need help with aloe, orchid cactus
Comments (10)
christine 5b
5 years agoJ Williams
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Orchid cactus needs help
Comments (2)Indeed! I believe what you will soon be inheriting is an Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. Being that you are from washington I'd suggest you make sure any potting mix you use is on the gritty side so that it doesnt hold too much moisture. Though if its hot, moisture will help. They dont like prolonged periods out in the cold, but if its like 65-75 degrees during the day and dips into the 40's for a few hours at night, it wont die. They like to be slightly rootbound and since yours seems to be, it's not too bad. If you wanna pot it up, i'd go for one thats just slightly bigger with a gritty soil. This forum is full of people who have these so dont be scared to ask questions!!...See MoreAloe - One brown leaf / Two new Cactus
Comments (7)I would be willing to guess that most people actually did read your entire first post. However, no matter how excellent your writing skills, you just can't convey as much information as with a picture. No one wants to offer advice without having all the information possible. The lesson is, if you or anyone else wants a response to your questions, include pictures! Honestly, there is no problem with your Aloe. The tip of that leaf probably got damaged, and now the plant is recovering as much water as it can from it before it sheds it. As it pulls water out, the leaf will slowly die back, turning brown as it does. Like Norma said, once the leaf is truly dead and shriveled, it will pluck right off the stuff without much effort. Trimming it won't stop the progression, and trying to pull it off right is a bit extreme, and may injure the stem. Your plan of action for the other plants sounds good to me. Again, to be totally honest, commercial cactus mix is still way, way to rich in organic material. You'd be much better off mixing one or two parts drainage material (pumice, perlite, pea gravel, etc) with one part commercial cactus and succulent mix. It will just make things easier as far as watering goes. The other thing to keep in mind, is that these plants want as much sun as you can provide. You should slowly acclimate them to full sun over the course of a couple weeks to prevent sunburn. I know providing natural light can be very challenging as far north as you are, but the plants will be much happier. You'll find plenty more advice around here, on the internet, and in books. There are lots of different approaches, so you just need to find one that makes you happy. Norma's post is very dense with information, and if you researched each individual topic a little bit, you will immidiately leap from being a "begginer" to being a "novice." ;-) Last but not least, WELCOME!!!...See Morehelp ID gift. orchid or xmas cactus?schlumbergera or epiphyllum?
Comments (26)Wait a minute, $10 for a cutting or the whole plant? For the plant it is a fair price. I'd pay no more that $15 for the pot she is holding, if that is what she is asking. The larger ones, I'd snatch up for no more than $25 for the pot, even if they are probably NOID's. But I live in a state where I can drive a few hours either way and be in Epi heaven. If she is asking those prices for cuttings pay no more than $5 tops for the oxy and $7 for the hybrids. Have you asked on the exchange forum, I'm sure somebody would be more than happy to send you a cutting. I would, but I don't trade out of state for anything but rooted plants or something I really, really want. I would ask Pirate Girl where a good place to find epies is. If I remember right she has a few of them....See MoreOrchid Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus
Comments (7)I have my Easter, Christmas and Thanksgicing cacti outside where they receive indirect morning sun some afternoon sun and then they are shaded in the later afternoon. I have a little nicro climate in the front L shape portion of my house and it is easy to cover and control the climate with lights and plastic when it gets below freexing. I water and fertilizw when I have time and they are all growing and one has buds as I type. It is a white Thanksgiving cacti with a beautiful golden throat. My others are happy and it appears my true Christmas cactus is budding. I do nothing special other than to leave them alone the majority of the time. I am enclosing a link that will assist you with cultivation, and differentiation between the three and other tips. I live in Orlando behind Sea World so that makes it the south west side. Hope this helps and I would love a cutting of yours inulover. Linda Here is a link that might be useful: Cacti...See MoreJ Williams
5 years agoJ Williams
5 years ago
Photo Synthesis
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoThese are epiphytic rainforest cacti, which are far different than their desert cousins. They naturally hang over as they grow. No need to try and stake them upwards unless you want to. I never thought of doing this until you suggested it. So I did a quick search and found a rather beautiful example of one that was staked to grow upwards...
Care for these plants is similar to other epiphytes such as orchids, anthuriums, and thanksgiving/christmas/easter cacti.
I bought two cuttings a cultivar of this plant called 'Clown.' They've grown rather long and it was hanging over the side of the pot. Well, I had it stored away in my unheated garage for the winter, and it ended up falling over and breaking into several pieces...
I guess it was a blessing in disguise because it gave me many more cuttings to work with in order to grow an even fuller plant. Not only that, but upon closer examination of the cuttings I made, I noticed that there was a small infestation of scale. I was able to clean them off before I repotted them into a new pot with a fresh soil mix. If the plant hadn't fallen over, I wouldn't have noticed the infestation until next spring.
^^^ This isn't my photo, but it shows what mine will look like once it's grown much larger and blooms. I was hoping to initiate some flower buds over this winter, but it looks like that won't be happening until the following spring. Either way, it'll definitely be worth the wait.
J Williams thanked Photo Synthesis
Crenda 10A SW FL
5 years agoI would not bury the long stem on the Aloe. There is always the danger of rot. If it were my plant, I would cut the stem and reroot the plant. Let it dry/callous and then place in dry potting mix. They root rather easily. Best done when the weather is warm and agreeable. (Mine are all outside. I can't speak to growing in the house.)
These are large Aloe vera pups, but most roots have been trimmed or ripped off. They show about how much stem I would leave to callous and plant, about 2 inches. If the plant is unstable, use some of those rocks to prop it until new roots hold it firm. (Bet you've done this before!)
You have some nice pups that could actually stay where they are and the cutting can go into another pot. The arrangement is up to you, of course! LOLJ Williams thanked Crenda 10A SW FLJ Williams
5 years ago
lgteacher