Am I Taking Good Care Of My Moon Cactus?

Did you grafted your Moon cactus to a compatible species?

Did you placed your Moon cactus in a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight?

Did you make sure that the potting soil meets the needs of a host cactus?

Did you provide a moderately warm and less humid environment for your cactus during winter?

Do you allow the soil to dry almost completely before thorough watering?

Do you feed your cactus monthly during the growing period?

Do you repot your cactus when needed?

Do you keep your Moon cactus free of pests and diseases?

Moon cactus is a grafted specimen. The colorful red top (the scion) is Gymnocalycium mihanovichii. The lower green cactus host portion can be any number of species but is usually a Hylocereus cactus. The main job of the lower cactus is to display the Gymnocalycium at an advantageous height.

Moon cacti are tolerant of more shade than many cacti species and dislike direct sunlight. By contrast, the stock green cacti on the bottom are often light-lovers. Look for a bright area, but not so bright that the color of the top begins to wash out.

Make sure the soil meets the needs of the host cactus on the bottom. Most cacti prefer a rich, fast-draining mix with a low pH, so you can hardly go wrong with a standard soil mix for cacti and succulents.

During winter, the recommended temperature range is between 50 and 60 degrees. It is possible for borderline temperatures to cause the ruby red portion to die while the rootstock survives. Like most cacti, this plant prefers low humidity levels.

Allow the soil mix to become nearly dry between waterings, but then water thoroughly. The cactus should not sit in marshy soil for more than a day or so; good drainage is essential. During the summer months, the plant might need frequent watering, especially if it has been moved outside. Plants in small pots will only need weekly watering. Watering in the winter months is unnecessary, but mist the plant occasionally.

You do not need to regularly fertilize Moon cactus, but you should dose it with a cactus fertilizer every month during its growing season (April to September). Suspend feeding during the dormant winter period.

Repotting is an important part of keeping healthy houseplants. The best time of year to repot is in spring, before the new flush of summer growth. Some signs that you need to repot your plant are when roots protrude from the bottom of the pot, when the plant stops growing or becomes limp when the plant is root-bound or pot-bound.

Good job! You are taking good care of your Moon cactus.

This plant can experience a few pests. Mealybugs and scale insects are the most common. You should remove them with tweezers and swab the area with alcohol to prevent future infestation. Also, maintain good watering practices to avoid root rot and other fungal problems.