Succulent

[kuranes]

I recently re-"discovered" this family of plants, which stores its water differently than other plants. I had mostly forgotten hearing the word, first broached to me years ago by a person sitting next to me on a plane ride. I asked him what business he was in, and he said "Succulents". He did not return my smirk with a smile, and so I pressed further, conversationally, and found out that he was referring to plants. He'd made a lot of money selling and shipping rare succulents to collectors and gardeners around the world.

As a little boy I had been briefly fascinated by cacti ( in addition to quicksand, octopi, explosives, and other things ) which are a family of plants within the realm of succulents. I had recently bought two plants cheaply from the grocery store, on impulse, with the larger of the two looking like a cactus without many needles. I still haven't figured out what kind of succulent it is. The smaller looks like a fairly small cactus which has zillions of tiny needles that are so short and thin and flexible that they are more like "fuzz" than needles.

Problem - the larger plant ( perhaps a variety of euphorbia ? ) has acquired a disease which is a white coating that makes the plant look like it had been dusted with powdered sugar. How to get rid of this without hurting the plant ? I'm hoping there's a spray or something.

[macr0]

I have no idea, but I do remember quite a few cacti in Florida that had white, waxy coatings nearly all of the time.

The one species I remember distinctly had large purple bulbs during flowering, large, sparse needles and large fleshy leaves (flaps? Don't know what to call that on a cactus).

The purple bulbs made great projectiles to throw at people and cars. That purple stained very heavily.

[kuranes]

I have no idea, but I do remember quite a few cacti in Florida that had white, waxy coatings nearly all of the time.
When I bought this plant it did not have this white coating. I have watched it spread, recently.



The purple bulbs made great projectiles to throw at people and cars. That purple stained very heavily.

Ha. Get some of those jerks that double park, or block exit lanes because they can't be bothered parking in the lot, and walking in to the store like everyone else.

Some cacti have flowers that are prettier than orchids.

Epiphytes can start out in a pot, and grow up along a wall, such as brick. Eventually they will leave the part in the pot behind, and migrate completely to the wall. These plants are used to living in tree tops.

( *wonders if English Ivy is an epiphyte * )

[Ghost-Girl]

We have these everywhere in Southern CA, and they're really easy to grow. Most succulents have a whitish/waxy coating to them. So, unless it's getting odd spotting or something like that,(and you remember to water it!) it should be fine.

I'm not sure what type of succulent you have, it sounds more like a plain ol' cactus to me, do you know what it's name is?

Maybe a picture would help.

[kuranes]

I need to get a digital camera. Until I do, I cannot supply pix of things at my place.

I looked through a bunch of sites on succulents and couldn't find a photo of the one I have. There were a few that looked kind of like it, whose names I don't remember at the moment. Possibly a euphorbia or bromeliad. The growth is more white than it is translucent "waxiness".

[Ghost-Girl]

Just did a Google search of succulent diseases, I found this (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art28903.asp):

Of the different fungal problems, one of the most common is powdery mildew. This occurs on many different kinds of other plants as well. The name really describes what you will see on the plant, which is powdery white growth. It is most likely to occur if the growing conditions are wet and humid. Of all the different cacti and succulents, the ones most likely to be affected by powdery mildew are the Crassulas and the Euphorbias. This can often be treated successfully by removing the affected plant tissue and promoting good growing conditions, which will discourage a recurrence. Fungicides are effective against this disease, but if you can improve the situation in which the plant is growing this is not necessary.

[kuranes]

Hmmm. Thanks. Right now I can rub the stuff off, when it isn't in some crevice or protected by the sparse needles. No need to cut off the skin of the plant. But it comes back.

I guess I will need the fungicide. But I wonder if any old fungicide will do ?

[Ghost-Girl]

I wonder if any old fungicide will do ?
You might want to just go to a local plant nursery and ask somebody.

[kuranes]

Yeah, that's my next move. I thought there might be someone on the board that has had the same prob, and they could say something like "So I got a little bottle of NotSoFungi for $2.99 at a Blahmart and it worked great."

[Ghost-Girl]

Has it been outside or inside? I don't know what the weather's like in Chicago, but maybe it would be a good idea to keep it someplace warmer.

Hmm, yup. That's all I can think of at the moment.

[kuranes]

Well, I had it in my bedroom window so it could get plenty of sun, but its been an unseasonably cold October this year, and so I moved it out of there a couple weeks ago. The mildew started on the side facing the window/outdoors, away from me, so that I didn't see it at first. Mold will do that, too, as though it wants to delay the discovery of its mischief. ;)

[meshou]

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/houseplnts/cactus.htm


Q: I have a small fish hook barrel cactus that seems to have some kind of mold or fungus. The area around the top is white and fuzzy-looking but has now spread over the rest of the plant. I've moved it away from my other plants to protect them. Is there anything I can do to help my plant? (E-mail reference)

A: It could be just a superficial mold such as powdery mildew that was picked up from close association with your other plants. I think you have done the best thing by moving it away from the other plants. Do not water the plant for the time being to see if the problem will clear up on its own. That is the best advice I can give you at this point based on the information I have. If you send me a photo I might be able to make a better recommendation.

I guess don't water it a little bit and see if you can find a dryer part of the house.

[Melody]

cactus + fried bean + avocado tacos :drool:

[macr0]

cactus + fried bean + avocado tacos :drool:

Reminds me of Mexican's selling cactus to eat at trade day.

Some people say that cactus tastes very good for breakfast with eggs. I think I'll live in ignorance.

[s0978]

I guess don't water it a little bit and see if you can find a dryer part of the house.
yeah, I killed my succulent by over-watering it. Apparently they are supposed to need very VERY little.