Lyla Lindsey
Zygocactus, also known as 'Zygos', are colourful, thornless cacti that flower in the winter, making them a delightful addition to any home or garden. They are epiphytes, meaning they use their roots to cling to trees and rock faces, and do not grow well in garden soil. They are native to the rainforests of South America, but can be grown almost anywhere in Australia. This guide will explore how to care for a Zygocactus in Australia, covering topics such as light, water, fertiliser, propagation, and pest control.
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What You'll Learn
Zygocactus thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight
Zygocactus thrive in bright, indirect light. They are sensitive plants, and their flowering can be affected by exposure to light at night. Direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, can cause leaf burn or browning and inhibit flowering.
Indoors, place your Zygocactus in a spot with bright to medium, indirect light. They can be positioned on a patio or in a conservatory, but avoid placing them near a window where they will receive harsh afternoon sun. In the wild, Zygocactus grow in the humid subtropical and tropical forests of South America, where they use their roots to cling to trees and rock faces. As such, they are well-adapted to dappled or bright shade and grow well in pots or hanging baskets.
If you are growing your Zygocactus outdoors, be mindful of the weather conditions and the amount of sunlight your plant will receive. In frosty areas, they will need winter protection, such as a shade house or a verandah. If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, or you tend to overwater, opt for a cacti or orchid potting mix, as these have extra drainage.
When it comes to lighting, it's important to remember that Zygocactus are triggered to flower by shortening daylight hours. To encourage flowering, your plant will need darkness at night—at least 15 hours each night. If you can't keep your plant in a dark place, you can experiment by covering it with an upturned cardboard box or similar to create complete darkness.
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Water regularly, but don't overwater. Allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings
Zygocactus are resilient plants that can survive on total neglect, but they will thrive with the right attention and care. They are not desert plants and do not like "wet feet", so it's important to water them regularly but not to overwater them. Allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings.
When watering your zygocactus, give the plant a good drink and let the top of the soil dry out before the next watering. It's better to underwater than to overwater. In the cooler months, water about twice a week. In the warmer months, increase the frequency to about three times a week. Adjust your watering schedule according to your climate, temperature, and humidity levels.
Zygocactus need good drainage, so they grow better in pots or hanging baskets rather than in the ground. Choose a pot or basket with good drainage holes that is at least twice the width and depth of the root ball. If you're using a pot saucer, pour out the water after watering so the pot doesn't sit in water, as this can cause the roots to rot.
To check if your zygocactus needs water, insert your index finger approximately 2.5-5 cm deep into the top of the mix. If it's moist, leave watering for a few days; if it's dry, give your plant a drink.
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Use pots or hanging baskets with good drainage
Zygocactus are epiphytes, which means they need good drainage and grow better in pots or hanging baskets rather than in the ground. You can use a normal potting mix, but a cacti or orchid potting mix is better because they have extra drainage. This is especially important if your Zygocactus will be outdoors in an area with heavy rainfall, or if you tend to overwater.
Choose a pot or hanging basket that is at least twice the width and depth of the root ball. The pot or basket should also have good drainage holes. Zygocactus stems are fairly brittle and easily break off, so choose a location that is protected from strong winds or being knocked about by people and pets.
When it comes to watering your Zygocactus, less is often more. Let the soil dry out between waterings because overwatering can lead to root rot. In the cooler months, water about once or twice a week. In the warmer months, increase the frequency to about three times a week. Always check the mix before watering to see if water is required. To check, insert your index finger approximately 2.5-5 cm deep into the top of the mix. If it's moist, leave watering for a few days; if it's dry, give your Zygocactus a good drink. Do not allow water to sit in pot saucers as excess water can cause the roots to rot.
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Feed with fertiliser during growing and flowering seasons
Zygocactus are resilient plants that can survive on total neglect. However, if you want to maximise their flowering, fertilise them during the growing and flowering seasons. In Australia, the flowering season is between April and July, with the possibility of earlier flowering in cooler regions.
When it comes to fertiliser, a gentle option is best. Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate is recommended. Alternatively, you can use a complete slow-release fertiliser in spring. To promote flowering, a dose of OCP eco-seaweed and OCP eco-aminogro every 2-4 weeks is suggested.
As epiphytes, Zygocactus naturally grow on trees and rock faces in humid subtropical and tropical forests in South America. They rely on their roots to cling to these surfaces, so it's important to provide them with a well-drained mix when planted in pots or hanging baskets. This allows water to drain freely away from their roots, which is difficult to achieve with regular garden soil.
You should also ensure that your Zygocactus is positioned in bright to medium, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, as this can cause damage.
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Zygocactus are easy to propagate from cuttings
Zygocactus, or "zygos", are resilient plants known for their hardiness and ability to bounce back with a little care. They are easy to propagate from cuttings, even for beginner gardeners. The process is nearly foolproof, and the cuttings can be potted up individually or several to a pot. Zygocactus stems are flat, leathery, and segmented with toothed or serrated edges. Each segment has the ability to root, but the plant will root better if a cutting with multiple segments is gathered. Ideally, your cutting should be about four segments long, but smaller pieces will still work.
To propagate a zygocactus, first, take a cutting from a healthy plant. Use a sharp pair of secateurs to cut a piece of the stem that is at least two leaf segments long. Remove any buds or flowers from the cutting. Then, set the cutting in a dry, airy location out of direct sunlight and let the cut end dry out and callous over for a day or two. Drying the cutting to seal the end will help keep it from rotting once it is potted. Some growers choose to dust the calloused end of the cutting with rooting hormone powder, but this is not required for successful rooting.
Next, fill a small pot with moistened potting mix. Any pot with drainage holes will work, but it is best to use a 4-inch plastic pot for starting three cuttings and a 6-inch pot for starting five cuttings. Stick the calloused end of the cutting into the potting mix so that the bottom half of the leaf segment is below the surface. Press the potting mix firmly against the leaf segment to make good contact between the two. Zygocactus thrive in bright, indirect light, so place the potted cutting in a warm, well-lit spot, out of direct sunlight.
Finally, water the cutting regularly to keep the potting mix just moist. If you are using a pot saucer, pour out any excess water after watering to prevent the cutting from sitting in water, as this can cause root rot. With the right care, your zygocactus cutting will soon take root and grow into a new plant.
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