Toni - if it goes back, it's possible that they would leave it outside in the summer. I'd worry it might get forgotten and left out in a freeze. It I keep it, it will have to stay inside because I have too many bugs outside and too many houseplants inside to risk bringing outside plants in. Inna - the segments in the center are just old, not rotted. I have Schultz Orchid BARK - not the mix. I have a cutting off my plant which is in the straight (cut down to smaller size) bark and it seems to be doing well, I noticed baby leaves growing on all the segments the other day. Is the actual MIX better than the straight bark? (I do want to repot my two more mature TC plants and am looking for the perfect medium) Pirate Girl - no worries about coming across as rude, I understand. I did mention in the OP that I was worried about which medium to choose because of the fact that they might not water it regularly. The foil, that it is just sitting on, is how it's been kept for months after the pot broke (from what I am told). If fact the way it's pictured, with the foil and plastic container, is how it's been living. It's entirely possible if I said, "listen - this must be watered more regularly or it's going to die," that they would just tell me to keep it. My MIL watered it on Thursday when she got into town, I brought it home Thursday night. I haven't watered it yet to hopefully make it easier for me to get the old soil off the roots. Whatever "plant stuff" I can't get to this weekend will have to be put on an indeterminate hold. My kids start school on Monday, including my oldest who has been working with my husband. Once they start school, it's back to work for me (with my husband) and then I start my classes on Thursday - 13 hours this coming term. Sorry I didn't answer yesterday - we were school supply shopping for the three oldest. The middle & high school (OMG, my oldest is in high school this year!) didn't give out supply lists until the orientations, which were on Thursday evening.

Jojo..Doesn't the mix Josh speaks of sound so delicious? lol Reall! My C.C, T.C, all my Hoya's and many other epethites , is that how you spell that? Oh yes, many of my orchid and most of my houseplants LOVE this mix! I think you said something about being worried about having to water more often in the heat? Have you seen how HOT the temps can get where Josh lives? I have never been that hot here, and he seems to do just fine. Rhizo, you crack me up..lol Wishing everyone a Happier New Year or just as good as the last! It's 30 degrees here and already dark and cloudy at 4 p.m. So depressing. I was really hoping my plants would at least get a few minutes of sun today. Not:-( Mom send you an extra ton of love Jojo and wishes all the best for Mike too. You have been such an awesome friend after all these years. Ooh, one more thing Jojo...Take a look at what the mix could look like. I'll link you. It's 5 parts bark, one part pumice, and one part perlite. Josh thanks pal. MIke Here is a link that might be useful: Good mix for your T.C and other Tropicals This post was edited by meyermike_1micha on Mon, Dec 31, 12 at 16:09

Lamora. I am not sure of where else you asked this question, but I hope it was at the cactus forum...That is where the experts on this plant are. Karen, Josh and others have been very keen on giving wonderful advice and have helped me with mine there. Now I can help a bit..:-) Why did you pot them together? I would of potted them in alone in seperate pots. They are not as bad as you think they are, unless the roots are rotted and you have yet to look at them. I have a feeling your mix is not compatable with a VERY healthy and hydrated plant. Is it exposed to very cold temps too? I find that when mine shrivel a bit like that, they are starving for water by either not being able to take up water because of poor root function, usually due to my errors. Causes could be a very heavy mix that stays wet too long, or very cold temps along with this type of soil too. They love very airy and porous mixes. Not sure what your plant is trying to tell you, but I have a deep feeling it's coming from the roots in a bad mix. Does the mix look porous? If it's lousy, the I would watch for root rot. If it is NOT porous, I would do something about that and then leave them ro recover. Constant tickering around with it will only hold back its recovery. This is a plant that one must not fuss with. It is one that you simply provide a good porous mix from water more often as than you think, as long as the mix is porous, give it good light, and leave alone:-) Mike

I already have long-fiber sphagnum. The pot it is on top of is already prepared with the bark and spag mix. I'll try using a dental pick to help break it up once the soil is mostly dry. Thanks for your help! One last question: will these leaves remain droopy and loose to the touch? I'm fine if they do, but just don't want them falling off easily down the road.