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Care and Cultivation of Prayer Plants

Maranta leucoreura
February 8,1998
Derrick Thorne wrote:
Browning tips on prayer plants leaves
Could you tell me what is causing this and what could done to prevent it.
Thank you Derrick ("T:)
Prayer plant

Prayer plants Maranta leucoreura need very high humidity to thrive. They do best in a warm greenhouse or a terrarium. Provide medium or bright filtered light, but never direct sun. Use a well drained soil with a little peat moss added, because they need a slightly acid soil. Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. When plants rest in winter keep the soil drier. Use an equal analysis acid fertilizer such as 'Miracid' every 2 weeks except when the plant is resting. Ideal temperatures are between 60 and 85 degrees. Dry air will be a problem in the winter, and this is probably the cause of the brown leaf tips. Putting the plant in among several other house plants will help to create a more humid atmosphere. Another aid would be to place a bowl of water in the immediate vicinity of the plant.
Another possible cause of the problem could be chlorine or flouride in the water supply. This can be alleviated by using bottled water, or allowing the water to sit in an open container for 24 hours before using it.
Repot in early spring if needed, at which time you can propagate new plants by division.

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