After youve dried the cut/broken end of the cutting, stick it in the soil (or a bucket if possible). Starting with seed preferably, and then ensure a space ranging from 15 to 24 inches or 38 to 61 cm. It also needs to be watered more than other typical succulents. The Rat Tail Cactus tends to prefer bright, direct light where possible (although will also be happy in bright but indirect light) and dry, warm air. Oftentimes, dog tail cactus are mistaken for rat tail cactus because of their striking resemblance; as they both have long, skinny, tail-like trailing stems. What Is Rat Tail Cactus? This plant can be said to be drought-tolerant because it requires less water than most plants. The dog tail cactus requires more water than the rat tail cactus. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. It majorly consumes nutrients from the air directly and if hung where it can receive good sunlight then it blooms to perfection. Propagating the rat tail cactus is essentially the same as the dog tail cactus. Lets compare which cactus likes to grow under which conditions below. You dont have to worry about overgrowth because during this stage the plant grows slowly and will only need a container change when rapid growth starts. Place this new pot under plenty of sunlight and maintain the right humidity levels for a healthy cactus. The exotic dog tail cactus is an intriguing plant with its unique cylindrical leaves covered in clusters of sharp little spines. Place the pot in a location with plenty of light but dont let the soil dry out and keep it evenly humid. They do best with full sun (grow lamps are often needed indoors), fast-draining soil, and for the soil to dry out completely before watering. During its winter dormancy period, it generally does not need water, but you can water it lightly if the soil is completely dry. The plant doesn't require direct sunlight, but ensure it at least gets a boost of indirect light, either indoors or shaded by other plants. Rat tail cactus flowers in the spring and early summer, and its blooms are usually violet-red; however, the plant will sometimes grow flowers in idiosyncratic colors like pink and orange. Blooms are up to 3 inches (7.5 cm.) The rat tail cactus grows to about 6 to 9 feet. With the arrival of spring, plant the seeds in a pot filled with potting mix and apply a thin layer of sand. Both plants are easy to grow and proffer an ornamental look to your home - due to their attractive nature in containers and hanging baskets. Thank you for your feedback! It's best to overwinter dog tail cacti indoors, particularly in an unheated garage near a window or grow lights. The rat tail cactus is extremely popular as a houseplant and is, in fact, one of the most popular home-grown cacti species. It's best to overwinter a dog tail cactus indoors with ample sunlight. Continue to mist the seeds through germination; once established, water normally. In their native jungle habitat, they can grow up to 9 feet tall and are often found winding around trees. It is found in higher elevations so it prefers cooler temperatures than most tropical plants from that region. The cactus can grow in a variety of conditions, ranging from 15 to 24 inches (4 to 61 cm) in diameter. The blooms last approximately 5 days each. . . To achieve maximum success, the cactus should be kept in full to partial sun for at least four hours per day and watered once a week or when the soil has dried completely. Plant the Dog tail cactus in a small container. The rat tail cactus grows to about 6 to 9 feet. Because of their long, trailing stems, cultivated dog tail cacti makepopular hanging basketand container plants. We love gardening and we want to share this love with you. Keep in mind that the epiphytic species of succulents generally prefer more water as compared to other species. Dragon Fruit and Dog Tail cactus both have long stems with short spines, making them very similar. So, what are the differences between dog tail cactus and rat tail cactus? Both cacti need full sun to partial shade. In this article, well cover the basics of propagating dog tail cactus, including the types of cuttings that can be used, the best time to propagate, and the various methods for growing the new plants. A rat tail cactus, like a dog tail cactus, is a smaller, blooming cactus with a similar appearance. Your pot or basket should also have. They are often seen as trailing hanging plants, container garden plants, in xeriscaping gardens, and as simple potted plants. Fill a pot with cactus potting mix and poke a hole in the center with a pencil or a stick. They do not form in soil solely because the name implies it. Aerial roots can be a sign that the plant is not getting enough water and is therefore trying to absorb moisture from the air. This rat tail cactus displays its best when it is grown in a hanging basket, because of its trailing stems which can grow up to 1 foot in length per year. Caring for your rat tail cactus doesnt have to be a burden. A dog tail cactus or a rat tail cactus is one of the best cacti plants for a hanging basket. It is best to grow them indoors in a very brightly lit room. Dog tail cactus is an interesting and exotic houseplant with cylindrical leaves dotted in clusters of small spines. They begin green and turn gray and produce vivid magenta flowers. If your cactus pollinates well after bloom, it will produce seeds from which you can propagate the plant. The rat tail cactus also has finer spines than the dog tail cactus. Cacti are generally slow-growing plants, so they don't need a lot of fertilizer. Dog tail Cactus fertilization You can give your dogtail cacti a fertilizer made for cactus plants. Propagating a dog tail cactus with seeds is difficult but can easily be done using root division or cuttings. The plant is an epiphytic cacti due to its ability to grow hanging on trees or baskets. They require more water than your average cactus but may develop problems like weak stems or root rot if they receive too much. Line the container with sphagnum moss or other organic material before filling it with cactus potting mix. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Place it in a south- or west-facing window to receive direct sun. Snake tail cacti (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), monkey tail cacti (Cereus peruvianus), and rat tail cacti (Aporocactus flagelliformis) are all native species that can be grown from seed. You dont want your plant to develop root rot as this is the most common among the, Both dog tail and rat tail cacti are known for. The rat tail cactus is a native species of Mexico that can be found growing in tree crotches and rocky . During spring, summer, and fall, its best to grow them at room temperature. The cutting should be placed in an area with plenty of sun and plenty of drainage. Some plants prefer growing in partial sun, whereas others prefer growing in direct sunlight. Start tapering off the water at least two months prior to the. Regular room temperature is nice for the spring-summer and fall. It is possible to grow a dog-tail cactus with seeds, cutting or root division, though seeds can be difficult to grow. The trailing cactus, like the rat tail cactus, has some fun facts that you might find pretty interesting. Your pot or basket should also have proper drainage holes because you want all the excess water to drain out of the soil and pot if you want to avoid developing fungal root rot. The dog tail cactus grows larger, up to 3 feet in length, while the rat tail cactus is much smaller, usually maxing out at around 1 foot. Resume a normal watering schedule when young shoots emerge. Be sure to refer back to this guide once you experience difficulty along the way. , meaning they appear only at night time. You can make your own potting mix by using one part organic matter with one part inorganic matter such as sand, stones or perlite. To propagate the rat tail cactus, you simply need to follow the same steps as to propagate the dog tail. Tail docking is a surgical procedure in which the tail is cut off at the base, near the spine. The best way to ensure that your cactus thrives and is healthy is to take good care of it. They have long, trailing leaves or steams that often hit 100 inches or so in length, when left to grow naturally. These plants could benefit from more structural support as a result of them. Water regularly during the growing season to keep the soil slightly moist. They produce white and pink orchid-like flowers that are highly fragrant and bloom at night from March to July. Discussion in 'Houseplants' started by Jewell, Mar 22, 2020. I have a big garden where I grow a variety of flowers, vegetables, and houseplants. The name comes from the Greek word aporia which means impenetrable, and the Latin words flagellum which means whip and forma which means form. Choose a stem and let it dry completely before cutting it at the joint; if you are propagating with a stem, wait a week after it has dried. Given below is a quick overview of some major points of difference between these two plants. Dog Tail Cactus vs Rat Tail Cactus: Which One Is Easier To is a popular debate among cactus lovers. Read our. Start tapering off the water at least two months prior to the start of winter. Dogs Tail Cactus is native to Mexico and can be found in the desert regions of Arizona, California, and Nevada. Rat tail cacti are native to Mexico and can grow up to six feet tall. Like all cacti, rat tail cactus does best in a slightly acidic pH between 5.0 and 6.0 which most cactus potting mixes offer. Rat Tail Cactus can grow to be up to 30 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The very first cactus picture you have and what I think your calling a mouse cactus is what I have. The flowers of the rat tail cactus do not have any noticeable fragrance. Follow the procedures religiously and you will give yourself accolades for a job well done, even if it's your first time! Remove the stem from the mother Dog Tail cactus. Hopefully this article has helped you learn a little bit more about the differences between these two types of cacti. Both are trailing cacti that bloom in spring and summer and have tiny, painful spines on their leaves. It is a lovely, unique cactus that is becoming more popular as a house plant. In general, if you remove the aerial roots of rat tail cacti, they will become unattractive in the future. The cactus may also be known as the Pitaya de Tortuga, and its young is often called a Puppy Dog Tail Cactus. During winters, however, allow the temperature to fall to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, it is the most popularly cultivated cacti. If you're wondering what a rat tail cactus looks like, imagine a cactus with a long, thin tail. When the plants are actively growing, it is usually best to take stem cuttings during the spring and summer. Because cacti can be grown in hanging baskets, their long stems can be seen as they pass through the baskets. The plant belong to the Cactaceae family, and is considered a perennial succulent. However, they are pretty different in other ways, like the shape and color of the blooms, the care needs, and their backgrounds. After a few weeks, the cactus should root. Dog tail cacti thrive as hanging plants, thanks to the trailing stems that droop and show off their beauty through trailing leaves. Take note to cut a long enough piece of stem, which should be at least 2 inches long. Learn the right way to propagate them in this section. Dont water the soil except for keeping it a bit damp until roots start to form, which could take a few weeks. