Epiphytic "forest cactus" Hatiora. Its types and characteristics of growth in nature and at home

With the word "cactus" is usually associated with a thorny plant with a round or elongated stem, familiar to the arid desert climate.

However, the Cactus family includes several genera, which are commonly called "forest cacti," and they do not grow in deserts, but in the humid tropical forests of Central and South America. One of them is Hatiora.

Hatiora belongs to the genus epiphytic (develop on trees), and less often lithophytic (grow in gorges of rocks) cacti. In home growing conditions, these plants do not exceed 30-50 cm in height. But at home, this kind of cactus can grow up to 1 meter.

Botanical Description

The name (lat. Hatiora) clan received in honor of the English traveler of the 16th century. Thomas Harriot. In 1834, the botanist O.P. The decandol gave the plant the name Hariota, however, having discovered that this name was already used in the classification of plants, it slightly modified it.

In Western countries, some types of Hachior are also called "Easter Cactus" or "Trinity Cactus." This is due to the flowering time of the plant.

Despite the appearance uncharacteristic of the usual cacti, there is no doubt that the hator is a real cactus. Botanists included him not only in the Cactus family, but also in the Cactus family subfamily.

The whole family includes four subfamilies - the Cactus proper itself, as well as Pereskie, Opuntsievye and Maukhienievye. The cactus subfamily includes genera whose representatives have completely no leaves.

Hatiora is a succulent. It is able to store moisture in the stems, though to a lesser extent than cacti growing in the desert. In nature, hatorial bushes are attached to trees without causing any harm to them and eating plant residues. Such plants are called epiphytes.

By the standards of the rainforest, the hator consumes quite a bit of fluid from the environment - she only gets the moisture that accumulates in the places of attachment to the branches of trees. After all, forest cacti came from the desert. Once in a humid climate, they adapted to new conditions, but the soil of the rain forests was too wet for them, and they found a way out, becoming epiphytes.

Hatoria bush consists of segments - flat or cylindrical, depending on the type. He has no thorns, only subtle thin hairs can be seen only in the areoles (lateral buds characteristic of the Cactus family).

Flowers with a diameter of about 1 cm, pink, orange or yellow, resemble a funnel in shape, the petals are narrow, pointed. In nature, Hathior is found in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil - a giant strip of tropical and subtropical rainforests stretching along the Brazilian Atlantic coast.

Is the plant poisonous or not?

Hathior does not possess toxic and poisonous properties. and is not dangerous for children and pets.

Hatiora and Ripsalis

The genus Ripsalis is close to the genus Hatiora. They are so similar that some species are still debated about which of the two genera they belong to. Like hatiora, ripsalis is an epiphytic forest cactus.

One of the main differences between hatiora and ripsalis is that in ripsalis, flowers form along the entire length of the segment, and in hatiora only at its end.

Browse popular cactus species with names and photos

The classification of the genus Hatior is difficult, and among the botanists there is no consensus on the number of species included in it. With confidence we can talk about the following species: Hatiora herminiae (Hatiora Germina) and Hatiora salicornioides (Hatiora saline / saliferous).

Germina

Germina - a low plant with a height of not more than 30 cm. Segments of a cylindrical shape, grayish or dark green, about 5 cm long and about 0.5 cm in diameter.

Large areoles with clearly visible setae of 1-2 setae per areola are located on the sides of the segments. Raspberry flowers with a diameter of up to 2.5 cm.

Saltwater

Hatiora saltwater is so named for the fact that in the form of shoots it is similar to the genus Soleros from the Amarantov family. In English-speaking countries, it is also known as the "Dancing Bones Cactus" and "The Drunkard's Dream." The height and width of the bush reaches 40 cm.

Thin shoots with a circular cross section with a diameter of only a few millimeters resemble pins in shape. The tips of the shoots are flattened, small yellow or orange flowers bloom on them.

How to care for a plant at home?

Plant Care Methods:

• Hatiora is quite photophilous, but does not tolerate direct sunlight, so in the summer it must be shaded.
• The temperature in the room should be maintained at the level of 18-20 C, during the rest period (September-October) it is desirable to lower the temperature to 15 C.
• Water for irrigation should settle well, it is advisable to slightly warm it. In the summer, water abundantly as the top layer of the soil dries up, without waiting for the land to dry completely in the pot. For the rest period, watering is stopped completely. In winter, the hator should be watered very carefully and moderately, especially at a low temperature in the room, since stagnation of moisture is detrimental to her.
• Hatio primer should be light and breathable. It is prepared on the basis of turf, deciduous and humus land with the addition of sand and peat in a ratio of 1: 6: 4: 2: 2. Acidity should not exceed pH 5-6.

We offer you to watch a video about the care of the hator at home:

Breeding

As a rule, amateur gardeners propagate hatiora with stem stalks:

1. Petiole, consisting of 2-3 segments, is carefully separated from the mother bush, sprinkle the wound with crushed charcoal and dry.
2. Then the cuttings are buried in light soil (clay soil cannot be used) or sand.

Cuttings usually take root quickly. With seed propagation, sowing is performed in a loose moist substrate. Germinate seeds at a temperature of 20-25 C in a well-lit place, preventing the drying of the soil.

Cuttings are a very laborious and lengthy method of reproduction, not guaranteeing the preservation of varietal characters.

Bloom

Various types of hatioras bloom in winter or spring. A dry and cool dormant period of at least one month in the fall will allow the plant to prepare for flowering.

Diseases and pests of the indoor flower

The main enemies of the hatior are aphids, thrips, spider mites and whiteflies. In case of infection, the plant is treated with insecticides.

High humidity and liquid stagnation in the pot should not be allowed - an indoor plant may die as a result of rotting of the roots or from fungal diseases.

Similar plants

• Ripsalis, also known as Prutovik - a genus close to the genus of Hathior. For all types of haratkerns, drooping stems, the shape varies depending on the species. The color of the flowers is white or pale pink. This is the only cactus genus found in the natural environment outside of South and North America. It is believed that migratory birds helped him get to Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka.
• Schlumbergera - This is the famous Decembrist. Ratsalidopsis differs from the types of hatiors that used to be related to the genus Ripsalidopsis in the form of the flower - the Schlumbergera has a shorter flower tube than the hatior, and the petals are fused.
• Epiphyllum also applies to forest cacti. The stems are large, flat, fleshy, resemble leaves in shape, and the flowers are huge - up to 40 cm in diameter, of various colors - white, pink, cream, red, yellow.
• LepisimumOn the contrary, it blooms with small flowers. Rudimentary leaves are formed on the stems of young plants, which can be examined under a microscope.

Hatiora is an unpretentious plant. When the Decembrist fades, the hator will take the baton. If you follow the simple rules of care, every spring the Easter cactus will delight the owner with bright colors.

Watch the video: EPIPHYTIC ROOTS, PHOTOSYNTHETIC ROOTS (May 2024).