Dog Tail Cactus

Strophocactus | Dog Tail Cactus

Strophocactus, also known as the Dog Tail cactus, is epiphytic and can grow to 9 ft in length in its native jungle habitat.

Schlumbergera or dog tail cactus

Most Popular Types

Light

Full to partial sun

Temperatures

Dog tail cactus is hardier than most tropical cacti, tolerating temps from 40-90°F. It cannot tolerate frost. It prefers a humid environment.

Watering

Water often but only when the soil is completely dry. If there is too little water, aerial roots will appear.

Toxicity

Non-toxic for humans or pets

Growth

Dog tail cactus grows quickly and is suitable for hanging baskets. It blooms at night during the summer.

Origin

South America

Propagation

Propagate from cuttings at joints of leaves. Do not cut the main stem.

Dormancy

Winter dormant

Coming-Soon

Please be patient with us. Information is coming soon!

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Stromanthe

Stromanthe

Stromanthe is a type of prayer plant, curling its leaves up at night and spreading them during the day. Other prayer plants are Calathea and maranta.

 

 

Stromanthe 1

Most Popular Types

The most popular varieties of Stromanthe are variegated pink and green. These include the triostar, magic star, and tricolor.

Light

Stromanthe triostar needs bright indirect light to keep its striking variegated pink and green color.

Temperatures

Stromanthe is an excellent houseplant. It prefers a steady room temperature not dipping below 60 degrees F.

Watering

Stromanthe is a tropical plant that prefers to stay somewhat moist, but don’t overwater! You’ll notice yellowing of leaves if the stromanthe remains wet all the time.

This plant grows in areas of high humidity. Misting it or placing it on a tray of pebbles with water can replicate that environment.

Too little water may cause the leaves to turn brown along the edges. Filtered or distilled water is recommended.

Toxicity

Stromanthe is non-toxic to people and pets.

Growth

Compared to other houseplants, the stromanthe is slow-growing. It can eventually reach 2 ft in height and 3 ft in width.

Origin

This plant’s natural habitat is the Brazilian rainforest.

Propagation

Stromanthe can most easily be propagated by division. It is a rhizomatous plant, and the roots should easily divide when the soil is removed. Divided plants with strong roots may be planted directly into potting soil. You may decide to place younger plants in water for a couple of weeks before planting.

Dormancy

Stromanthe is winter dormant.

Stromanthe never never plant

Stromanthe never never plant turns bright pink in direct sun.

Calathea Stromanthe Triostar plant on white

Calathea Stromanthe Triostar plant on white

Calathea Stromanthe Triostar plant on white

Blood-red stromanta - Stromanthe Triostar Tricolor variety close-up leaf on the windowsill

Blood-red stromanta – Stromanthe Triostar Tricolor variety close-up leaf on the windowsill

Blood-red stromanta – Stromanthe Triostar Tricolor variety close-up leaf on the windowsill

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Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Stapelia, Huernia, and Orbea

Stapelia, Huernia, and Orbea

Stapelia, huernia, and orbea are closely related succulent species that have star-shaped blooms. Huernia is called the lifesaver plant because of its bold lifesaver-like ring on the flower. Orbea has starfish-like flowers with striking markings.  Stapelia is the largest of the group, with blooms up to 12 inches. The stapelia is sometimes called the corpse plant because of the unpleasant fragrance of its flowers.

 

Stapelia 2

Most Popular Types

Stapelia gigantea (corpse plant)
Huernia zebrina lifesaver cactus
Orbea schweinfurthii starfish plant

Light

These plants can take full sun or partial shade. In full sun, the stems may take on a reddish hue.

Temperatures

Stapelia and its relatives can withstand temperatures down to 40 degrees.

Watering

Light watering. We water when the branches become less firm than directly after watering.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans and pets. Huernia is planted on an ongoing basis to aid in food shortages in Ethiopa. Stapelia is sometimes used as an herbal remedy for hysteria.

Growth

Trailing pattern, typically no more than 12 inches tall.

When these plants flower, particularly the stapelia gigantea, you may notice a rotten odor coming from the bloom. Stapelia uses this odor to entice flies to pollinate. It’s worth growing, though, as the blooms can be more than 12 inches across, shaped like starfish.

Origin

South Africa and Arabian Peninsula

Propagation

Stapelia can be broken off at joints for propagation. Remember to allow the pieces to callous for a few days before planting them in soil.

Dormancy

These plants are winter dormant.

Stapelia huernia lifesaver cactus

Stapelia huernia lifesaver cactus

Flowering Orbea

Orbea’s flowers are a bit understated compared to its Stapelia relatives.

Stapelia gigantea

Stapelia does well draping from hanging baskets.

stapelia lg red

Stapelia produces extraordinary blooms

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Senecio

Senecio

Senecio varieties are some of the most enjoyable succulents to collect! Strings of pearls, dolphins, bananas, watermelon, fish hooks…

Once established, Senecio is extremely drought-tolerant and low maintenance.

senecio bartertonicus lemon bean bush

Most Popular Types

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), String of Dolphins (S. peregrinus), String of bananas (S, radicans), pickle cactus (S. stapeliiformis), vertical leaf Senecio (S. crassissimus)

Light

In hot climates, indirect light is recommended. In cooler climates, full sun. When bringing Senecio indoors for winter, place in a sunny location.

Temperatures

Senecio can tolerate temperatures to 33°F for short periods of time.

Watering

Water only when the soil is completely dry.

Toxicity

Toxic to humans and pets

Growth

Senecio, particularly the strings varieties, can reach 6 ft in length. White blossoms may appear in the fall.

Origin

South Africa

Propagation

Propagation by rooting cuttings between autumn and spring. Let cutting callous over for a few days. Then place on top of soil, and water when roots begin to develop.

Dormancy

Summer dormant

Senecio stapeliiformis

Pickle cactus, senecio stapeliiformis, grows quickly.

Senecio rowleyanus string of pearls

Senecio rowleyanus, string of pearls, is a favorite among succulent collectors.

Senecio radicans string of bananas

The plump leaves of the Senecio radicans brought its nickname: string of bananas.

senecio peregrinus string of dolphins

Senecio Peregrinus, or string of dolphins, has leaves that mimic dolphins at play.

Senecio bartertonicus lemon bean bush

Senecio bartertonicus lemon bean bush is a quick grower.

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Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Sempervivum

Sempervivum

Hens and Chicks

Sempervivum is often called “hens and chicks,” or “hens and biddies.” It is a succulent plant that has been passed down through the generations, often planted in a strawberry pot.

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Sempervivum arachnoideum which produces a cobweb to shade it from the sun, and S. tectorum with red tinted leaf points are two popular varieties.

Light

Partial to full sun

Temperatures

Sempervivum is winter hardy in many areas, withstanding temperatures as low as -20°F.

Watering

Outside in the summer, we water them once each week unless it rains. During the winter, once each month. Kept indoors, sempervivum can be watered once each month.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to people and pets

Growth

Sempervivum is a ground cover, keeping low to the soil. The “mother hen” will produce chicks around the mature plant before flowering. As sempervivum is monocarpic, the center plant will wither away while the chicks develop.

Origin

Southern Europe

Propagation

Offsets. All those chicks!

Dormancy

Winter dormant

Sempervivum tip top

Sempervivum tip top is one of the many quickly spreading hens and chicks.

Gardener planting sempervivum plant in the garden. Spring garden works concept

sempervivum in hands

Sempervivum is a great groundcover.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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