The summer is the best season to grow a bunny ear cactus since it gives the young plants more time to take root before the chilly winter months approach.
- 1. Take off a few of the mother plant’s mature pads. To prevent being poked by the cactus plant’s spines, use tweezers.
- 2. Let the trimmings dry. Over the course of several days, allow the cuttings to dry out and callus.
- 3. Plant the trimmings. In a clay pot, bury the dried cuttings under an inch of cactus potting soil.
- 4. Locate a sun-filled area. Wait a few days for the root system to form, then place it somewhere sunny.
- 5. Frequently water the plant. Throughout the cactus’ first year, water it frequently to promote root development.
When will a rabbit ear cactus take root?
As with most succulents, a pad removed from the cactus can be used to start new rabbit ears plants. When removing a leaf, proceed with the utmost care because the glochids are prone to dislodging and are challenging to remove from the skin.
Pick up the pad with newspaper or heavy gloves. Insert into the cactus soil after allowing the end to callus for a few days. For cultivating bunny ears cactus, use a quality cactus mix or create your own by mixing potting soil, sand, and peat moss in equal parts. Usually, the pad takes a few weeks to root.
For indoor use, bunny ears cactus needs a container with good drainage. The primary killer of these plants, excess moisture, can evaporate in an unglazed clay container. Although they can also be grown outdoors, they are only hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11.
Cacti from cuttings can be propagated?
Probably the most frequent and straightforward method of propagation is stem cuttings. Stem cuttings are an effective method for multiplying many cacti. Stem cuttings from an existing plant are removed, then left to calluse and dry out. Eventually, the cuttings will begin to take root from the cut end and grow into a new plant.
Some cacti that are frequently multiplied via stem cuttings include:
- Prickly pears or opuntia
- Collapsed cactus
- Globular and pincushion cacti
Common Problems of Bunny Ears Cactus
Overwatered
A Bunny Ears cactus that has been overwatered will typically begin to wilt, shrink, droop downward sharply, develop brown spots, and, if left in the damp for too long, may even develop root rot. Therefore, once you realize that your Bunny Ears are already drowning from too much water, stop watering it for a bit until the soil feels fully dry.  
The best thing to do is to make sure the soil you are using for your Bunny Ears drains. It’s likely that the soil can no longer drain the water quickly or effectively enough to keep water from pooling too long around your cactus.  
Underwatered
A Bunny Ear Cactus may droop or get shriveled as a result of dehydration. But unlike a cactus that is overwatered, this one can dry out and finally die if it is not given enough water. Just keep in mind that despite being a cactus, this plant still need occasional hydration, especially if you notice that the soil is getting close to being completely dry.
Again, though, saving an underwatered Bunny Ears is simpler than saving an overwatered one because you only need to give it a big drink repeatedly until it stands straight again rather than leaning.
Etiolation
Lack of exposure to light is another factor in the sagging, bending, or stretching out of a bunny ear cactus (or also known as etiolation).
A plant will typically start to literally stretch toward the closest light source if it doesn’t get all the light it needs each day.
Put your plant in a location where it can receive at least 6 hours of full to partial sunshine each day to prevent this from happening.
Pests
Unpleasant white spots on the cactus pads are typically a sign of bug issues. Bunny Ear is susceptible to pest infestations like mealybugs and aphids, which can cause this cactus to lose fluids, just like any other plant. If not stopped right away, these pests not only cause your plant to droop, wilt, or shrivel up, but they also have the potential to kill this cactus.
You can use rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to remove any pests you spot and then use neem oil to spray your cactus as a remedy. Additionally, it is advisable to keep the contaminated plant separate from your other plants during this period and then simply reposition it once the pests have disappeared.
Frost Injury
Once more, Bunny Ear cactus are not frost-tolerant and susceptible to harm from the cold, which could cause them to droop or get wilted.
Bring your cacti inside as it starts to get really chilly outside, or even before that. Just be sure to give them the daily amount of sunlight they require, and keep them away from windows that are likely to freeze.
If your Bunny Ears are in the ground, you might choose to offer protection in instead of defense. Burlap, frost blankets, or bed sheets are all options for covering it.
Why is the cactus on my rabbit ear getting long and skinny?
