....
Wednesday, November 8, 2023