I’m in love with this bright red little guy.
The Gymnocalycium cultivar — sometimes called ruby ball cactus or moon cactus — is actually two cacti in one.
A pure red cactus seedling lacks the ability to produce chlorophyll and will die unless it’s grafted onto a green one. The green feeds its mutant mate sugar molecules produced from water and carbon dioxide.
Once established, the two parts grow together so you can’t even see the seam.
I’m going to try and graft the babies on either side of the main ball onto other types of cacti in the garden. Wish me luck!
Enchanted Seashells by Princess Rosebud 
Good luck with that.
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I’ve never attempted a graft, this should be post worthy!
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The red cactus looks amazingly beautiful.
Good luck.
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Thank you! I’ll document my attempt to clone this little guy!
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I bought one of these about two months ago. I put it in too much sun and it’s not revivable. I hope you do better.
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I actually planted it outside before I read that you’re not supposed to, but it seems to love it, tho I might move it now that I know! if I graft it successfully, I can send you a baby!
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I would honor it with the life of a princess cactus.
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I researched it online and it doesn’t look all that difficult so I will give it a try. I wonder if there are any restrictions about sending to AZ?
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Interesting! So I guess that red cactus would not survive at all without human intervention?
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Apparently so, since it needs to be attached to a green thing. I wonder how they survived prior to human intervention? It really is adorable, tho.
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Good luck Mrs. Greenthumbs! I never knew a red cactus would die if it wasn’t grafted with a green one. So much to learn from you Princess R!
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I am a sparkly pink encyclopedia of useless information!
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Well, you know you had me at sparkly pink….and what else did you say?
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HAHAHA that’s cos you’re blinded by my sparkly kitty necklace which I haven’t taken off since I ripped open the package!
I really am the Princess of perfectly pathetic trivia. Hmm, might be my blog for tomorrow.
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