Regarding the bunny ear cactus’ thin offshoots That is etiolation brought on by darkness. Consider moving the cactus back outside where it may receive several hours of direct sunshine each day during the summer if the window is too dark. The cactus is renowned for its devotion and submission.
How frequently should I water my cactus with bunny ears?
Bunny Ears cactus, like all desert plants, will require extra attention in terms of watering until they acclimate to their new growing environment. These cacti are simple to grow and can withstand extended droughts once they have a strong root structure.
Bunny Ears cactus require regular watering throughout their first season in a new planting container to keep the soil consistently moist. These plants do not like waterlogging or damp conditions, so make sure you carefully check the soil between waterings. The ideal time to water your cactus is when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry to the touch.
Typically, they simply need to be watered occasionally. Many gardeners choose to place a tray beneath their pot so that the soil can drain correctly and any extra water can be thrown away. You should only water your Bunny Ears cactus once every three to four weeks in the fall and winter. While some plants can survive without watering throughout the winter, they require quick hydration once spring weather arrives.
Root rot could occur if you overwater your cactus, especially in the winter. Lack of growth or shriveling pad tips are typical signs of insufficient irrigation. It is advised that you wait to see how your cactus responds before changing the frequency of watering.
With the dry circumstances present in their natural habitat, bunny ears cacti are utilised. They will therefore profit from being in a place that is not overly humid. You may either use a dehumidifier or just set these plants in a room with air vents to grow them indoors. Select a location in your yard that will provide them with the ideal humidity levels, such as a sunny area that is separate from other plants.
Do I need to prune my rabbit ear cactus?
The dry deserts of Mexico and Arizona are where bunny ears cactus were first discovered. They prefer these circumstances to be recreated when it comes to humidity and won’t thrive in areas with a lot of prevailing wetness.
Houseplants that enjoy wetness should be kept away from your cactus because they demand extremely different humidity levels. Using a dehumidifier in your “cactus room” can be a good idea if your house tends to get extremely humid.
Fertilizer
Only during the growing season do you need to fertilize your bunny ears cactus. To feed your plant, dilute a cactus fertilizer in the water every other time you water it.
Your bunny ears cactus needs very little water, and the roots can be very delicate.
I advise utilizing liquid fertilizer that has been diluted to half or a fourth of the advised strength. Fertilizer accumulation in the soil from infrequent watering can burn the roots.
Don’t fertilize your bunny ears cactus throughout the winter or for a month following repotting.
Repotting
The bunny ears cactus grows slowly in general. To promote fresh growth, they just require repottering every few years. When the bloom has faded by late summer, repot the cactus.
Repotting them is simple, but you should handle the pads with extra caution. To avoid touching the sharp needles, wrap the pads with many sheets of newspaper or heavy gardening gloves.
Never water right away after repotting (totally counter-intuitive, I know). The ideal time to water for the first time should be after around a week.
To avoid overwhelming the root system, repot into a container that is only marginally bigger than the original. Make sure the pot has adequate drainage holes and is filled with a sand-heavy soil mixture.
Pruning
No pruning is necessary if your bunny ears cactus is still in good health. Rarely, excessive watering may cause the base stem to develop some mushy areas. It will be impossible to prune the damage away because it is the base.
Instead, you can save the plant by removing all of the sound, completely developed pads so they can grow into new plants.
Make sure to follow along since growing bunny ears cactus differs greatly from growing other types of indoor plants. Any completely developed pad can be multiplied and ought to have its ends trimmed off in the summer.
To avoid touching the pad directly, cover it with a newspaper or a pair of thick gardening gloves.
The first step is to cut away a pad from the cactus using a sharp, clean knife. Clean up your cut so the plant will heal quickly.
For a few days, until the wound has healed, leave the pad you just removed in a bright location on a clean surface, such as a plate or newspaper.
The next step is to place the cactus pad into the proper cactus potting mix and bury the end approximately 1 inch deep. The pad should develop roots and get established in its new container over the coming weeks.
If you put numerous cuttings in the same pot, the success rate of propagating pads will be increased. To promote a strong root system, give the plant a week to rest before watering regularly for the first year.
Blooms
Rarely, a bunny ears cactus will begin to produce buds in the late spring from the tips of completely developed pads.
