Newbie needs help with Euphorbia Lactea Cristata

15 years ago

I'm not new to gardening, but cactus & succulents are new-ish for me. I acquired a small Euphobia Lactea Cristata over a year ago, and I'm having two issues with it: First, I wasn't expecting a fast growth rate, but the only sign of anything new I've seen since I've had it is one small (1-2 inch) new stem. (I will also admit that I've never fertilized it, so that may solve that problem). Second, I just noticed yesterday that one section of it has a blackish soft spot on it that's almost mushy. Fungus ? And how do I treat that ? I'm hoping I can cut out the bad parts and maybe use the cleaned up, cut off piece as a new start.

It's planted in a terra cotta pot with regular cactis/succulent medium (very coarse, no peat). I water about once every two weeks, and it sits near a south facing window. I'm thinking it might be happier outside with some higher light. Any suggestions would be most helpful !

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Comments (7)

mingtea
15 years ago
if your medium is extremely coarse (and fast draining), and the pot is small, you may want to increase your watering to once a week. that alone might allow you to see faster growth. is this a grafted plant? many grafted plants don't grow quickly on their own, sometimes due to lack of chlorophyll or simply because they are slow growers. i'm sorry i don't grow this plant, so that's all i have to say. perhaps others can help you?

-ming
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telly2
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks mingtea. I don't know if this is a grafted plant or not. How do I tell ?
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telly2
Original Author
15 years ago
Ok, now the whole plant seems to be getting soft and turning black ! Can I save it ? Help !
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fishinfool96
15 years ago
Dosen't sound good, I'd try to find a part of the plant that dosen't have rot. If you can try and root it. Maybe someone thats familar with the plant can help with rooting a cutting.
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kaktuskris
15 years ago
If there is any part of the plant left that is not soft and black, I would cut it off and try to root it. Whatever is soft and black, is of course beyond help.

BTW these are grafted plants, which are something of a fad today. I see them often at Walmart and Home Depot with their glued on rocks.

Christopher
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telly2
Original Author
15 years ago
I got mine from an individual, not a store.

There is one small part left that's not black/mushy yet, so I'm going to try and salvage it. Could someone please confirm for me that I have to let the cut end callous over before trying to root it ?

Also would appreciate anyone's input on some possible causes of the problem.
Thanks so much for everyone's help !
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fishinfool96
15 years ago
Definetly let it callous. I'm not familiar with this plant but I'm sure if you don't let it heal before putting it in soil the chances of it rotting go way up. Also if it is rot I would change soil or watering habits. I think most problems are from not enough light though. Direct sun helps dry the soil faster, if its not getting direct sun the soil is probably staying wet too long, causing the roots to be drenched and restricting oxygen around the roots.

If its a grafted plant it probably wont survive on its own it would have to be grafted onto another plant. That I can't help with, never tried it. I'm sure someone could help though.
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Newbie needs help with Euphorbia Lactea Cristata

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mingtea

telly2
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Newbie needs help with Euphorbia Lactea Cristata

Comments (7)

mingtea

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fishinfool96

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