The Moon Cactus ‘Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii’ Succulents Moon cactus, also known as Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii or Hibotan cactus, is native to desert habitats in various parts of South America; Argentina to be precise. It belongs to the Gymnocalycium genus of globular cacti. These cacti are succulent plants that are very colorful but lack the necessary chlorophyll to produce plant sugars through photosynthesis. This makes the plants to be grafted onto a species that provides plenty of chlorophyll upon which the moon cactus can sustain itself for several years. The blooming beauty of Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii plants is seen in its vibrant bright colors of brilliant orange, hot pink and an almost neon yellow. The lack of chlorophyll causes this color difference. They are small plants, generally a half-inch across. This makes it common for them to make lovely window boxes or southern exposure houseplants and be sold as gift plants. The Beauty of Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii @flowers.cactus Moon Cactus Has The Following Characteristics: This plant grows as a globular mass, reaching about two inches in size. It tends to produce offsets that grow around the base of the globe where the sides of the globular shape feature seams with prickly quills. It has a thick base that makes the perfect host for the moon cactus. Moon cactus is typically grafted to another cactus-like Hylocereus undatus commonly known as the dragon fruit cactus. This plant may produce flowers from the sides giving it a blooming beauty but does not produce a scent. Just like other plants, some factors determine the growth of the moon cactus as seen below. Light Moon cactus does well in bright but indirect sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can be harmful to the plant. A covered porch that has some shade or an area where direct sunlight is blocked is the best environment for a moon cactus to grow. If the plant is indoors, set it near a window to give it plenty of sunlight. Note that, if the plant does not get enough bright light, the color starts to fade. Temperature Gymnocalycium mihanovichii grows well at average room temperature throughout the year. For your cactus to survive through a winter freeze, bring it indoors or in the garage where the temperature drops below 40 degrees. Alternatively, you can cover them up with a light blanket or sheet to shield them from cold weather. When exposed to hard elements during a hard winter, the moon cactus will freeze. Water Just like other succulent plants, moon cactus requires water. Water it regularly throughout the spring and summer months. During the winter months, water less frequently. Ensure the soil is dry before watering the plant. Make use of unglazed pots with numerous drainage holes to prevent standing water at the base of the pot, which further prevents the roots from rotting. Putting a thin layer of gravel at the bottom of your container before adding the moon cactus plant is advisable as it aids in water drainage. For a more in-depth coverage of your cacti’s water needs check out: “How Often To Water A Cactus: Essential Guide”. Soil Moon cactus grows well in the regular commercial soil with good drainage. You can opt to use a mixture of pumice or perlite and regular potting soil. Though, we highly recommend this succulent and cacti soil from Hoffman. Our plants here at the office rated it with 5 stars! Our Pick Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix $11.97 Buy Now on Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. 09/14/2022 12:06 am GMT Try making your own succulent soil at home by checking out “How to Make Your own Succulent Soil at Home“. Growth of Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii @plantvalley.shop Glooming Maintenance & Propagation of Moon Cactus To maintain the globular shape of the moon cactus, cut off the side shoots. When propagating, use the side shoots or the offsets growing from the plant. Use host plants for the side shoots like the Hylocereus undatus which offers a perfect base for them. Select host plants of the same thickness, height, and diameter. Prepare the host plant before collecting the side shoots. Cutting at a slant, cut the top of the host plant, then carefully cut the side shoots from the mother plant. Press the two cut pieces together, setting the side shoot on the host plant. Press firmly but not too tight. Donโt allow the cuts of the host plant and the side shoots to dry before finishing the grafting process. To hold the two pieces together, secure the side shoots with a rubber band. After several weeks, the side shoot should have started growing off the host plant. Remove the rubber band and follow the moon cactus care tips. Be sure to check out our in-depth ebook on all things propagating. Don’t miss out on “The Right Way to Propagating Succulents Successfully” today! Maintenance & Propagation @little_gavin_cactus Advantages of The Moon Cactus Due to its fun appearance, it is made an excellent choice for any cactus or succulent garden. It is also seen great in window sills where it grows in a small pot. The Shortcomings of The Moon Cactus The major problem faced by the moon cactus is being infested with mealybugs and scales. You can deal with these infestations by use of tweezers, or cotton wool dipped in alcohol. If this does not curb the situation, use an insecticide as your last resort. The other common problem is root rot which results from overwatering. Always be careful when watering your moon cactus. Want more info on root rot? Check out our piece “What is Root Rot & How Do You Fix it?” for more helpful info. The Moon Cactus @suzy2510 Despite these challenges, the moon cactus plant is easy to get, fun to own, and a colorful little plant to add to your collection. Besides, it has relatively low maintenance requirements. Thank you for reading! Be sure to check out more pieces on the cacti species like “The Beautiful Blue CactiโPilosocereus” or even “Why Succulent Plants Are So Popular“. Did this article help answer your succulent-care questions? We sure hope so! If not, no worries. Succulent City is devoted to aiding all succulent lovers, and thatโs why we created a line of ebook guides! Check out our in-depth tips on “All the Types of Succulents for Indoor & Outdoor” or even “Rare Succulents You Wish You Knew About” today! Happy Planting! ? ALSO READ: Giant Barrel Cactus Echinocactus Platyacanthus The Rounded Ball Cactus Parodia Magnifica Everything You Didnt Know About the Star Cactus Astrophytum Asterias Cereus Cactus <<Previous: Geohintonia Mexicana >>Next: Gymnocalycium Baldianum (Echinocactus Sanguiniflorus) Related TweetPin3KShare23K Shares ABOUT ME Richard Miller Salute everyone. It's Richard, the author of this Succulent & Xeriscaping blog. I am a traveler and a nature lover looking for a connection with the wild green. In my journey, I found a love for succulents and xeriscaping. What attracts me is the long-lasting & unique beauty of every plant I have the chance to see with my own eyes. Welcome to my little blog and let's enjoy a good time together! Contact me: richard.succulentcity@gmail.com Post navigation 4 Succulent Wedding Favors Ideas (Collected By Succulent City)Portulacaria Afra (The Elephant Bush Succulent) 2 thoughts on “The Moon Cactus ‘Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii’” thanks a lot for the very good advices. Log in to Reply Thanks ๐ Log in to Reply Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Connect with us on social! Pinterest Instagram YouTube Facebook