Tropicals & Tender Perennials: saved from the dollar rack, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
I am NOT an expert, but have had a Ric Rac Cactus for years and have sent out many, many rooted cuttings to people on DG.

Mine looks like yours and I KNOW the one I have is called: "Cryptocereus Anthonyanus".
There is (are?) other varieties, but I think the difference is how the "ric-racs" are positioned on the "leaves". In mine--and seems also on yours, they alternate. In others, they are opposite one another. Another name for the latter one MIGHT be "Fishbone cactus".
I had one that was too huge and it had bloomed for the last 3 years, but It was too large for me to keep. I donated it to the Rawlings Conservatory and it lives happily, perched up high on some rocks just above their pond in the Mediterranean House.
I had a second HB of it well along the way, and that is now growing close to the size of my previous one.
As to the hard, gray, dry parts--from my observation--it just happens. It is not a fungus. It is like the tissue dies in some places....You can cut that frond off if it bothers you--cut it in 4" pieces, allow to scab over, and plant in small pots to root. Usually, they are rooted in about 3-4 months. You will see new growth if they are.

The long, hard stem-like leaves with all the stringy roots appear mostly while I have it inside for the Winter--so I have thought it is a response to low light and humidity.
NOW! You can cut pieces if the raggedy stems and stick them in soil--and they will root and produce normal "leaves". Have done it many times...
Ric Racs are SOOOO easy to root! Any piece of it will root. Start them right in a light soil mix.

I hang mine outside for the Summer in almost full sun. I don't do anything special to it--just run the hose on it when I am watering other plants. Seems to do well.

Here was the mama I gave away