These buds will blossom into stunning 2-inch creamy flowers in the early summer. A spherical, purple fruit will replace it once it blooms. The fruit looks like a prickly pear but has far less sugar, making it tasteless.
Are bunny ear and prickly pears the same plant?
The rabbit ear cactus, also known as Opuntia microdasys or angel’s wings, is a smaller relative of the more well-known prickly pear cactus. Despite not having many culinary applications, it is a common houseplant because of how simple it is to care for and how adorable it looks. The glochids and pads of this cactus sometimes resemble bunny ears, giving it its common name.
If you recently purchased an Opuntia microdasys or are considering purchasing one, continue reading to learn everything there is to know about this type of cactus.
What can I do to make my rabbit ear cactus bloom?
Opuntia microdasys, also referred to as the “bunny ear cactus,” is a Mexican clump-forming cactus with flat, elliptical to circular pads that are free of thorns. It may reach heights of 3 feet (90 cm) and a width of 6 feet (1.8 m). The lack of spine development in Bunny Ears Cactus is an intriguing fact. In its place, glochids—short, whitish, yellowish, or brown prickles—grow. When handling this cactus, caution is advised because it can still bite. If you’re lucky, the plant may produce creamy yellow blooms in the summer that reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) broad, followed by spherical purple fruits.
It’s easy to grow Bunny Ears Cactus by replicating its natural surroundings. Therefore, if your home is dry, low in humidity, and gets a lot of sunlight, a bunny ears cactus can be the ideal plant for you.
Light, Temperature, and Humidity
The most likely location to satisfy the Bunny Ears Cactus’ requirement for bright, direct sunlight is close to a sunny window. While a Bunny Ears Cactus in active growth can withstand indoor summer temperatures of up to 100 F (38 C), flowering cannot be expected unless you also offer winter temperatures of 45 to 55 F. (7 and 13 C). No matter the time of year, it prefers humidity levels between 10 and 30 percent. Last but not least, if none of your windows provide enough light, place the plant 14 to 16 hours each day, 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) below a cool white fluorescent tube.
Pot and Potting Soil
The planting soil for bunny ears cactus should drain quickly. Use cactus potting soil from a store or prepare your own. A clay pot that is only slightly deeper and larger than the plant’s root system makes the perfect container for your cactus. It must have drainage holes since a pot without them or one that is too big could prevent proper watering.
Watering
The Bunny Ears Cactus is a heat-loving cactus that thrives outside in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. It has shallow roots that are designed to catch even the smallest amount of rainfall. The roots in a pot are vulnerable to rot if they are kept damp all the time. Before watering Bunny Ears Cactus until water flows through the container’s drainage holes, wait until the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry. When it is actively developing between spring and fall, regular irrigation is important. It is sufficient to dampen the medium once every three to four weeks until the plant enters winter dormancy.
Fertilizing
Feeding Bunny Ears Cactus with liquid 20-20-20 houseplant fertilizer at half the label’s suggested strength is beneficial. An alternative is to use 5-10-10 fertilizer if you want to encourage the plant to blossom. In either case, fertilize the plant while it is actively growing and after each watering. More frequent fertilization could promote excessively quick development or result in irregular pads. A dormant or recently potted Bunny Ears Cactus shouldn’t be fertilized.
Pests Control
To drain sap from a Bunny Ears Cactus’ pads, cottony, segmented white mealybugs and scale insects with a barnacle-like appearance attach. Dab the pests with cotton swabs dipped in 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol to get rid of them without having the bristly glochids stick to your skin.
Repotting
Every one to two years, repot Bunny Ears Cactus in a container that is one size larger than the existing one. Wait a week before giving it a light watering and relocating it into direct sunlight so that its roots have time to heal after the relocation. After repotting, avoid fertilizer for at least one month. To avoid touching the bothersome glochids on the plant’s pads when repotting, handle the plant with a piece of old carpet or rolled-up newspaper.
Propagation
In the early summer, any fully formed pad from this cactus may be easily broken off and potted again for propagation. Cuttings should be buried an inch (2.5 cm) deep in the soil and are most effective when planted in groups of three or more. In the first year after propagation, don’t forget to water frequently to encourage the development of a strong root system.