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CRYPTOCEREUS
ANTHONYANUS
Ric Rac Cactus
This orchid cactus relative has serrated leaves that resemble fish bones.
The Ric-Rac cactus is one of the easiest plants to grow in hanging baskets.
Like many shade loving cactus, the ric-rac prefers smaller baskets with a
very porous soil. As the plant grows and gets rootbound the plant can be repotted
to a bigger basket. Cryptocereus will grow better in bright shade and can
even handle a little bit of direct sun as long as it is not too hot. In nature
ric-racs grow as Epiphytes (like orchids) forming dense clusters cascading
down from the branches of trees. Like many orchids they can handle quite a
bit of water, as long as the drainage is very good. For basket culture, it
is better to allow the soil to dry out a little bit between waterings. During
the winter the soil should be kept a little dryer and fertilizer should be
kept to a minimum. In old and rootbound plants, flowers may appear around
March/April. At this time watering can be increased along with the fertilization.
A liquid fertilizer like the ones used for orchids work very well. Cryptocereus
are tropical forest cactus and even though they can withstand temperatures
outside near freezing it is better to keep the plant above 40° F. They
make a good indoor plant for homes in colder locations. Trimming occasionally
will be necessary because some leaves will get quite long. Use gloves when
doing because the ric-rac is still a cactus and its thorns despite being small
and almost invisible and can puncture the skin. Ric-racs are not a prolific
bloomer, only a few flowers will appear on old and rootbound plants and it
may take a few years before that happens, but on the other hand the leaves
are very beautiful and unusual.
FAMILY : Cactaceae
ORIGIN : Mexico
SIZE : hanging
basket
LIGHT
REQUIREMENTS : shade
WATER
REQUIREMENTS :
keep dry
MIN. TEMP. : low 30's
FLOWER : white/spring ( few and rare )
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