Ric Rac Cactus (Ephiphyllum anguliger) Care Guide & Repot!
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Mine has grown like CRAZY and got so big I had to move it to my toddler's room (I got it for him and his room, honestly; it's non toxic) And it's still taking off like it's on steroids.
I think it's in an 8 pot now, but the roots are very small so it isn't a problem.
I will say it liked to sit up against my east facing windows with no shade, but I've moved it to a south window and I just pulled it back about a foot.
If it doesn't get enough light you'll know because the modified leaves on the stocks won't grow in and you'll just get long pencil thick fronds that are pretty much only good for propagation as they look silly.
Because I'm doing so well with this one I'm planning on getting a fern leaf cactus to sit on the other side of my son's window. I think the two are both uniquely beautiful but they have some similarities. I'm going to pair them with probably my Hoya linearis if I want them to hang together in a tiered tight stack of macrame on one hook so that there's two textures and some length later on.
All three are non toxic so I can make them look really cool as one bunch together on a heavyweight hook with some elaborate macrame.
Date: 2022-07-16
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Comments and reviews: 9
gardenanswer
I have a few, I love them. The 2 biggest problems I've encountered is root rot and mealy bugs, and sometimes fungus. It is FAR better to underwater than over water them, and yes--definitely use a fast draining soil and a clay pot. That alcohol swabbing was not cutting it in my infestation, I had to make a neem/dish soap/baking soda solution to wipe them out, because you have to hit the soil, too. Those wretched things are so hard to catch in a large plant, too many places to hide. It took weeks of regular treatment.
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I have a few, I love them. The 2 biggest problems I've encountered is root rot and mealy bugs, and sometimes fungus. It is FAR better to underwater than over water them, and yes--definitely use a fast draining soil and a clay pot. That alcohol swabbing was not cutting it in my infestation, I had to make a neem/dish soap/baking soda solution to wipe them out, because you have to hit the soil, too. Those wretched things are so hard to catch in a large plant, too many places to hide. It took weeks of regular treatment.
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Maria
Mine bloomed for the first time this October. I actually gave it a cool period in m6 garage for a few weeks last winter. And its in the garage again now. I read somewhere that having the dormant period would be good for blooms but Im not sure how true that is because they are jungle cactus. I also have other jungle cactus. And all of mine were started from cuttings. I think they like being root bound. Also mine did ok in full afternoon sun in zone 7.
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Mine bloomed for the first time this October. I actually gave it a cool period in m6 garage for a few weeks last winter. And its in the garage again now. I read somewhere that having the dormant period would be good for blooms but Im not sure how true that is because they are jungle cactus. I also have other jungle cactus. And all of mine were started from cuttings. I think they like being root bound. Also mine did ok in full afternoon sun in zone 7.
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Brenda
This is one of my favorite plants at my home. Mine are on a window ledge on the south side and they wont stop growing new leaves. So beautiful indeed! I water mine quite often even though its winter and cold here in PA because I treat them as jungle cacti. Also, I planted them in those terracotta orchid pots which have enough holes for drainage, and the orchid pot also allows me to be able to hang it if I want to. I love this plant!
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This is one of my favorite plants at my home. Mine are on a window ledge on the south side and they wont stop growing new leaves. So beautiful indeed! I water mine quite often even though its winter and cold here in PA because I treat them as jungle cacti. Also, I planted them in those terracotta orchid pots which have enough holes for drainage, and the orchid pot also allows me to be able to hang it if I want to. I love this plant!
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Anissa
You were making me a little nervous Laura, running your fingers up and down the stems. I have one and they have tiny, thin needles that can get stuck in the skin. It's not painful, but noticeable when you have one stuck in the skin. I would just add, for the viewers to handle with care. And mine also has the little pups growing on them! I wondered if I could cut them and stick in the dirt to add to the growth in my pot?
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You were making me a little nervous Laura, running your fingers up and down the stems. I have one and they have tiny, thin needles that can get stuck in the skin. It's not painful, but noticeable when you have one stuck in the skin. I would just add, for the viewers to handle with care. And mine also has the little pups growing on them! I wondered if I could cut them and stick in the dirt to add to the growth in my pot?
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Interested
Very pretty plant. 2 questions: 1) I've always been told that when you pot a plant you should give it room to grow and develop a root system, but really crowding pots seems to work for you, or is it just a short term situation and you repot them relatively soon? 2) What makes this a cactus? It seems to be a totally different plant species growing in a different environment with different care requirements.
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Very pretty plant. 2 questions: 1) I've always been told that when you pot a plant you should give it room to grow and develop a root system, but really crowding pots seems to work for you, or is it just a short term situation and you repot them relatively soon? 2) What makes this a cactus? It seems to be a totally different plant species growing in a different environment with different care requirements.
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J. A.
I asked this question on a video back in November but never saw a reply.
Do you use a calendar or spreadsheet to keep track of all of your planting, garden maintenance, etc?
I would love a whole episode where you show us how you keep track of everything throughout the year.
Or, maybe just some recommendations on how to set up a calendar / spreadsheet so we stay on track across the seasons.
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I asked this question on a video back in November but never saw a reply.
Do you use a calendar or spreadsheet to keep track of all of your planting, garden maintenance, etc?
I would love a whole episode where you show us how you keep track of everything throughout the year.
Or, maybe just some recommendations on how to set up a calendar / spreadsheet so we stay on track across the seasons.
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Tina
Laura- thanks so much for continuing to expand our exposure and knowledge to plants we may not typically see! One idea- would you ever consider a garden dedicated to completely new items. seeds from other countries, plants that you never thought of growing? I think it would be such a fun journey! PS My Christmas wish was fulfilled. A pair of Felco 2s! Cant wait to use them soon! Happy Holidays!
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Laura- thanks so much for continuing to expand our exposure and knowledge to plants we may not typically see! One idea- would you ever consider a garden dedicated to completely new items. seeds from other countries, plants that you never thought of growing? I think it would be such a fun journey! PS My Christmas wish was fulfilled. A pair of Felco 2s! Cant wait to use them soon! Happy Holidays!
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Amy
Hi! Mine is growing long and skinny. The original plant was very zig zag-y. Also each leaf/stem has long tan roots growing out everywhere. Is this normal? What condition will produce wider stems and lessen the stray roots?
It sits on a lowers shelf in my south slider one pot towards the interor of the room. It is in a loose airy mix with chunks, pearlite and peat all in a terracotta pot.
reply
Hi! Mine is growing long and skinny. The original plant was very zig zag-y. Also each leaf/stem has long tan roots growing out everywhere. Is this normal? What condition will produce wider stems and lessen the stray roots?
It sits on a lowers shelf in my south slider one pot towards the interor of the room. It is in a loose airy mix with chunks, pearlite and peat all in a terracotta pot.
reply
Cindy
During the winter months, when you're moving your plants from one location to another (studio to greenhouse, or studio to inside your home, for example, how do you keep them protected from the cold air? I bought a plant at the supermarket once and it was damaged by the time I got it to my car, so I'd love to know how to keep them safe.
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During the winter months, when you're moving your plants from one location to another (studio to greenhouse, or studio to inside your home, for example, how do you keep them protected from the cold air? I bought a plant at the supermarket once and it was damaged by the time I got it to my car, so I'd love to know how to keep them safe.
reply
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