I have one growing in a pot on a second floor balcony at our office. I have heard you can place a cutting in the boot of a Sabal palm for a cool weeping look. Maybe someone has the photo.
Never seen any like a tree,sounds like a hurricane would do it in.They snap like a bean.
But I do like it and that balcony is wicked cruel to every plant we place up there so it is staying.

My lil one in my succulent basket looks like it is dying. All shriveled. The other sucs are fine, he just ain't a happy camper. Sheesh, tony, never thought they got that big...WOW

I had one pruned as a tree in the ground. I needed the space for something else. GP, you are right they break very easily. I did have it in the sun. Be carefull, some people are allergic to the sap.

Katkin,

soooooooo? Is the pencil cactus now gone? I guess it never turns very woody eh?

The sap is like that of a gardenia or a jasmine vine maybe? Latex, right? Do you by any chance have any pics of it?

thanks
tony

Tony I received one at my first swap and was told "never, ever plant it in the ground". So, I haven't it's in a 5 gal pot in the garden though.

Yes, it is gone now and no I don't have any pictures. It was about 8 ft tall. It was the limbs that seemed so brittle not the trunk. It was a thick, milky sap. It didn't bother me, but some people get a terrible rash from the sap.
Marion, why did they say not to plant it in the ground? Mine was in the ground for years and I saw no problem. I just wanted the space for something else and removed it.

Tony,

I have seen them planted in the ground at quite a few homes. They probably do better in high filtered light.

I may just let it grow larger in a container first to see how it behaves, then possibly find a place for it in the yard in the ground. From the looks of the pics I could find, it seems to grow w i d e .

Thanks everyone for the input.

In Fort Lauderdale someone on our block had one in the ground and it was huge ! 8--10 feet.

We were there 1964 ---- Mom moved out of the house in 1990.
zone 10, 1 mile from the beach.

Now I need to go back and see if it still there !

D`Ann

I have a pencil cactus in the ground in full sun in front of an 8 foot high brick wall. It was probably 3 feet tall two years ago and now it is as tall as the wall and sprawling outward. No problems with it so far, except one part of it is starting to lean toward the brick walkway. I understand it is toxic to dogs.

Carol

WOW Carol, that is HUGE already! By any chance, do you have a pic of it at this size?

Does your plant just ramble width wise or is it tree shaped?

Have you ever had to shape it in any way?

Thanks
Tony

Big ones are all over here in western Manatee County, they grow happily in full sun and in the ground. This site below says they can grow to 30 feet!

Suzanne

Here is a link that might be useful: Pencil Cactus/Tree

Mine has been in the ground a few years. They were selling little starter plants called firesticks that had red to yellow top growth at Walmart. These are just a color variant of pencil cactus. Mine would be as tall as the house, but I prune it way back on occasion. The main trunk is very woody at this point, but the limbs are fragile.

I think a lot of times we are told that plants should not go in the ground. Many plants like dry roots, and will not tolerate too much moisture in the soil. I do believe that most florida soil (read sand)drains better than any potting mix. Because of this I do not fear putting plants that many parts of the country can't grow in the ground. Even my desert roses do very well in the ground. Just don't plant in a low lying area that is prone to flooding.

The pencil cactus should be a plant it and forget it plant, very easy to care for. It is a euphorbia, so more likely the latex is toxic, not an allergan, but I would not worry about it, just don't get it in your eyes or mouth.

Bill

Tony,

I have photos but don't know how to put them out here. Help!

Carol

Hi Carol,

I looked back to try and find a post Kate made about posting pics but cant locate it.

You dont have an email listed here on GW, email me through GW and I will try to get you started.

Be aware though, there are at least a bunch of ways to get pics posted.

Tony

Carol you will find the instructions on the conversations page. I bumped it up so you could easily find it.

Marion, U R GOOD! I couldnt find it, thanks.

Tony, here is mine. In the ground about a year and a half, and in a pot previously. It is in bright shade, but truly it preferred almost full sun when it was young, I just wasn't ready to give up any of those areas for it, so thought I'd try it here. Needs perfect drainage and nothing more. Sorry I took so long to post.

Anna

Mine's been in a pot for a while..I just recently re-potted it and its only about 4' tall.
I'm afraid to put it in the ground, although I want to, because of our storms.
I doubt it would survive high winds.

I've had mine in the ground for about 2 yrs. Its about 8-10 feet, was 3' when I put it in the ground. It is in full sun next to a garden pond. It is starting to get a woody trunk. Puts out a lot of growth in the summer, branches get very dense. Grows great, looks great.

annafl, lellie, popper, thepondprincess, Bill, kelpie473, goldenpond, Cindee, Katkin and Marion,

Thanks guys for the info, I plan on chancing one tomorrow in the ground. I have a sandy soil spot where the sprinklers dont hit so it should be ideal.

I will stake it to keep the trunk straight till it hardens some and let it go from there.

I appreciate all the experiences you have shared.

Thanks,

Tony