Newbie question - roots on tips of leaves?

Hi all,

I'm new to DG and just got my first Epi a couple of weeks ago, It has since developed what look like roots on the tips of the leaves. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance for any info you might be able to share.

Sarah

Sarah: Yes it is normal! Many plants have what are called "aerial" roots, used to attach to a surface for climbing. Many Orchid Cactus as well as other plants will put out aerial roots to climb trees or supports!

Here is a photo I took of a hanging basket of mine, Epiphyllum oxypetalum/"Queen of the Night", showing the aerial roots.

Thanks, plantladylin. I know other plants have aerial roots, but didn't know that about Epi's. These are about 1/8" long and look like white whiskers. Very interesting.

Sarah

If those roots touch soil they will root. they are normal and that is the way they move and hold on in trees but they can also indicate a problem. Not enough water, air to dry etc. remember that they are jungle plants and they do need a little more water than regular cactus.

Thanks, wren107. I may be keeping it on the dry side. I read somewhere how it's easy to over water these and I don't want to do that.

I'll try to up the humidity and see if that helps.

Thanks.

Sarah

It is a balancing act with these plants. I just had to take care of two plants. One the bottom was rotting but it had started putting out roots up higher. So I cut of the bottom and will dab water on the roots until the cut hardens off and can replant. The second is weird the top part of the cutting is rotting. This one has put out new shoots around the bottom so I know it is rooted . I cut off the rotted part and hope that takes care of the problem. My dragon fruit cuttings are sending roots out at the top almost looks like they have wild hair but they are climbers so this may be normal. I do like the clay pots better than plastic. The plastic holds to much water. The clay does dry out faster and I have to water more often but the plants seem happier in the clay, at least here in hot Florida

Wren,

What kind of mix do you use for potting Epi's? I use a mixture of Miracle Grow potting soil, lots of perlite and orchid bark for all plants except African Violets and Gesneriads. The combination makes a chunky, well draining mix. Most of my plants are in plastic pots and this mix dries out quickly so I have to water more often but I had a tendency with heavy soils holding way too much water and causing root rot. I'm wondering if I should water a bit more often during the summer because my Epi's do get a bit wilty looking now and again which I'm sure could cause stress. What fertilizer do you use?

Lets start with fertilizer. I was told 10-10-10 most of the year, I did just give mine a drink of fish fertilizer, but not to often. Dec, Jan and Feb I was told to give them 0-10-10. I found some on Amazon.com

Soil Miracle grow,cactus potting mix and some composted manure. I have read about putting oak leaves in the mix.

They need damp but not wet. Thats why I like the clay pots. They dry out faster so I water about every 2-3 days in the summer, but they do not stay wet like in the plastic pots.
I get to go be back later. Sandy

I copied this from the EpiForums, along with notes from others that have tried it so all this is new for me:

Fast-Aging Cactus Fertilizer

1 12-ounce can or bottle of beer
1 cup of Epsom salts
1/2 cup of ammonia
4 tablespoons of Miracle-Gro Bloom-booster
1/2 cup of molasses
2 cups of water

Mix and put into a 1-quart container. Use 1/2 oz. (1 Tbsp ) per gallon of water every two weeks, when you water your epis.



"I've been using this at least weekly on ALL my plants. Because of the magnesium and ammonia in it, it's producing lush growth on everything."

"I've applied it to everything from cacti of all sorts to orchids, cymbidiums, African violets to an azalea, foliage, bloomers, succulents, lilies, inside and outside plants."

"I've kept this stuff in the capped bottle for about two months (till it was all used), and it did not develop mold, fungus, rot, or any other profoundly negative attributes. I shake it before pouring into my big water jug, and it has smelled the same the entire time, besides maintaining its initial clarity."


Potting mix
"For my Epis I use Schultz cactus mix and Schultz orchid mix, 1 part to 1, or 1 to 2. I also add in about a handful or so of diatomite, depends on the size of the container.

Cactus mix (contains one or more of the following; reed-sedge peat, composted forest products, composted rice hulls) sphagnumpeat moss, ground dolomitic limestone.

Orchid mix (contains one or more of the following: aged raw firbark or aged raw pine bark) arcillite, horticultural charcoal."

Thanks for the info.

I may try the mix for feeding the plants but I am afraid that the soil mix would dry out to fast here in Florida. I am having enough trouble keeping the right amount of moister in the pots now.

I got that recipe for the beer fertilizer from the hoya forum last year, went out and bought everything except the beer (don't drink so didn't know if you could buy just one, LOL .. need to get one from our friends!) I have not made a batch yet but I've read so many great reports on this fertilizer concoction, I really need to get off my behind and make some!

Let me know. the 10-10-10 fertilizer was told to me by a grower and breeder of epis. And I have found a liquid 10-10-10 at HD. The 0-10-10 I get from Amazon and that is what you should feed during Dec, Jan and Feb.