Winter cheer
A zygocactus in full bloom is just the thing to lift your spirits in the cooler months, and is super easy to grow, writes STEVE FALCIONI
Easy-care zygocactus produces colourful blooms in the cooler months
As a child, I was always amazed when my mother’s zygocactus did its annual transformation from plain green stems into a blaze of hot-pink flowers. The blooms would last for several weeks, and seemed all the more miraculous because the plant was mostly ignored for the rest of the year.
Zygocactus (or zygo, for short) hails from the mountainous jungles of Brazil, where it grows on trees and rocks.
Instead of producing leaves, it relies on fleshy green stems, made up of multiple flattened segments, for photosynthesis. As a true cactus, it does produce spines, but these are small and insignificant.
In late autumn and winter, dramatic tubular blooms are produced on the ends of the stems. Each flower consists of several layers of petals, which fold backwards, exposing the stamen and stigma at the very end.
Thanks to clever breeding, zygos are available for home gardeners in shades of iridescent white, cream, orange, pink or red and some beautiful two-toned varieties.
POTS & HANGERS
Grow zygos in pots and hanging baskets to enjoy their arching shape and colourful flowers. To prevent root rot, use a cacti and succulent potting mix for improved drainage. They like regular watering (remember, these are jungle plants). Water when the top of the potting mix feels dry. Reduce frequency during winter, and don’t allow water to sit in saucers under pots.
Position pots in a spot with bright shade or dappled sunlight, and liquid-feed with an organic fertiliser every 2–4 weeks in the warmer months. As zygos rely on the shortening daylight hours to trigger winter flowering, keep plants away from lights at night or they may fail to develop blooms.
Zygos are surprisingly versatile and can handle both warm, humid conditions and colder regions, provided you protect them from frost. My mother’s plant grew happily, sheltered on a verandah, in a district that experienced regular winter frosts.
Look for zygos in nurseries over the coming months while they are flowering, or you can buy them year-round from mail-order companies. They make an excellent Mother’s Day gift!