Germination Response of the Epiphytic Cactus Rhipsalis baccifera (J. S. Miller) Stearn to Different Light Conditions and Water Availability

Abstract

In the forest canopy, seeds of epiphytic plants encounter heterogeneous environments created by a combination of factors such as solar radiation, humidity, and host characteristics. Germination requirements may explain the species distribution in the canopy; however, more knowledge is essential. Germination of Rhipsalis baccifera, a widespread tropical epiphytic cactus and representative of the humid montane forest in Mexico, was 80% or higher with far red, red, and white light and close to 0 in darkness. Germination was light saturated at very low photon flux density of only 13.5 μmol m−2 s−1. Germination decreased gradually at low water potentials and with increased storage time. After storage for 1 yr, no seeds germinated. Seeds have the ability to germinate in both the internal and external positions of the tree crowns. The germinative requirements of R. baccifera indicate that it could colonize a wide range of light conditions in the canopy; however, substrate humidity and seed age could limit germination.