As far as I know, this is a Night Blooming Cyreus. My aunt gave me a piece of it earlier this year.. it was no bigger than one of it's smaller leaves. I brought it inside a month or so ago before our first frost. It really seems to like the indoors! I don't know much about this plant, but I think Chocolate has it growing down in Oz. Just within a week or so, it put on those two "spikes". Cyreus "spikes" ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And it has some "spikes" of it's own. Are these looking for something to climb/grab on to? Cyreus "grabbers" ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) There's even some on the leaves.\ Cyreus leaves ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Do I just leave it alone for now or do I need to do anything else for it? Any information and/or advice about this plant is truly appreciated!
Cheryl I know nothing about this plant sadly but those 'spikes' look like aerial roots to me. Below is an explanation all about them (Taken from Wikipedia.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_root I also found this website that tells you how to care for your plant. http://www.ehow.com/how_5606887_care-ni ... ereus.html
Your night blooming cereus is an epiphyte. Requiring no soil to live in its native habitat where it sends out roots to attach itself to tree branches, bark or niches. The plant sustains itself by obtaining nutrients from decomposed plant matter and debris as well as moisture from the air using these roots. Your plant is sending out roots searching to attach itself to something. Given time and something suitable it will curl its roots around its new home. Jerry
Yes Jerry is right, they are aerial roots, I actually have one up a tree, but no photo yet.I find it is the most awkward plant, it flops all around...so I have it tied to a trellis where it is in full sun and seems to be happy.I dont do anything except when I spray with fertilizer it gets sprayed all over as well.I did have some in a hanging pot but it was so ugly!The one tied to the pole is in a large pot, I cant imagine when it grows that big at your place, how will you bring it in during the winter?It is over 6ft tall. Mine is very root bound but like Jerry said the nourishment will be absorbed through the aerials. Good luck...by the way they are very easy to strike if you want more. I would tie those paddles on yours up, to some sort of support but make sure it is portable.The flowers come from the paddles not those long stalks, I have been known to cut those stalks off. ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ugly ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden )
Thanks Eileen, Jerry and Chocolate for the info. If memory serves me correctly, my aunt's plant was about 5 ft tall. She'd get someone to carry it or wheel it into the garage before first frost. I don't recall what she used as a stake. I'll have to look around for something suitable for it. Shall I give it a misting every once in awhile while it's indoors?
A majority of tropical epiphytes reside in what are called cloud forests. At an elevation between 3000 and 6500 feet the plants receive their moisture from the fog ladened clouds. Yes, a periodic misting would be most beneficial to the plant. Jerry
