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Jul 23, 2017 3:32 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ryan Robles
Northridge, CA
Hello,

I hired a gardener from my neighborhood to tear out and replant an area in front of my house. I am not too happy with the work that he did yet before I talk to him, I wanted to do some research to be sure my concerns are valid. This is probably the last time I'm going to use him. He's cut corners in the past on other projects I've hired him for. He planted what looks like society garlic, yet there is an odd cactus like growth present. I abhor cactus. I thought he was going to put the money paid to him to good use and buy something decent and nice looking. I like society garlic, but I'm not loving this cactus mutation or whatever it is. I also don't like the condition of some of these plants, particularly the one on the very right. It's like he planted a dying mutated throw away. I've been watering these plants every other day. They've been here for two weeks now. I'm not yet seeing any improvement in their health, again, the one on the far right is the main concern. It has been very hot here, maybe that's why. I'm hoping I'm wrong about all this. I would love to hear that this cactus growth is normal and that these plants will grow and flourish and prosper and look great eventually. I would also love to hear that I'm wrong about him ripping me off by planting unhealthy dying plants. Maybe this look is normal and the plant will improve? Thank you for your help with this.
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Last edited by numinous Jul 23, 2017 3:38 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 23, 2017 4:21 PM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
Welcome!

The cactus thing is a succulent called Euphorbia "Mother of Thousands". That should give you a hint of what you can expect if you leave it.

Did the plants look like that when they arrived? Did you see nursery pots? I suspect your "gardener" is recycling plants he pulled out of someone else's landscaping.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
Webmaster: osnnv.org
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Jul 23, 2017 4:40 PM CST
Name: Philip Becker
Fresno California (Zone 8a)
It's very hard, to transplant plants in our summers. Your plants, actually look, well off ! From what i can see, on my phone.
Give them proper care, and, don't under/over water !
Throw lite rag over, if they start to get any sign of sunburn. I think they will be fine !
๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜Ž
Anything i say, could be misrepresented, or wrong.
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Jul 23, 2017 5:18 PM CST
Name: Karen
New Mexico (Zone 8a)
Region: New Mexico Region: Arizona Region: Ukraine Cactus and Succulents Plant Identifier Plays in the sandbox
Greenhouse Bromeliad Adeniums Morning Glories Avid Green Pages Reviewer Brugmansias
Pull out those Mother of thousands, or you will have your whole bed full of them. They are nice plants if contained, and not allowed to drop plantlets everywhere.
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Jul 23, 2017 5:22 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ryan Robles
Northridge, CA
So this is not society garlic? It looks identical with the exception of this succulent thing sprouting from it. Maybe its both!? Maybe this euphorbia is a separate plant!? It sure seems to be one plant coming from the same root though. I can provide more pics if necessary.
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Jul 23, 2017 5:29 PM CST
Name: Rick Moses
Derwood, MD (Zone 7b)
Azaleas Hostas Tender Perennials Ferns Garden Photography Plant and/or Seed Trader
Forum moderator Region: United States of America Region: Mid-Atlantic Region: Maryland Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
LLK: No longer by my side, but forever in my heart.
Pal tiem shree tal ma.
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Jul 23, 2017 5:29 PM CST
Name: Karen
New Mexico (Zone 8a)
Region: New Mexico Region: Arizona Region: Ukraine Cactus and Succulents Plant Identifier Plays in the sandbox
Greenhouse Bromeliad Adeniums Morning Glories Avid Green Pages Reviewer Brugmansias
The Euphorbia is the succulent plant growing in with the other plant. It probably was in the soil he used. I'm with Daisy. Bet he is recycling stuff from other gardens. That succulent can be quite a pain if it gets a good foothold in your garden. If you want to see it grow and bloom, save some and put it in a big pot on a cement pad or brick pad where the babies can't grow.
Handcrafted Coastal Inspired Art SeaMosaics!
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Jul 23, 2017 5:31 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ryan Robles
Northridge, CA
This Mother of Thousands Euphorbia is apparently poisonous - fatal if ingested by small animals (!!!???). I have a indoor/out door cat that loves to sit in this planter and she tends to chew and eat plant parts!!
Last edited by numinous Jul 23, 2017 5:33 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 23, 2017 5:40 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
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Yes, you do have Society Garlic...but as several people have mentioned, you also have an undesirable plant that will take over your garden. The extra plant is named Mother of Thousands; it is a type of Kalanchoe. It is proof that your not-so-professional hired gardener got his soil from someone else's garden. He used contaminated soil and left you holding the bag...or the hoe.

If it were me, I would tell him to come back, remove everything, and start over. He needs to show you bags of soil and a receipt from the store so you will know that he is using fresh, new, uncontaminated soil for the project.

