CRYPTOCEREUS ANTHONYANUS
Ric Rac Cactus
This orchid cactus relative has serrated leaves that
resemble fish bones.
The Ric-Rac cactus is one of the easiest plants to grow
in hanging baskets. Like many shade loving cactus, the
ric-rac prefers smaller baskets with a very porous soil.
As the plant grows and gets rootbound the plant can
be repotted to a bigger basket. Cryptocereus will grow
better in bright shade and can even handle a little
bit of direct sun as long as it is not too hot. In nature
ric-racs grow as Epiphytes (like orchids) forming dense
clusters cascading down from the branches of trees.
Like many orchids they can handle quite a bit of water,
as long as the drainage is very good. For basket culture,
it is better to allow the soil to dry out a little bit
between waterings. During the winter, the soil should
be kept a little dryer and fertilizer should be kept
to a minimum. In old and rootbound plants, flowers may
appear around March/April. At this time watering can
be increased along with the fertilization. A liquid
fertilizer like the ones used for orchids work very
well. Cryptocereus are tropical forest cactus and even
though they can withstand temperatures outside near
freezing it is better to keep the plant above 40°
F. They make a good indoor plant for homes in colder
locations. Trimming occasionally will be necessary because
some leaves will get quite long. Use gloves when doing
this because the ric-rac is still a cactus and its thorns
despite being small and almost invisible, can puncture
the skin. Ric-racs are not a prolific bloomer, only
a few flowers will appear on old and rootbound plants
and it may take a few years before that happens, but
on the other hand the leaves are very beautiful and
unusual.
FAMILY : Cactaceae
ORIGIN : Mexico
SIZE : hanging basket
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS : shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS : keep dry
MIN. TEMP. : low 30's
FLOWER : spring ( few and rare )