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Jun 25, 2020 6:33 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Victoria
Rhode Island (Zone 6b)
Hello!
I have 2 cuttings from euphorbia ingens. I actually had them shipped from California to Rhode Island. I was directed to let them sit out of direct light for a couple of weeks to ensure that they callused over. I then potted them both in cacti/succulent soil (which seems like that might of been a mistake). I put them both in 1 pot together. Originally I had them out of direct sunlight, but was told that they should be in full sun. I lightly watered them a couple of times, but I'm worried about them because they are not rooting whatsoever. Today I noticed that the top of 1 of them has a brown area that seems soft. The smaller one appears much lighter now.. almost anemic. Any advice? What do I do to make these guys happy.

Thanks in advance!
Victoria
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Jun 25, 2020 7:16 PM CST
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Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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Has it been inside or outside?

E. ingens ought to be one of the easiest succulents on the planet to root, provided you give it strong light and allow a regular wet-dry cycle to proceed. Water well (to completion), and then the soil should dry out most or all of the way at depth (not just at the surface) before you water again. The plant should be fine in cactus mix though I would usually add 50% pumice. I don't think you necessarily need to repot at this point unless the container is really huge for the size of the cutting. Can we see the whole setup with the container included?

Depending on your climate, the plant can take day-long sun when it's rooted and growing. But there really is no point to providing more than 2-4 hours of direct outdoor sun a day until the plant is growing again on top. 50% shade would be fine. Morning sun is better than afternoon sun if you experience heat. Overhead (midday) sun is to be avoided until the plant is going again. Indoor sun is another thing entirely since regular window glass blocks most of the UV in sunlight, so the more sun the better indoors.
Last edited by Baja_Costero Jun 25, 2020 7:27 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 25, 2020 9:18 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Victoria
Rhode Island (Zone 6b)
Thanks for your response! I have had it indoors and it has been in a direct southwest window for the past few weeks. I can take a picture of what I have it in. I'll attach it to this post. I think I may have put it in too large of a pot.
That being said, it is definitely warm enough and sunny enough to put it outside. Do you think that would be the better option at this point?
I've tried to research this, but I've found so much conflicting information as far as sun and water when rooting. Thanks for your reply!
Victoria
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Jun 25, 2020 9:59 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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I would think the larger cutting would fit in a 10 inch (3 gallon) pot and the smaller one in an 8 inch pot. You don't want to bury a whole lot of stem, just however much is necessary for reasonable stability. The important thing is not so much the width but the depth of the pot, which should be in the range of 6-8 inches. You can go bigger but starting in a relatively small pot at the beginning is helpful because the watering is easier to manage. A small pot (especially a shallow one) will dry out faster than a big pot (especially a deep one), all things equal, and that will allow you to water deeply more often without worrying about the bottom staying wet all the time. Whatever size pot you use, it's essential the pot has holes at the bottom and does not sit in a lake of pooled water after watering. Using a very shallow pot (say less than 6 inches deep) is counterproductive as this is a tree and it benefits from a greater amount of root space at the very beginning.

Park those cuttings right next to your sunniest southerly-facing window, in a location where they will "see" the sun for hours a day year round. The more natural light the better indoors.

If you want to take them outside, that is a fine option (given that's where they came from in the first place, presumably). Avoid direct overhead sun at this time of year. Morning sun is fine, filtered light too, just not the most intense midday rays. Be aware that an outdoor location will typically cause the soil to dry out faster, since evaporation depends on temperature and air flow and light exposure.

Your cuttings will root much better with some moisture in the soil to convince them to do so. Go for a repeating cycle of properly wet and nearly dry soil for best results. There is no benefit to leaving the soil bone dry for any extended period. There is a significant risk of adverse consequences if it does not dry out enough often enough (at depth, not just at the surface).

This species will sometimes develop weird discolored areas at the growth point when it is trying to decide what to do. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Discolored areas on the rest of the plant (especially on the stem near ground level) would be something to monitor.

Be aware that this plant often spends much of the year apparently doing nothing, even when it is properly rooted. There tends to be a season of active growth (which is pretty obvious because there are small vestigial leaves produced on new growth) and a season of rest, which is not to be confused with dormancy (the plant is still photosynthesizing and demands strong light; it also benefits from regular water during rest).



