Getting longer and longer :)

Where can I buy one of these? I have been looking at photos and want to start my next "new" collection as a cactus garden. We have a new sun room added on to the kitchen and I want to cactus. I don't seem to do that great with succulents. I'm typically a rose and clematis gardener but as I get older the heat and hard work outside has me thinking it's time to switch habits. Thanks, Kathy - Shihtzumarley@verizon.net

I've seen lots of monkey tail auctions on eBay lately.

Another update

Your monkey tail is gorgeous! How did you get it to grow so quickly?

I'm guessing it's ideal weather for active growth here in south Texas. The seller had also told me not to water it much. I've been watering it a lot! Seems to like it. I've only fertilized it 3 times since I got it. So don't think it has to do with that.

Miracle grow

Are you growing one blp123? What do you feed yours. I would really like mine to bloom :)

Hi Lydia. Sorry I did not see your comment until now. I have gotten some monkey tail cuttings recently and want them to grow like yours! They are so expensive to buy and I really don't want to experiment too much on them. And I love other people's advice and appreciate their experiences. I have them in gritty mix and am using Foliage Pro on my cacti and succulents as I read to do on this forum. I put them outside to get more direct sun and humidity after seeing your post. I am not sure when I could expect blooming. I would really love to be successful with this cactus. I think they are fascinating.

blb123,

you certainly water and feed your plant too much. therefore it is not blooming.

It even blooms as 3 branched seedling already.

BTW I am ready to sell cuttings and or seeds of this species <jrblmenzel@cox.net>

Ah, good to know! I must harden mine then because I really want to see flowers!

Update pic

very big and nice plant. I have no idea why it isn't flowering for you.

I've only had it for 1 winter and it wasn't very cold. Could that be the problem?

I don't think so, because mine is in a greenhouse in southern California and hence it never gets really cold.

Look at what I found :-D

this certainly is a flower bud!

:-D

No, they are blooming during the day. And usually for 2-3 days. Enjoy!

That's great! Thanks

Here it is!

enjoy the flowers!

Thank you!

I think it is neat,I'm gonna have to try to find one.

kingd Z6A,

see my entry on June 18th!

Sent you an email,I am just a little worried about getting something mailed due to the colder weather.

Haven't received your mail yet. 1 foot long cutting with roots in the middle is waiting to be shipped by Priority Mail tomorrow, Wednsday.

Email bounced,Trying again.

Got my Monkey Tail today and am very happy with it, I am excited to see how it grows.

King, can you share where you got it? I have been looking for a cutting for weeks now(((

Ok, I read up thread where you got it..I wonder if anyone sells it. It will be for my sick Aunt who has always wanted one..

Can anyone share a place where I can find a cutting?

Reiner, can I possible buy a cutting from you even if it's not rooted? If not, it's fine)

Thank you much

you can buy a cutting from me. send an e-mail to jrblmenzel@cox.net

Hello Reiner, I e-mailed you early this morning..Hoping you got it).

Mike

Reiner..THANK YOU! I can't believe how nice they look...It really felt like someone chopped off a monkey's tail or a huge rat! lol My mom thought it was a practical joke or a mean stunt. I had to explain what it really was...Heavy they are and so realistic...Love it!!

You do I root the one that's not rooted?

The one that is rooted, I assume lots of sunlight especially in winter up here and let dry between watering? Not bone dry for days like cactus...And they don't need a resting period or go dormant or cold to induce flowering right?

I use lights and a warm sunny window..Is resting it on top of a cactus mix until roots form the best way? Do I moisten the mix?

Thank again! Beautiful pieces

Err, it *is* a cactus, a well draining soil a bit on the dry side during winter, but not bone dry, unless you want to kill the roots, once it roots. (and just because people make this mistake...) Also don't do weird things like water with a eyedropper or ice cubes or anything, always water the media thoroughly, and start it in a very small volume of soil till it roots. Just don't water frequently...let it dry between waterings.

Also a nit-pick, "cactus potting mix" is too water retentive to be a good media for most succulents. Unless you can find one that's all mineral and no peat moss (not aware of any commercial ones), you should probably amend it heavily with like decomposed granite or something...there's volumes of info on the site about soil mixes.

I've got them in small clay pots in an amended potting mix with twice the amount of perlite.In fact, I am finding that many of my succulents in that mix in clay pots are drying out way to fast, but I guess ok for cactus..

So I just may not add as much perlite so it will at least stay moist for a couple of days...They are both in clay pots under lights and in a south facing window.

Question?

How do I root them? The one I have rooted I will start watering when the mix dries out, but what about the one that need to root?

Do I leave the mix bone dry until the cutting sends out roots?

The rooted on has been watered and most of it lays upon stones in the pot while the only portion of it hitting the mix direct is the roots..

Sounds good?

Thank you

What's always worked for me, insert proper end into soil, anchor it with something (like rocks), water it in, let dry almost completely, then water again. Rinse repeat.

It's no different than growing the plant, really. Media will dry out slower due to nothing using the water, but must have a bit of moisture to help stimulate rooting.

Dbarron..Thank you very much.

Update pic...it's grown quite a lot in 1 1/2 yr...stayed out durring freezing temps and did great. Just a couple blemishes. This is the same cactus in first picture.

Unreal! I wish mine would grow like that. Its beautiful

How does one go about repotting this :-O

Now its covered in buds!

It's already beautiful, but the flowers are a definite bonus.

I’m not Lydia but I bought a single tail last November and this summer it’s grown multiple tails.

yep, 1 tail is all you need! you'll have a full pot soon!

I am a little confused. I bought a single tail. The end of the tail got a furry spot that grew into another tail. It is sticking out and I am not sure if I leave it and let it fall down or if I cut it off and replant it.

Once it gets long enough you can cut it off and root it.

Hey, Lydia...can you share more details on your potting mix & fertilize? I just got 3 cuttings and I hope at least one survives. I’m in central FL, zone 9b. TIA

Does anyone know how long it takes for the fruit to mature after the flower has been pollinated?