Hello,
I have owned this cactus for about 5 years, and having lost the label almost immediately I bought it, am none the wiser what it is!
http://homepage.mac.com/rumbers/Cactus/mycactus.html
I'm hoping that somebody will be able to identify it, but more importantly, tell me what the strange brown canker is that seems to be spreading all over it (albeit slowly).
Any help would be much appreciated!
It seems to be growing well - in that lots of small sprouting bits regularly come from the tips of each (I'm sure there's a proper name for all this) 'stalk', but the brown lesions are not particularly attractive. It gets lots of light, is watered only occasionally, and hasn't been repotted.
Thanks,
Mat.[/i]
Any idea what this is??
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templegatejohn
- Posts: 1198
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:57 pm
- Location: Leeds, England
Hi Mat,
Your 'cactus' is not really a true cactus at all but a succulent. It is a Euphorbia probably canariensis, which as the name suggests grows in the Canary Islands. Or possibly candelabrum.
The brown marks could be due to watering problems or lack of light (do you turn the plant round?). There is also a small insect called a red spider mite that causes this type of damage. It is very small bright red and quite difficult to see with the naked eye, they thrive in a dry atmosphere. Or it could be signs of its age. As plants becomes older, particularly cacti the lower sections tend to become a corky brown. I would not worry about it too much unless the brown marks start to appear on the new branches near the top. If they do you have probably got the red spider mite problem and would need to use a systemic insecticide on the plant.
At the risk of repeating myself over and over again Euphorbias contain a milky latex sap which is highly poisonous. If you handle them with care there is not a problem. Just do not allow any of the milky sap into any open wounds on the hands, or rub your eyes after handling the plant. Take these precautions including washing your hands after handling the plant and you will not have any problems.
Best Wishes
John
Your 'cactus' is not really a true cactus at all but a succulent. It is a Euphorbia probably canariensis, which as the name suggests grows in the Canary Islands. Or possibly candelabrum.
The brown marks could be due to watering problems or lack of light (do you turn the plant round?). There is also a small insect called a red spider mite that causes this type of damage. It is very small bright red and quite difficult to see with the naked eye, they thrive in a dry atmosphere. Or it could be signs of its age. As plants becomes older, particularly cacti the lower sections tend to become a corky brown. I would not worry about it too much unless the brown marks start to appear on the new branches near the top. If they do you have probably got the red spider mite problem and would need to use a systemic insecticide on the plant.
At the risk of repeating myself over and over again Euphorbias contain a milky latex sap which is highly poisonous. If you handle them with care there is not a problem. Just do not allow any of the milky sap into any open wounds on the hands, or rub your eyes after handling the plant. Take these precautions including washing your hands after handling the plant and you will not have any problems.
Best Wishes
John
Last edited by templegatejohn on Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:47 am, edited 2 times in total.
Thanks for your help
And therein lies the difference between a true horticulturist and an amateur who buys a plant from M&S because it looks 'interesting'! Much appreciated John, and thanks very much for the safety advice as well.
By the way, well done to Daiv & co for creating and presiding over such an excellent site. It's this sort of resource that makes the web such an amazing tool.
Mat.
By the way, well done to Daiv & co for creating and presiding over such an excellent site. It's this sort of resource that makes the web such an amazing tool.
Mat.
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templegatejohn
- Posts: 1198
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:57 pm
- Location: Leeds, England
Hi Mat,
You were so quick to reply that you may not have seen the part I added about red spider mite.
Many succulents look like true cacti, but are not. However they are no less desirable for that.
I always give the warnings about the poison (which native indians used on poison darts), but sensible precautions are all that are needed and I hope you enjoy the plant for many years to come.
If it becomes too large for you cut off one of the branches at the narrowest part where it joins the stem. It will 'bleed' the milk sap (a spray with water will help to stop the flow. Leave the cut off stem for about a week for the cut are to dry and 'scab' over completely and then plant in a sandy compost mixture and water infrequently until you see signs of new growth and hey presto you will have a new plant.
John
You were so quick to reply that you may not have seen the part I added about red spider mite.
Many succulents look like true cacti, but are not. However they are no less desirable for that.
I always give the warnings about the poison (which native indians used on poison darts), but sensible precautions are all that are needed and I hope you enjoy the plant for many years to come.
