Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
intelinside1

Fire sticks cuttings not taking

intelinside1
10 years ago

So I've been trying to do euphorbia fire sticks cuttings for the past few months.

I basically cut off some stalks of the fire sticks and let it dry for a week then I stuck it some high pumice soil. Then I stuck it in garage next to a window with filtered light and spritzed/sprayed it with water about every 1-3 days.

Not really sure why they aren't taking to cuttings/ rooting

It seems like they're just drying out. Is it because they are dormant?
Should I leave them outside maybe instead of in garage?

Its been like 65-70 degs and lows of 55 degs here in Los angeles

Comments (41)

  • nil13
    10 years ago

    It's the wrong time of year for Euphorbia cuttings. The best time is in the spring. I would think you would be lucky if you can keep them from rotting until spring when they will root.

  • kaktuskris
    10 years ago

    I took a cutting of 'Firesticks" a few years back in Florida during a visit, and tried rooting in winter, out of necessity, and it is a thriving plant now. So it can be done, just not as easily. On the other hand, had a cutting of the green variety of E. tirucalli from the previous year's visit to Florida which never rooted.

    Christopher

  • hijole
    10 years ago

    Yorkster, Same here I've cut and cut during these cold winter months and have even cut and planted in the ground immediately and PRESTO! Roots are no problem, Of course I'm in zone 9 in Calif. but hey it's been down to @ 28` out here some nights.

    And what I've always heard about these guy's is that they thrive on abuse.

    NO WATERING NOT EVEN A MIST. just the cold miosture should be fine and if it rains that's no problem either they love rain water if it happens to rain, But!! don't worry about watering during this time of the year because they can handle the dryness just fine.
    .

    Greg

  • hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
    10 years ago

    I just stick them in the ground. They root when they are ready.

  • lzrddr
    10 years ago

    ditto

  • intelinside1
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    OK so as a lot of you said I think I should leave outside. Most likely planted in ground. thanks!

    The ones I had in the garage seem to have dried up. I was misting every once in a while and they turned into dry little "twigs"

    I'm in los angeles near the coast. It's been warm here and dry. Hasn't rained for like 2 weeks or so and been like 70 every day (except today it was cold and foggy hehe)

  • intelinside1
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    I'm starting to notice the dormancy periods a bit more. Over the summer I tried rooting the senecio blue chalk fingers and they would either dry up or turn into black moldy mush.

    Now during the winter I stick the blue chalk fingers into some dry soil and they seem to root fairly easily

    :)

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    10 years ago

    I think they can be touchy to root. I had quite a few Firesticks cuttings taken from my front yard plant over the years..and then they stopped taking them. I'm sure all died on them. GOOD.
    On the other hand,I used to just take the all green Pencil tree cuttings and stick them in the ground. Those grew faster then ones rooted in a pot,then put in ground. As I recall,they were much faster growing that way. The 2007 freeze or maybe Gophers or both killed it at 6' and wide.
    As to "Firesticks" ? I might have stuck one or two in a pot...and they died fast.
    Your best bet might be pure perlite,some watering of course,and a cold frame/hot sunny window to get them started.

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    10 years ago

    Also,that freeze that killed the all green? Only tip frosted 'Firesticks'. Is Firesticks hardier? or was something else as I said like gophers, at work? I cant say for sure.
    Firesticks made it this year with no protection whatsoever. But, a potted green Pencil tree did also. 2013 was dry. 2007, wasn't so dry. Maybe a factor.

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    I am wonders the same thing IF the cuttings will take or not.

    Can I plant them into the garden "as is", or do I have to plant in a pot until it roots, then plant in the garden?

    Any help is appreciated.
    Thanks

  • hijole
    9 years ago

    Lizzy, These are one of my favorites, they are so colorful and turn all kinds of wonderful shades and add to your cacti & succulent garden, I like it also because it DEMANDS so much attention Ive had people walking by say, "it looks like a salt water fish tank garden" need I say anything else.

    Ive cut and planted to planted this in the ground immediately & waited a few days No difference was noticed, Although Im sure location is everything, Im in zone 9 sunny Calif.

    Greg

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    Hi Greg,

    I, too, am in sunny California.

    Your plants look absolutely beautiful!!!!

    How long did it take for the cuttings to grow to this size?

    Tomorrow I am going to dig the hole, add some cactus soil and mix in with garden dirt, and pray for the best!

    Thanks for posting the photo.

