I rescued this plant last year from one of the big box stores. Its pot had fallen over and the plant tumbled out, soil and all, and no one seemed the least bit concerned. I located the manager, played let’s make a deal, and took the plant home for next to nothing. The original was bigger than this; I had to separate some of it due to its accident, but that just gave me more plants.
This year it bloomed. They are lovely, somewhat small flowers that hang downward, so the easiest way to enjoy the flowers would be to put the plant up on a shelf or table where the viewing might be easier. As you can see, I had to hold the bloom up to take the picture. But they look pretty when they all droop down together.
Cotyledons are in the crassulaceae family, which means they are kin to jade trees, probably the most popular and easily recognized crassula. I am finding out that many succulents are in the crassulaceae family. These plants are native to South Africa, and it turns out some species are highly poisonous while others have been used in traditional medicine with some degree of success. Removal of corns was mentioned, but I’ve not tried it. I don’t know about this particular one, but I suspect it is harmless. But you might not want to accidently lick your fingers after handling it!
it is called staghorn because the leaves have points that make it look like, well, a stag horn.
All cotyledon flowers hang down like clusters of pretty little bells, which makes for an interesting plant.
And there are many different species with various colors and leaf shapes, so be on the look-out and add one to your collection.
I really would like to find out more about this plant!!
Thanks for reading, Andrea. I’m afraid all I know about this plant is in that story! It is one you don’t see for sale at most big box stores these days, and I have no idea why. I would suggest googling it to read up on it; CactusGuide.com is a good source. A specialty cactus nursery in California might have it, so you might do an Internet search for that, too. Good luck.
How often are you watering? My leaves are falling off and I’m not sure if that’s a sign of over watering.
Under normal summer weather I would water at least once, maybe twice a week. Today it is 109; that kind of heat requires a bit more watering! If the leaves are shriveling and wrinkling, it might need more water; if not, something else may be going on. If the leaves are soft and mushy, perhaps you are over-watering. You might try a different location, water it well and let it dry out before the next watering. Be patient. If that doesn’t help, you might cut off the good top, let the cut scab over and then plant it to make a new plant. The rest of the story is that sometimes we just lose a plant now and then. Good luck.