Orchid cactus pieces on eBay

[Volfie]

Has anyone ever bought a "rooted" plant off eBay? Is this a good practice or not? I see dozens of ads for Orchid cactus' and I would love to get one that way.

Giselle (what say you? Will it work or not?)

[paghat]

Once you've gotten the knack of starting orchid cacti from a fresh cutting, it will seem like the easiest thing on earth to do. But seems to me just about everyone starting out lacks that knack & their leaves either dry out, or rot, without adequately rooting. Because it's easy if you've done it before, but iffy if you've not, I wouldn't pay much for a leaf, as it might not take. Otherwise, yes, it's a good way to go -- though usually such starts can be had for free if you've any friend or family member with an orchid cactus or two.

If you do a google search using search terms like "epiphyllum + sale + trade" you will find many devoted fans of these plants who have orchid cacti websites. Everyone deeply into it trades leaves to get other varieties, but if you have nothing to trade, the same people will often sell a leaf, sometimes even one that is already well rooted, charging hardly any more than postage cost. There are also some e-lists you can sign up for from people discussing orchid cacti, & people on these lists also trade or sell cuttings cheaply.

They grow pretty fast whether you start them from leaves or buy a small potted start from a houseplant specialist or a cacti & succulent speciaolist or indoor sunshop. Just about any variety you stumble upon will bloom easily, except a type called zigzag cactus, it almost never blooms, but has way interesting leaves.

-paghat the ratgirl

[Michael Lyons]

Can you tell me more about this "zigzag cactus?" I think I may be growing it without knowing the name. My plant grows a lot like my orchid cactus and the bloom looks similar, but the cross-section of the leaf is flat rather than triangular. When new, the leaves look like the edges were cut with pinking shears, and the shape becomes more extreme as the leaf matures. Take a look at

would like to know the proper name for it and any other information you might have. Thanks.

[paghat]

Cryptocereus anthonyanus, Zigzag, Fishbone, or Ric-rac cactus. Here's a page about it:

[Weeble]

Personally I try to buy only things which have established roots. My Princess of the Night orchid cactus bought on eBay a few weeks ago is doing great and has got new growth on it.

Shell

[Michael Lyons]

Thanks. It looks like that's what I've got. The picture matches, and so does everything in the description except the part about the flowers only lasting a day. The night-blooming part explains why the flowers never seemed to look fully open.

you

[Rhonda]

I've brought Hoya's on Ebay with good luck.

[Volfie]

I'm going to try it as soon as I decide what kind I want.

I never think about it but a Hoya is my companion plant in the pot with my Xmas Cactus. Both of them from cuttings my grandfather gave me back in the '70s.

Giselle (still crying about losing my Jade tree but only because of its age, not its rarity :)

[Volfie]

you

I have fallen in love with the orchid cactus'. I was looking through the pages of them on eBay and everytime I thought I found the most beautiful one ever, the next one was even better. Oh, boy, I wish I still had my little greenhouse.

Giselle (looking for groups to join now)