Can anyone give me any information on this plant? My friend bought it for me and it had no tag for how to care for it. I thought it was a pencil cactus but now i'm not srure.
I googled "Drunkard's Dream" and got the following:
Hatiora salicornioides, or Drunkard's-Dream, is an epiphytic cactus native to Brazil. It got its common name from the 1.25 inch (3 cm) jointed stems that resemble whisky bottles. In nature, they will reach about 6 feet (2 m) in height with an equal spread. Grown in a container, ours has never reached over 2 feet (60 cm) in height. They make attractive basket plants and are easy to culture.
Now there's a plant I never heard of. You have a picture?
Is this it
There are sure alot of different images of this plant....and I agree, some I would call pencil cactus. Lair (Bloominguy) has a huge pencil cactus
rhipsalis drunkards dream.....also referred to as Mistletoe Cactus
The Drunkard's Dream - Rhipsalis is an easy to grow succulent house plant. It prefers sun or very bright indirect light. Water only when dry. Also makes a great hanging basket plant.
Cove, it might be but the "spines"/"leaves" look a little larger than the one I have. I'm not adept at getting pictures on the net or I'd try to take one. I did, however, find a picture when I googled it too. It's the Rhipsalis salicornioidesi'll try to post it or at neast give you the link. mine is in a 1 gallon hanger and is so full ( about a foot across) it looks like It might be rootbound if that is possible. I am an "epi" fan and have a few but none that look like this one.
this is what mine looks like........ http://www.exoticangel.com/plant-library/species/rhipsalis/item/531-drunkards-dream
Daybee, what I need to know is how much to water it. it says somewhere every 8+ days but not how much. Can you give me a clue? LOL When I tipped it over towards me to see the top it was so full of water it poured out the bottom saucer. so much it totally wet my blouse. I'm afraid now that it won't dry out fast enough to keep it from rotting the roots.
It also says low light some places and medium light other places. which is it? I would like to park it right next to my front double window that gets western sun, but it's also shaded by a huge oak tree so no sun is direct.
Its just so pretty I dont want to lose it out of ignorance to it's needs.
I have a pencil cactus and it isn't my favorite plant so it is lucky to get watered once a month but it keeps growing. I like the looks of yours much better. Another word for it is Dancing Bones Cactus. I think you are safe letting it dry totally before watering again and be sure it isn't sitting in the saucer when you are finished. They actually get a lot of the moisture they need from the air around them.
Since it's a cactus(succulent) & the description say most of them have aerial roots it shouldn't need much water. I think where you want to put it sounds OK.
I looked in my houseplant book & it says sunniest possible window.
For watering, very little water during the dormant (Winter/late Fall) months. Just enough to keep them from becoming completely dry.
Also says during active growing period (Spring thru Summer) to soak the potting mixture thoroughly at each watering, then let the top 1/2 " dry out before watering again. Always best to give a bit too little rather than a bit too much. Too much causes rotting.
So I would water thoroughly, let it dry out & then water again. From what you say doesn't sound like it will need water for a while. Perhaps the previous owner was doing just what it says above? And that is why it's so wet right now. Good luck.
growingranny, i've not been impressed with the only ones i've seen either, but this one is extreamly attractive to me and I want to keep it alive. I will be sure and take the saucer off.
I watered my plants just until the water ran out the bottom and let them dry between waterings, like about once a week. Set the pot on a saucer of stones. I don't believe the roots should set in water.
cove2700:Also says during active growing period (Spring thru Summer) to soak the potting mixture thoroughly at each watering, then let the top 1/2 " dry out before watering again.
This is the only thing that makes me feel better about how sopping wet it was when I got it. I inquired about the copious ammount of water it had in it and the lady said they had hired a new employee who was really messing up with the watering.
I just pray it dries out before it croaks! LOL
Daybee, that's how I water too and I'm very concerned about how long it's been sitting in so much water. Hopefully he had just watered them and it will dry out with no problems. I'm leaving it outside so the heat and wind will help it dry out more quickly.
Thanks to all of you for the helpful thoughts. I fancy myself a decent gardner, but there's so much I don't know LOL. when I like a plant I try to research and learn as much about it as I can and I have pretty good luck with most. but, I'm sometimes too good to my plants and kill them with kindness.
Hello DarLady..Most cactus and succulents thrive on a bit of neglect..Overwatering will certainly kill them.. I water mine once a month and do what others do.. Let the water run out the bottom, then let them slowly take up what is in the soil. I use a sandy loam for each plant and they all live in a west facing window.. In the summer, I pull down the shade in the afternoon.
Hope you can start to enjoy your addition.. Bring some others in and make it a grouping..Then, old pencil won't be sitting there looking all leggy and out of sorts..
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