What Is Moon Cactus?
Moon Cactus is a cactus species that have been genetically modified to grow in earth-like gravity. The Moon Cactus plant bears no resemblance to its terrestrial counterpart and can be cultivated for food.
These plants are grown in hydroponic trays on lunar stations or large space vessels such as the USSC Ishimura.
Moon Cactus Care & Maintenance
Moon Cactus plants are grown in trays with nutrient-rich solutions and should be monitored weekly for density and acidity. Leaf or spike damage may indicate that the pH is too high, and nutrients need to be added to the water.
A Moon Cactus plant can take up to three weeks before sprouting its first pair of leaves. After that, the plant will grow new leaves every few days.
The process of sprouting a Moon Cactus is generally sped up by a method known as “bottle day”. A nutrient solution bottle is placed in an area with light and air circulation, and the plants are periodically fertilized until they start growing their first set of leaves. At that point, the bottles are moved to hydroponic trays.
These plants may need to be repotted when they outgrow their pots. The existing soil can be used as a potting medium for placing new, smaller Moon Cactus into larger pots until they are ready for transplanting into soil. The nutrient solution should be flushed from old pots and used in the process of repotting.
Moon Cactus plants can grow to six feet tall but are often trimmed to limit their height. The plant should be trimmed twice a week by cutting at least an inch from the base of the stem. Moon Cactus will continue growing even if this is not done.
Light Requirements
Moon Cactus plants prefer direct sunlight and will grow more slowly in lower light levels. Plants grown under 50 lux of illumination will not die immediately but will suffer physical damage causing slower growth and less food production.
Light sources above 500 Lux must be directed carefully to prevent damage to the leaves. I use a combination of natural daylight and high-powered bulbs to grow my Moon Cactus.
Water Requirements
Moon Cactus plants require hydroponic solutions with higher levels of salt to grow properly. The concentration of salt in the plant increases and decreases as the solution is used up but is replenished through absorption from the environment. Watering should be done regularly without letting the salts level get too low or high. Overwatering can result in fungal leaf growth and salt buildup.
A common cause of salt-related damage to Moon Cactus is too much moisture on the plant itself. If growing Moon Cats outside, they should be protected with umbrellas or grow lights to shield them from direct rain and dew.
Be sure to flush the solution after using it. Even leaving a small amount in the tray can cause salt buildup to damage your plants.
Soil Requirements:
Moon Cactus plants can survive in hydroponic solutions indefinitely but will eventually die unless moved to the soil. The soil should be loose and well-drained to prevent the roots from rotting. A composted mixture of peat moss and bark is ideal for growing out your plant before transplanting it into sandy or rocky soil. This process can take up to a month as the roots become accustomed to new soil conditions.
Once in their natural environment, Moon Cactus plants should be inspected once daily for damage and waste products that must be cleaned from the leaves. If these tasks are not performed, plant growth will decrease significantly.
Moon Cactus plants produce small fruit that can be harvested and eaten by people or animals. The fruit has seeds in it like many other fruits, but they are kept from sprouting by the plant unless affected by magic.
The leaves of Moon Cactus are edible to humans but have an exceptionally strong taste. Because of this, the leaves of Moon Cat us are often stripped from the plant and used for things like tea, animal fodder, and as an insecticide.
Although growing Moon Cactus is complex, it can be a valuable addition to your garden if you’re looking for something exotic. This plant requires very little in terms of maintenance but will reward you with food or combat benefits. The plant is generally friendly towards people but can cause damage if provoked.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements:
Moon Cactus plants are cold-resistant and can survive temperatures down to -20 Celsius without dying. However, they will not grow well in these conditions. Many people choose to keep their plants indoors where it is easier to monitor them and maintain the right temperature and humidity for growth.
Because of their tropical nature, Moon Cactus plants do not require high humidity to survive. However, if the air is too dry, plant growth may be slowed or halted entirely.
Moon Cactus plants are generally pest-free but may attract aphids that feed on the leaves and stems.
Aphids can be removed by hand or deterred with insect repellents and pesticides. If the plant is heavily infested, you may choose to scrape the affected areas clean with a knife or file before applying an insecticide.
Insects other than aphids can also be problematic for your Moon Cactus plant. Spider mites are small arachnids that feed on the leaves of the plant, leaving them with silvery marks and eventual death.
