Why is it that most leaves are long and flat, then others are triangular or even round like a pencil?? I hope this pic will open, someone sent it to me as a gif.
Why are some Orchid Cactus leaves different shapes?
I had one do this (the long skinny roundish shoot). I assume that it is looking for something to climb on. I have seen them in the wild where the climb high in the trees.
remember these cactus grown in trees and yes the long ones are reaching out for new holds.
Also, conditions can cause some changes in leaf structure. I've noticed that if the plant is not "happy" you tend to get round leaves whereas with good conditions you will get large, flat leaves.
I suppose you should just pop off the odd ones.
Azalea, I would leave the different leaves on the plant. I have found that those long skinny stems are usually on my night bloomers and will send out flat leaves as they grow. I have lots of my epis with multi types of leaves on the same plant. There are even some that have started off flat then gone triangular and vice versa.
All my plants are together in two places. In the shadehouses and under a large tree. They send out different branches at any time of the year regardless of weather.
I would just enjoy what you have and don't take odd branches off.
You can see the long stems and the wide leaves on this night bloomer. One of the others has long thin stems about 5 foot long up the side of the shadehouse and is starting to put out flat leaves from it.
Jean
Very interesting - thanks a bunch , all of you.
PJ
It amazes me how many growers indicate that they want to "pop off" anything unusual in growth habit on plants. Epi's vary widely as to the type of leaf they have and you are not going to find a lot of consistency in growth patterns. Unless diseased (rotted areas), don't cut anything off of a plant that nature put there.
I would not concern myself over the different leaves, many change over time. And often the plants we get are groomed for sale and do not look like a natural plant at all.
Azalea--
Your first picture looks like it could be a Night Blooming Cereus....
I get all those long shoots on mine all the time......I have NEVER had one bloom, though....
Gita, feed your NBC banana peels and let them become rootbound.
We just finished three nights of glorious blooms on 4 plants -- forty blooms in all.
And their fragrance was intoxicating and lingered in the sunroom the next day.
The only downside was we stayed up until 1:30 a.m. watching them open and taking photos!
Jean-- WOWSIE!!!!
I gave my big NBC away to someone in VA that held this year's Plant Swap (Be_No_VA--aka Beckie).
Need to ask her how it is doing....
You Guys in Florida have it easier than we do here in MD.
We have to take out plants inside--in dim light--for the winter and these NBC, and other orchid Cactus I own (Epis and Ric-Racs) all grow these ugly long shoots and these dry air roots.
The NBC--grows these long, long shoots--mine were almost 4' long--and then--if you let them be--they will start growing regular leaves at the top again...YES! I, occasionally use Banana leaves.....
Everyone from "Down South" always says--"Let them be!"-----but I cannot-----they totally overwhelm the balance of the plant....I have cut them off----I have cut them up and rooted them--I have begged people to take them off my hands at Plant Swaps-----No one seems interested......
I will deal with the Epis--but I no longer want the NBC. Yet--I have about 4-5 small pots of them growing out of bounds....I simply HAVE TO STOP rooting everything!!!!! My "obsession" is killing me!!!!
Gita
Gita, the ones that were blooming are in my sunroom in AR and they spend the year there. Even the ones I have in FL get brought in during the "winter." Although we are in central FL, it still gets cold there and this year it was extremely cold -- lots of outside plants got nipped, or worse. That's why my epis and phaiuses come in!
I received several cuttings of Orchid Cactus & they established roots. My questions is what arrangements are needed for watering & fertilizing the plants ? Need help badley.
I have 2 NBC, and they are totally out of control. Sending out those LOOOONG shoots at the top. I have them in 20 inch pots with 6 foot tall obliesks and those shoots are way over the top. I lopped those off with the hedge trimmers. I was planning to take a couple of starts from each of the plants, rooting them and letting the big'uns freeze. Well, they had so many blooms this year I couldn't do it and brought them in again. They are huge.
Okyo and Anna----
Post your concerns and questions on the Orchid Cactus Forum.
Lots of knowledgeable folks there.....
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/episetc/all/
Gita
Oh, it's not a concern..........I mean, 8 or 9 feet "IS" kinda big......even with my g'house. LOL
And........isn't THIS the orchid cactus forum????
This message was edited Nov 5, 2010 8:48 PM
Anna-
Sorry! Yes it is the orchid cactus Forum.....
I thought I was still cruising the Mid Atlantic Forum....
Mea Culpa! Gita
Whew! I was beginning to think I had "lost it". LOL