What kind of plant is crab claw orchid?

Crab claw orchid is an epiphytic succulent plant belonging to the genus Crab claw orchid of cactus family. It is also called Christmas cactus, crab claw lotus, fairy finger flower, icing flower, etc. Crab claw orchid is named because its node diameter is connected with the shape of crab's auxiliary claw. Its origin is located in Brazil. It is commonly cultivated in parks and flower beds all over China. It is often grafted on the measuring ruler or other rootstocks as an ornamental plant to obtain flourishing plants. The node stem is often too long and pendulous, so it is often made into hanging orchid for decoration. It is suitable for windowsill, Doorway entrance and exhibition hall decoration.

Crab claw orchid is often shrubby, without leaves. Stems spineless, branched, often pendent, old stems lignified, slightly cylindric, young stems and branches flattened. Each internode is orbicular to obovate, 3~6 cm long, 1.5~2.5 cm wide, bright green, sometimes slightly purple, truncated at the top, 2~4 coarse serrations on both sides, and a thick rib in the center of both sides. Sometimes with a few short hairs in the pit.

The flower of crab claw orchid is born alone at branch top, rose red, grow 6~9 centimeters, bilaterally symmetrical. Calyx in a whorl, base shortly tubular, apex detached. Corolla several whorls, lower part cylindrical, upper part detached, tube longer inward. Stamens numerous, in 2 whorls, protruding, arched upward. Style longer than stamens, dark red, stigma 7-lobed. Berry pear-shaped, red, ca. 1 cm in diam.

Crab claw orchid sex likes cool, warm environment, more resistant to drought, afraid of high temperature and heat in summer, more resistant to shade. The optimum temperature for growth is 20~25℃, and the temperature for dormancy is about 15℃. Likes loose, organic-rich, well-drained, breathable substrates. It is a short-day plant. Under the condition of 8~10 hours of sunshine every day, it can bloom in 2~3 months. The flowering period can be adjusted by controlling the light.

Common hybrid species of crab claw orchid include white Christmas white, Dorsey, Gina, snowflake, yellow varieties include Jinmei, Christmas flame, Golden Fantasy, Cambridge, orange Ante, Frido, purple varieties include Madoga, pink varieties include Camilla, Disto and Eva, etc. Most of them are introduced from the United States, Japan, Denmark and other countries. Conventional varieties include lilac stem and red flower circle tooth crab claw orchid, beautiful crab claw orchid with white flower bud and pink flower bud when it opens. Flower red crab claw orchid and Russell, Buckley, obtuse angle, Christmas cactus and so on.