I was just going to send a post asking how to remove them without damaging the plant. I got carried away the other day and bought several cacti and succulents to make dish gardens. The flower came off easily on one, but not on the others. Thanks for your posting.

Nice comment from the provider

I've even wasted time sending them comments that aim for the stars with the soil they use let alone a moon hit fake flower.

Best marketing tool for any big box store or mass produce company of the easy ticket items is they know that only one in three customers has realistic ideas and know what they're buying.

It's the remaining two unaware customers who dont care what they get for a frivolous dollar or two also the reason why the fake flower/ sub standard soil and potting/glued rocks wont end.

I think a lot of customers are appalled when informed the flower isn't real. I know those I've spoken to have been. Except for my 86-year-old grandmother who would rather have a "flower" there year-round to look at. Those are those who like plants and those who like plants as decorations.

I was fortunate in that the four cacti my mother bought from, what was it, Fred Meyer, a few years ago I was able to get the flower off with not much trouble and without creating damage. The straw flowers were glued in a miraculously pitiful way and could be removed easy. This summer they've bloomed with real flowers for the first time.

I love that monstrose form. Dang, why do we not have these forms around here at the big box stores.

MrLike: OMG, I had all but forgotten about the glued rocks! I HATE it when they do that!

Teatree: I wish we got your weather down here. :P


*CG*

Glufers, be they flower or top dressing, while not right there with THE WORST THINGS IN THE WORLD, are, as we know, quite horrendous in their own little fief. I'd like to sic the bunko squad on them, as there's no noting on the product that the flower on it isn't the actual flower. There ought to be a law...

I have really gotten hooked on making the dish gardens. I really tugged at the red flower and it didn't budge. Here is a photo. I haven't tried the orange/gold flower yet. I thought I might wait and see if they naturally loosen a bit.

It seems like most people only buy plants in flower regardless as to whether it is appropriate.

Yes, perhaps, but there's something to be said for inappropriate purchases.

They are actually dried Straw Flowers, (Helichrysum), which I hate also.

I found this along side nail polish remover at some podunk 5 & dime on the way to the beach. No light, no nothing, just pushed back on a shelf. There were 5 fake flowers stuck onto this poor plant! Thankfully they weren't attached with glue but with that sticky silicon stuff so they weren't too difficult to remove. The plant has done well and colored up nicely since it's been exposed to some light.
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Great find Karyn. I love to rescue plants too.

Karyn, gorgeous plant do you/anyone know which one it is?

Annette

I believe it's Euphorbia lactea 'Rainbow Crest'. I also have a green/white variegated E. lactea "cristata". They are both grafted onto other euphorbias.

Karyn: WOW, that's gorgeous! I love the cristata forms! Not much a fan of the whole grafting bit, but the cristatas are just glorious!

Perle: Ohhhhh, you have Baby Toes and Lola! *pout* Those are two that I lost this summer. The Baby Toes was a frustration, because this is the second time I've lost this species; but losing Lola just broke my heart.

And you have a Royal Flush, too! Something seems to be eating away at my Pleiospilos.

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I'm very diligent at keeping water off of the leaves, so I don't know what's causing this. There's a little bit on the underside of one of the leaves on the other plant as well. And, believe it or not, the smaller plant is actually a 'Royal Flush.' It seems to have lost a lot of its color.


*CG*

I bought a very large Peruvian cactus with the long hairy looking sides some people call them old man or old man with a beard....any way this company owes me a cactus it had about a half a tube of hot glue and when I tried to carefully take it off it was pulling to much of the fine "hair" so I had to cut it off thus leaving it with a hole and cause a rot. I am not happy with those flowers and if they get wet they stain some of the cacti...but back to my old man he is rotting and I am afraid it is not going to scab over I had him in the half sun for drying purposes but he's afraid to far gone. so the big box store without a stupid receipt will not accept it back it does not look like a cactus now. OK this company and I will be glad to tell who but only privately they owe me a 19.99 old man cactus.
Everyone be careful and do take them off if hey get wet they will stain some cactus truly and it is a dye and I do not think its good for the cactus.

I didn't realize they were fake until I started inspecting them. Was furious with my self for not noticing when I had bought them. I just wanted several varieties of shapes and colors they are beautiful and intresting. HAVE YOU SEEN THEY PAINT THEM TO..oh yes small ones on little cute containers.they are spray painted they call them little gems sometimes jewels. When I noticed I said nope and didn't buy them .

Good you didn't buy them they should be boycoted!
There are few threads on this forum about painted succulents...
You could remove fake flower from mother plant - very carefully.
Rina

I've actually bought one of these cacti from my local Walmart, everyone keeps telling me it's a false plant. But I keep watering it occasionally and it has new growth on it but I'm still not 100% it's real. Any tips ??

I hate how the do that or spray paint the succulent. I won't buy them. Its funny what does attract some people though.

Spray painted plants are real, but what is the need to paint them is beyond me..

But if you like it, it's your choice. Just don't forget, it may look pretty ugly (if spray paint doesn't already) when/if it keeps growing and real color start showing...