About John Cash Expertise I can identify most cultivated ornamental plants both tropical plants and landscaping varieties depending on how much information I am given. I can also identify most native wild plants of the US at least to the Family and Genus. For the best chance of identification, I need pictures of leaves, stem, flowers, and fruit or seed. Send your pictures to john@arklatexwatergardens.com. I will answer your questions on AllExperts. Please make sure you size your pictures before you send them. Large pictures are VERY SLOW to download.
Experience I have been in the nursery/garden center business since 1976. I am an exotic plant collector and ornamental plant grower. I have studied plant identification all over the South East United States and in tropical Pacific coast Mexico.
Education/Credentials I have a B.S. Degree in Horticulture, a B.S. Degree in Botany with an emphasis on Taxonomy (plant identification) and a Master's degree in Floriculture (ornamental horticulture).
Expert: John Cash Date: 6/5/2007 Subject: unknown plant
Question I have a plant I bought and love but don't know what it is or how to care for it. Seems tropical or succulent. Leaves 3-4 inches wide with veins 2-3 inches apart. Leaves can grow a foot or longer usually off a main stem. also now putting out long stems up to 4-5 ft that seem to be speading at the tips like they are going to turn into leaves but have small pin size attachments (to attach like a vine?) Color is green throughout. what gives?
Answer Drew,
Sounds like an Epiphyllum also know as an Orchid Cactus, or Night Blooming Cereus. It is a true cactus even though it has very few or no spines. It is an epiphyte which means that it grows up in the trees in its natural habitat. The "small pin size attachments" are the beginnings of aerial roots that it uses to climb trees. The extreme elongation (4-5 ft) tells me that it's not getting enough light. Try putting it outside for the summer in a shady location, out of any really direct sun. Fertilize sparingly and let it get really root bound and it will bloom for you. . . large white flowers that open at night.