You will know your cuttings have kicked into gear when you see that new top growth (leaves visible above the buds and flowers in the picture), and that will confirm they have functioning roots. But even after a cutting is rooted, it sometimes will sit there doing nothing for months, and that's not anything to be alarmed about, just a natural delay as the newly rooted cutting gathers strength and energy to grow again. As long as you focus on strong light (max out the light indoors, or provide 2-4 hours of direct sun outdoors but not during midday) and make sure you have a good wet-dry cycle going with the watering, you just have to sit back and let nature work everything out. Rooting may take 4-12 weeks if I had to guess.
Last edited by Baja_Costero Jun 25, 2020 10:09 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 26, 2020 11:01 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Victoria
Rhode Island (Zone 6b)
Wow, thank you so much for all of the information. I appreciate the time you took to respond. I'm going to just start fresh.. separate them into their own pots. I checked out both of them and there is not one minuscule root on either one. It's been about 5 weeks that's I've had them potted. I never really watered them thoroughly because I was told to not water until they root (which seemed odd). But I am going to take all of your advice, give them some nice outdoor morning sunlight on my deck, and sit back and relax. I will keep you updated!

Thanks again,
Victoria
Avatar for Panos90
Jan 3, 2022 12:11 AM CST

Hello guys!! Happy new year!!
I came here because I also notice a discolored spot on my euphorbia ingens. The plant is placed inside in a bright room (on direct sunlight) also I watering once the soil is dry.

Any suggestions?

Ps. The pot is probably a little big for the plant, but it has been in the same plant for 2.5 years now


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Jan 3, 2022 12:28 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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It doesn't look like anything I would be concerned about unless it starts spreading rapidly.

Welcome!
Avatar for Panos90
Jan 3, 2022 12:49 AM CST

Thanks for your reply.

Is this a sign that the plant isn't happy with the environment and there is something that I can do? This spot appears with in a month. Also is winter here this time of the year.
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Jan 3, 2022 11:53 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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I'm not sure why those spots show up some times. I've seen them on potted plants here. I guess the important thing right now is to provide as much light as you can during the winter so the plant stays content inside.
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Jan 3, 2022 4:16 PM CST
Name: Bob
The Kau Desert, Hawaii (Zone 12a)
@Vablsi, your cuttings look fine to me. The size of pot with the amount of dirt is great. The dark place on the tip is common. It will be gone once your plant starts to grow.
I start my cuttings in a one gallon pot with 3-4 inches of mix in the bottom and stick the plants about one inch into the mix. I water them about once a week by which time the mix is dry. Since you are trying to grow new roots you do not want the mix to become "bone dry" as new roots are delicate.
These will become LARGE plants and should eventually be grown in separate pots. You can root them together like they are now or maybe move the short cutting to a 3 inch pot. I like the way you leaned the tall cutting against the side of the pot for support. you do not want the cuttings to wobble while creating roots as the new root tips can be physically damaged
Avatar for Panos90
Jan 4, 2022 1:48 PM CST

Baja_Costero said:I'm not sure why those spots show up some times. I've seen them on potted plants here. I guess the important thing right now is to provide as much light as you can during the winter so the plant stays content inside.


Hello guys
I moved the plant to another corner of the room that has more light during the day
(specially and direct sun at 3.00PM to 5.00PM - 3 meters from the window)

I hope that the plant to be happier with its new position.

The dark spot I think that is slightly bigger that it was yesterday
No other symptoms like softer tissue, just this discoloration for the moment.
Apart from this dark spot the plant looks healthy


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Should I give it same time to adapt to the new and brighter position? Crying
Last edited by Panos90 Jan 4, 2022 1:52 PM Icon for preview
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Jan 4, 2022 1:57 PM CST

