Disocactus crenatus (Beavertail)

Origin of Disocactus crenatus (Beavertail)

‘Beavertail’ is the horticultural name used for this plant. It is unclear whether ‘Beavertail’ has been formally established as a cultivar. Disocactus crenatus occurs naturally from Mexico through Central America and grows as an epiphyte in seasonally dry tropical regions.

Disocactus crenatus has been grown in Europe since the 19th century and became known in cultivation for its large fragrant flowers that open during the day.

Growing and caring for Disocactus crenatus (Beavertail)

• Placement and support: Give the broad heavy stems room to arch from a hanging pot or high stand. Support older stems near the base if their weight begins pulling on the joints.
• Light: Give bright filtered light with some gentle direct sun and protect the broad stem surfaces from intense midday heat.
• Temperature: Keep temperatures around 18–26 °C and avoid prolonged temperatures below 10 °C. Keep the plant frost-free.
• Humidity: Around 50–60% is appropriate for everyday care. Keep a little air moving around the foliage.
• Water: Water thoroughly after the upper part of the potting mix has dried. Keep some moisture in the mix while broad new segments are lengthening.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, airy bark-based cactus mix with coarse material such as pumice or perlite. It should drain quickly but retain some moisture between waterings.
• Feeding: Feed lightly while broad new stem sections are developing.
• Repotting: With Disocactus crenatus (Beavertail), repot when roots fill the container or the potting mix has broken down and drains slowly.
• Propagation: Stem sections can be rooted once the cut surface has dried.

Problems to watch for with Disocactus crenatus (Beavertail)

• The stem base becomes soft or dark: The base may be rotting in wet, compacted potting mix. Cut any soft dark tissue back to firm healthy tissue with a clean blade and discard the rotten parts. If the remaining base is firm, repot it in fresh loose potting mix. If rot has spread through the base, root a healthy stem section as a cutting.
• Dry bleached or corky patches appear on the broad stems: Strong direct sun or hot glass can scorch the surface. Move the plant into bright filtered light.
• A heavy stem segment snaps at a joint: Trim any ragged tissue with a clean blade and let the cut surface dry. The detached healthy segment can be rooted as a cutting. Support other heavy stems near the base if they are pulling on the joints.
• Cottony insects or fixed brown bumps gather in the scallops: Mealybugs or scale may be present. Isolate the plant and clean the stem edges carefully. Treat with a product labelled for the pest and inspect the scallops again before repeating treatment according to the label.

Keep Disocactus crenatus (Beavertail) away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Who first published Disocactus crenatus, and what does the name mean?

Disocactus combines Greek dis, meaning twice, and isos, meaning equal, with cactus, referring to the two similar sets of floral segments. Crenatus means scalloped or furnished with rounded notches.

John Lindley established the genus Disocactus in 1845 in Edwards’s Botanical Register, volume 31, plate 9.

John Lindley first described it as Cereus crenatus in 1844 in Edwards’s Botanical Register, volume 30, issue 1, page 31. Miguel Ángel Cruz and Salvador Arias Montes later placed it in Disocactus as Disocactus crenatus in 2016 in Willdenowia, volume 46, page 157.