Cryptanthus- Questions and issues

[PaulB]

My local nursery gave me four Cryptanthus (pups? for the lack of a better word). She said to just point them into a cactus mix, dry, no water, and they will root. She said they would root even if they aren't in a mix, so that tells me a lot about the water thing.

So, my question is, how much light do they require? And the moisture? She got real busy and I didn't get a chance to ask. Right now, I have them in a section that gets some bright light, actually full sun in the morning til around 10:00, but various plants around them provide a filtered light.

The other question/issue: Out of the four, two have been "stolen". Not stolen by a human, stolen by some critter. I live in an area that has abundant fruit trees- Avocados, Oranges, Peaches, Plums, Lemons and various nuts, so fruit rats are a problem. There are also possums and squirrels and occasionally a skunk.

I have a couple of dogs that usually chase down anything that happens to inadvertently enter the yard, but are these plants delicacies? This has never happened with any plant I have grown, just complete removal and no "Thank You" note.

I appreciate any advice, except using a shotgun...

[1joyceh]

I usually just sit one in some peat and perlite so it has good drainage..they eventually get a decent root...but not after many pups.......stick it in bright light...water the cup...misting when I mist everyone elsem for feeding a weak orchid food mix right in the cup...
not an expert with these, but have never killed one...LOL...usually give them away as gifts...easy to care for...

[katrina]

Had to look it up since I wasn't familiar w/the name. Here you go....
Bird Rock Tropicals Cryptanthus

I've seen them and they are very pretty. Good luck w/the pups!

[BGGraham1]

About the critters...I had a bunch of Plumeria cuttings and some Peruvian daffodil bulbs stolen / munched on by something!! I removed them from the oak half barrel they were in and potted them up in clay pots, then put the clay pots on my patio table with the chairs pulled out. Haven't had a problem in two weeks.

[PaulB]

What's boggling my mind, is that nothing else around them has been touched. I keep a lot of young and rooting plants, like Plumeria cuttings and Bonsai candidates in that area... only these little newbies were taken. I'm just going to have to call the Cryptanthus Police.

Not getting much support from my wife, either. Her eyes glaze over when I talk about orchids and issues like this. She does enjoy the flowers when they bloom though.

And thanks, Katrina. I found Bird Rock Tropicals yesterday after I posted. Duh! There's even a Cryptanthus "Society"?? Oh, oh...