Repotting the Unfriendliest of Plants

I don't do many container plants and when I do, I try to make sure that they are easy-care as possible. Translate to low water plants and BIG(ger) containers.   Last spring I gathered up some small pots and put them together in a mixed succlulent-ish container.   I thought I had the nice mixture of size,  texture, and color.   One plant was the cutest cactus with long, soft looking, yellow thorns in a 8 inch pot.   I had bought that little pot to decorate for a party and the cactus had just stayed exactly the same for 4 or 5 months.

I don't remember, but that little cactus must have been rootbound because once it got its roots into a larger pot of soil, it grew . . . and then
grew some more.   Within a few months, it looked like this.

The cactus was taking over. 

Time to re-pot and this cactus is COVERED with LONG spines.    First things first . . .   I am using a new terra cotta pot so it needs a good soaking.   If I omit this step, the clay will suck all the moisture from the potting mix.   Instead of watering continually post-planting, I'd rather just soak the pot pre-planting and then water normally. 

The first time that I transplanted the cactus, a piece of folded newpaper was the only tool I needed.   It could work again . . .   Well, the newspaper hack was helpful to hold the cactus while I added more potting mix.   To actually remove it from the pot, I ended up taking it to the lawn and very carefully removing it with a shovel.  (Hand tools didn't keep even a gloved hand far enough away from those spines!)  There were actually three cacti growing together so I split them up and shared with a friend.

And the finished product   It has room to grow BUT I will be happy to let it become rootbound.   I sure don't want it to get too big for me to handle!

I wish I knew what this little guy is.  But as it grows and blooms, maybe I'll be able to identify it.   Frankly, I'm not very good with cacti.   

How Do I Take Care of This Poinsettia?

The one plant that universally says "Christmas" is undoubtedly the poinsettia or Euphorbia pulcherrima.  It's native to rainforests in Mexico and Central America and does pretty well as a houseplant for a month or two.

Right now I'm on the look-out for some to decorate our home and office.  With proper care they should look great throughout the Christmas season and well into the New Year.  

Place your poinsettia in a sunny room.   Their ideal temperature hovers between 60 and 70 degrees. 

One thing to avoid is drafts!   A few years ago, I purchased large (pricey) plants for the patio and front porch.  What a mistake!   The wind beat the tar out of them and I spend the holidays sweeping up dropped leaves.   Years ago I used to purchase large poinsettia hanging baskets at The Flower Pot in Harlingen.     They hung on our screened porch and just invited you outside- but that porch had great protection from the breeze.    Lesson learned.

A second thing you want to avoid is placing them near a heat source.   I may love a roaring fire on a cold winter night but they do not.

Now what about watering?   I water mine heavily and let them stand in a bit of water for an hour or so.   But, after that time, it is very important to remember to empty the excess water from the saucer or decorative pot.  Poinsettias do not like to stand in water for very long.   They are very forgiving of neglect, so you can let them dry out between watering.    When their leaves begin to droop, that's your sign to give your poinsettia a little drink.   If you let it dry out too much, your poinsettia will not die - it will just thank you by shedding lots of leaves for you to clean up. 

Poinsettias come in many colors to match any home and Christmas decor.  I adore the white ones - but this year, we're going colorful so red it is!

Crotons - Tropical Beauties

Crotons, Codiaeum variegatum, always remind me of Autumn! That's a little ironic since Crotons are tropical plants. Originating in Australia and the South Seas, they are grown as houseplants in most of the United States.

Its usually in the Fall when I purchase Crotons - I think they look as Autumnal (is that a word?) as mums do. Mix potted ones in with a few pumpkins and mums and you have a great welcome at your front door. After the season, use them, either potted or in the ground, for a tropical punch.

If you are lucky to live in a temperate climate (or if you don't mind using them as annuals), plant your Crotons in part sun. The sunlight will bring out their vibrant, varied colors. But it's been my experience that too much direct sun tends to burn them. Actually they can handle it if they've been "seasoned" a bit. When I plant one in full sun in the winter, it can usually handle the summer's full sun.


Crotons come with a variety of leaves. The first photos shows the most common broad leaf variety.

The plant on the left is a spiral leaf croton. My favorite (and the one I have the hardest time finding) is the oak leaf croton.

You can propagate Crotons from green stem cuttings or air layering. Personally I have only had success with air layering.

I'm still trying to decide exactly how I'm going to use these - but that's the fun, isn't it?