Cacti & Succulents
Pencil cactus , or Euphorbia tirucalli , can be maturate as a houseplant or outdoor ornamental . Learn how to grow these " firesticks " in our guide !
Contents
If you ’re count for a succulent houseplant to make a striking statement , look no further than the pencil cactus orEuphorbia tirucalli . This banger of a plant survive bymanynames : aveloz , firestick works , Amerind tree diagram spurge , naked ma’am , and milkbush .
That last name consult to the cloudy latex sap it releases if it ’s damage , which can be toxic . But with a little precaution , you’re able to successfully engraft , naturalise , and enjoy a pencil cactus plant in your home or landscape painting .
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Pencil Cactus Quick Care Guide
All About the Pencil Cactus
belong to the Euphorbia family , pencil cactus grows in a variety of configuration within an indoor landscape . It can grow up to 30 base high in its natural habitat . E. tirucalli‘Sticks on Fire’has vertical stalk and loose branching . It is as thin as pencil and has a reddish - golden color that turns to yellowed in tardy bounce and other summer and then red in winter . Firestick plant life grows up to 4 to 8 understructure and 120 to 240 cm wide in rest home if provide with full sunlight and a frost - destitute climate .
It is called a pencil cactus plant because of the diameter of the stalk , which is equivalent to a pencil . The new arm in the plant are slightly pink . You may see leaves appearing as the branches burgeon forth . But they disappear once the limb matures .
farewell , you need ? Well , reverse out the pencil cactus flora is not actually a true cactus but a succulent . The leafage of the plant form but fall off almost right after they mature . That being said , the stems of Euphorbia plants are not technically stalk , but modified thorn . The concept of modified sticker becomes open if you recall about the botanical structure of other Euphorbias , like the Christmas cactus , Easter cactus , or Thanksgiving cactus .
There are commercial use ofEuphorbia tirucalli , too . Since it is a hydrocarbon plant , it can farm latex that can be qualify and change into an alternative of gasoline . It can also be used in the production of arctic . to boot , the pencil cactus flora can be grown in soil that is not great for growing other plants .
The plant has a all-inclusive statistical distribution across Africa and India and is more prominent in the northeastern , central , and southerly area . The culture of pencil cactus extends to the Arabian peninsula and the surrounding island . Pencil cactus arise in dry areas with low-toned humidness and is typically used for feeding cattle , funnily enough !
The Milk River bush make an amazing houseplant , with the striking prow contrasting most indoor plants quite well . However , because of the milky sap latex the plant bring forth , it is toxic to pets and human being . If you have curious children or pets , keep these plants away from them . In that same vein , fag gloves , eye aegis , and a long - sleeved shirt when you handle or repot yours .
Pencil Cactus Care
Firestick plant has very dewy-eyed pauperism . It does n’t have very special territory , water , or fertilization requirement .
Light
Pencil cactus requires full sun for optimum development – at least six hour per day . If you ’re indoors , right next to a Confederacy - facing windowsill is your adept bet . Mild and warm temperatures , array between 65 ° F to 70 ° atomic number 9 , are best for growth . In cold-blooded piece , see your cactus is indoors when the temperature dips below 50 ° . Keep it out of cool drafts . On the other hand , high temperature is mostly not a problem for your cactus , as it can hold consistent 100 ° conditions .
Water
Being succulents , they can stash away water supply in their heavy stems and leaf , intend pencil cactus prefers not much water at all . irrigate it with brisk water once every 2 - 3 weeks in the summer when the top inch of land is dry and maybe once a month in the wintertime . During inhuman spells , you do n’t require to irrigate it at all .
Soil
If you grow pencil cacti in your household as an indoor houseplant , check that to have spunky and well - draining soil . The excess moisture needs to debilitate from the soil . Otherwise , there will be a risk of molder out the roots , the most common houseplant topic . develop pencil cactus in a preformulated cactus soil , or make your owncactus soilwithpeat moss , rough-cut materials , and amendment . Sandy grime is hunky-dory . Compacted soil is a no - go .
Pencil Cactus Fertilizer
Stick plant can be course with a see to it - release plant food at the start of the rise season . you could apply it with a weak liquid state solution each week . Using a balanced 20 - 20 - 20 fertilizer at one - quarter strength can be applied for large , mature outside works . Most soils will do delicately with a 6 - 4 - 6 fertilizer . Your pencil cactus prefer no plant food in fall and wintertime when it ’s dormant .
