The flowers themselves are also quite unusually shaped, tubular and quite large. Occasionally, this cactus may grow very striking flowers in pink or orange. This cactus has pretty long stems, which can grow up to a whopping four feet. As the name indicates, the stems look very much like rat tails. It’s very famous because of its appearance. The Origin of the Rat Tail Cactus and why it’s famousĪs stated earlier, this cactus is native to Mexico. Water prudently and always remember that cacti must not be left sitting in water. Lack of proper drainage in the pot may also be a cause. To take care of them, we have to wipe them off with a soft cloth and alcohol.įinally, the rat tail cactus can be crippled by root rot. They usually attach themselves to the cactus. Scale insects are a larger pest than spider mites. If the infestation is not too bad, washing it with water should be enough. If the infestation is severe, it’s a good idea to use neem-oil-based insecticide. When this insect attacks a rat tail cactus, it’s necessary to quarantine the plant. This pesky little insect can attack the leaves and suck the sap out. Spider mites are very small and difficult to spot with the naked eye. There are, however, some insects that can attack it, and the appropriate steps must be taken to protect it. The rat tail cactus is very resistant to pests and diseases. In any case, make sure to put in new soil to give the plant the necessary nutrients. Most experts agree that this cactus should be repotted every year.īecause this cactus grows so fast, it’s essential to check if a larger pot will be necessary for the repotting. Repotting a rat tail cactus can be done after the growing season. A stick will do nicely to achieve this added early support. Sometimes we will need to prop these stems up a little bit in the beginning. The stem should take hold within a few weeks.ĭon’t put these stems too deeply into the soil, though. Then just repot it into suitable soil and let it grow with appropriate sunlight and some watering. Simply cut a stem and allow it to dry off. In fact, some experts posit that propagation is more comfortable than using seeds. Propagating the rat tail cactus is quite simple. A serving once every couple of weeks should suffice during the growing season.īecause this cactus is sometimes hard to reach in some spots, it may be a good idea to use liquid fertilizer. The best idea is to use fertilizer which is slightly diluted to about half a strength. A good mixture could contain something like four parts loam, one part vermiculture and one part drainage.įertilizing the cactus is also an essential aspect of rat tail cactus care. First, we have to remember that it must be well-draining. There are some things to remember when dealing with soil. This will supply it with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth. If you are growing this cactus indoors, we need to use the right organic soil mix. Also, make a point of keeping this cactus out of frosty conditions. Nevertheless, just make sure that it gets a lot of sunlight throughout the day. This is great to know if we are going to keep it inside the house, and not as an outdoor plant. The rat tail cactus can do just fine at regular room temperature. Interestingly, it can also stand temperatures as low as 40 Fahrenheit. Like most cacti, it thrives in very hot temperatures and can easily withstand up to 90 Fahrenheit. Check our cactus watering guide for more details. Even when this occurs, make sure to water only lightly (during winter in particular). The only real exception to this is if we notice that the soil is drying excessively.
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