Spider mites can be identified by the small webs they build on the underside of leaves. The plant should be sprayed or wiped down to remove these pests. Although pesticides are effective, it’s best if they’re used as a backup rather than your main defense against insects.
Fertilizing Requirements:
These plants are not heavy feeders and should be supplemented with fertilizer only once a month or less for optimal growth. Because they’re so sensitive to salt buildup, it’s best to use natural plant food instead of commercial fertilizers.
When Moon Cactus is first placed in soil, the nutrients will be taken up by the roots in a matter of days.
During this period, it’s best to wait before trying to feed the plant anything. Once the initial growing phase is over, fertilizing can begin.
To make fertilizer, mix some wood ash and a container of water. Wait an hour before mixing with soil or compost and applying to the plant.
Bark chunks are another common fertilizer that can be made at home. The bark should be boiled in water for two hours before it’s added to soil or compost and applied to the Moon Catus.
These plants may also eat fruit as a source of food, but it’s best not to feed them anything other than plant food or cooked meat. Cactus plants, when fed a diet of unsuitable foods like fruit, will suffer from bloating and eventually death.
Potting and repotting Requirements:
Moon Cactus plants should stay in 3-inch pots until reaching a height of 6 inches. Once the plant is 6 inches tall, it can be moved into a 4-inch pot.
If the plant is placed in a container that’s too large, the roots will grow around the edges of the pot and make it impossible to move.
these plants should be repotted every year or two as they become crowded by their root systems. It is best to transplant Moon Cactus into pots that are 2 inches larger than its current container.
When repotting Moon Cactus plants, it is important to handle them by the leaves or roots only. The stems are very delicate and can easily be snapped off if handled improperly.
To pot your new plant water the soil beforehand so that it’s moist but not soaking wet. Make a small hole in the center of the soil and gently pull the plant out of its old container.
Gently pack down the sides of the planting hole with your fingers, holding back excess dirt. Place your Moon Cactus in this “hill” and pack even more soil around it until just the tips of leaves are showing.
Place some pebbles at the bottom of the container to add drainage and ensure that excess water will drain out.
When transplanting to a larger or smaller pot, make sure you have potting soil with the correct amount of grit for drainage. You can test your soil by placing it in a container that has some standing water at the bottom. If the soil stays wet for more than a day or two, it has too much grit and should be replaced.
Moon Cactus Propagation info:
Moon Cactus plants can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or offsets. Preparing the soil for each method is very similar and will give a successful and healthy harvest.
To prepare the soil, mix together composted manure with other organic material such as leaf litter and dirt to create fertile bedding for your Moon Cat us. This will ensure that your plants have the correct amount of acidity, drainage, and low salinity for proper growth.
The only difference in each method is when they are planted. For each propagation method, plant two or three seeds rather than one so that you have an adequate number to grow healthy new plants.
Moon Cactus Problems:
Most of the problems associated with Moon Cactus are related to improper planting and over-watering.
Planting your Moon Cactus in pots that have too much grit may cause the plant not to be able to breathe properly or absorb nutrients from its soil. When this happens, the plant will wilt and die by starvation.
If your potted plant still has wet leaves on it after two days, you’ll know that it’s been overwatered. Overwatering can kill a cactus if left untreated for more than 48 hours after symptoms appear.
Roots can rot when planted in containers with poor drainage or soggy soil. This can lead to death if left untreated over time.
If you suspect that your Moon Cactus is infected by rot, remove the affected parts and place them in a bag with hot water. Boil these pieces of Moon Cactus for at least an hour to ensure that you’ve killed off all the rot pathogens before throwing away the water or composting it.
When transplanting your Moon Cactus, be sure to provide adequate drainage so that its roots have room to grow around it. Plant grafted Moon Cactus plants deeper than cuttings so they won’t wilt when transplanted.
Moon Cactus over-feeding can cause bloating, which will eventually lead to death if not treated immediately. If there is rotting fruit lying around your house, don’t feed any of this material to your Moon Cactus.
If you’ve accidentally overfed your Moon Cactus, cut off any fruits that are infected with the disease to keep it from spreading to the rest of the plant.
The only other problem that is associated with Moon Cat us is a pest called mealybugs. These bugs will start at the bottom of the stems and slowly work their way up as they feed on sap and excrement.
