Cover – Patience

Common Name: Patience

Origin: Central Latin America

 

Patience also known as epiphyllum or Christmas cactus is a slow growing succulent.

 

 

Its shoots are green and flat, which look like small puffy leaves, stuck together. Actually its shoots are modified branches, called clods.

 

 

The flowers emerge from the gaps at the ends of the shoots. It has a wide variety of flower colors such as red, white, pink, purple, orange. The flowers appear from early autumn to winter.

 

 

It needs a substrate of medium cohesion with good drainage and rich in organic matter. You can use substrate for cacti and succulents.

 

 

It needs enough light and soil with good drainage, while it can not withstand low temperatures and icy winds. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

 

 

It needs frequent watering. Make sure the soil is always moist. An exception is the period after the end of flowering where for about 10-15 days the plant needs minimal water.

 

Lubrication

 

She must be given liquid cactus fertilizer every month.

 

 

No pruning needed.

 

 

Patience is hardly affected by parasites or diseases. Its two main enemies:

• the meligra, which attacks the shoots, buds and flowers and
• the cotton, which attacks the underground roots.