Why Is My Moon Cactus Losing Color? (4 Causes and Solution)

Moon Cactus is composed of a spherical cactus in various vibrant hues, commonly in red, pink, yellow, orange, and sometimes purplish-black, sitting on top of the other green base cactus. These bright color top ball-shaped cacti can sometimes surprise you by changing their color.

Moon succulents lose their color once their growing condition isn’t ideal. There area unit four reasons why moon succulents modify their color over time : [1] lightweight Exposure, [2] deficient nutrients, [3] Overwatering, and [4] adulthood. These factors might cause death to the plant if left unresolved.

Unlike different cacti, the pure varied moon succulent’s spherical head is temporary and should be grafted onto another cactus to survive. though they have very little attention, giving them correct care can prevent from future issues like attenuation or losing color.

Moon succulent could be a combination of 2 completely different cacti grafted along. the highest succulent or the ‘scion’ is the ‘Hibotan’ succulent, whereas the all-time low succulent or the ‘rootstock’ is any succulent species. A Hylocereus species is the standard rootstock used. The diameter of the succulent ball on high typically measures three -6 centimeters. they need 8-10 prominent ribs around their body with slender edges.

The top succulent depends on the succulent it sits upon as a result of the rootstock is the supply of nutrients it has to survive.

4 reasons that affect color fading in moon cactus

The healthy moon cactus appears to have a vibrant color and a healthy green rootstock. A color change might not immediately cause danger to your plant. Nonetheless, usually, color change in moon cactus plants can be a sign of an underlying more than one problem. There is more than one reason associated with fading or color loss in the moon cactus.

1. Light Exposure

Are you noticing that your moon succulent is bit by bit losing its vivacious glow and turning into pale or having patches? Sun exposure are often causative issue to the present drawback. though the highest graft will tolerate low lightweight and survive below a shade, the inexperienced rootstock desires ample daylight to grow well and support both( itself and also the ball graft) their desires.

Keeping your plant within the shade for longer will weaken the foundation, whereas over-exposure to the sun will harm the highest succulent. Sudden, prolonged sun exposure will get your moon succulent a sunburn that seems to be brown patches on your plant. However, bit by bit introducing your succulent to direct daylight can build them adaptative to the condition. The a lot of they take pleasure in the sun, the a lot of they become vivacious. it’s simply a matter of adaptation.

2. Old Age

Moon cacti typically don’t last long. On average, a moon succulent will survive between 1and four years most. However, there area unit some adept growers UN agency went on the far side of that expected span of years. Moon succulents have a shorter period thanks to the highest succulent outgrowing the rootstock and sucking all the nutrients till all-time low succulent cannot offer any longer. once the previous rootstock becomes too weak and skinny, chances are high that it cannot transport spare nutrients to the ball graft, going it pale and unhealthy.

The best thanks to save the highest graft are to get rid of it from the dying rootstock and re-graft it to a different healthy succulent to continue its lifetime. Another drawback with the aging moon succulent is dandy. it’s a phenomenon that happens because of the moon’s succulent ages. The plant can develop brown color patches of the skin that are unit arduous to the touch.

3. Over Watering

Like alternative cacti, the moon succulent is additionally drought-resistant and needs a stripped quantity of water to thrive. Overwatering can end in plant disease, wherever it becomes mushy and yellow and might unfold upwards, damaging the highest succulent.

4. Insufficient Nutrients

Moon succulent don’t would like feeding typically. however underfeeding them can deprive them of the nutrients that they have, leading to unhealthy pale plants. Nutrient-rich, smart quality, and gritty potting combine can work best for your moon succulent. Feeding them the nutrients they have throughout their active state will boost their likelihood of survival.

3 tips to prevent Moon Cactus from fading

Moon succulent isn’t terribly tough to grow and needs very little of your attention. though the descendant and therefore the rootstock have completely different growth rates, providing them with a balanced setting can keep them each thriving. they’re low-maintenance plants that add beauty and color to your balcony or garden. you’ll be able to maintain their spirited color for a extended time, given the correct care and cultivation wants.

1. Indirect Sunlight and No cold

Moon succulent will thrive in heat temperatures however cannot survive cold drafts. Temperature below forty eight.20F (90C) are often harmful to them. Moon succulent ought to ne’er be left outdoors in winter, if not in terribly gentle condition.

The two cacti that conjure a moon succulent have totally different lightweight preferences. whereas all-time low inexperienced succulent love direct daylight, the colourful one on the highest cannot tolerate intense direct daylight. to stay them each thriving and maintain their sensible look, make certain they get enough daylight their system desires. it’s best to position them in an exceedingly bright spot aloof from direct daylight.

2. Soak and Dry technique

The best methodology of watering your moon succulent is to soak and dry. This means, that before you water your plant, ensure that the potting combine is nearly dry. you’ll be able to tell that your plant desires watering by merely lifting the pot. light-weight pot indicated dry potting combine.

Pour enough water into the soil, absorbing the entire pot till the water drains out of very cheap. Let the potting combine dry out totally before you water once more. you’ll be able to do that once per week or doubly if it gets hotter in your space. The frequency of watering your succulent additionally depends on the potting combine. the perfect potting medium for your succulent is gritty and well-draining. this fashion you’ll be able to avoid over/under-watering.

3. No Feeding when Dormant

Feeding your moon succulent, particularly throughout the season around April to Gregorian calendar month, is important for a healthier and additional vivacious color plant. Skip feeding them throughout the dormant.