Rhipsalis oblonga

Rhipsalis oblonga is a super cool looking species native to Brazil where it grows as an epiphyte in coastal and montane forests. The term epiphyte comes from ancient Greek and describes where a plant grows on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the rain, air and debris that accumulate around it. In this case most rhipsalis grow in trees.

Rhipsalis oblonga is described as a shrubby cactus with segmented, ruffled, pendulant stems. The stem colour can vary greatly depending on the amount of light the plant is receiving, from a light lime green shade, to olive green, or a dark blue-green. 

These plants produces the most beautiful individual flowers that are white with a yellow tinge to them. These flowers appear in numbers and grow out from the sides of the stems in between each ruffle.

☀️This plant requires bright, indirect light but harsh direct sunlight needs to be avoided as this can scorch the leaves.

💧Overwatering can lead to rot, so it's best to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

〰️These plants don’t have any special requirements when it comes to humidity. Ambient is perfectly fine for these guys.

🌡️Standard room temperatures between 18-24°C are perfect

🍴Use a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).

✂️This plant can be propagated by offsets and stem cuttings. Simply remove the offsets or cutting, let them callus and then nestle the base into a well draining potting mix. Avoid watering until the plants have put out some roots. Propagation can also be done by seed.

🪴Repot every 2-3 years as needed, using a well-draining potting mix formulated for cacti and succulents.

(Each living plant is unique and may vary slightly in size, colour, or shape depending on the season. Flowering plants are sent when available. You will receive a bare rooted plant similar to the ones in the pictures provided.)