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Post by sweetleaf on Jul 13, 2007 12:59:05 GMT 1
Bookmarked. Cant wait for the next instalment.  . |
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Post by maggyd on Jul 13, 2007 16:46:11 GMT 1
Oh WOW! Just looked at The witch's link - they are creatures from outer space...but beautiful! The only link I could see of Rits was about global warming and then I only found a piece about a soldier that stayed out of jail because of errrr! Oh youl have to look yourself Ive forgotton what one of them looks like.   |
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Post by The witch on Jul 14, 2007 17:32:53 GMT 1
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 16, 2007 13:00:29 GMT 1
It is black The witch and they do bloom every year.
Seedlings grow quite quickly so need pricking out after a couple of months and this years seedlings are already beginning to branch. Soil requirements are best described as being in thirds - the bottom third to be quite nutritious, the middle third quick draining and the top third grit to keep
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 16, 2007 13:16:47 GMT 1
Don't know what happened there. The Page suddenly went blue and threw me out into another site altogether. I thought that I had lost it all.
.... moisture away from the neck of the plant. Pots can be quite sizeable and I sometimes have to repot twice in a year as they can grow quite quickly. Most of them flower summer to late autumn although Orbea ciliata flowers in Spring as well. Watering regime is the same as for cacti i.e. only when the weather is favourable. Remember, if in doubt, don't.
They are somewhat susceptible to pests (mealy bug in particular and occasionally red spider mite) so need watching carefully. I water a couple of times a year with Provado (sorry, organic gardeners) which keeps them clean. I also treat them a couple of times a year with rose fungicide as they do love to rot on you without warning and sometimes they will rot if you look at them the wrong way.
Winter is really the most difficult time with them and they do need warmth and air movement. If I could I would keep them at a minimum of 15c but I can't afford that and keep them at 12c. I also point the fan heater at them in winter to keep the air moving round them. The really tricky ones like Pseudolithos and Edithcolea come into the house in winter on a South facing window sill.
Unlike cacti they need a little water in winter and I go by feel. If the stems are rubbery they get a little water from the base and then go straight into the propagator with the lid off so that they dry relatively quickly.
Of all the cacti and succulents they are certainly the trickiest to keep going but well worth the effort.
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Post by The witch on Jul 16, 2007 22:22:16 GMT 1
Thanks for the info Mick  What size pot would they eventually need? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2007 8:12:29 GMT 1
As big as the plant gets - 12" plus is possible for Stapelia gigantea.
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Post by The witch on Jul 17, 2007 10:51:05 GMT 1
........ a bit large for any of my window sills then Mick.  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2007 10:56:16 GMT 1
But many of them are happy in a lot less Reet. That is the extreme. I have many in 31/2" pots.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 18, 2007 8:33:29 GMT 1
Kew gardens struggle to grow these which is why I supply them. To be honest, they are too frightened of them and they just don't get enough water in summer. That weakens them and they are more susceptible to rot in winter. Also, the staff looking after them are students on 6 month secondments and if they aren't their thing, they will be neglected. If I lived close I would volunteer to help but it's a 2 hour drive for me so quite impractical. Also, there are hardly any Stapeliads on public show and when I enquired why they said because they always get stolen. Sad world.
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Post by The witch on Jul 18, 2007 12:42:21 GMT 1
Sad indeed, but I wonder can the thieves look after them and get them to flourish  If Kew can't cope with them, then I doubt that I would! |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 18, 2007 12:44:26 GMT 1
Yes you can Reet. I've told you how.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 19, 2007 17:07:29 GMT 1
Ceropegias and Brachystelmas tomorrow. Oh, and I'll mention Hoyas although I don't grow them.
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Post by The witch on Jul 19, 2007 21:47:36 GMT 1
I've got a Hoya Mick. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 21, 2007 10:40:59 GMT 1
By the way, sorry I didn't add some more yesterday. Too busy sorting out flood claims. I'll try again next week.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 26, 2007 13:37:37 GMT 1
I spent a dismal, dark dank hour with the Stapeliads yesterday evening and found three of them have something like sooty mould at the end of the stems and this in turn is making the tips dry up. One was so affected that I cut back all the stems but the tissue was healthy.
I will get some advice and report. I'm sure it is the weather.
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Post by The witch on Jul 27, 2007 7:47:56 GMT 1
This weather has a lot to answer for Mick!!!
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 6, 2008 13:58:59 GMT 1
I forgot about all this!
It is black spot and I can treat it with Chinosol. I intend to start over again with this family and cut back those affected, treat them with Chinosol, grow clean new stems and root them up.
Some are showing signs of growth and Orbea ciliata already showing buds. This is quite a handsome and easily grown plant.
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 8, 2008 9:48:49 GMT 1
Not really The witch.
There is a general term of carrion flower but that's about it.
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 8, 2008 9:54:29 GMT 1
Just thinking - you manage with Ilex aquifolium etc.
Why is Orbea ciliata any different? Just a name after all.
It's just familiarity I'm afraid.
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 19, 2008 10:04:33 GMT 1
Just thinking - you manage with Ilex aquifolium etc. Why is Orbea ciliata any different? Just a name after all. It's just familiarity I'm afraid. I didn't, not really, I copied and pasted it. ;D and I was so impressed......... |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2008 21:47:47 GMT 1
I am really pleased with them this year. I seem to have sorted out the black spot problem and flowering is excellent and will get better - and I know you want to see pictures.
At this time of the year they are easy - it's in the winter that the problems start.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 18, 2008 8:39:56 GMT 1
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