OMG! Succulent tip of the year!! I have not touched my rat tail cactus since I got it five years ago - the pot has just been going onto higher and higher plant stands! Now I can finally manage it properly. I had no idea you could trim them like this! As a somewhat recent California arrival myself, I've obviously been living for far too long in cold climates... :) Thanks Laura!
Hi Laura The rat tail looks so much better with a “layered “ trim I deliberately only have one cactus, I can’t bear to dispose of it, it’s out of reach and is a pretty small potted plant The kids always managed to get pricked by my others so I decided to do without them Cheers 🙋♀️❤️
You should coat those cutting sites with sulfur as well to prevent disease, etc. And i never let mine callous, i stick them directly into my custom grit mix but also prop indoors only with full spectrum grow lights, heat mats, and rooting hormone. I find they're gnarly FAST GROWERS, but care can drastically determine growth rates.
When I cut them like that, they branch where cut, and the ultimate look is thin above the cuts, and thick branching below the cuts, which I don't like the look of. I usually cut them back at the crown, to avoid the "hat hair" look. I just cut a few branches at a time, it might take me two years to get the plant pruned back, but it does look good for a few years after that, you're right, it IS slow growing unless heavily fertilized and watered.
Ya you have to be way proactive in pruning thinking ahead instead of waiting till it looks bad with that one. Have you had any luck with cuttings? Everytime I try the stems desiccate a lot before I get to put them in soil then are too dry to put out roots. I tried water rooting cuttings and they take way too long even with kln rooting hormone they just slowly rot/decay at the cut before roots start. Maybe it's just too hot and dry here in Nevada I don't know. This is with the plant inside too lol
I just identified a cactus that I've had for 10 years as a rat tail! I never knew that it dropping over was what it was supposed to do! So a while back, I cut the tips off of the two that I had and they are now in their own pots. I took the long sections of the rest of the plants and put them horizontally in soil and on each cut end, a pup has grown. What is the best way to remove and plant those?? Thanks!
Fun Fact: For the people who are NOT patient like I am lol, you can let them callus in dry soil instead of letting them callus in a garage or somewhere else !!
The plant in the smallest pot is the same one I have. How do I get it back to that beautiful maroon color? Mine started out that way and now is just green. 😕
OMG! Succulent tip of the year!! I have not touched my rat tail cactus since I got it five years ago - the pot has just been going onto higher and higher plant stands! Now I can finally manage it properly. I had no idea you could trim them like this! As a somewhat recent California arrival myself, I've obviously been living for far too long in cold climates... :) Thanks Laura!
Thank you for the rat tail update!! I hope you guys have a wonderful break!!🌵❤️
The Rat Tail looked so much nicer after you trimmed it. I love the contrast of the plants in those lovely bronze pots!
What a great tip! You are awesome Laura! 👏🏻 Also love how you were using your clipper as an extended hand in order not to have to touch the cactus! 💚
Hi Laura
The rat tail looks so much better with a “layered “ trim
I deliberately only have one cactus, I can’t bear to dispose of it, it’s out of reach and is a pretty small potted plant
The kids always managed to get pricked by my others so I decided to do without them
Cheers 🙋♀️❤️
You are getting me to like cactuses. We are moving to Nevada next year
Oh, nice tip! I did cut mine straight across a few years back, but i can see that layering looks a lot better!
My one rat tail is hanging from the eave of my garage so I'm happy with it getting long but wanted to make new pots so thanks for the tip 👍
Looks great and you can send me some of those rat tail cuttings, lol
Have a great day Laura, I am a big fan of your work.
I was gonna say the same 😂
Love the layering lesson! I would have just cut them straight across!
I need to trim mine , so this is a timely reminder.
Nice haircutting there :)
You should coat those cutting sites with sulfur as well to prevent disease, etc. And i never let mine callous, i stick them directly into my custom grit mix but also prop indoors only with full spectrum grow lights, heat mats, and rooting hormone. I find they're gnarly FAST GROWERS, but care can drastically determine growth rates.
Maybe a video on friendly cacti?
The title brought me here lol. I want a rat tail!
Thanks!
When I cut them like that, they branch where cut, and the ultimate look is thin above the cuts, and thick branching below the cuts, which I don't like the look of. I usually cut them back at the crown, to avoid the "hat hair" look. I just cut a few branches at a time, it might take me two years to get the plant pruned back, but it does look good for a few years after that, you're right, it IS slow growing unless heavily fertilized and watered.
Ya you have to be way proactive in pruning thinking ahead instead of waiting till it looks bad with that one. Have you had any luck with cuttings? Everytime I try the stems desiccate a lot before I get to put them in soil then are too dry to put out roots. I tried water rooting cuttings and they take way too long even with kln rooting hormone they just slowly rot/decay at the cut before roots start. Maybe it's just too hot and dry here in Nevada I don't know. This is with the plant inside too lol
I just identified a cactus that I've had for 10 years as a rat tail! I never knew that it dropping over was what it was supposed to do! So a while back, I cut the tips off of the two that I had and they are now in their own pots. I took the long sections of the rest of the plants and put them horizontally in soil and on each cut end, a pup has grown. What is the best way to remove and plant those?? Thanks!
That’s how I cut my hair!!
What's the difference between a rat tail and mouse tail cactus? I have a mouse tail and it is slow growing also.
Fun Fact: For the people who are NOT patient like I am lol, you can let them callus in dry soil instead of letting them callus in a garage or somewhere else !!
The plant in the smallest pot is the same one I have. How do I get it back to that beautiful maroon color? Mine started out that way and now is just green. 😕
Wendy Pesavento that’s echeveria harmsii. It’ll color up with stress or heat, cold or lack of water.
Show a picture of the flowers
Do they grow in sun or shade? What’s best ?
Natty C sun is best with good air circulation .
Why are our last names the same
i donot have a rat tail :D :D :D
Me too