First, let me thank you for even glancing at my book. Thanks!
The Succulent Journal will document my progress in growing, maintaining and propagating succulent plants! As I am constantly learning new things, I will update this book accordingly to co...
The Moon Cactus! A Frankenstein cactus that consists of two cacti that have been grafted together into one. But how? How does that work??
Let me first explain once more that I am not an expert at anything plant-based. I am just an obsessed hobbyist who loves to learn. All of the information displayed here and more can be found online and in books written by much more reputable sources. This is mostly for my own reference later on. Thank you!
Well let me tell you- it's a very neat symbiotic relationship between two cacti; One of which comprises the round, often colorful top, and one who is the longer, green and stem-like in shape.
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The round, bubbly top of the plant is a Gymnocalycium mihanovichii cactus that lacks the proper chloroplasts and chlorophyll to successfully interpret sunlight into energy that it needs to survive. This is why it needs to be grafted to another cactus. Occasionally one might encounter a moon cactus with which both parts of the cacti are capable of surviving on their own. The bright neon yellows and greens and reds are often not these. Darkly colored red and green tops are likely capable of surviving on their own. The cactus containing the chlorophyll capable of sustaining the plant sustains both cacti and keeps them alive and flourishing. The bottom half of the grafted cactus is, believe it or not, a cactus. Plain and simple, the bottom half is composed of a cactus.
Once grafted together, the cacti can flourish together! The top cactus may attempt to grow offshoots and smaller cacti, but because of it's inability to make necessary nutrients the small cacti will shrivel up and die within a week. They can be saved by being grafted to another cactus.
Moon cacti must be taken care of with great caution. Although they can be purchased at basically any garden store, they are very difficult plants to take care of. Despite being "one" cacti when grafted, both parts require different amounts of water and sunlight. They are a very difficult plant to take care of, and often die within a year because of accidental poor care. Sometimes the top will rot, and the bottom can be salvaged. More likely than not these colorful cacti are a challenge to keep alive. On the bright side, perhaps a challenge is what is right for you
That's grafted cacti! Thank you for reading and if you want to contribute additional information or have any thoughts, comment. Have a great day!