    Lizzy

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    9 years ago

    This plant is fairly forgiving. I would make sure your plants have drainage even though I lived on the windward side of Hawaii and it was planted in clay and it i did fine. I was on a hill. I just stuck a LARGE branch in the ground. I let cut surfaces seal over before planting now but I don't know if it is necessary with this.

  • plantomaniac08
    9 years ago

    I broke a piece off of mine by mistake last year (it was in the summer though) and didn't even bother to let it dry before sticking it in the pot. It did develop roots, but my experience is they're not fast root growers, so patience is a key. Even after a couple months, I only had about an inch of root growth. But, it did take. I didn't find it all that difficult to root, but this may just be an uncommon experience.

    Planto

    This post was edited by plantomaniac08 on Sat, Apr 5, 14 at 10:26

  • hijole
    9 years ago

    Lizzy, this plant is a fast grower once it's established and that doesnt take to long either. I agree with the other comments also, one thing Ive also learned is that it thrives on abuse, No water tons of Hot sun and even soil can be bad. I would say one could grow this size in 1 year, so fast. Just my experience tho, and also one last thing (WARNING) dont get any of that white milky fluid on your skin 0r eyes.

    Greg

  • Sundewd
    9 years ago

    I love pencil cactus. Been growing them for about ten years now. Have only ever lost plants to harsh winter weather when I was unable to move them in time. Lr favorite variety is a hybrid form of Tirucalli x stenoclada that I found last year. I recently took some cuttings from a rather hairy one with the main stem twisted downwards and growth trailing along the ground. So hopefully I will see roots in a few weeks.

    I can tell you based on experience that it is best to get branches that are reasonably fresh. As soon as they stiffen up and start to slow down their growth leaves its time to take it cause those root the easiest and fastest. Old growth can also work as long as it is healthy.

  • Sundewd
    9 years ago

    I love pencil cactus. Been growing them for about ten years now. Have only ever lost plants to harsh winter weather when I was unable to move them in time. Lr favorite variety is a hybrid form of Tirucalli x stenoclada that I found last year. I recently took some cuttings from a rather hairy one with the main stem twisted downwards and growth trailing along the ground. So hopefully I will see roots in a few weeks.

    I can tell you based on experience that it is best to get branches that are reasonably fresh. As soon as they stiffen up and start to slow down their growth leaves its time to take it cause those root the easiest and fastest. Old growth can also work as long as it is healthy.

  • intelinside1
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Just a little update since I originally posted this back in December- A lot of my cuttings died earlier in the winter and just dried up or got whithered away probably due to dormancy. But some of the cuttings that I put in pumice in February took and are now starting to show some growth.

    Sundewd thanks for tip about getting newer growth for cuttings.

  • plantomaniac08
    9 years ago

    Greg,
    Yeah... my Mom had an 'African Milk Tree' and bumped a leaf off one day. She couldn't figure out where this red blister came from on her arm until she remembered she bumped into that Euphoria. I have to keep an eye on my Mom. :)

    Planto

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    9 years ago

    They went into dormancy only because of the short days and cool nights. IF,you want to root anytime of the year,using overhead grow lights of your choice and a heating pad work wonders.

  • intelinside1
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Thanks stan for the tip, I didn't realize it's based on light/warmth. I thought there was something innate in the plant that kind of knew what time of year it was lol. So if I were in South Africa on the other side of the earth they would go into dormancy at different times?

    I should have left them in the full sun because we had a hot warm witner. It was like 75 degrees every day. I had the cuttings in the garage in some pumice. Live and learn.

    Also thanks for pics hjole

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    OK!
    My plants cuttings are in the ground and in a couple of pots.
    I will see which one get's roots/growth first.

    One one cuttings I did dip in rooting powder just as a test.
    :)

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    Hello all!
    I am back again with a new photo and wondered if you all think my plants is growing or at least holding on since April.
    I notice it has a bit of green on the lover side close to the soil which was not there when I planted it.
    These plants take a long time to decide to "rise" up :)
    Thx

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    Another view.
    Also, the color is not the same as when first planted?

