This plant is native to the island nation of Madagascar. A tropical plant, it grows well and easy in our Malaysian climate. A nice evergreen with flowers all year round, this beauty is considered a 'luck' plant by people here. The plant is supposed to bring luck, prosperity and fortune to the grower. Not much maintenance is required, since the plant is relatively pest free. It is not much of a challenge to grow this beauty. Just stick a 3-4 inch cutting into a pot filled with some wet sandy soil. Leave the pot anywhere, preferably outdoors - in partial shade or full shade. Avoid watering for a week or two, unless the soil turns too dry. Treat this plant as one would for a cactus, avoid too much water. The soil must be well drained.
All one needs to do with the plant is ensure the soil does not dry out in between waterings. A little fertilizer now and then might help, but this plant is not a ferocious feeder. The stem will grow upwards, and slowly branches sprout out sideways. If one prefers a shrubby plant, one just has to prune the plant. Ensure that the pruned stem does not rot. In order to lessen the chance of rotting, prune during dry weather . This will avoid too much rain water. Mist the plant a little bit to help stop bleeding. Just have to remember the sap may irritates the skin, so wear gloves when pruning the plant. It is said that the sap may cause blindness in the eyes, so be extra careful when handling the cut parts of the plant.
The flowers when they first appear might appear greenish, but slowly the color, whether pink or red will develop deeper in shade as the bloom gets bigger and prettier. Since this plant has sharp thorns all over its semi-succulent steam, perhaps one can place the plant in areas where trespassers are not welcome.
All one needs to do with the plant is ensure the soil does not dry out in between waterings. A little fertilizer now and then might help, but this plant is not a ferocious feeder. The stem will grow upwards, and slowly branches sprout out sideways. If one prefers a shrubby plant, one just has to prune the plant. Ensure that the pruned stem does not rot. In order to lessen the chance of rotting, prune during dry weather . This will avoid too much rain water. Mist the plant a little bit to help stop bleeding. Just have to remember the sap may irritates the skin, so wear gloves when pruning the plant. It is said that the sap may cause blindness in the eyes, so be extra careful when handling the cut parts of the plant.
The flowers when they first appear might appear greenish, but slowly the color, whether pink or red will develop deeper in shade as the bloom gets bigger and prettier. Since this plant has sharp thorns all over its semi-succulent steam, perhaps one can place the plant in areas where trespassers are not welcome.
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