Garden Ideas: Level 1
I don't think it would really need acclimatization. But it would depend on how big of a change. Like from shade to full sun. I think your plant should be fine without acclimatization.
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Jan 4, 2022 1:58 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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Sure, let it get used to the new spot. I would say 3 meters from the window is about 2.5 meters greater than the ideal location, but of course you should work with what's possible for you.
Last edited by Baja_Costero Jan 4, 2022 1:58 PM Icon for preview
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Jan 4, 2022 2:06 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
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Vblasi said:Hello!
I have 2 cuttings from euphorbia ingens. I actually had them shipped from California to Rhode Island. I was directed to let them sit out of direct light for a couple of weeks to ensure that they callused over. I then potted them both in cacti/succulent soil (which seems like that might of been a mistake). I put them both in 1 pot together. Originally I had them out of direct sunlight, but was told that they should be in full sun. I lightly watered them a couple of times, but I'm worried about them because they are not rooting whatsoever. Today I noticed that the top of 1 of them has a brown area that seems soft. The smaller one appears much lighter now.. almost anemic. Any advice? What do I do to make these guys happy.

Thanks in advance!
Victoria
Thumb of 2020-06-26/Vblasi/1e9c4f



Be very patient with your cuttings. At this time of the year, it is still too cold for them to root. Even if it is by your most southfacing window, it is still cold for them. But don't move them anymore..just let it be. At least it is getting some warmth and if your indoor heaters are running that helps.

It takes a long time to acclimate. May take the entire winter season to end of Spring. I would suggest, the moment your outdoor overnight temps reaches 50F and higher, then let it feel the outdoors. It will be by that time the plant will do more active rooting. By then natural light at daytime will be longer and more intense..just what the cutting needs to jumpstart again.

So be very careful when watering. At this time less to no watering is what it needs, especially if it has no roots yet.

Similar Eupborbias I had seems to wait till we hit 80F to 90F before it makes any new growth, whether it be roots, leaves or arms.
Avatar for Panos90
Jan 4, 2022 2:25 PM CST

The plant was at the same room before but with no direct sunlight during the day.
The room has south facing windows and it's generally bright I think. Let's give a try and see If these 2-3 hours of direct sunlight will give it some boost.

My only concern is to see if this spot is just a discolored area what will stop to expand after a few days or is something else that will need a treatment... Sad

Is it possible to be some type of fungus or bacteria?
Last edited by Panos90 Jan 5, 2022 4:39 AM Icon for preview
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Jan 4, 2022 2:44 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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Garden Photography Region: Mexico Plant Identifier Forum moderator Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Level 2
Those are good questions. I don't know. Maybe somebody else will chime in. My usual attitude toward this sort of discoloration is to wait and watch, and then take out the knife if it seems to be getting out of hand. Given the situation you have described, I think the best thing for the plant would be those 2-3 hours a day where it can see the sun. The more the better at this point.

For what it's worth, I have always viewed this plant as something of a weed, to the extent the one I planted next to the house about 13 years ago has given us round after round of cuttings to start new plants. In general it does seem to be a well behaved, resilient container plant until it gets huge.

I think it's a good sign the spot you observed is not in the actual growth center, but more on the side of the plant.

Maybe consider moving the plant outside in spring or summer. These tree Euphorbias tend to be very demanding about light, for good health and for good form.
Last edited by Baja_Costero Jan 4, 2022 2:45 PM Icon for preview
Avatar for Panos90
Jan 4, 2022 2:52 PM CST

Okay.. I see.. Rolling my eyes.
I will wait a few more days to see that will happend, and I will keep you updated!! Crossing Fingers!
Thanks so much for your help!!
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Jan 4, 2022 4:17 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
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I am of the same approach..wait and see...sometimes the plant will just be naturally able to heal that part. Then the ugly part will turn brown and very dry allowing you to peel it off. That is why I say be careful with watering. Keeping it drier at this time of the year is better.

It may leave a scar on the plant..but better a scar than to lose the plant.
Avatar for Panos90
Jan 15, 2022 2:06 AM CST

Hello guys! I hope you are doing well.

A quick update regarding the discolored spot on my plant.
The overall size of the spot has not noticeable expand. Rolling my eyes.
Although, the spot seems to has some texture now. It's not flat as it was used to be.

The first photo is from 3/1/21 and I took the second one today (12 days later)

3/1/21
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15/1/21
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Any thoughts about this? Shrug!
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Jan 16, 2022 9:50 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
As long as there is no mushy part anywhere..I will just ignore that.

It will be just like a battle scar.
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