![]() ![]() They will do well in indoor temperatures, but you should avoid placing your Rat-Tail Cactus next to a window that is drafty or in a spot that experiences significant temperature fluctuations (e.g., a vent or fireplace). However, they should not be exposed to frost. ![]() These plants can tolerate temperatures between 40☏ and 90☏. Suitable Temperature Range For Rat-Tail Cactus If you are not sure whether your Rat-Tail Cactus is receiving enough light, supplement natural light with full spectrum artificial lighting. If grown indoors, these plants should be placed next to a south-facing window (north-facing in the southern hemisphere). Rat-Tail Cactus require full sun or bright, indirect light even during their dormant period. Lighting Requirements For Rat-Tail Cactus To encourage blooming, it is also important to make sure that Rat-Tail Cactus receives enough light during the growing season. The soil should be allowed to dry almost completely between waterings even during the growing season. If you are growing a Rat-Tail Cactus indoors, take care not to overwater. To encourage a Rat-Tail Cactus to bloom, it is important to increase the frequency of watering during the growing season (late April to November). In my experience, these plants will produce more blooms in certain years and fewer during other years. Rat-Tail Cactus will produce several blooms, and each bloom lasts 3-4 days. The blooms are a beautiful pink color and are about two to three inches long. If the plant receives proper care, blooms will appear during the late spring to early summer. According to an article written by the Desert Sun, Rat-Tail Cactus can no longer be found in the wild. This conservation status means that the species could be in danger of extinction in the near future, but they do not qualify for threatened status. Unfortunately, the Rat-Tail Cactus has been classified as Near Threatened (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Near Threatened Status Of Rat-Tail Cactus These plants continued to be popular window plants throughout the nineteenth century and were grown to climb up the architectural supports in conservatories (Woodhead, 1991). Rat-Tail Cactus in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine in 1787.The images below are scans of the original magazine. Rat-Tail Cactus was also one of the first plants to be illustrated in William Curtis’s Botanical Magazine in 1787. Rat-Tail Cactus was one of the first cacti to be introduced to European Culture in 1690 from Peru. They are commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions. Rubefacients are a type of topical medicine that reddens the skin to increase blood flow. In rural areas, the flowers of the Rat-Tail Cactus are used as a rubefacient (Díaz, 1976). In Mexico, Rat-Tail Cactus tends to grow at high altitudes where temperatures drop at night. Rat-Tail Cactus is native to the dry forests of southern Mexico and Central America where they grow as epiphytes or lithophytes. Therefore, Aporocactus flagelliformis is the correct scientific name. However, new research has shown that Aporocactus, which contains two plant species, is its own genus (Cruz et al., 2016). This is because Aporocactus used to be a sub-genus of Disocactus. You may also see the scientific name for this plant listed as Disocactus flagelliformis in some places. About Rat-Tail CactusĪporocactus flagelliformis, which is commonly known as Rat-Tail Cactus or Creeping Cactus, is a member of the Cactaceae family. The rest of this article will provide a brief history of Rat-Tail Cactus cultivation and will include a more detailed description of its care requirements. Rat-Tail Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b, but it is important to keep them out of frost. Water Rat-Tail Cactus thoroughly, and allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. These plants have watering requirements similar to other succulents. If you are growing these plants indoors, place them next to a sunny window, or supplement natural light with artificial light. Fortunately, Rat-Tail Cactus is not very fussy. If you thinking about adding a Rat-Tail Cactus to your plant collection, you may be wondering how to care for these plants. I have had one of these cacti growing in my container garden for a while now, and I love it! Its unique appearance makes my garden look much more exotic and interesting. Their trailing stems make them a perfect plant for hanging baskets. Rat-Tail Cactus is one of the most popular cultivated cacti. ![]()
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