Pencil Cactus Propagation
Euphorbia firesticks are comfortable to propagate , like many of their fellow succulent . you could diffuse joint cactus with some cuttings rent from the newfangled or healthy stems . This pencil cactus cutting develops tiny roots . ensure to wear glove and centre trade protection when you cut into the cactus . dry out your prow cuttings out before found them in new cactus mix . Otherwise , the gash end will decompose in the soil before it can gear up out new root . irrigate them in lightly , and then do n’t piddle until the top 2 in of the soil dry out out . Your cutting should form roots and new growth in about a calendar month .
Repotting Pencil Cactus
Every yr or two , you will need to repot your plant . research for a good deal size that ’s about 1 to 3 inches broad than the theme ball of the cactus to be repotted , with adequate drain holes . softly remove the total plant with the root clod intact . Gently separate some of the roots , and fill your new pot with fresh cactus soil . Then localize the works within and top it off . Water lightly .
Pruning Your Pencil Cactus
Frequent pruning is not postulate for stick cactus . If it set out develop too big , you could clip some branches to hack it back to a more achievable shape . The sap is toxic , so bear a well brace ofwork glovesand avoid direct tangency with the muggins on any part of your body .
Troubleshooting Pencil Cactus Issues
While the pencil cactus is n’t typically prostrate to growing trouble , pestilence , or disease , there are a few to depend out for . Let ’s talk about those now .
Pencil Cactus Growing Problems
Overwateringthe sticks on fervidness plant life can be troublesome . If you overwater the plant and the soil has poor drainage , you ’re going to get root moulder underneath the soil . Make trusted to irrigate the plant very infrequently , particularly when the weather condition is n’t hot . chequer the grime wet and only water system if you find it totally juiceless . regard using a looser - textured mix if you find your grease have on to too much water .
Low swooning conditions can causechlorotic , yellow leaveson your cactus . In this case , move it to a spotlight with more sunshine , or provide a grow light .
Diseases of Pencil Cacti
Phomopsisis a fungal consideration that can evolve on your pencil cactus . It ’s due to the fungous pathogen Phomopsis juniperovora , which spurs the development of grey , recessed crown on your pencil cacti . The fungus spreads through wind , rainfall , and infect soil . Overwatering creates experimental condition where the fungus proliferates . If this disease appears , wearing glove , cut off the infected tip with a unsex pruning tongue , and dress the wound with sulfur .
Root rotis a disease that develops when growing conditions of your pencil cactus works are wrong . It causes soft and brown cacti base , and leaves . you may attempt to transfer the damaged region and repot your pencil cactus into fresh cactus soil . If the situation does n’t meliorate after that , you ’ll have to dispose of the cactus altogether as there is no cure for root rot .
Pests
Aphids , mealybugs , andspider mitesare all common pests of house works , which is what most pencil cactus plant are . Each of these congregate on your succulent and suck the plant juices , causing leaf tips to coil , dead stems , and leaf drop in utmost cases . do by them first by wiping them off your cactus with a damp cloth . you could follow up with a cloth soak in itch alcohol to terminate the job .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : How do I know if I am overwatering pencil cactus ?
A : you’re able to check the wet of the works by examining the soil and studying the appearance of the cactus . If you get the soil mucky , it have in mind either you have overwatered the plant life or have poor draining filth . The signs of overwatering are a less stable cactus plant with grayish - browned colored staunch
Q : When is the best time to fertilize firestick works ?
A : The salutary time to fecundate the plant is during the summer growing season . Use an organic houseplant fertiliser and apply once a month for healthier growth .
Q : Is a pencil Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree plant desirable for growing in Mary Jane ?
A : Yes , you could grow the plant in pots . Make trusted the potbelly has drainage holes , and potting mixture desirable for cacti and succulents is used .
Q : How venomous is a pencil cactus ?
A : The latex within the plant ’s stems can irritate human pelt and cause hurt if consumed by pets and humans . Keep it out of reach of curious pets and Kyd .
Q : Can pencil cactus take full sun ?
A : unmediated sun is great for your pencil cactus . At the very least , leave bright light from an east - face windowpane .
Q : Can pencil cactus survive wintertime ?
A : It can not . Therefore , keep it indoors when temperatures reach 50 ° F or less .
Q : Does a pencil cactus blossom ?
A : While there are scientific study that cite a pencil cactus efflorescence , it ’s not common in domestic situations . Most likely , it flowers in its aboriginal habitats in Africa and India .
Q : How often do you water a pencil cactus ?
A : As a worldwide rule , only water when the top inch of grease is ironical .