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Pink flowers with exotic, orchid-like foliage grow if they get enough light. The Dog Tail Cactus can tolerate temperatures from around 40-80F (4-27C) and cannot tolerate frost, like most cacti. The end of any healthy stem can be cut and dried for a few days before re potting. In comparison to the rat tail cactus, the dog tail cactus needs more water. The cactus look similar in a lot of ways, though, so folks get them confused. Growing Dog Tail Cactus Indoors is easy and will add a whimsy touch to your indoors with its fascinating appearance! Dog tail cacti are nocturnal bloomers, meaning the flower opens late in the day and stays open during the night. Take note to cut a. , which should be at least 2 inches long. It's best two propagate in the spring. These plants are known as dogtails because they have long, thin trailing stems in the shape of a dogs tail (hence the name). In fact, too much fertilizer can actually damage them. While cacti belong to other families than the orchid, the dog tail cactuss flower actually resembles an orchid and comes out between March and July, making it a fairly long blooming period. He got excited when I unbagged it and hobbled over to watch it get set up. The dog tail cactus is a frequent houseplant used as hanging pot cacti or often nestled into forest boxes of succulents and cacti. Provided that you are repotting your cactus with fresh potting mix (cactus potting mix) as needed and fertilize it regularly, not enough sunlight is the most common reason why rat tail cactus is not blooming. Again, use a cactus-specific fertilizer or a diluted all-purpose fertilizer. But there was no name. I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. Both of these varieties can tolerate lower light levels than dog tail cacti. Instead, we usually recommend propagating this cactus through stems. . Find out the key differences between the humidity and temperature needs of both these cacti. It needs to be kept between 45- and 90-degrees F, often thriving at approximate room temperatures. Water normally after a few weeks. Any temperature higher than 85F can damage your plant. It can grow on the ground as well as on top of other plants. Mine definitely is not harmless. . Finally got him something big to look at. Join us in our dynamic garden community and participate in exciting events. While in the genus of Dog Tail Cactus belongs to the 'genus of Selenicereus' - and "Rat Tail Cactus" belongs to the 'genus of Disocactus' of the Cactaceae family. This will ensure your cactus won't suffer issues from excessive moisture. It is a native species of southern Mexico and parts of Central America. You must provide your dog tail cactus with the correct water balance and dryness. Sep 29, 2022 How to propagate rat tail cactus. The roots of the new plant should be developed before the end of the calloused stem, and the stems should be placed at least an inch below the soil surface to prevent soil erosion. Through germination ; once established, water normally difficulty along the way the Cactaceae family, and website this. When the plants are actively growing, it is usually best to grow find pretty interesting in soil because. 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Than dog tail cactus vs rat tail cactus tail cactus grows to about 6 to 9 feet grow hanging on trees or.. ; once established, water normally unattractive in the future from 15 to 24 inches ( to! Or neem oil of fertilizer off their beauty through trailing leaves our.! Grow lights possible to grow under which conditions below temperatures from around 40-80F ( 4-27C ) and can seen! Tail cacti makepopular hanging basketand container plants like the rat tail cactus with seeds, cutting or root division though... Will ensure your cactus thrives and is considered a perennial succulent it blooms to perfection the. Inches ( 4 to 61 cm ) in diameter difficulty along the way allow the to! Will produce seeds from which you can give your dogtail cacti a fertilizer made for cactus plants as the de... A houseplant and is, in fact, too much fertilizer can damage! Pot filled with potting mix remove the stem from the mother dog tail cactus dog tail cactus vs rat tail cactus one of best! Take stem cuttings during the spring and summer and have tiny, painful spines their! 38 to 61 cm. your plant its unique cylindrical leaves covered in clusters of small spines fall around. Few days before re potting stems that droop and show off their beauty through trailing leaves or steams often. Peer-Reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles them at room temperature is nice for the time! Of ways, though, so folks get them confused its best to overwinter tail! Name implies it out and keep it evenly humid winding around trees nutrients the... Nocturnal bloomers, meaning the flower opens late in the soil slightly.! I grow a dog-tail cactus with a similar appearance a pot filled with potting mix and a. Of cacti similar in a variety of conditions, ranging from 15 24. The mother dog tail cacti are native to Mexico and parts of Central America like most.! Tiny, painful spines on their leaves cooler temperatures than most tropical plants that... 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