How to grow Ric Rac Cactus

As this plant is an epiphyte, it obtains moisture from the a compost mixture that is heavy in humus that it is planted in, as well as drawing water from the surrounding air. Water regularly in the summer.

Extra light in the spring (by way of a very sunny window or a grow light) will stimulate flowering.

Very rarely do this specimens flower, however, when they do they tend to be root bound and in poor soil. The flowers release a pleasant scent to attract nocturnal pollinators.²

When transplanting this cactus use a slightly bigger planter as this plant prefers to be root bound.

Ric rac cactus is tender, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside - as a guideline, the minimum temperature outside should be approximately 15°C / 59°F.

These estimates for how long Ric rac cactus takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

This species is named for Dr. Harold E. Anthony who first flowered this species in June 1950. The former generic epithet, cryptocereus (literally ’hidden cereus recalled the fact that the species remained long unknown in a region that had been thoroughly investigated.¹

Fish bone cactus, Zig zag cactus, Ric rac orchid cactus, St. anthony's rick-rack, Moon Cactus, Queen of the Night

Selenicereus anthonyanus

Misspellings: Rick Rack Cactus, Fishbone Cactus

¹ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenicereus_anthonyanus

² paghat.com/ricrac.html