Indoor plant of hathior: home care

Epiphytes are rather unusual and interesting plants. In nature there are many kinds of such flowers that are permanently attached to other plant species. They feed on different elements and moisture from the air, and the plants on which they are, serve for them exclusively as a support. To such amazing epiphytic microorganisms is the flower of the hathor.

Origin and types

Hathiora is a plant belonging to the family of cacti. Most often it grows on the trunks of trees, although in mountainous areas you can meet it and on steep rocks. An unusual plant from Brazil found its place among the collections of amateur flower growers and quickly became one of the pets. The name was given in honor of an English cartographer who was mapping South America, or rather an anagram to his name.

Some time after his death, an expedition set off for the tropics, which found an amazing flower reminiscent of a cactus, but without sharp needles and numerous pimples, instead of which barely noticeable light setae. Over time, many of its species were discovered, which received a variety of different and surprising names due to the bizarre external shape of the stem and twigs - the coral cactus, "The Dream of a Drunkard", "The Dancing Skeleton".

Difference with other representatives of cacti

The lack of moisture and nutrients in the dense Brazilian jungle was replenished by representatives of this family by "climbing" trees or rocks growing in the neighborhood (in which case the plants are called lithophytes) and adapting to life on them. Hatioru is often confused with ripsalis. The main difference between them is in the shades of flowers and forming segments. It is also believed that in ripsalis they are flat, and in hatiory - round.

According to different data, there are from 7 to 10 species of plants.

Description

The most common species is the hatoria of the salt-bearing. Sometimes it is called salicarnoid. Bunches resemble small pins. Hathior care at home is good enough. And takes its rightful place among the roomy favorites of many florists. This is a rather capricious plant, which can also be grown on its own.

Hachiora, the reproduction of which occurs cuttings, can in a few years give a rich offspring. Most often, plants are imported from abroad. This does not always have a good effect on his condition. Long branches may break and the appearance of the hutiora delivered to the store may well be better. The buyer hardly can immediately imagine what an unusual plant can get to his home. For these reasons, such a cactus is not too common. All this can be understood only by real connoisseurs of exotics, and therefore at whatever cost to buy such a pet.

Features of flower development

The hatiory is a small shrub. The trunk of a young flower grows straight, and then it becomes oblique. Shoots are small, 2-5 cm in length and 0.5 cm in diameter. When growing, they branch quite strongly and form a set of hanging branches without leaves, and the flowers themselves are located at the tips of the shoots. The color scheme can vary depending on the species from yellow, red and pink, to blue-violet. The house plant of the hathor looks great in hanging pots and pots.

In natural conditions, the plant grows both upward in height up to 2.5 meters, and wide, forming large flowering thickets, which effectively look on steep rocks and trees.

Conditions for good growth

Observing simple rules, you can grow a beautiful perennial plant from a hutiory .

• Lighting. Hachiora, whose care is the key to a long and beautiful flowering, prefers to stay in a place that is sufficiently lighted but protected from direct sunlight. Especially ensure this condition is necessary in the summer in hot weather. But the admission of fresh air at this time of the year should be constant. Spraying the stems is not necessary.
• Watering. Moisture should flow to the roots of the flower in moderate amounts. Sometimes it is even possible to arrange a small period of drought. Especially when changing the temperature in the room where the flower is. Cacti perceive this quite well.
• Air temperature. The discrepancy in room temperature can be from 7 to 25 degrees.
• Place of planting. Over time, the branches lean to the side. Pot for planting is better to choose hanging and not too deep. Now you can buy a large selection of special baskets for epiphytes and lithophytes.
• The soil. The condition and composition of the soil in which the hathor grows significantly affects its growth. The soil must be low-acid and light. It is best to choose peat soil. In this case, you can also purchase a special substrate for cacti.
• Top dressing. Hathiore care prefers not too intrusive. Fertilize the plant regularly, but in moderation. It will be useful several times a month to fertilize with minerals with an average content of nitrogen and phosphorus.

