Hatiora salicornioides, trumpet rush cactus

Originally native to eastern Brazil, the thorn cactus is an ideal houseplant that likes to stand on a bright windowsill. In the spring, it delights its owner with bright yellow flowers, but with good care it can bloom several times a year. With its often overhanging shoots, the succulent is more reminiscent of a small bush than a cactus. In the warm summer months, Hatiora salicornioides can also move from its place on a bright window sill to a sheltered place outside.

Location

The club rush cactus is actually a houseplant in the local latitudes. Therefore, the ideal location is a light and bright window sill, which should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Even in winter, the location for the club rush cactus must be bright and the temperatures must not fall below 15° Celsius. In the warm summer, on the other hand, the plant can also be placed in a sheltered and bright place on the terrace or the balcony, but here too it must not be exposed to direct sunlight be. The following locations are therefore ideal:

• in summer on a bright, covered balcony or terrace that is not exposed to direct sunlight
• in spring and autumn on a bright, warm windowsill, for example in the living room or kitchen
• in winter, the club rush cactus moves to a bright window sill in a cooler room of the apartment
• windows in the bedroom or in the hallway are ideal here

substrate & soil

The ideal soil for the club rush cactus is permeable cactus soil from the trade. Sand should be mixed in with this so that it does not become too firm when it is wet.

watering & fertilizing

Like all cactus species, the tiger rush cactus does not need a lot of water. Therefore, it should be watered sparingly. Only when the soil is completely dry can it be watered moderately again. The following points should be noted:

• water moderately in spring and summer
• in winter, watering can usually be stopped altogether
• the plant requires high humidity
• if this is not the case, frequently spray with water
• Provide cactus fertilizer from the trade once or twice a month
• no need to fertilize in winter

Cut

As a rule, this type of cactus does not need to be cut. Because once the plant has reached its adult height, it will not continue to grow. However, if dried shoots appear, they can be cut off or broken off. As a rule, however, the plant throws off these dried shoots itself for protection. The dried flowers can also be snapped off with your fingers, but this is purely a cosmetic measure. Because the flowers are also thrown off the club rush cactus when they have faded and collect on the windowsill around the pot.

multiply

If you have cultivated a club bulrush cactus on your windowsill, you can easily multiply it yourself. For this purpose, individual members of the rungs are separated. Sharp scissors or a sharp knife must be used for the separation. The cutting tool should be disinfected beforehand so that no bacteria can penetrate the interface and damage the plant. The shoots can also be broken off directly at the nodes of the plant. Proceed as follows:

• cut off as many links as new plants are desired
• dry the cuttings for a few days
• after drying, the shoots usually become wrinkled
• then place the individual shoots in individual small pots
• cactus soil mixed with sand can be used for the substrate used for this purpose
• Keep the soil moist around the cuttings that have not yet formed roots
• occasionally spray with water from above
• put in a light, bright place
• when the cuttings are full and plump again, they have rooted and grown
• now the soil should dry out between the watering phases so that the new roots are not damaged

Plant

The club rush cactus is cultivated in the tub. When planting, drainage should be created from the start to avoid waterlogging. Because the cactus is very susceptible to moisture in the soil and in the worst case it can die of root rot. Therefore, proceed as follows when potting:

• lay gravel, small stones or potsherds over the drain hole for drainage
• place plant fleece over this so that soil cannot clog the drainage
• put a little of the prepared soil on top of the fleece
• Put in the cactus cactus and add the remaining soil all around
• Press the soil down lightly and water it very lightly

repot

Hatiora salicornioides does not necessarily have to be repotted. However, if you want a particularly large specimen of up to one meter, you can repot the cactus regularly. Otherwise, the plant should be treated to a new substrate every two to three years. Repotting should be done as follows:

• if the cactus is not to grow larger, the same pot can be used again
• if growth is desired, a pot one size larger is chosen
• Carefully remove the plant from the old soil and set aside
• fill the pot with drainage and new cactus soil and sand
• Insert the plant and fill in the remaining soil
• pour lightly
• sprinkle with water from above

hibernate

Even if it is a houseplant, the thorn cactus should move to a cooler, but still bright location in winter. If there is no heating under the window sill on which it is located, it can usually remain here. However, it is important to pay attention to the following in winter:

• keep dry and cool
• Temperatures should not be below 15° Celsius
• however, if it is too warm, the cactus will lose its new buds
• in such a case, there is no flowering in the spring
• in winter, with heavy watering, root rot may occur
• therefore, ideally, stop watering completely in winter

Care mistakes, diseases or pests

If the club rush cactus throws off its shoots or if they rot at the tips, then the plant has been watered too much. This can be remedied in such a case if the cactus is immediately removed from the moist, waterlogged soil and planted in new, prepared, dry substrate. Before that, the rotten roots should be removed. If you are lucky, it is not too late and the plant will recover in the new soil. The following are known pests:

• Mealybugs that settle between the sites of the individual limbs
• these can be sprayed and fought with a mixture of water, detergent and paraffin oil
• Alcohol also helps against the pests

Conclusion

If you are still looking for a beautiful and easy-care plant for your bright, not sun-drenched windowsill, you should opt for the club rush cactus. In summer, the plant also likes to move to a sheltered spot on the balcony or covered terrace. in winter it is ideal on a window sill in the bedroom or hallway. Except for the location, Hatiora salicornioides is a very easy-care plant that requires little care time. Because it is only moderately poured and little fertilized. If it has the ideal location, it thanks its owner with a rich, yellow blossom in spring or even several times a year.

Learn more about cacti & succulents