Perfect Time to Bloom Moon Cactus (Observed Opinion)

when do moon cactus flower

Once a year the moon cactus will flower. This is a spectacular event and a sign that the plant is healthy. But when does this happen? 

Usually, the flowers grow in the spring. Moon cacti are very rare. They are very hard to grow and they only bloom once a year. The moon cacti bloom pink flowers. When the flowers grow, they will only be alive for 12 hours. But, if the weather is wetter, there will be more periods when the flowers grow.

Wild moon cacti will produce pink flowers in the spring. These flowers are usually pink, but sometimes they are white or purple. Grafted moon cactus don’t always bloom, but when they do they are usually pink.

While many mistakenly assume that a moon cactus’ scion is what one would call its bloom, it is useful to know that a moon cactus will flower. The flower can range from pale pink to vibrant red and have many petals. It is often in the shape of a daisy with a round stem and small, round bumps on its surface, which are the same size as their scions’ growths.

What Month Does the Moon  Cactus Bloom?

If you live in a place where you have seen the moon cactus blossom then it must have been a sight to see. First, though, you should have asked yourself “what month does the moon cactus bloom?” before you put forth the effort to get the plant to flower.

By now, you must have been wondering when you can start spotting the blooms on your moon cactus. It is advisable to plant the cactus in the fall season. So, the blooms will be seen only in the spring season. The cactus flowers bloom in the month of May and June, which is the spring season. So, you have to wait until the beginning of these months to spot the flowers.

The Moon Cactus is a beautiful cactus that blooms very rarely. This cactus is one that is grown for the stunning flowers that it produces. 

Colors Of Moon Cactus Flowers

The moon cactus is an interesting flower in that it has five different colors, each one has its own significance. The moon cactus blooms during the night, using the moon’s reflection as a source of light.

Moon cactus flowers can come in many different colors, such as neon yellow. For example, you could also see it flourishing in pink or orange or many other colors. It’s always exciting to grow this type of cactus and find out what color it will be next!

This is why many people use this plant as a gift plant. It would be great in a window box (check price on amazon.com) and it would also be a good houseplant.

How To Care For Moon Cactus Flowers?

The moon cactus dries up easily. This means you have to water it frequently, but take care not to over-water it. Water the moon cactus once every two weeks thoroughly for optimum growth. In winter (if kept indoors), avoid watering at all.

The moon cactus needs a lot of light, but it needs the right kind of light – bright and indirect. In case you must move your plant outside during summer, be sure to protect it from direct sunlight. Remember that both its flowers as well as its scion will suffer if they get too much sun.

 How to Grow Moon Cactus Flower

Place the cactus in a sunny spot. The pot should have drainage holes and contain a fast-drying soil mixture that promotes growth and helps the roots to stay healthy. Water it thoroughly only when the soil is dry but never let it sit on a soggy medium. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer to grow colorful, large cacti flowers.

The best soil for a moon cactus plant is aerated, sandy, and drained so water doesn’t pool around the root area. An acidic potting mix can be used as this type of cactus thrives best in that environment. Large pebbles or broken rocks can also be included in the soil to also help airflow while retaining necessary moisture levels.

 In addition, you need to make sure that your container has sufficient drainage holes to prevent root rot because we know how devastating it could be when it comes time for you to transplant them into bigger pots!

What is a Moon Cactus?

The moon cactus, known scientifically as Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, is native to South America and has clusters of small spikes covering its body. There are many common names for this plant, including the ruby ball cactus, star-flowered cactus, and red cap. When the moon cactus matures, it reaches approximately one to two inches in diameter and would likely grow best in a high-humidity environment.

As houseplants, moon cacti are typically mutants that do not produce chlorophyll and thus have vivid colors. To ensure survival, they must be grafted onto a green cactus’ rootstock. The moon cactus is most commonly grafted with the dragon fruit, Hylocereus , but it can be combined with any green cactus species; Cereus peruvianus and Trichocereus spachianus are also common.

When the moon cactus is in its natural habitat, they usually bloom with flowers in pink. Further, you may spot them flowering in April or in May.

On the other hand, bright neon-colored grafted moon cactuses do not produce flowers at all. Moreover, the moon cactus which you grow indoors could produce flowers at any time of the year.

How to Care for Cactus and Its Flowers

  • This cactus thrives best in environments with a mix of bright light and some shade. The two different types of succulent plants that appear on the cactus itself would like a spot that can be comfortable for both of them. Choosing your location carefully is essential to achieving maximum health and balance.
  • These indoor plants do well in average temperatures and airflow that isn’t too damp. In the wintertime, keep them indoors to protect them from frost.
  • Moon cacti are tolerant of drought, so they do not need regular watering. Check the soil in-between waterings to make sure it is nearly dry. Increase the frequency of watering during the summer and cut back on watering the cactus in winter.
  • Moon cacti can be cultivated outside. This special variety can withstand dry conditions, so it does not need to be watered regularly. It is advisable to check that the plant’s soil is nearly dry between watering. Increase the frequency of watering in summer and cut back on watering moon cactus in winter.
  • It’s better to only water cacti sporadically than to over-water them, as that might cause root problems leading to a decline in their overall health.
  • Moon cacti are a wonderful choice for those gardeners who don’t want the hassle of repotting. These succulents are slow growers and they don’t need to have their soil replaced very often.
  • During the growing season, it is recommended you use a cactus fertilizer once a month for optimal growth. Skip the feeding over the dormant season.
  • Generally, these cacti won’t hurt humans. Their thorns, however, are sharp so it’s best to handle them with care to prevent any unpleasant incidents during handling of the plant.
  • Most cultivars of this species are a result of different mutations. Because these mutations are so unique, they are often grafted onto other types of cacti to create awesome new hybrids.
  • These cacti are incapable of producing chlorophyll. However, they may exhibit red, yellow or orange pigmentation.
  • The bright-colored part (the crown) of the moon cactus is Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii, while the lower portion/stem will always be a Hylocereus cactus.
  • Although many people mistake the top layer of moon cacti for flowers, it can flower if you wait long enough. The moon cactus does bloom but only after a certain number of years. Before flowering, it needs to grow plenty of leaves and in a variety of colors as well. The blossoms are pink and very pretty.
  • Depending on the roots, Moon Cacti can reach various heights but they usually cease growing once they reach around 3 to 4 inches (7.62 – 10 cm). The diameter of a Moon Cactus ranges between 1.0 and 1.9 inches (2.5-5 cm).
  • Generally, they have 8 to 14 slightly-notched ribs with narrow edges. Their average 5-6 thorns are weak, flexible, slightly-curved, and grayish-yellow.

Conclusion

The moon cactus bloom during the summertime, but you can still enjoy the plant all year round!

The Moon cactus flower is a beautiful flower that doesn’t need a lot of direct light to grow. In fact, they’ll even grow in low light conditions.

Moon Cactus Flower, also called night-blooming Cereus, is a type of flowering cactus native to the deserts of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Anwar Hossain

My name is Anwar Hossain. I am a cactus lover, researcher, and cactus blogger.

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