Hatiora is an interesting succulent perennial that will appeal to lovers of tropical exoticism. This genus of the Cactus family includes plants with cylindrical branched shoots resembling bones, small bottles or corals. Such an intricate plant resembles an alien from outer space, but it is a completely obedient representative of the flora, which is easy to grow at home. Hatorio lives in bright tropical forests of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Plant description
Hatiora is an evergreen terrestrial plant with a superficial, fibrous root system. Shoots consist entirely of green segments, between which thin air roots can also form. This allows the plant to receive moisture and nutrients from the air. Cactus gives a small annual growth. By five years, its height is only 15-35 cm, and by ten - 50-180 cm.
Hatori segments are cylindrical in shape and may swell somewhat. The smooth bright green peel on the old shoots acquires a brownish tint and slightly crackes. On the surface of the lobes, small whitish papillae are visible - rudimentary spines of an unusual representative of the genus Cactus. Shoots branch strongly and rush up, but can wilted under their own weight and require support.
Hatiora blooms in spring as daylight increases. At the ends of the shoots appear small tubular flowers with narrow petals of pink or yellow. Flowering can last several weeks. 2-3 months after the buds wither, oblong berries with a translucent skin appear on the tips of the shoots.
Superstition and Signs
Hachior's cactus, due to its bizarre shape, received many unusual nicknames. He is called “dancing bones,” “drunkard’s dream,” “male tears.” The signs and superstitions associated with the hatiora say that she is able to "survive" a man from home. Families in which the flower grows can fall apart. Most professionals perceive such statements with a mockery.
Should I give up the pleasure of having such an unusual plant at home because of unconfirmed rumors? Believing superstitions or not is everyone's business. But whoever is afraid, it’s enough not to put the pot in the bedroom or another room where the man spends most of his time.
Types of Hatoria
The genus of hatiora is not numerous, only 4 plants are included in it. All are cultivated and are commercially available.
Hatiora is pink. Drooping shoots consist of flattened segments covered with a bluish-green skin with several reddish stains. The length of the lobe does not exceed 25 mm, it has pronounced scalloped ribs. Rare areoles are covered with short whitish hairs. At the ends of the shoots, beautiful tubular flowers with narrowed pink petals form. The diameter of the flower is about 4 cm.
Hatior Gartner. Short drooping shoots consist of small segments of dark green color. The shares are flattened and have pronounced notches. Single apical flowers with a diameter of 4-5 cm are painted in bright pink.
Hatiora Germina. Shoots consist of elongated cylindrical segments with a small number of lateral processes. The length of the whip reaches 30 cm or more, and one share is 4.5-5 cm. During flowering, a large number of raspberry buds with a diameter of 2.5 cm are formed.
Hatiora is saltwater. Cylindrical shoots are covered with a thin bright green skin. Branches are upright and densely branched. Shares 25-28 mm long are somewhat inflated in one part and resemble miniature bottles. It blooms with many small yellow bell-shaped buds.
Breeding methods
The hator's plant propagates vegetatively at home. It is advisable to carry out the procedure in spring or summer, during the period of active vegetation. It is enough to separate the apical shoot with 2-4 lobes. It should not be cut off, but broken off or unscrewed at the junction of the segments. The cuttings are dried in the air for several hours, and then rooted in sandy peat soil.
The plant is kept in a warm place with diffused sunlight. The soil should be moistened with care. Rooting takes place rather quickly. Some segments, falling away from the mother plant, root themselves.
Purchased seeds can be sown in spring seedlings, however, this method of cultivation is very difficult. Only an experienced grower can master it. Seeds quickly lose their germination, so they need to be sown as soon as possible. For planting, use plates with a sand-peat mixture. Crops only slightly crush the soil and cover with a film. Keep the greenhouse in a warm place (+ 20 ... + 22 ° C). Shoots appear after 2-4 weeks. After this, the seedlings are rearranged on a light windowsill, but the shelter is removed only after 2-3 weeks, gradually accustoming the plants to its absence. The grown seedlings can be dived into separate small pots.
Transplant Rules
The house flowers of the hator normally perceive the transplant. Young cacti are transplanted annually, and more adults - once every 2-3 years. This is best done immediately after flowering. The hatiora pot must be chosen wide, but not very deep, since the rhizome is located close to the surface. Pebbles, expanded clay or brick chips must be laid out at the bottom of the tank so that excess water does not linger in the ground.
The soil for the hatori should have a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. For its compilation are used:
- lowland peat (2 parts);
- deciduous land (6 parts);
- turf land (1 part);
- coarse sand (2 parts);
- humus land (4 parts).
Care Features
Caring for a hator at home will not be a big hassle. The plant is unpretentious and suitable for beginners.
Lighting. Hatior should be grown in rooms with bright diffused light. She needs a long daylight hours. You can put it on the eastern or western windowsill, or at some distance from the window. Soft peel weakly protects from the midday sun.
Air temperature. Hatiora prefers cool content. In summer, the optimum temperature is + 20 ... + 22 ° C. For the warm season, it is useful to bring the plant to a balcony or veranda, where the natural fluctuations in daily temperatures will benefit the hator.
Rest period. After flowering is completed, it is recommended to transfer the cactus to a cool room with an air temperature of about + 15 ° C and significantly reduce watering. Within 4-6 weeks, it is necessary to completely stop irrigating the soil. In this case, more flower buds are formed.
Humidity. Hatiora easily adapts to the humidity in the house, but on hot days it needs to be sprayed or bathed more often under a warm shower.
Watering. During the period of active growth and flowering, as well as on hot days, the hator needs abundant watering. Water should not stagnate in the ground, and the land between irrigation should dry out by a third. With cooling, watering is reduced.
Fertilizer. From April to the end of flowering, fertilizing cacti is applied monthly to the soil. Low nitrogen formulations should be selected.
Diseases and pests. With improper care, the hator is susceptible to fungal diseases. If soft segments of brown or gray color with the smell of rot are detected, they must be removed and fungicide treatment should be carried out. In summer, in dry air, there is a high probability of being hit by a whitefly, scabbard, mealybug and spider mite. The plant can be bathed under a warm shower and treated with a solution of laundry soap. If the procedure did not help, use insecticides ("Aktara", "Confidor").
