I live in north east Florida. We had a cold night (32 degrees). I had drug my very large potted crown of thorns into the covered patio for the night (should have brought it inside), but the leaves have all shriveled up and fallen off. It is inside now. How can I tell if the plant will come back? I hope it has not been lost. Just don't know what to do with it at this point. How can I tell if it will regrow leaves? SO SAD! Took a lot of years to grow it that big. any help would be appreciated.
I am sorry to hear about your plants. This article may help you with getting them to recover: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm
I got this crown of thorns from a family member for the purpose of propagating and sharing with our sisters. It had one branch then and has not produced another. That branch is about 4″ long now, and the plant seems quite healthy. Is there a way to force it to produce more branches? How can I get my crown of thorns to grow stems? I wish to propagate.
No you won't be able to make the plant grow branches.
You can propagate by taking cuttings.
Take 3 to 4 inch cuttings from the plant while it is actively growing.
Dip the ends in hot water to stop the sap. Spray the cut end on the mother plant with water.
Remove all but the top 2 leaves and dip the stem in rooting hormone and place in a pot of potting mix.
Place the stem in the soil about 2 inches in depth.
Water the soil and water when the top inch has dried out.
When the cutting has formed roots you can transplant to a new pot with cacti and succulent potting soil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/crown-of-thorns/crown-of-thorns-houseplant.htm
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/floriculture/pdfs/crop_production/crown_of_thorns.pdf
I was given a crown of thorns. Beautiful and unusual plant. I gave it partial sun and ran water through the pot once a week until it stopped draining. It was doing very well about a year and then I went away and my sons watered it every day. It is dead. I am assuming they drowned it with their good intentions. I would love to get another one. Any suggestions on care and maintenance?
You were doing just great with the watering and Crown Of Thorns do very well indoors.
Here is a great article that give it's general care information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/crown-of-thorns/crown-of-thorns-houseplant.htm
My crown of thorns has a lot of white with black spots on the back of the leaves, which used to be a vibrant green and now the leaves are very dark. I think I have some sort of spores and I would like to know what I can do before I lose this plant.
It sounds like a fungus or some kind.
Make sure you are not overwatering the plant.
You can treat the plant with Neem Oil. Neem Oil is organic and works as both an insecticide and fungicide.
It is safe for people and pets.
Here is a link to refresh you on the care.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/crown-of-thorns/crown-of-thorns-houseplant.htm
I've just been given one of these lovely plants, but it's in bad shape. The stems are spindly and twisted into odd shapes - kind of like roller coaster tracks. At any rate, there are flowers at the end of these odd stems, but they don't look especially healthy. I'm thinking of cutting it back and rooting the tips, but if the stems are viable, I don't want to kill them. Any thoughts? Thanks much for your time!
You can prune back the Crown Of Thorns to give it a better shape or improve it's appearance.
You can remove branches back to lateral branches.
This will help from leaving the branches stubby and bare.
Wear gloves when pruning the plant as the sap is toxic. Wash the tools afterwards.
Spray the cut ends with water to stop the sap.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/crown-of-thorns/crown-of-thorns-houseplant.htm
I have a big (3 1/2 foot tall) crown of thorn plant. Can I plant other low growing plants at the base of it? And if yes, which ones? Or maybe they do not like competition. It looks empty at the base of the plant. Thank you for your answer Heidi
I would recommend not planting something else in the base of the plant.
Perhaps using moss or some colorful rocks would dress up the bare soil.
Make sure it doesn't cover the soil so densely that it inhibits watering and air circulation to the soil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/crown-of-thorns/crown-of-thorns-houseplant.htm
My stems are quite long and have no leaves until the very top. I'd like to cut it down and re-pot it but don't want to damage the plant. Small shoots are coming up from the bottom of the stems. Can they be removed and potted without damage? It flowers almost constantly.