Disocactus × mallisonii (Rat's Tail Cactus)

Scientific Name

Disocactus × mallisonii (Otto & A.Dietr.) Barthlott

Common Name(s)

Rat's Tail Cactus

Synonym(s)

Aporocactus × mallisonii, ×Aporoheliocereus mallisonii, ×Aporoheliocereus smithii, Cereus × mallisonii, Cereus mallisonii, Cereus × smithii, ×Heliaporus smithii

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Hylocereeae
Genus: Disocactus

Description

Disocactus × mallisonii is a cactus that produces long bright green pendent stems with brown spines. The ribbed stems are up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter. Flowers are funnel-shaped, bright pink or red, and with white stamens.

Disocactus × mallisonii (Rat's Tail Cactus) — *Photo via joabruwanie.wordpress.com*

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Many of the cultivated plants known as Epiphyllum hybrids are derived from crosses between species of Disocactus (rather than Epiphyllum) and other genera in the Hylocereeae.

Disocactus should be grown in rich but still well-draining soil. They should be watered regularly and fertilized as well. This is essential for good growth and flowering. During the growing period, the plants need frequent watering. The waterings should be rather abundant so that the soil becomes completely soaked but let dry between watering. Keep relatively dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 50 °F (10 °C).

These cacti dislike extreme heat and cold, so they are best green-housed during the depth of winter and heat of summer in hot, dry climates. They also prefer shade to sun and like a little extra humidity in the air.

Disocactus can be reproduced both by seeds and cuttings.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Disocactus.

Origin

This cactus is a hybrid resulting from the cross between Disocactus flagelliformis and Disocactus specious. It was first described, and the name was validly published by Christoph Friedrich Otto and Albert Gottfried Dietrich but was revised and reclassified by Wilhelm A. Barthlott in 1991.