  • angellilly
    9 years ago

    I dont know about the colour,perhaps a transitional phase?i have the regular one (the plain green tirucalli) and i found it on the floor of a nursery,the mother plant a few feet away,and i took it (they were going to throw it away,right?).That was in February,i left the cutting alone (didnt plant it)until it was properly callused and a little wrinkly,i potted it up in April and it took one month before it was firmly attached to the soil,another month for me to see new growth.Point is yours may not show signs of growth until you are ready to give up on it.My advice is, leave it alone and it will do the rest! (be careful of your watering though)
    Helen

  • KittieKAT
    9 years ago

    I've tried with cuttings i found on the floor at a store they weren't as big as yours are just about an inch, i cut off a end and stuck IT IN soil, can't tell if it's rooting or NOT. ..or if it's just from cutting off the end *shrugs* I'm so jealous of your plant Greg what i would DO to have a fire stick like yours on my Sun porch, i have a plain green ONE my bf gave ME but i just love the bright colors of these one's, really hope they root. ....goodluck everyone

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    Thanks again everyone!

    With hope :)

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    Can't believe that my plant is just beginning to take off after all these months :)

  • dhd47
    9 years ago

    I just purchase some cuttings off ebay and from what I read before it didn't matter what time you planted it would grow. I hope so as I have them in gritty soil and only a little water to start. I'll be sure to report back with any results of good or bad.

    I really like these and hope I can get 1 of the 7 cuttings to grow.

    Dave

  • Bev Cashen
    9 years ago

    Dave,
    I agree, they are really beautiful!
    I don't understand why it has taken all these months for it to start growing. I planted it in the right sun srea in the yard.
    Good luck with yours, and please do show photos of the progress.

  • Elisa
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    (My pic won't load. Gonna try again in a min) You guys!! I seriously just picked this up off the side of the road for free from a guy getting rid of it! It's over six feet tall if it weren't bending over. I didn't know what it was before today and am a little intimidated by it, ha. I'm in Pasadena CA.

    Any thoughts on the best way to go about dealing with this?

    I was thinking thin it out and put the cuttings in pots with succulent friendly soil. I would love to divide the whole thing but I have no idea how to get the thing out of the pot it's so root bound in there. Can I just slice off at the huge 1-2" bases or would that kill it?

    Any advice from an expert would be appreciated, thank you!

    I put this in a new discussion if you want to comment: http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3424723/gigantic-fire-stick-sticks-on-fire-planthelp

  • Eula Davis
    8 years ago

    I live in Arizona and when I want to start a new plant I just pop some of the sticks off of a plant and immediately push them into regular potting soil. I am over run with plants doing it this way. My plants do require watering at least once a week in the summer or they dry up. My original plant stands at least 6 feet tall. All my plants are in pots and are thriving.No special care is needed.

  • PoohBearLvr
    8 years ago

    the soil that cutting is planted in looks VERY hard and full of clay. Isnt that the exact wrong soil for cactus,especially for the Sticks on Fire? It needs fast draining airy soil to root and to grow. I am trying to root my big cutting i just got of Sticks on Fire, my old plant died from to much shade/water. So I am asking for advise myself. But this looks like it is planted in clay or some type of hard soil. Not great for cactus..am I wrong?

  • kaktuskris
    8 years ago

    I took a bunch of cuttings from my plant over the summer and stuck them in a pot of peat, and forgot about them. Most produced nice roots by summer's end.

    Christopher

  • mimozaph
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Any advice to make sure baby succulents grow and flourish? Thank you so much

  • rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
    7 years ago

    Maybe you should start a new thread with photos of your 'baby succulents'...

  • mimozaph
    7 years ago

    Thanks will that :)

  • E. Groeg
    4 years ago

    Old thread, but I need to add my own experience.


    They're definitely the most challenging succulents to root. I have bought around 20 cuttings in the past. I have tried to propagate them all in the spring/summer months and the first few sets never rooted. They dried up and went mushy.


    Why? Well, a thing I noticed though, I noticed that those smaller sized cuttings did not root and, rather, the longer stem cuttings with sub-stems sprouting from them, actually rooted. So, perhaps you shouldn't try to root an 8cm long (or so) cutting, but rather try a cutting that's over 30cm in size. They seem more likely to root.


    And yes, all of them were propagated in spring or summer, and around the same time. This experience was very telling for me that longer cuttings would root successfully.


    This is just my personal experience. And I am talking about Sticks on Fire.

  • PoohBearLvr
    4 years ago

    WOW. These people get tiny little cuttings! I got a huge one on EBay, a few years back, and my plant is now so huge, I am always cutting off ARMS or stems off it to get by it! Not little segments like I see on this post. They will never root. I stick these 'arms' in my soil, and it is 99% sand, it just roots in a a few weeks, and I have so much of it. It is a 'weed' almost.

  • PoohBearLvr
    4 years ago

    If anyone in here still sees this post, and wants/needs a good sized cutting of 'Sticks on Fire'. Get in touch with me.