How do you grow a monkey tail cactus?

Answer 1

Attention to soil, sunlight and watering are critical in growing the monkey tail cactus (Fouquieria splendens).

Specifically, the monkey tail cactus may mature to a height of 15-30 feet/4.5-9 meters. It may measure 8 feet/2.4 meters around. Roots grow best in well drained sandy or gravelly loam soils, with the addition of light amounts of organic content. The plant needs sunny, open, unrestricted locations where surface water does not collect. It needs to be watered, but only once its soil dries out. So watering most likely will not be more often than every 10 days during the driest, hottest months. It best is done early in the morning or late in the evening, outside the high evaporation hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Seeds may be collected once the plant's red bloom fades in summer or early fall. Cuttings may be softwood or woody stems.

Bare root ball stems need to be shaded and watered until they can be planted. The wire tie is twisted together on the cactus plant's south facing side, which must face south when planted. The planting hole needs to be the width and the depth of the roots.

There will be a dirt line just below where all the canes join together. That line must be at ground level. The plant hole needs to be lined with sandy dirt, for good drainage.

The canes need to be sprayed daily for the first 1-2 months. The next 10-11 months, they need water every 2-3 weeks during cooler months and every 10 days during hot months.

The cactus may bloom soon after being planted. Or it may not show life the first year. But it shows itself to be dead only when a slightly bent cane snaps.