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epiphyllum thread mess
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Posted by hardytropicalguy z6 SWMI (My Page) on Sun, Feb 3, 08 at 14:27
| Ok not sure my subject will attract the right answers but there it is! I was given an epi cutting and have been growing it on for about 6 years. It produced very few broad leaf like growths and a tremendous amount of these thread like growths over these years. I've moved about 5 times over the years I've cared for it and it has been in all different lighting conditions. It's been indoors and outdoors and repotted at least once. I finally got tired of all the threads burying it so today I cut them all off. This is probably the cue for all the knowledgables to scream at me now! lol anyway I am left with what few broader growths it had produced over the years and to be honest I like it a lot better this way already. So now I am expecting it to repruduce all those wierd thread growths but before it does some one please advise me if there is anything I can do diferent to keep this gnarled mess of threads from returning. Or do I want them? Anywho I'm like I said satisfied with it for now and It's been with me this long so whats a few more years. Ohhhh and the kicker is it is red and I know this only because the lady who gave it to me had blooms on hers. I think I was given the threadifolia offset that produces only threads of green hair in place of blossoms! Thanks for any advice and if anyone is looking for their green wig it's now in my compost bucket! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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| I have the same problem with my epi. A cutting was given to me and it has two large wide leaves and then it has sent out about four or five long thin strands. I'm waiting for someone to help with this. Do we cut them off, or just leave them on the plant? |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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| Your epi needs alot more light..... the "threads" are from the leaves trying to strech for more lighting..... give them alot more lighting and the will grow the fattest leaves you could pssibly imagine..... |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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| best botanist is right about not getting enough light. mine get about 14 hrs of over head lights and they grow nice fat leaves and with as many plants (epies) I don't need to be messing with leaves that don't grow right. those threads will grow to be nice with the right lighting. Bear |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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I've hung the pot outside inside pool enclosure. It's been there a few days, and the leaves are getting red in them. I know some of my hoya get red but not sure about the epi.
Is this OK? |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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Here is a response to a similar question from theamateursdigest.com :
"Why do some stems put out long stringy things and others do not? Should I cut them off?
Those long stringy things are adventitious roots! Do not cut them off. It is quite natural for many epis to produce these roots. If they appear in large numbers, however, this may signal problems exist such as perhaps the plants may be too moist, too dry or in too much shade. The adventitious roots could be reaching for the moisture, light and even food that the plant is not receiving in sufficient quantities through watering, natural light and fertilizer.
When these adventitious roots appear, you should ask yourself if you are giving the plants enough water and/or fertilizer, if there is enough humidity around the plants and perhaps you should check the soil in the pot for signs of pest infestation which might be damaging the roots. Also, although I will tell you later that these plants do better if a little pot-bound, it is just as possible to underpot the plants which can also force roots to be produced along the stems." |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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| If it has never flowered for you, for sure it needs more light to grow well. They also need a Winter rest from water in order to flower, they need natural rain in the Spring, they like to be crowded. They need a fertilizer that says 'bloom' starting in the spring. They should flower every year aound mother's day. Orchid mix is the the best soil for them, but do not ever move them while in flower. Do not keep is soping wet all year. Let it dry out between waterings. I live in So. Calif. and have never grown this species in the house, only outside in the shade. These are jungle plants mostly living in the trees geting fast drainage and growing in decomposed leaves. They are a cactus. Norma |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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| I must be bored in Feb and dwell on the same problems on a cyclical basis. Last year I cut all the thread things out! Yea this plant looks so much better now it really was a mess. Soooo I was just checking out pictures because this thing is destined for e-bay if it won't bloom for me. I found a picture that looks just like the parent in flower and now i am determined to get blooms again! It really is beautiful and I would buy it if I could get the results in the picture. I am going to fertilize it and water it and see if I can encourage some buds. We'll see! :0) |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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| Finally a bloom actually there will be 4. I posted another followup earlier this year but somehow it never posted. I finally remembered this year the person who gifted me this plant used to store hers for part of the winter in the dark basement so mine spent part of the winter in the dark. I don't know if this was the trick but it sure worked!!! 
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RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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Wow, that's a long time to wait...!
Thanks for the update! Josh |
RE: epiphyllum thread mess
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| Wow you have some pretty colors there,i have peachy pink,a brighter pink and white.Have been looking for yellow for a few years,still havn't found any. I also have the epidendrums in 4 different colors.
kathi |
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