Ibartoo: I am sold on the Brother Labeler I bought on AmaZon. I use the Brother PT1290 Home and Office Labeler w/ 1/2 inch black on white label. Adhesion in the greenhouse and outside is excellent and have lasted 3 years thus far. I put the labels on metal markers or directly on plastic pots. The machine cost $39.49 and the roll labels are around $12.00 per roll. It sounds pricey but is really a good value, especially if you have trouble keeping things labeled due to pets or cold weather.
Gitagal: I agree that what you are showing is probably not scale. I believe you might have some form of bacterial problem along with very old branches. The thread I sent you will give you the answer to trimming your plant and also possible bacterial information. It is an excellent guide.
Most of my shelves have a white 1 inch lip at the front edge which helps stabilize plants. The gallon jugs fit securely on the shelf touching the lip and the back wall. I have had a couple of crashes over the years but too few to mention.
bob
EpiForums
Thanks Bob. I will check into it. I am thinking about talking hubby into stamping some for me into metal or something for right now. He needs a new "project" To help him rebuild his strength.
Bob--
This is where my plants spend the winter--at every conceivable source of light--every horizontal surface
near any light. Overkill,,I tell you!
The two Epis are in the center--I know you can tell which ones they are....
Gita
Tasteful use of plants. Makes me happy!
I was snapping a few pics at work today and came across these two in my phone. They are the only 1/2 decent pics of the epi that is obviously not " April Showers" like she was supposed to be.
Any Idea what it might be, It only ever blooms in Nov/December?
Thanks,
Linda
Ibartoo
I really think this is April Showers. Your bloom sequence may be off. Mine is blooming 3 months early this time
Wow, Thanks Bob. It has bloomed twice for me and each time has been in the greenhouse in the winter. It is absolutely gorgeous and this year it was breathtaking. More buds than ever before. The pot it is in is disintegrating, so I will have no choice but to repot it, but I am hoping it will still bloom this year.
Thanks a bunch,
Linda
Gitagal: I'm sorry I missed your question concerning Ackermanii. I am not sure but really do not feel that this is an Ackermanii but will say that there seems to be a wide variance in what we call hybrid Ackermanii. Any mid size bloom red to orange colored bloom becomes Ackermanii. This could be because it is an old favorite and many plants have been parented with it to produce new but very similar offspring. Your bloom is prolific and beautiful.
I really like your bloom with it's shades of yellow and pink with red. Very regal looking to me. It's a winner, whatever it is. I will try to ID if possible.
DR. Rita Shaw from up in New Jersey sent me some of the nicest cuttings I have ever received of some old favorites. She has a greenhouse and her plants are outgrowing her space. I know that feeling but love watching plants mature and being able to share. Nice to know that our hobby is shared with so many great gardeners., bob
Bob--
In your educated opinion--what has to happen to an Epi so it will bloom?
I know it probably needs to be root-bound. Yes? But then--how come mine never bloomed for 6 years
(from 2005) until 2009? And now--ever since.
Maybe my re-potting a couple years ago did the trick?
How come the Ric Rac seldom blooms? Mine is, by now, grossly root bound. It has been re-potted twice since 2005 as well.
That will, probably, not be possible to do any more. Then what happens??
I don't feed them much--maybe that is the problem?
When they are outside--I try to sometimes--but the water just runs off. It is next to impossible with the
heavy, lopsided one. I have to try and hold it level with my left hand as I try topour water on it with the right. ouch!
The 64 thousand dollar question. What is the secret???????????? Gita
I can honestly say that none of my epies are root bound. i start them out in gallon containers and most bloom at 3 or 4 years. All my secrets I included in the above post. Sufficient light, monthly feeding (except in coldest months), and consistent moisture are the have to's. Most of us underestimate epie light needs and don't allow sufficient drying out between watering. When mine are outside, God waters, not me. I do continue fertilization though.
Your Ric Rac may not bloom regularly---at least I haven't found that so. Mine hasn't bloomed and I am told that many types don't often. bob
Well--I am assuming that hey are root-bound--but maybe they just look that way from the top?
I have a feeling that their root systems may not be all that big--like succulents...
I do have to work harder on the watering and fertilizing.....I am VERY lax about fertilizing anything once
the plants are outside. Just too hot to add another chore. Sometimes, when it gets consistently to the 90's,
I have to water everything every day. That can take an hour and a half or more.
I live alone--and there is no one to do anything except me. Besides--I am getting up there in years as well....
Gita
orchidman1, Thank you SO much for the link to theamateurs digest…It has been VERY helpful to me and others I'm sure! GREAT SITE!!!! :-))))
Bob, can you tell be if there are two different types of ric rac epi? I have the fishbone which I think is S. Anthonyanus but someone brought me some pieces of another one that looks quite different. Thanks, Linda
Not sure on this--but I have seen pictures of what I thought was a Ric Rac, but the
"ric racs" were opposite each other--whereas on mine they alternate--
just like the trim you buy in a Fabric Store.
Orchidman--what sayeth Thou????? Gita
Thanks Gita!
Linda, I noticed you were on here and I wanted to tell you how excited I am about the cuttings you sent me back in 2011. Most have taken off like weeds and the cactus especially are doing so well. I am patiently waiting to see if when they bloom I have them marked correctly.
Thanks so much for bringing such joy into my life. Love you. JB
Between you and Gita, I have lots of new babies to watch grow. You are both very special.
Love you too JB, Yes, I am on very little. This is really the only forum I keep up with. Every now and then I check FB to see if anyone posts. I hope your cuttings will bloom beautifully for you. Anytime you want to swap or add to your collection, just let me know. You too Gita and Orchidman. It feels good to be back.
Will let you know if and when the disocactus x hybrid cuttings I planted today show signs of life, I will let you all know and share them with you if you want any. I can always give you unrooted cuttings but shipping is out of the question until the weather gets warmer. See you all later. JB
Gitagal-
A Ric Rac should alternate like fabric trim.
I now have buds on Space Rocket, April Showers, and Mor Mor. bob
orchidman--
Please post pictures when the buds open....
I am curious if they will be like my one and only I have ever had on my RicRac.
So different from the other Epis.
Here it is again.....Gita
There is so much to learn about these plants and I can not see how you tell them apart. I love the Ric Rac and maybe I have one but am too stupid to know. Some of the cuttings I got from people were not marked and now I just have a few noids but they are beautiful and growing.
I hope I live long enough to let some of the information on this thread sink in. You people are amazing. JB
And I think you are amazing for being able to grow CC and TC to sell. The blooms fell off all I bought this year. The one I had left over from about 15 years ago also lost all it's blooms. Luciee {;^)