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Hi, I'm Judy Mirro, a UVM Master Gardener,

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coming to you from the University
of Vermont Greenhouses,

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and I'm here to help you
become a Houseplant Hero

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by providing some guidance on
caring for your houseplants.

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Today our focus is on
the euphorbia lactea,

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or false cactus, or the candelabra cactus.

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The cactus and euphorbia may look similar,

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but they're very different plants.

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They initially grew oceans apart.

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Euphorbia originates from South Africa,

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while the cactus are
native to the Americas.

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So while we see them sold
under the name cactus

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most everywhere we go,

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it's because they thrive in
very similar or same conditions,

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hot, sunny, and dry.

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The reason I adore the euphorbia
is because they grow faster

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and many varieties are easily propagated,

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like the candelabra.

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More on that in a moment.

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So then how do you tell
a euphoria from a cactus?

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All cactus have spines,

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while the euphorbia have thorns.

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Only cactus have what's called areoles,

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which are the fuzzy
spots where the spines,

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flowers, and stems of the
cacti plants grow from.

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The areole is found on all cactus species

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and they're either fuzzy
white or fuzzy yellow.

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You'll never find this on
any of these euphorbia.

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Many people will tell you

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that it's the flowers that give them away.

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Cactus flowers are usually
large, soft pedaled,

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and come in lively colors.

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Euphoria flowers are not much

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to look at and they're
usually quite small,

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but that's not why you buy a euphoria.

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You buy them for their texture,

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structure, and bold statement.

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If you should remove any of
the thorns from a euphorbia,

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you'll actually injure the plant.

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There are other differences,

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and, of course, there
will be those varieties

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that are thorn-free

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and you'll have to look closer
at leaves in the flowers

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to tell the differences.

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Just know that the euphorbia

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will never, ever have one
or two thorns together.

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If you cut your candelabra,

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you'll notice a milky,
white sap oozing out.

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This sap is sticky and
toxic to us and our pets.

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It can cause skin and eye irritation

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if you allow it to come in contact.

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This is just another trait
of the euphorbia species.

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Always best to wear
gloves and safety glasses

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if you should accidentally
injure your plant.

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The candelabra is a good self healer,

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so hopefully any damage you
might do won't be fatal.

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Wipe off any sap with
a cloth or paper towel

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and allow the plant to heal itself.

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Branches that you do break off

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should be set aside for a
week or two to harden off

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before you place them in soil to regrow.

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The candelabra makes a great houseplant

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for novice gardeners,

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because it doesn't require
a lot of special care.

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It grows well in indirect light.

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The brighter the light,
the faster it grows.

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Full south exposure or a west exposure

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works wonders for this plant.

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Be sure not to place them
against a window in the winter,

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you wouldn't want this
plant to catch a chill.

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The plants will like to
keep warm year round.

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These plants prefer a
fast-draining cactus oil mix

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to ensure the soil dries
out between waterings.

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Remembering that the euphorbia's
origins are from Africa

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where the conditions
are dry, hot, and warm,

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overwatering, or as I
like to say overloving,

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your plant will be the death of it,

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so best to use a moisture
meter to be sure this plant

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is dried out before you water again.

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Like most plants, pests don't show up

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unless the plant is stressed out.

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Euphoria has few pests other
than aphids and mealybugs.

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Remember to check for
pests every time you water.

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You wouldn't wanna invite critters

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taking up residency elsewhere.

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One last thing, as these candelabra

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or other types of columnar euphorbias age,

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you'll likely find brown spots appearing.

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If they are light brown and hard,

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this is referred to as corking,

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and it's what happens
when your plant gets old.

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I like to think of it as your
plant's well-earned age spots.

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It's totally normal and you
don't have to worry about it.

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Remember that by providing your plants

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with the conditions and care they need,

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you too can be a Houseplant Hero.

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For more information on
houseplants and home gardens,

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visit the UVM Extension
Master Gardener website

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and see our Garden Resources page.

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Or contact an Extension
Master Gardener Volunteer

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at the Helpline.

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The phone number is on your screen.

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This is Extension Master
Gardener, Judy Mirro,

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wishing you happy growing.