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Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. profile

Written by Maggie

Mar 30 2021

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. profile

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. is an epiphytic succulent plant of the cactus family, shrub-like, with overhanging stems, many branches without thorns, old stems lignified, young stems flat; bright green or slightly purple, top truncated, flowers Solitary at the top of branches, symmetrical on both sides; the top of the calyx is separated; the corolla has several rounds, with many stamens, and berry-shaped. The flowering period is from October to February of the following year; the flowering period of the indoor cultivated crab claw can be adjusted by controlling the light.

Native to Brazil; commonly cultivated in parks and flower gardens throughout China. As ornamental plants, they are often grafted on a measuring ruler or other rootstocks to obtain lush plants.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. picture

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K. Schum. Morphological characteristics

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. Epiphytic succulent plant looks like a shrub, without leaves. The stem has no thorns, many branches, often hanging, old stems are lignified, slightly cylindrical, young stems and branches are flat; each internode is rectangular to obovate, 3-6 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, fresh green, sometimes the color is slightly purple, with a truncated top, 2-4 thick serrations on each side, and a thick middle rib in the center of both sides; sometimes there are a few short bristles in the cavity.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. flower is solitary on the top of the branch, rose red, 6-9 cm long, symmetrical on both sides; the calyx is round, the base is short and cylindrical, and the top is separated; the corolla has several rounds and the bottom is long and cylindrical , The upper part is separated, and the tube is longer as it goes inward; there are many stamens, 2 rounds, protruding, arched upward; style is longer than stamens, dark red, stigma 7-lobed. The berry is pear-shaped, red, about 1 cm in diameter.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K. Schum. Growth environment

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. likes a warm and humid semi-shady environment. It is not cold-resistant. It is best to move indoors in winter. The minimum temperature cannot be lower than 10℃, and the most suitable temperature for its growth period is 20-25℃ . Like a loose, organic-rich, well-drained and breathable matrix. zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. is a short-day plant that can bloom in 2-3 months under the condition of 8-10 hours of sunshine per day. The flowering period can be adjusted by controlling the light.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K. Schum. Distribution range

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. Originally produced in Brazil, South America, imported from China, and cultivated everywhere. Common cultivation in tropical and subtropical world.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K. Schum. Main species

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. Common hybrids include white Christmas white, Dorset, Gina, and Snow; yellow varieties include Jinmei, Christmas Flame, Golden Magic, and Cambridge; orange Ante and Frido ; The purple varieties include Madoka; the pink varieties include Camilla, Disto and Eva, mostly imported from the United States, Japan, Denmark and other countries. Conventional varieties include lavender stems and red cylindracea with red flowers, white buds and beautiful pink when blooming, red flowers with red buds, Russell, Buckley, obtuse, Christmas cactus, etc. .

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K. Schum. Reproduction

grafting

Rootstock: Choose the rootstock first. Cactus is the best rootstock, especially cow tongue palm is better, because it has high plant height, good shape, strong trunk and strong support, which can make the grafted Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. hang down freely. , conducive to viewing. Therefore, it is possible to select 1-2 sections of beef tongue palms that are robust, harmless, and neat and beautiful one year in advance for cutting, one plant per pot.

Grafting: The suitable time for grafting Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. is from late March to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October. Grafting should be carried out in the morning on a sunny day. Therefore, the rootstock and scion contain more juice and the joints are healed. At the same time, choose the 2-3 knots of abnormal stems with straight, plump, tender, and tender stems as scions. can). First bevel the two sides of the base section of the scion into a duckbill shape. The length of the cut surface is 1.5-2.5 cm. Cut it with one cut as much as possible to make it easier to survive. Then cut a slit on the top of the rootstock. The width and depth of the knife edge should be larger than the cut surface of the scion. Quickly insert the cut scion into the incision of the rootstock, and insert the scion into the incision of the rootstock. Later, because of the sticky and slippery liquid, the scion is easy to swim, so it is necessary to fix it by hand for half a minute, and then connect the prepared cactus and thorns across the rootstock scion to connect them together. You can also use wooden clothespins to clamp , To be fixed. Finally, put the connected flowerpots in a cool and ventilated place away from wind and rain (note that watering should not touch the joints), and it is expected to survive in about 20-30 days.

Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum.

Cuttings

Choose the robust Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K.Schum. 3-7 sections, generally 1.5 sections can be inserted into the pot soil. Good-growing plants can bloom in the second year, and then in the third year, and the number of flowers will increase year by year.