My Queen of Night is dying, how can I save it? Please help!

Discussion in 'Cacti and Succulents' started by Mary@ubc, Jun 12, 2018.

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  1. Mary@ubc

    Mary@ubc Member

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    I am very new to gardening. My plant got some kind of disease suddenly. The leaves turn yellow at first and now the whole plant is infected. Is it possible to save it and how? Please help. I really like this plant and I don't think I can get another one if it dies. Should I cut all the infected leaves ? Will the disease spread to other plants? I have a few orchids too.
     

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  2. mandarin

    mandarin Active Member 10 Years

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    I am not convinced that it is a disease yet, it doesn't look like anything I have seen. Unless it is a virus, they sometimes attack Epiphyllum (your plant is an Epiphyllum oxypetalum).
    Could it be too much direct sun? This species prefers diffused light.
     
  3. Mary@ubc

    Mary@ubc Member

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    It was indoor before and the leaves is turning yellow. I thought it needs sunlight so I move it outdoor last week. I hope you are right! I will move it away from the sun right away and hopefully I haven't done too much damage to it. Thank you for your advice. Is there a way I can tell whether it is a virus attack? Should I move my other plants away from this plant?
     
  4. mandarin

    mandarin Active Member 10 Years

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    Sunlight is good, but nearly all cacti - including most of the "desert cacti" - need an acclimatization period of gradually increasing exposure before they can tolerate the ultraviolet light, very much like (fair-skinned) humans. This one, which is an epiphyte and normally grows in at least partial shade of other vegetation, is even more sensitive (I have "experimented" with one myself ...). It should do better for example under a tree or behind a transparent sheet of something capable of spreading out the light over a bigger surface.
    I have never seen a virus infection in my plants, viruses in cacti seems more common in wild plants, but my impression is that they spread more slowly than this. And if the plant has been behind glass until a week ago it is pretty clear that this is sunburn. So no, I would not have isolated it, just moved it to a more shaded spot. Fortunately this species grows very fast. :)
     
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  5. Mary@ubc

    Mary@ubc Member

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    Thank you for your explanation. Just one more question, is it better to leave it as is to recover or should I remove one or two really bad one and wait for new leaves to come out?
     
  6. mandarin

    mandarin Active Member 10 Years

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    The damaged tissue will not recover and seriously affected parts can be removed now, but if you wait a while scar tissue will form, and it will become more apparent what parts are worth saving.
     
  7. Emmy

    Emmy New Member

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    Hi Mary,
    just wondering where you bought your plant from? Appreciate your help!
     
  8. Mary@ubc

    Mary@ubc Member

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    Hi Emmy:
    I didn't purchase the plant. I was really lucky to get a clipping from my friend's friend so I am not sure where you can buy one.
    Sorry I can't give you any help.
     
  9. mandarin

    mandarin Active Member 10 Years

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    It can often be found on auction sites etc. as they are very easy to propagate.
     
  10. Emmy

    Emmy New Member

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    Wow...Thank you for your reply though!

    I will try that, thank you!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 24, 2018

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