If it becomes too large for you cut off one of the branches at the narrowest part where it joins the stem. It will 'bleed' the milk sap (a spray with water will help to stop the flow. Leave the cut off stem for about a week for the cut are to dry and 'scab' over completely and then plant in a sandy compost mixture and water infrequently until you see signs of new growth and hey presto you will have a new plant.
John
I think you're right about the light / watering being the cause of the brown patches. Is this also called 'corky scab' or is that something different?
To be honest, the poor thing gets little attention. It has been in the same glass pot for nearly 5 years, has never been fertilised, and is watered occasionally without any appreciation of when or why (other than I know succulents don't need much). It's also pretty dusty. Location-wise, it sits on a south-west facing window-sill in a hallway. Temperature gets fairly high in the summer, but ventilation is ok. Not much humidity.
Should I feed it do you think? Re-pot? Mist it with water occasinoally? I have no idea what to do next. It's probably three feet high, and the pot is relatively small, so maybe repotting is a plan. I'm also keen to try the propagation trick you mentioned - looks like a trip to the garden centre is not far away!
Mat.
To be honest, the poor thing gets little attention. It has been in the same glass pot for nearly 5 years, has never been fertilised, and is watered occasionally without any appreciation of when or why (other than I know succulents don't need much). It's also pretty dusty. Location-wise, it sits on a south-west facing window-sill in a hallway. Temperature gets fairly high in the summer, but ventilation is ok. Not much humidity.
Should I feed it do you think? Re-pot? Mist it with water occasinoally? I have no idea what to do next. It's probably three feet high, and the pot is relatively small, so maybe repotting is a plan. I'm also keen to try the propagation trick you mentioned - looks like a trip to the garden centre is not far away!
Mat.
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templegatejohn
- Posts: 1198
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:57 pm
- Location: Leeds, England
Corky scab is normally caused by waterlogged compost and poor light, but I do not think it is the problem in your case.
All of the things you suggested would be of benefit to the plant, i.e. feeding (but a weakened solution about every six weeks), spraying (but not in full sunshine, when the droplets act like magnifying glasses and burn the plant) and repotting, which would probably be of most benefit to the plant. A proprietory compost either soil or soiless based (it doesn't really matter), with the addition of about one third coarse grit or perlite. Perlite can be purchased in small bags at garden centres or Wilkos Stores if you have one nearby, where it will cost about £1.50. It looks like white granules of polystirene, but is in fact lava rock heated to a high temp. to make it expand. It is very light and excellent for 'opening up' composts to make them free draining, this is essential for all cacti and succulents.
If you wish to try rooting some cuttings, perlite on its own is an excellent medium to get them to root in.
You have a very nice plant and it is well worth trying to propagate it. Finally all cacti and most succulents have a rest period which in England will be the end of October to the end of March. During this period do not water at all unless the plant is in a very warm spot, i.e. centrally heated room etc. In that case a little water every month should be enough to keep the plant ticking over.
PS: Most but not all people who collect cacti also have a selection of succulents in their collection. They go together, like strawberries and cream.
John
All of the things you suggested would be of benefit to the plant, i.e. feeding (but a weakened solution about every six weeks), spraying (but not in full sunshine, when the droplets act like magnifying glasses and burn the plant) and repotting, which would probably be of most benefit to the plant. A proprietory compost either soil or soiless based (it doesn't really matter), with the addition of about one third coarse grit or perlite. Perlite can be purchased in small bags at garden centres or Wilkos Stores if you have one nearby, where it will cost about £1.50. It looks like white granules of polystirene, but is in fact lava rock heated to a high temp. to make it expand. It is very light and excellent for 'opening up' composts to make them free draining, this is essential for all cacti and succulents.
If you wish to try rooting some cuttings, perlite on its own is an excellent medium to get them to root in.
You have a very nice plant and it is well worth trying to propagate it. Finally all cacti and most succulents have a rest period which in England will be the end of October to the end of March. During this period do not water at all unless the plant is in a very warm spot, i.e. centrally heated room etc. In that case a little water every month should be enough to keep the plant ticking over.
PS: Most but not all people who collect cacti also have a selection of succulents in their collection. They go together, like strawberries and cream.
John
Re: Thanks for your help
Thanks! And if it creates that kind of sentiment, then it is all worth it. I've met so many great folks through the site and learned a ton myself! I hope you come back often!rumbers wrote:By the way, well done to Daiv & co for creating and presiding over such an excellent site. It's this sort of resource that makes the web such an amazing tool.
Daiv