To provide the flower of a hathiore home care can be without any problems. Much can be purchased in specialized stores, for example packaging, soil and fertilizers. This will help create all the conditions in which the house will grow, bloom and multiply.

Reproduction and care

Hachiora - a flower for many years. And it blooms long enough. There is this, however, not immediately. New plants obtained by reproduction begin to grow and blossom after several years. The plant of the house, the reproduction and care of which must be continuous, can be propagated in two main ways: seeds or cuttings.

Each method is considered effective and quite convenient. In addition, you can collect a few cuttings or plant many seeds in a single vessel or pot, this will recreate the thickets of hathiory, as in the Brazilian tropics.

Method of reproduction by cuttings

The process of rooting occurs quickly enough. This is done in water or special mineral solutions, such as sphagnum or vermiculite. Then the cuttings are dried for several days, and in case of their large size and a whole week, and planted in moist prepared soil. The first signs of growth after rooting may not appear very soon. Sometimes it can even take about a year. There are also situations where the cuttings fall off themselves and can take root and begin to germinate right in the pot near the main flower.

Seed propagation method

Also a fairly common method of reproduction of this unusual cactus. Collected seeds from the flower immediately planted in a prepared fertilized and moistened soil, put in a fairly warm place. The temperature should be at least 20 degrees. It is necessary to check the soil and moisturize it from time to time. The unborn hathiore care at home will be taken quite quickly and the seeds will germinate.

Methods and regularity of transplantation

The transplantation of the hatiory makes it possible to dilute and liberate the root system. As the sprouting grows, a new place for the further stay of the flower is selected. Although there is often no need for this process. Depending on the age of the plant, the transplant is carried out approximately according to the following schedule:

• A new young plant is transplanted every year.
• More mature flowers as needed every 2-3 years.
• Large perennial specimens - every 4-5 years.

Usually do this in the spring after the flowering is complete. The pot is chosen not too deep, but somewhat larger than the size of the hatiory. At the bottom immediately cover the drainage layer and prepare the soil. A transplant is not an urgent necessity, but an indispensable condition that indicates that a home care home is receiving proper care.

Flowering period and features

Blossoms of a chatiory, as a rule, are long and abundant in winter. This is the main feature of this exotic representative of the family of cacti. This is also preceded by a certain period in which it is necessary to exert a little effort.

The active period of preparation for flowering begins in the summer. There is the formation of new segments on the stems, on which the buds will appear. Autumn for a hathor is a period of rest. Slows down its growth, branches gain strength and nutritional elements for the appearance of the kidneys. At this time it is recommended not to water the flower and do not disturb it. The temperature is reduced to a minimum and it is moved to a cooler place for about a month. Then they return to their original place and resume watering and feeding. In the beginning of winter, after such simple manipulations, buds appear on the ends of branches, which soon will blossom and blossom magnificently. In spring, the period of rest and recovery comes again.

Difficulties in growing a hatiory

Like any flower, the hathor is subject to various defeats. These can be fungal diseases or improper care conditions. The reasons can be different, each one is told by certain signs. So, why does not the hathor blossom? The reason for this can be:

• Withering and withering of branches. Even with timely watering, this can happen due to non-observance of the temperature regime and humidity.
• The absence of flowers or their small number. This can cause disturbances in dressing and soil selection. The plant lacks nutrients.
• Falling branches. Incorrect temperature conditions and low moisture content. The roots do not receive proper care.
• The defeat of branches with chervets also has a negative effect on their elasticity and strength, the color turns pale. It is necessary to water twice a week with a special solution against parasites.
• The appearance of moist infectious stains on the stem and branches. Consequence of infection with fungus. It is necessary to add to the top dressing and watering antibacterial fungicides.

A small effort to care for your favorite plant will bear fruit, the plant will delight the eye with bright green branches all year round, as well as beautiful yellow warm flowers in the coldest and grayest period - in winter, most often on the eve of Christmas.

Having learned all the rules of growing this plant, everyone can decorate their house with such a delightful and unusual flower. Hathiros will be to the liking of people who know the sense in tropical, exotic colors, and will not leave indifferent any real florist.