Bishop's Cap

Despite being a cactus, Bishop's Cap requires frequent watering and prefers moist soil more so than drier soils. During the spring and summer, Bishop's Cap should be watered every 1-2 days and when winter comes around, waterings should be reduced to once a week. When watering Bishop's Cap, always check the soil moisture and only water it if the soil is dry. Overwatering can cause root-rot and other issues, so it is important to keep an eye on the soil moisture.

When it comes to light, Bishop's Cap is not a demanding plant and can tolerate partial shade. However, it does still need some direct sunlight to keep its vibrant color and can even handle full sun depending on your climate. If you are going to keep it outside in the summer, it's important to limit the exposure to direct sunlight to prevent unnecessary sunburns. Make sure to give it at least a few hours of full sun exposure to ensure that it will get the light it needs.

Bishop's Cap does not handle extreme temperatures and prefers cooler, but not freezing temperatures. The ideal temperature range for Bishop's Cap is 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 - 21 degrees Celsius). If Bishop's Cap is exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), then it can suffer severe damage or even death.

Bishop's Cap prefers slightly humid air. It's important not to expose Bishop's Cap to too much humidity since this can cause excessive soft rotting. In dry, arid climates, it may be necessary to introduce additional humidity by misting Bishop's Cap with a spray bottle.

Bishop's Cap prefers a well-draining cactus potting soil or a mix of standard potting soil mixed with equal parts perlite or pumice for adequate drainage. If you are growing Bishop's Cap in a container, it is important to note that clay pots can lead to the soil drying too quickly and prevent proper water retention. When planting Bishop's Cap, make sure the soil is light and airy so that the roots have plenty of room to spread.

Bishop's Cap does not require frequent fertilization and can be fertilized quarterly with a diluted cactus-specific fertilizer. The best time to fertilize Bishop's Cap is during the spring when it's actively producing new growth. When fertilizing Bishop's Cap, make sure to use a diluted solution, as too much fertilizer can cause damage to the plant. It's also important to avoid using manure or chemical fertilizers.

Common pests that may plague Bishop's Cap include aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. For aphids and mealybugs, the best control is to use a cotton swab or q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and gently swat at the pests to dissolve them. For spider mites, spraying with a neem oil solution and wiping off the affected area with a paper towel is the most efficient way to rid your plant of them. If you spot any pests on Bishop's Cap, act quickly since they can reproduce quickly and cause damage to your plant.

Bishop's Cap should be repotted every two years and when transplanting or repotting it, be sure to use a well-draining cactus potting soil. It's important to use a soil with the correct amount of drainage since Bishop's Cap does not like soggy or oversaturated soil. During the repotting, you can trim off some of the roots if needed, but you need to be cautious and use a sharp knife to prevent tearing the roots.

Pruning Bishop's Cap is not necessary and in fact can be extremely detrimental to its health. In the wild, Bishop's Cap does not require any pruning outside of occasional deadheading its flowers in order to encourage more blooms. If you experience overcrowding of Bishop's Cap, it is best to repot it into a larger container or divide it into multiple plants to help combat any overcrowding.

Mulching Bishop's Cap is not necessary but it can help keep the soil around its root area moist and help retain optimal moisture levels. Mulch should not be applied directly to the Bishop's Cap but instead applied around its base to prevent too much waterlogging. Cocoa hulls, pine needles, and bark chips are recommended mulches to use as they allow airflow and also offer some nutrients.

Propagating Bishop's Cap is possible through seed, offsets, or stem cuttings. When growing Bishop's Cap from seed, it is important to note that fresh seeds will have the best chance of successful germination. To propagate Bishop's Cap using offsets, you can carefully remove them from the mother plant with a sterile knife and then allow them to dry before planting them in moist cactus soil. When propagating by stem cuttings, you can use a sterile knife to take a cutting containing at least one pair of leaves and place in moist cactus potting mix. After a few weeks, roots should start to form.

Bishop's Cap does not need to be supported and in fact it is best left alone to grow its own unique shape without outside manipulation. If you find your Bishop's Cap leaning due to weight imbalance, you can use a small stake to support its stem and encourage vertical growth.

Bishop's Cap has no specific rest period and it is usually best to leave it alone during the winter months without fertilizing or pruning. During the fall and winter, Bishop's Cap's growth rate will slow down, but it will still need some water and should be checked every few weeks to make sure the soil remains moist.

Bishop's Cap is not strictly toxic to pets, but consuming the plant can lead to vomiting or irritation. As with all plants, it's best to keep Bishop's Cap away from pets in order to prevent accidental consumption and ensure that your pet remains safe.