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**** The Gardener's Forum ****]
How to Grow a Crown of Thorns
Euphorbia splendens
David Comstock wrote:
My fifty + year old crown of thorns is dying. The branches are rotting.
I've had it for 8 years and I've never killed it before. I moved it
to my new (temporary ) office and put it in a corner where it didn't
get enough light. I have since rearranged my office and moved it over
by the window. A few branches seem still to be alive, but for how long?
Is it possible to take a cutting and start over? How is that done? any
help would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi David,
Sorry to hear about your plant. A crown of thorns (Euphorbia splendens)
that old is quite awesome. Cuttings from a Crown of Thorns are possible,
but it'll take a little effort, and time. With a very sharp, clean knife(I
like single edge razor blades) cut a branch off at the point where it
meets the main trunk.....
CAUTION!::::::The white milky sap is VERY poisonous, use care, wash
your hands afterwards::::::CAUTION!
Set the cutting aside, and allow the cut to callous over, this will take 2-3
days.
When the callous has formed, dip about 1-2 inches of the cut end into a
rooting hormone, such as 'Roottone', and insert it into a clean pot
of sterile potting soil. The pot should then put in a warm place with
bright light. Do not water at all for the first 2 weeks, and then water
very sparingly until you see signs of new growth, usually in about a
month. For fastest rooting, the soil should be kept at a constant 75
degrees, but do the best you can.
I would take several cuttings, to be sure that you succeed with at least
one of them.
Because of the leaves, most people don't consider a Crown of thorns to
be a succulent, but in reality it is. They should be watered once a
week when they are in a growth cycle, but only once a month when dormant.
Whether dormant or active, don't water until the soil is dry.
Cut any of the rotted branches back to a point where you find clean healthy
growth. If the rot started in the roots, you may only be able to salvage
a lot of cuttings, however if the rot is at the tips, you can cut it
back to healthy wood, and your plant will come back from the rootstock.
I hope that makes sense to you.
***
My crown of thorns has developed some problems over the past several months.
As background, I received the plant from my mom about 7 years ago (she's
had it for about 20 years) and I think it has bloomed, maybe, 3 or 4
times since I've had it. It was in fairly good shape (despite the blooming)
until I moved to NY 6 months ago. Before I moved I think I repotted
it once in 6 1/2 years, it got plenty of sun and I generally ignored
it, only watering it when the leaves would look dry and overly curly.
Now the plant is not very full, the leaves get brown and yellow spots
on them, proceed to dry up, curl over, turn yellow and fall off with
alarming regularity and speed. Several leaves fall off every day. The
plant isn't nearly as full as it once was and the spines on the stem
are brittle and break when you touch them instead of poking you. It
think it gets sufficient light (more indirect than direct) so I replanted
it (regular potting soil) to see if that helps - well it didn't. They
sprayed for termites a few months ago in the apartment - would that
have anything to do with it? I water it about every 7 days year around
- is that a problem? New shoots continue to emerge (but no flowers)
so I think it can be saved. Please advise - you're my only chance.
Since the downhill slide of your Crown of Thorns began about the time of
your move, my first guess would be that the heating is different in
your new home. (drier air) Even though a Crown of Thorns is a succulent,
it has limited water storing abilities, and has to rely on moisture
it takes in through its leaves. I would try misting your plant daily,
and maybe increase the amount of water you give it each time you water
it. Once you have solved the leaf drop problem, start feeding your plant
monthly with 'half-strength' liquid house plant BLOOM fertilizer, to
get it to start blooming again. It really should have a little direct
sun each day, even if it just an hour or two each day.
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