Colourful cacti

11 years ago

Hi guys!

I have been a bit busy and not visiting this forum a lot, but last week I spotted these cacti in a local flowery store (Fleur op for people from NL) and wanted to share. Totally didn't expect to see these there. I'm not really familiar with cacti, but these seem healthy and happy right?

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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

11 years ago

Ones with red and yellow heads are grafted, aka Moon Cactus - the top plant is Gymnocalycium mihanovichii that doesn't have ability to produce chlorophyll - that's why they are grafted on rootstock that will supply it. They may flower if happy.

Did you by any chance get photo of the plant on the left? - that looks interesting to me.

Rina

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Comments (9)

User
Original Author
11 years ago
Rina: Thanks for the info! So, they are actually two plants, wow! I just really liked the bright colours.

Ah, no, that's the only picture I took. I'll be going there again this weekend, I shall take some more pictures~
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Plantspace (5a)
11 years ago
Rina you wouldnt believe but I've seen some growers plant Gymnocalycium mihanovichii on its own roots! I cant understand how but its safe to say they were expert growers with some sorcery involved lol.

Remise they are two plants, so long as you take care of the base plant the colorful cactus on top should be fine (as it feeds from it, etc)!
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Minty

I believe, I have seen them (even in person), but they rarely survive for too long. Colors like yellow, red, pink, orange even variegated can't produce plant sugars. There are few ppl that have success growing even those on their own (I believe couple of members here had success with few), but it is definitely not easy - not sure how many beginners have luck with it? That is the reason they are grafted on supporting rootstock in the first place..

The green and purple are quite easy (I have one for few yrs now).

Rina
Plantspace (5a)
11 years ago
Rina, arent they beautiful plants! I've never seen one ungrafted in person, but I have seen a few online and they were grown by mad scientists.
I agree this is something left to the very experienced and adventurous grower. Not sure now how my original post was relevant to this convo (it isnt) but I felt like sharing :)
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh man, these plants are so interesting! But if the one is feeding of off the other one, won't it die eventually?
Plantspace (5a)
11 years ago
Well there was this discussion going on awhile back, worth reading http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3104685/say-no-to-moon-cacti
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Remise

The rootstok is very vigorous plant, it will support Gymno for quite a while. Eventually it may need to be re-grafted on the new rootstock - I only read that, don't have personal experience.

If my plants, I would put the gymno on top of some well draining soil - who knows? You may be the lucky one!

Minty

Anything regarding succulents is relevant on this forum :) We don't want to take over OP's thread completely, but few remarks - especially regarding same plant should be shared.
Neil
11 years ago
The scion will eventually fall off on it's own. As the host and scion are usually different species, each having their own rate of growth. It will need a re-graft if you want the scion to continue living.