Need help w/ a plant (Cactus)

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Below is a cactus my sister gave me last Christmas.  every yr, we go to her house on the Cape and I get to take home lots of new clippings and older plants she's "all done" with.  This is one I got last yr.  It was just the main stalk when I got it.  Since then, it shot out 4 new "arms".  Now it is top heavy and I was wondering if I can take an arm or 2 off and replant them or how I would go about taking clippings to lighten up the top and start some newer ones in another pot.

I know, this is a tough one but if anyone knows anything about this cactus, even if you could just ID it for me, I would really appreciate it.  all the plants I get from sis are special.  They keep her in my mind when I'm a state away.

Thanks.

[Guest muddy]

Hey one of my co workers is a cactus / terrarium nut, she gave me this link for you to go to

http://www-cactus.com/

Hope this helps

[Matt Fly]

If you find out, please post the name.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

will do.  I posted on one of the forums muddy linked me to.  Let's see if they are as good as our guys here at answering in a timely manner

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

wow, not bad,...it's a Euphorbia of some type.  Waiting on the exact one.  (with a name like that, I'm surprised people don't try to smoke it,lol)

[Matt Fly]

I found some that look like the base, but doesn't show any growth, the leaves that are  on the upper trunk of the plant.

[Matt Fly]

I'm sure the indians had a use for it in some capacity.    Cold sore medicine, headaches,  water source, who knows?

I wonder were those types of plants originated from.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I'll get all the details Matt, the forum I joined seems pretty active and knowledgeable.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

ok, it's a Euphorbia Trigona.  It also comes in a version that molts RED.  Very cool.  Below is a link with details Matt.

Euphorbia Trigona--African Milk Tree

[Troutfisher]

D O N ' T  W A T E R  T H E  C A C T U S!

;D

[Matt Fly]

Reading on that web site, there are over 2000 variieties.    I found one that thrives in the desert of mexico, its a candellia.

I have seen this 100 times.    Mexican families on the TX/ US border make wax from the plant.    Their camps are visible for miles due to the burning and extracting the wax.   They live with no electricity, primitive camp sites.    about once a month,  the males will make the haul over the mountains and pack the wax to market in one of the major Mexican cities.    They said it takes about two weeks to make the trip and return by walking and pack mules.  What they get from the wax, they will buy supplies and pack them back to camp.     Once the candellia plant has been harvested out of an area, they will move camp.   Imagine, being 37 year old, and never seen a doctor.    

I have not been in the Big Bend National park in years, but bet that I would know some of the family members I met in the 70's on the river.   They don't know anything but the wax trade to survive.    

Its truly sad, but amazing how they don't know there is much better out there, most have never seen a town, and are full grown.    Pedro was the oldest of that camp, and he told me, his wife of 47 years had never been to a city, she was born on the river.   For years, my dad always took them certain things, I always thought my Dad was a softie and had a big heart.    And he did, but most of it was, he was ensuring our camp didn't get robbed, and we never did all those years.

Russ,     How and the heck do you manage what you do.   UPS, C.A.S.T, fishing, fishing moderator and all the other little things you start.    Clay Dyer, etc.....joining new forums and such.

You better be glad you aren't married, with kids, grand kids.  

I was UPS driver,  Holiday season is upon you.

Matt  

[skillet]

LBH,

 Have really liked all types of plants and trying to get them to thrive. Favorites are Ferns and Cactus (Succlents), opposite ends of the spectrum. Lot of plant folks aren't really crazy about cactus. They are in a group of plants called succlents. All cactus are succlents but not all succlents are cactus . One of the reasons I admire them so much is how adaptive they are to different environments. Probably the largest family in the plant kingdom, from small and pretty to large ang scary looking. Haven't been to that site you mentioned.

 The last one I got was named Confederate Rose (beautiful plant, Succlent)...

                                       As Ever,

                                        skillet

[Raul]

Don 't know much about that particular cactus but I do know that many cactus in my neck of the woods can be multiplied by chopping parts of it, allowed to "heal" and later planted they grow roots.

[Root beer]

Dont smoke the catcus either.