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Dogs Tail Cactus in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Selenicereus testudo

 

Dog's Tail Cactus

The dog's tail cactus is a plant that is fairly easy to care for and maintain and is most often grown in a hanging basket or container. Dog's tail grows stems that display brownish colored, very sharp spines. The flowers are pink and usually bloom in spring for up to 5 days.

Contributed by @yepitsdevon816

 
plant Features
  • Dogs Tail Cactus likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Dogs Tail Cactus likes very little water

    Very little water

  • Dogs Tail Cactus is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Dogs Tail Cactus likes light and free draining

    Light and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Dog's Tail Cactus

Latin name

Selenicereus testudo

type

Succulent

family

Cactaceae

ph

5.5 - 6.5 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Dogs Tail Cactus likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    Dogs Tail Cactus is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Soil

    Dogs Tail Cactus likes light and free draining

    Light and free draining

  • Water

    Dogs Tail Cactus likes very little water

    Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Dogs Tail Cactus is 1.00meters x 0.45meters 1.00 M 0.45 M

Selenicereus testudo

The dog's tail cactus is a plant that is fairly easy to care for and maintain and is most often grown in a hanging basket or container. Dog's tail grows stems that display brownish colored, very sharp spines. The flowers are pink and usually bloom in spring for up to 5 days.


Planting young plants

From Early Summer TO Late Summer

Selenicereus testudo typically don't like direct afternoon sunlight and should be in partial shade through the hottest hours. They can take direct sunlight in the morning and afternoons. A rich, fast-draining cactus mix is ideal. To plant, do this preferably during the warm season. To repot a cacti, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.

 

Propagation

From Late Spring TO Late Spring

Selenicereus testudo are propagated from stem cuttings. Most cuttings require time to dry and produce a callus on the wound, this can take from a week to a day depending on size and type. Use John Innes No 1 with up to 30 percent by volume of added grit and keep the compost on the dry side to prevent the cutting rotting off. Always check what your individual specimen will require.

 
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