Hello. This succulent belongs to a friend — I love it and am trying to figure out what it is, so I can locate one for myself or figure out how to grow it from a cutting. I’m thinking this is some kind of “pencil succulent,” but I haven’t been able to find one with this exact look or woody stem. Any help or advice is appreciated!
Drought Smart Plants reply:
That is a very cool plant – is it the same as this unknown plant or this string beans on a thin draping stem plant?
These are an epiphytic plant known as Rhipsalis, but there are many different species in the genus, many with really unusual stems or leaves.
I don’t know for sure what kind of Rhipsalis it is, but it would be worth a try to propagate it.
I would take several stem cuttings and put them in sterilized potting soil that is damp but not soaking, and either put the whole thing into a plastic bag or cover it with a cloche.
Don’t leave it in full sun, just a bright warm place near a curtain filtered window.
The Horticulturists secret; blow into the bag and then tightly seal it with a twist tie. The carbon dioxide in your breath will help the cutting stay alive longer, and also prevent mold from growing.
Good luck! Jacki
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It’s pretty similar to the first link, but not quite. It’s “leaves” look similar but grow like fronds off the branches. It kind of reminds me of a fir tree.
Thanks for the advice — I’m going to give it a shot. Any suggestions on watering frequency once it’s inside the bag? Would a ziplock do, or should I allow some air flow?
Thanks again! Wonder if anyone in the comments will know what it is …?
Jul 01, 2011
oops by: Tracy
Just re-read and saw the part about closing it the bag with a tie. Sorry! 🙂
Jul 06, 2011
Rhipsalis Salicornes? by: Carol
Hi,
I did some extensive search to find the Unknown plant last month (Rhipsalis cereuscula). Jackie is probably right in assuming that it is from the same family as mine — Rhipsalis and the variety looks like it might be salicornes. They have bottle shaped bracts and are segmented similarly to the one I have.
It doesn’t look like a pencil cactus but to make sure — you could break a segment to see if the sap is clear or white. If white, it would mean that it is a euphorbia. It does look like a rhipsalis from the photo. The Rhipsalis salicornes develop yellow flowers.
It is a very unique plant you have! C.
Jul 10, 2011
I just got this plant by: Junebug
I just got this plant from my sister who got it from my grandmother way back in the 80s. I took two cuttings and just planted them in soil with a closed ziplock. Hope this works. This plant produces yellow flowers. I think the other guesses are not correct. I will keep searching.
Feb 08, 2017
Pretty Succulent w/woody stems by: Tarheel
Hello there.
I have this same plant. Someone back in Houston, Texas gave it to me about twenty five years ago. It is very easy to start new plants from cuttings. In the Spring, mine has tiny yellow flowers on the end of the branches. I do not have the exact name of the plant, but I love it and have given a lot of it away over the years.
