I think this is a Rhipsalis. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with it?
thanks
dawn
orchid cactus problem
Where is everyone?
Dawn: I really have no idea what's wrong with this plant. It looks healthy enough with some new growth showing. I wonder could it be snails? I'll watch with interest to see what other growers have to say. bob
I'm no expert, but I had one with similar damage that was caused by thrips. My advice, check well for bugs :-)
Oh my, I never seen one look like that ... but it reminds me I some cuttings that's been in water for months.
Thanks. Think it will hurt to treat with BATS?
Looks like that might be a Rhipsalis elliptica, and from the basket style might be a plant from Angel Plants. ID'ing from pictures can be difficult and I try to avoid it, but I saw elliptica in stores recently (this past year) with that style basket.
I would treat with a long lasting insecticide that coats the leaves, as a place to start. For example, an insecticidal soap if you want to go organic or Sevin if not. I do not recognize the type of marks it has, but it looks like something has been trying to eat it and keeps returning. If it stops the marks from recurring (damaged leaves will remain damaged) on new leaves, then you know its a bug, If that doesn't work, then move on to a general purpose fungicide. Since new leaves look OK, you may already be past the problem.
Since the plant looks so ratty (sorry...) you may want to consider starting another one from cuttings.
This is just general advice. It would help to have a history of the plant and the problem. How long have you had it, how long have you been seeing this problem. Any recent changes in location, care, etc that are associated with seeing the problem?
It's turning yellow could mean too much water. Never use insecticidal soap on cactus or succulents they will ROT.I found this out the hard way.If you have a bug problem use All Seasons Spray Oil .I would start a new one just in case.
This message was edited Aug 26, 2010 7:38 PM
This message was edited Aug 26, 2010 7:41 PM
I was going to say R elliptica, but Krowten beat me to it. It looks like slugs here or snails. I would leave a tub of Mickey's beer in the way they may crawl. They are total beer heads.
I have been moving my epis to coir and medum bark about 2:1 and they grow great. I would work to save the plant, it is a big one that has taken some time to grow to that size. And is it in part shade or indirect sun? Rhips can be touchy that way.
BTW Krowten, my R elliptica cuttings have bloom buds. Mind blowing.
Great! My elliptica has not bloomed yet but is doing very well this summer. I'm hoping for flowers this year at the end or our growing season here. My rhips have done so well, I am worried about having enough indoor window space this year to maintain them. I started a bunch of seed and now have transplanted the seedlings to their own hanging pots and moved them outside.