Well the cuttings from the dead plants appear to still be alive. I sterilized the mix in the oven and potted them up so far so good. I guess I didn't water F. maclellandii with the pathogenic brew as it still seems to be alive and just doing the Ficus thing. My Cereus 'Ming Thing' I am pretty sure did get watered with it, and I guess that's a waiting game. No rotten spots that I see yet. It is outside and it has been raining like crazy today though. I think I'll bring it inside and let it dry out as it is supposed to rain for 2 more days. Hopefully cacti are more resistant. Crossing fingers. Thanks again for all your deducing everyone. This is definitely a case of operator error. I had some of the tea left over (one of those things I had around the house) and figured it'd be fine. Yuck. Oh well. Not much I can do about it now except learn. No more yucky brews. Even if I urge to "waste not want not." Ellie

I don't know about dogs, but our cats avoid our few Pels, especially the citronella scented one. They just don't like the strong scent...so much so that we used to place leaves where we didn't want them to go when they were new to the family. I have a hard time getting mine to bloom, so I can't help you there...I keep small ones inside during the winter, then plant them outside in large containers for the summer, taking cuttings in the fall again for bringing inside.

i believe.. in the common parlance.. a scented geranium ... you might want to search if such is an urban myth ... ya know.. just because it smells like citornella oil .... might not mean it works as such ... ken

If the ones in the ground were from pieces of your potted plants then it doesnt matter which ones you use for cuttings, theyll be the same plant. it does sound like the ones in the ground are probably getting more nitrogen from the soil than your potted ones and thats why the leaves are so large, it can also depend on the amound of light and they can get larger leaves if they are too shaded. they are very easy plants to root (as youve found when you put the pieces in the ground), they dont need any hormone powder or special anything to get them to grow. if your cuttings are rotting then most likely you are overwatering them, you really just need to keep the soil moist but not wet, and dont be afraid to let them dry out slightly either. the cuttings do like some warmth and strike roots much quicker, so you might be best to keep overwintering your plant, do the cuttings in spring and then even save one of those new plants to overwinter the following year just so that you dont end up with a woody old thing that youre trying to get cuttings off.