Oh, and looking at the photo, the plants are not evenly planted and they are not looking very healthy.
Newly planted items need to be protected from direct sunlight for several days so they have time to adjust to their new environment. A professional would have known that.
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
Last edited by greene Jul 24, 2017 9:52 AM Icon for preview
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Jul 23, 2017 6:02 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ryan Robles
Northridge, CA
Just to appease the lady of the house who is not convinced this is Euphorbia as she cannot find a visual match via Google image search - does someone have a link or a pic they can share? I've already removed those bastards and put them in my garage so my cat and other animals won't be poisoned. This guy Perfecto doesn't speak good English whatsoever. One of his trucks is always parked in front of one of the houses in my neighborhood even when he is not around. He somehow managed to get the business of many people in my tract. He seems to give me a different level of service than the others. Which is bizarre. I have a few theories as to why. To avoid miscommunication I'm going to draft a brief letter to him convert it into Spanish and leave it on his truck that way he'll be very clear about the problem so I won't have to use hand signals and gestures when talking to him lol. This really angers me. Wait till you hear what else he did. I have a question about that too. I'll post that question separately. Thank you very much new friends. It's great to have found you.
Last edited by numinous Jul 23, 2017 6:04 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 23, 2017 6:07 PM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
I believe this is close to your "Mother of Thousands", there are thousands of versions. Smiling

https://www.google.com/search?...:

Good luck with the gardener. Crossing Fingers!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
Webmaster: osnnv.org
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Jul 23, 2017 6:10 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
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Hi and welcome. So sorry for your gardener troubles. It sure is hard to get someone really good to help in a garden. I agree, they don't look like plants that he got from a nursery or garden center. If they are, he got them off the discount rack, to be in such a sorry state.

I think your Society Garlic is just suffering from being transplanted during such a very hot time of year. Spring or fall would have been a better time. The plants needs extra water, a good, deep watering every morning would help a lot to get them established and growing. They are clumping plants, and in amongst the clumps you have the Euphorbias popping up, not helping the situation. They should be easy to pull out right after you've watered your Society Garlic.

I would call the guy back and ask him to come and 'weed' your newly planted bed for you, then if/when he shows up ask him where he got the plants and ask to see the receipt if he says he bought them.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." โ€“Winston Churchill
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Jul 23, 2017 6:15 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
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numinous said: Wait till you hear what else he did.


Sad
We here on NGA can help to identify your plants and we can answer all kinds of garden-related questions, but if you want to bash someone publicly even going so far as to give his name, maybe this is not the best venue for that. I would suggest you either stop using the gardener in question or seek legal advice to solve the problem. Thumbs up
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Jul 23, 2017 9:25 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ryan Robles
Northridge, CA
greene said:

Sad
We here on NGA can help to identify your plants and we can answer all kinds of garden-related questions, but if you want to bash someone publicly even going so far as to give his name, maybe this is not the best venue for that. I would suggest you either stop using the gardener in question or seek legal advice to solve the problem. Thumbs up


I only used his first name. I am not at all bashing him. I need help fixing the mess. I have to describe what he did in order for you all to provide feedback. I am going to post my other problem concerning my lawn. I don't bash people.
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Jul 23, 2017 9:59 PM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Tomato Heads Vermiculture Garden Research Contributor
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Region: Ukraine Garden Sages
Just pluck out the mother of thousands and all will be well. Smiling Those are nice healthy society garlics.
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Jul 24, 2017 3:27 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ryan Robles
Northridge, CA
RickM said: Welcome! @numinous !




Thanks! Smiling
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Jul 24, 2017 3:36 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ryan Robles
Northridge, CA
dave said:Just pluck out the mother of thousands and all will be well. Smiling Those are nice healthy society garlics.


Okay. I'll do that. I disagree that the one on the right is healthy, but what do I know. As long as it will flourish if cared for.

They are all pulled out right now and quarantined in my garage. I'll perform the surgery and replantation tomorrow.

Does anyone here know if indeed Euphorbia is truly poisonous and deadly to small animals?
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Jul 24, 2017 9:19 AM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
I think our brains all sprang a leak yesterday and I led the charge. Sighing! "Mother of Thousands" is a Kalanchoe, not a Euphorbia. But yes, poisonous to small animals.

The bottom line on the Society Garlic: If you aren't happy, ask the gardener to replace the plants. He is working for you.

Stop hiring him.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
Webmaster: osnnv.org
Image
Jul 24, 2017 6:55 PM CST
Name: Rick Moses
Derwood, MD (Zone 7b)
Azaleas Hostas Tender Perennials Ferns Garden Photography Plant and/or Seed Trader
Forum moderator Region: United States of America Region: Mid-Atlantic Region: Maryland Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Ryan,
You need some mulch around those plants. Water them well, spread a good layer of mulch, and water again. Otherwise, you may end up with sun-roasted garlic.

Daisy,
PLEASE tell me that squirrel and chipmunk like to chew on the mother-of-thousands. If so, I'm going to have literally thousands of them around the place next year. (Those darn critters are tearing up everything.)
LLK: No longer by my side, but forever in my heart.
Pal tiem shree tal ma.
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Jul 24, 2017 7:18 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
Avid Green Pages Reviewer Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Rabbit Keeper Frugal Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level
Plant Identifier Region: Georgia Native Plants and Wildflowers Composter Garden Sages Bookworm
Kalanchoe is toxic to pets.
https://www.vetary.com/dog/con...
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"

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