Being capable to identify a works correctly is all-important in horticulture . With this knowledge , you’re able to give your plants the surround they need to thrive . The mistletoe cactus and pencil cactus calculate implausibly similar . So , how do you tell them asunder ? We ’ve done the research and can tell you how these plant dissent .
The mistletoe cactus ( Rhipsalis baccifera ) is a cactus that can grow up to 30 foot long in ideal conditions . It has hang tendril , which pee-pee them suitable for hang pots .
You should put mistletoe cactus where it receives bright but collateral sunlight . These plants also are n’t drought tolerant .
The pencil cactus ( Euphorbia tirucalli ) is a cactus - like , single , or multi - cauline shrub or tree that typically reaches high of 30 feet outdoors and 6 feet indoors . The sap is toxic and mordant .
Pencil cacti thrive in full sun and can tolerate periods of drought . These plant can be raise indoors or out but are illiberal to ice .
As you could see , know the difference between these two flora is critical for keeping you and your family safe . Keep take to learn more about these plants , their remainder , and more !
Differences Between Mistletoe and Pencil Cacti
While they look similar , Old World mistletoe cactus and pencil cactus are actually very different . One important preeminence is that the pencil cactus is not a true cactus . It is actually a part of theEuphorbiaceaefamily . flora in this family are have it off as succulent . However , they are not cacti and only look like them .
In comparability , themistletoe cactusis a part of the family Cactaceae , which are considered true cacti . These industrial plant areuniquewhen compared to others in the same family .
Mistletoe cacti are epiphytic , which stand for that they grow on other plant . While mistletoe cacti do gain support from the plant , they are n’t consideredparasiticand should n’t cause hurt to the host plant .
Size
Thepencil cactuscan be grown as an indoor or outdoor plant . When acquire outside , these plants can get through up to 30 animal foot tall and spread up to 10 feet .
If grown as a houseplant , the pencil cactus will have a mature height of six ft tall and a three - foot breadth . Under the correct precondition , this flora can raise up to 20 inches in one year .
In comparison , themistletoe cactuscan have tendrils that are six feet long and spread two feet panoptic . In their natural habitats , these plants can grow as prospicient as 30 feet with a 5 - pes spread .
Keep in judgement that mistletoe cacti are very dull raiser . So , it can take several years to have a long , trailing plant . They will maturate slightly quicker if grown in idealistic weather condition .
Toxicity
Pencil cacti are hydrocarbon plant life . They produce milky - white saphead or latex paint that can be used as fuel . However , this substance is irritating to the skin . Any contact can cause severe irritation , rubor , and burning .
There are also health problems if you consume the pencil cactus . There can beburningon the lips , sass , tongue , andmucous membrane .
Pencil cacti cause the same job in beast . It can causevomitingin dogs , cats , and sawhorse . Contact your local veterinary if you suspect your pet has take in some of this plant .
In comparison , mistletoe cactus isnon - toxicto pet and humans . The small white or yellow fruits have a light-colored , seraphic mouthful . In the wilderness , birds will eat on the berry and distribute the seed . If originate as a houseplant , you may also palpate free to eat the fruit .
Growing Conditions
Pencil cacti are hardy for USDA Zones9 through 12 . If planting outside , you should aim to give this industrial plant at least six hours of sunshine . However , protecting the plant from the afternoon Dominicus may be beneficial .
These plant will do good when the daylight temperatures are around 75 level Fahrenheit and evening temperatures remain over 50 degrees Fahrenheit .
They prefer area with broken humidness and dry , sandy , well - drained grunge . You should wait to water your plant until the top few inch of grease have dry out out . you may increase or decrease your watering depending on the sentence of year .
If you survive in a cold zone , you should keep your pencil cactus as an indoor plant life . In these cases , you should keep them confining to your brightest windowpane and away from any cold draught .
When get in containers , you should use well - drain loamy soil . you may mix in gritty material , like sand , to help with drainage .
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Mistletoe Cactus Growing Conditions
The mistletoe cactus is intrepid for USDA zones9 through 11 . It is commonly find growing on trees , so it ’s more used to indirect sun throughout the day . When selecting a location , be aware that an indoor location can get both direct and collateral sunlight throughout the sidereal day .
Mistletoe cacti also prefer systematically moist , more or less acid soil . However , it does n’t like pee - logged ground .
Be sure to allow the first two inches of soil to dry out before watering . If you start detect wilting or maudlin stems , you ’ve been over - watering .
You also need to apply tepid water . If you use frigid water for this plant , it can ironize the roots and cause stunted maturation .
These plant do well when the temperature average between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit , which is within the orbit of most normal households .
However , mistletoe cacti prefer in high spirits humidity . You may have low humidness if you notice brown peak on your industrial plant . Move the works aside from any aviation vents or drafts .
If that ’s not the problem , then you should try placing a smasher filled with water nearby or putting a humidifier nearby .
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Pruning
You should prune your pencil cactus in the give after it starts actively grow .
You need to take excess precaution when pruning the pencil cactus . First , protect your eyes and peel from this plant ’s sap . You should also avoid compost your cutting .
The first things you should remove are diseased , damaged , or dead branch . Next , pruneto ascendance material body and size . Avoid absent more than a third of the plant life at once . Over - pruning can negatively affect its growing .
Once you ’re done , you should clean the shears you used to do the pruning . They will be sticky , and you also want to avoid pollute another plant .
In comparing , mistletoe cacti need very little pruning . For this works , you only postulate to prune when you see broken or pathologic stems .
If you ’d like to make your false mistletoe cactus smaller , you may also cut back it to keep in line its shape . However , since this plant grows so slowly , you should n’t have to do that very often .
To debar spreading disease to your mistletoe cactus , you ’ll necessitate to clean your shears before pruning . you may do this by wipingrubbing alcoholon them . Just be certain to strip the sword before originate the plant life .
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Fertilizer
Since pencil cacti do so well in nutritive - light , sandy soil , you wo n’t have to fertilize this plant often . If you decide to fertilize , only do it once a yr during the springtime .
Applying too much plant food often can actually settle down burn , killing your works .
Mistletoe cactus , on the other hand , will do well with light feedings throughout the arise time of year . Dilute melted fertilizer and apply it once a calendar month from spring until summertime . You do n’t have to apply fertilizer in the free fall and wintertime .
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Pest and Disease Problems
Both of these plants are considered prosperous to care for . However , pencil cacti tend to have a bigger problem with pests . These plants are mildly susceptible to spider mite , aphids , and mealy bug .
Mistletoe cacti may present several disease problems if it ’s not being water by rights . Root decomposition is a very vulgar issue . yellow leaves or miss leaves near the base is a house that there is too much moisture on the foliage .
Your plant can also get sun scorch if put in an area with high-pitched amount of brilliant , verbatim sunshine .
In Conclusion
Despite their similar appearance , Viscum album cacti and pencil cacti are very different . bed their differences can help you take great care of your plant and avoid accidental injury from toxic sap .
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