19.11.10

Keeping Moon Cactus Happy

These non-green cactus are known as Hibotan. 
The red ones are also known as Ruby Ball Cactus or Red Cap Cactus. 
The yellow ones are sometimes named Moon Cactus.
The first red Hibotan were produced by E. Watanabe in Japan.
He sowed thousands of seeds before yielding two bright red mutants.
He kept them alive through grafting.


Moon Cactus are as beautiful as any flowers.
Although they last a whole lot longer than flowers do, nevertheless they do not last perpetually.
Everything has a lifespan.
Moon Cactus has a lifespan of several months up to several years.


Tips for Keeping Moon Cactus Happy


Place it where it receives bright but indirect sunlight.
This is because the chlorophyll containing bottom part of the graft is a tropical cactus and not a desert cactus.

Water only when the soil is completely dry.
Never permit the cactus pot to stand in water. 
Ideally, use a clay pot as it dries up easily after watering, avoiding root rot.

Apply high phosphorus fertilizer only once in a few months.
Cacti has relatively low nutrient requirements.

May you be able to keep your Moon Cactus Happy & Healthy!

32 comments:

  1. I kept my cactus in front of my PC in my office; my boss thought it was something not so good and hinted to get rid of it.

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  2. I did not know that moon cactus had a lifespan of a few years or less. I just lost one of mine a month back after two years. It just shriveled from the inside, like the air left out of a balloon. Thanks. I do not feel as though I killed it.

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  3. I have a few varieties but none so beautiful as yours. But I prefer the other two, especially the one with stripes. I thought cactus is bad feng shui to be kept around the house...a lot of pointy things!

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  4. I really like this little moon. I wonder if I will get any like that when I sow my cactus seeds next season.

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  5. So pretty! I never really did much with cactus and succulents. I need to find the right spot to bring it inside the house during the winter I guess. But your photos are giving me plenty of inspiration!

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  6. Your cactus is indeed as beautiful as any flower. I have a couple of cactus, though not moon cactus. I am amazed at how dry I can let the soil get, and they are perfectly happy. Talk about low maintenance!

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  7. They are beautiful! I need one!

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  8. I don't think I've ever seen that cactus. Yours looks extremely happy.

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  9. I see moon cactus in the store all of the time. I thought they were fakes. ann

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  10. I might ask for growing cactus lesson from you when we are in middle of summer and I can't grow any veggies anymore:). I wonder if you like some calendula (pot marigold) seeds and try growing them again. My cuz going back to Sabah next week so she can post it for me via Pos Malaysia. If you want some message me your address.

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  11. The cactus looks lovely. I have never grown cactus simply because I am not fond of cactus, but your cactus looks lovely, I might just change my mind!

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  12. Lovely! I haven't seen one around here.

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  13. yes your cactus is very healthy. That small yellow shoot can also be grfted to another stock so you can already propagate them. It maybe better for their soil to be more dry than more wet. Most plants like soil with water at field capacity, but cactus needs lesser than that.

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  14. I see these cacti in garden centres all the time - once I saw a magnificent display at a trade show in Germany. It was good to learn alittle more about them here. :)

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  15. ugh. I have NEVER had any luck with cacti. Your moon cactus is really cool though!

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  16. I really never seen a coloured cactus those ones on the top grown in large size in pots. I wonder whether they are artificially coloured or something.
    They really look so lovely & cool in the way you have arranged them in your collection.

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  17. Friends, Thank you for your comments.

    James, The cactus on the top is not artificially coloured. They are mutants.

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  18. I have two a pink and a orange and i love them even though they don't grow big. they are lovely and i cant wait to get flowers on them.

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  19. I bought a cactus a few days ago, came home and replanted it but it does not look the same as went I bought it. I really have no clue as to what to do...

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  20. I have one exactly the same as the one on the picture, but right now it's dying maybe because I put more water that I supposted to put. Feel bad, because is really beatiful and I love it! Hope get better.

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  21. My yellow/orange moon cactus turned orange/red!! Do you by any chance know if it can be turned back to yellow/orange?? I wanted it to be the same colour as it was at the nursery! :(

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  22. Awesome I love these kind of cactuses cause I grew up around cacti,mine is red with an orange bottom. The problem is I live in Yreka California and its usually a bit chilly here will it survive?

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  23. They can survive at temperatures as low as 48°f but if its colder than that i'd suggest moving it inside.

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  24. I LOVE my lil red moon cactus!!!! But I really would like to know WHY the little shoots fall off and can that little shoot become a nother plant OR does it have to be grafted?? When I got the cactus it had 9 lil shoots on each individual corner NOW there's like 6 shoots on 4 corners?? I've had RED for abt 3 months

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  25. My cute little cactus was doing well until I put it outside for pretty much a week then it started to get dark spots all over it and change from ruby red to really bright yellow, I think this is weird because I heard that it is mainly the bottom part that gets weird, but for me the top part is getting weird, it has 6 shoots and I have had it for a little more than 2 years. Any suggestions?

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  26. I have a beautiful pink hibotan

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  27. My moon cactus is rotting from the base up, I read I can cut the rot off and let it dry then replant in about 3 days when a callus forms I'm trying this tonight. If anyone can help please leave some tips thanks.

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