| Description: |
Stems able to reach more than six feet (180 cm) in length with 10-14 grooves. The areolas each have a tuft of very short spines. Flowers flaring from a narrow base are a deep pink. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/West |
| Soil Type: |
Never use ordinary potting compost or garden soil, there are general purpose cactus mixes available. If you want to mix your own take:
2 parts barely fibrous garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part fine gravel.
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Drench the soil and let it become barely moist between waterings. Remember to reduce watering during the winter. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic and water after sunset with warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed once a year during the spring with a water soluble fertilizer. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to mealy bugs, spider mites and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds/ cuttings (let the cut end dry out first)
in the spring through summer.
It is best to propagate seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. After dividing, plant in the plant's regular potting mix.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Never turn the plant while it is in flower. Keep cool in the winter. Put a layer of small gravel at the bottom of the pot and also one inch on the top of the soil to prevent stem rot.
An ideal plant for a hanging basket.
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