Greetings and thanks to all for supplying the collective wisdom of the forum. I'm in Wales, renowned for its superb cactus-friendly climate. I keep a few indoor cacti and outdoor succulents which were approaching "very small collection indeed" status prior to the cold winters of 2009 & 10 which reduced their standing to “very lucky to be alive”.
Lack of space, competing interests in alpine plants and life in general limit my ambition to create a collection but I have been given a new cactus by my son which I'd like help in identifying if possible. Shortly after transferring the gift to a slightly larger pot than that supplied it began to slowly shed what I, no doubt incorrectly, call its leaves. The main body looks OK though so I'd appreciate a name tag for the thing to enable me to discover how to care for it in future and to determine whether a deciduous cactus is actually emitting a cry for help rather than behaving as it should.
It's a Euphorbia (succulent) hybrid. Euphorbia 'cocklebur' also sometimes called by other names but basically the same thing. A fair bit of light in summer (though if it starts colouring red give it a tiny bit more shade so it doesn't get stressed), moderately draining soil with weekly or so waterings in summer depending on conditions, with a little bit less in winter (probably around every 2 weeks, and only a sip) would keep it in pretty good health.
If you google euphorbia cocklebur you should be able to find some more info on it
Many thanks for the replies, much appreciated and apologies for misidentifying the plant as a cactus - I'm suitably embarrassed.
From the Google images which I'm now able to browse it appears that I'll have a nice plant to look forward to later in the year, if it flowers I'll post a picture.
Despite its globular shape, I found out it likes a little bit of water every once in a while during winter. Otherwise it tends to lose roots and suddenly die in spring. At least two I had ended that way
Hi and welcome! I used to have one of these which was quite happy, then.... not. I repotted into sterilised soil/grit which had been sifted, didn't water for a month, and.... it just shrivelled up. When the base went I twisted off the branches but they were too little to root I think. They also just shrivelled up.
NEVER repot them, everyone!!!
Happy carrier of Forby Disorder - an obsession with Euphorbia obesa.
NB. Anyone failing to provide a sensible name for me to address them will be called, or referred to, as Fred.
