How to care for the drooping green coral plant indoors
Today, I will introduce to you how to care for the drooping green coral plant indoors and the green plant flower care methods for potting the drooping green coral plant. I will provide a detailed introduction below.
I would like to introduce a relatively niche plant to you, the drooping green coral (Rhipsalis baccifera) from the cactus family, also known as the silk reed or berry silk reed. This is a cactus plant that is relatively easy to bloom and bear fruit, and its small berries are edible.
The drooping green coral is a fast-growing indoor plant with very thin and cylindrical stems. Its stems will droop from the edge of the pot, making it very suitable for training as a hanging basket plant or a trailing pot plant.
The drooping green coral is native to rainforest areas and prefers a constantly humid environment. It does not like overly dry or excessively strong lighting conditions, and it can grow normally with plenty of scattered light every day.
The drooping green coral has stems but no leaves, as its leaves have all degenerated. The entire plant is composed of many tiny stems.
1. Lighting
The drooping green coral is native to rainforest areas and enjoys the scattered light that filters through the branches and leaves of trees. It fears direct strong sunlight and can grow normally with 3 to 6 hours of scattered light per day.
In winter and spring, when the temperature is below 24 degrees Celsius and the lighting is relatively gentle, it can be slightly exposed to more sunlight. In summer and autumn, when the temperature is higher, it should be shaded more during noon and afternoon.
2. Watering
The drooping green coral prefers water. When the topsoil is dry, water it thoroughly. If the environment has poor ventilation and light or it is in a season with lower temperatures, it is necessary to control water appropriately, waiting until the soil is very dry before supplementing moisture.
It should be noted that the drooping green coral is sensitive to tap water containing fluorine and chlorine compounds. It is recommended to use purified water or rainwater for watering. You can also fill a container with tap water and let it sit for a day or two before using it.
How to care for the drooping green coral plant indoors
3. Fertilizing
The drooping green coral has relatively low fertilizer requirements. Generally, scatter some slow-release fertilizer around the edge of the potting soil in spring or autumn each year, which can meet its growth needs for the whole year.
4. Humidity
The drooping green coral prefers higher humidity and also requires good ventilation. If the air is dry, you can frequently spray water around it to increase humidity.
If it is being cared for in a greenhouse, keep it away from radiators or air vents. You can also place it on a tray filled with water, putting some stones on the tray and setting the pot on top, making sure the bottom does not come into direct contact with water. The evaporation of water can increase the humidity around. Of course, using a humidifier nearby would be even better.
5. Repotting and Propagation
The drooping green coral grows relatively quickly but does not require frequent repotting. It is usually done every two to three years, after the warm spring each year. Add loose, well-draining sandy soil each time, such as a special soil for succulents, usually a mixture of 50% peat soil or fine coconut bran and 50% coarse granular materials, including volcanic rock, coal slag, perlite, or coarse coconut shell, etc.
Do not use too large a pot for planting the drooping green coral, only moving it to a pot one size larger each time.
If you want to propagate the drooping green coral, you generally choose to propagate by stem cutting. When repotting, you can cut off the long stems, each about two to three sections, and insert the bottom of the cut stems into water or soil, keeping them in a position with scattered light and a humid environment. After about two to three weeks, they can slowly take root and sprout.
6. Other Considerations
Basic care for the drooping green coral is not mentioned.
The above-mentioned content on how to care for the drooping green coral plant indoors and the specific methods for potting it, if it can bring you help, remember to visit the Green Plant Enthusiast website often!