I have all of mine in pots too, I just don't have room for them in the ground here. They tend to take over whatever bed they are in, they can be a bit invasive. I'll take some pics of the variegated ones, they are my favorites and no round up was involved.

Please forgive me for butting in, but this plant was just delivered to me by the daughter of my friend who just passed away a few days ago. She wanted me to have it but none of the children know what it is and unfortunately neither do I. I thought it was a Orchid Cactus of some kind but it has real cactus prickly things on the leaves and I was not sure if the OC had those. These are the pictures. It is dark but I am so curious I could not wait until morning.







God knows how old this is, there is also a big bag of what had to be cut off to deliver it.
I would really appreciate your assistance on this one. Thanks in advance.

Wonderful old plant! You say it's quite prickly? With it being so old, I'm wondering if the typical "hairs" of an Orchid Cactus/Epi have aged into more prickly or thorny structures.

Perhaps you might look to Rhipsallis for an ID. It favors those prickly stems although the width and blooms favor the Epiphyllums.

I agree ... it very well could be what a very old Rhipsalis looks like.

I will check that out, thanks. The prickly things are very tiny and I got one in my thumb and had a heck of a time finding it to remove it. They are just like cactus thorns or pricks or whatever you call them. That is why I am so confused with trying to identify it. I thought the orchid cactus did not have them. But, live and learn. We will see. I have a friend who was at Longwood Gardens for a long time and I will ask him if he can identify it. He is just down the road. Also I think I will send a cutting to my other friend at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and see if he can help me. I am determined to find out the proper name for this beauty. She is too beautiful to go unnamed. Thank you for your assistance.

You should. She is a treasure for sure and you need that info.

I went down to the basement and brought up these cuttings I've rooted. They show the same characteristics and I can see where they could eventually develop stiff prickles after years of growth. Unfortunately, these were given to me as NOIDs, but this is much more Rhipsalis than Epiphyllum.

Well, maybe not. I found a photo of an Epi stem that appears identical. The name is 'Wendy May'. Might be too new for Janet's but I hope it's mine. Be sure to let us know if you get a positive ID.

Ya'll have a good day!

Tee, thank you so much. I really am hoping my friend at the botanical garden can help me.
I took the cuttings to the man who trained at Longwood Garden in PA and he was stumped. So much for that.

Hay, I remember a plant simular to these. It was on a grafted red head type. Top rotted off but the bottom kept growing. Can't remember what ever happened to it. I wish now I kept it. I think I gave it away to someone. I give half of my plants away because I end up with too many.
Happy Holidays,
Stush

I read this and then lost track of it.

Janet, I think some of these types of plants are real buggers to ID. And just when you get things half straight, they reclassify them. I think it was Dave who said that Botanical classification is like playing "Whack-A-Mole" at times.

Stush, I imagine it would rot if it was grafted. Too many plants, nah.

I agree with all of the above. I would love a piece of it if you're sharing.

Tip to get the small needles out of your fingers: put duct tape on it and rip it off, the needles will usually come right out with it.

JB, why don't you post the picture and description in the Plant ID forum?

I use tape to dislodge prickles and stickers. That's about the only way I've found that works (most of the time). NO matter how gingerly or what method I use to I handle them, I'm bound to get some.

Hetty, JB is in England. The customs thing and all that jazz.

darn......

I know. I would love a cutting too.

The mystery cactus is blooming and is sooooo pretty. Here is it from bud to bloom.








The cuttings arrived in Georgia today and we will now await their suggestions as to what it is.
Keep your fingers crossed.

Lovely!!

Gorgeous, JB, and that flower should help a lot with an ID. Thanks for posting the pictures.

It definitely looks like the flower of an Epiphyllum. Check out E. 'Ackermanni'.