Step 1: Cut the head off of the rootstock (the bottom cactus). Grafting knife or another sharp knife that is not serrated.It sounds like a scary process, but grafting is not a terribly difficult process. This section will outline the steps for grafting cacti. If the bottom portion of the Moon Cactus begins to get sick or unhealthy looking, you can try grafting the top portion to another cactus. They can be kept outside during the warmer months, but it is best to bring them indoors during the winter. Moon Cacti should be kept in a location where temperatures will be above 60☏ at all times. Although these plants will do okay in a commercially available potting soil mix for cacti, it is better to add perlite, coarse sand, or lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA) to improve drainage and minimize the chance of root rot. Like most epiphytes, the Moon Cactus grows best in well-draining soil. Soilĭragon Fruit Cactus, which forms the base of Moon Cactus, grows epiphytically (without soil) in nature. This will allow excess water to flow out of the soil. To avoid overwatering, it is important to plant your Moon Cactus in a pot that has drainage holes. Then allow the soil to dry out completely and remain dry for about a week before watering again. The best method for watering your Moon Cactus is to use the soak and dry method. I only water my Moon Cactus once a month during the summer and once every two months during the cooler months. For this reason, it is best to err on the side of underwatering. Watering Your Moon Cactusīecause it is a grafted cactus, the Moon Cactus is more susceptible to root rot than other types of succulents. A girl at my work has had a Moon Cactus sitting on her desk for over a year, and it still looks good even though it has not been exposed to any natural sunlight – just fluorescent office lighting. If you are growing this plant indoors, it will do best when placed a couple of feet from a sunny window.Īlthough Moon Cactus does best in bright shade, but they will survive in low-light conditions. They should not be placed in a spot that receives bright, direct sunlight.
The Moon Cactus will grow best when exposed to bright shade. Like all cacti, the Moon Cactus needs to be exposed to light in order for the Hylocereus undatus to photosynthesize and keep the grafted cactus alive.
Unfortunately, it is rare for Moon Cactus to flower indoors. With proper care, the Moon Cactus will bloom in the late spring or early summer. Dragon Fruit Cactus also grows as an invasive species in Hawaii. Today, Dragon Fruit Cactus is grown as ornamental plants as well as fruit crops (dragon fruit) in tropical regions like Vietnam. Although this plant’s native region is unknown, scientists believe it is Central America. In the wild, this plant is a fast-growing epiphytic vine-like cactus. The “stem” of the Moon Cactus is usually Hylocereus undatus, which is commonly referred to as the White-Fleshed Pitahaya or Dragon Fruit Cactus. This means that if you remove an offshoot of the Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, it will not survive unless you graft it to another rootstock. It depends on the Hylocereus cactus for the nutrients necessary to survive. The lack of chlorophyll is responsible for the cacti’s bright colors as it exposes the red, yellow, or pink pigmentation.īecause the Gymnocalycium mihanovichii does not have chlorophyll, it cannot photosynthesize. The specimens of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii that are used to make a Moon Cactus are actually mutants that do not have any chlorophyll. The colorful ball on top of a Moon Cactus ( Gymnocalycium mihanovichii) is a type of cactus native to Paraguay and parts of Argentina. The Moon Cactus, which is also known as Ruby Ball Cactus, is a mutant Gymnocalycium mihanovichii grafted onto a Hylocereus cactus.
Finally, I will outline the care requirements for Moon Cactus. The rest of this article will provide a more detailed description of the Moon Cactus and a discussion of the history behind this unique cactus. Water the plant thoroughly and allow the soil to dry completely and remain dry for about a week before watering again. In addition, water your Moon Cactus using the soak and dry method. This plant will survive in low-light conditions, but direct sunlight will cause the vibrant colors to fade. To properly care for Moon Cactus, place it in bright shade. The Moon Cactus is unique because it is actually two succulents grafted together. It is a good plant for new cactus/succulent growers because it grows well indoors and thrives on neglect. The Moon Cactus, which is also known as Ruby Ball Cactus, is one of the most colorful cacti available.
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