Barleychown sent me a very nice box of cuttings which came yesterday. This morning I took everything out, thinking I understood her instructions for the African Violets. But she also included a few things I do NOT know what to do with, and considering the time difference between Oregon and Maine, she may not be on until much later (my time) today.
There are several cuttings of what appear to be a Spider plant -- long, varigated light green pointed leaves. They have no roots. Do I... dip them in rooting hormone and stick 'em right in a pot? Or... do I put 'em in a jar of water and wait til they get roots?
Same question with another plant I don't recognize. Maybe philodendron? Again, big leaves, no roots.
And something that reminds me of a geranium. It's got those fat, nearly succulent feeling stems and waxy small leaves.
Don't want to kill the poor things before she has a chance to get on-line and give more instructions!
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase)
From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
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quote:There are several cuttings of what appear to be a Spider plant -- long, varigated light green pointed leaves. They have no roots. Do I... dip them in rooting hormone and stick 'em right in a pot? Or... do I put 'em in a jar of water and wait til they get roots?
There should be two white and green, and one solid green. In the middle of the tangle of leaves, where they all originate from, there are tiny tan "bumps"...that is where the roots will grow from. I just stick most the base in water, they will grow roots rather quickly.
quote:Same question with another plant I don't recognize. Maybe philodendron? Again, big leaves, no roots.
Good guess, my friend! Your right. I took a leaf off the end of each clipping, so find the longer bare end, and stick it in the same thing of water as the spider plants. I have a huge vase in my kitchen window (indirect light) that I use for all of the clippings I sent you.
quote:And something that reminds me of a geranium. It's got those fat, nearly succulent feeling stems and waxy small leaves.
Close. It's a dragon wing begonia, a type of cane begonia. Again, stick the bare end in water...these were in my vase here for about a week, so have started to root. That's why the ends were in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel.
Best of luck to you! I'll be around off and on today, if you have more questions!
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We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
From: S. Lane Co., Oregon | Registered: Aug 2003
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Well, Barley, when I went back into the kitchen and opened the front door so I'd have more light, that's when I thought maybe those plants I first felt were geraniums might be begonias instead. It helps to see what I am trying to look at! But I have never heard of "dragon wing" before. Maxi is going to love that name!!
So now everything that should be in water, is in water and happily on my windowsill.
So when the Spiders, Philodendron and Begonias root and I pot them up, what sort of light should I put each plant in? Our house has one shady side and one very bright (afternoon) side. Don't the Spiders need lots of light and the Philodendron more indirect light? And, what size pots should I start them in at first?
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase)
From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
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When you pot them up, put the spiders in a fist size pot, or a little larger, if you pot them separately. If together, about 3-4" across the top pot.
Spiders are pretty flexable, I have them both in bright light and indirect light...the more light, the faster they grow.
The philo can be potted in any smaller pot, no more than 6"...and they do well in indirect light here.
The dragon wing needs about a 6" pot for all of them. As they start to get taller, you can cut the tops off, and restart them, the ones left in the pot will branch where cut, and the new cuttings will make for a fuller plant, if you plant them back in the same pot.
Dragon wings do well with lots of light, and I put mine outside in the morning sun in the summer.
bbbbbbbbb
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
From: S. Lane Co., Oregon | Registered: Aug 2003
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African violets ALWAYS do better when watered from the bottom. You can mist them, and even give them a bath with warm water when they get dusty, but be VERY, VERY careful not to get their necks wet...if they get wet and stay wet, they rot. Not a happy sight!
Also, they do not need as much water as some think. Yes, they do like moist soil, but NOT soggy. I usually let them dry to the touch on the surface before I water again. If all esle fails, as a last resort, they will get limp when they are VERY thirsty. I wouldn't let them get limp often, if at all, because it stresses them.
Also...go easy on any fertilizers...about 1/4 the recommended dose, and Very rarely...I only use it once every 2-3 months. Too much causes burn and a scrunched up center.
All in all...they are really easy little plants!
bbbbbbbbb
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
From: S. Lane Co., Oregon | Registered: Aug 2003
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Merme, all I do with mine is stick the leaves in the dirt and water them once in a while. I think the right amount of sun light is the main thing.
posted
You did it right, Merme...rooting hormone is just that...to grow roots. Just sticking them in the dirt w/o rooting hormone, the make the babies faster.
In no time at all you will se the little mouse ears poking out of the soil.
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We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
From: S. Lane Co., Oregon | Registered: Aug 2003
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Today in Banter Hall I read that AV's should NOT be put in terra cotta pots? Can you explain why not?
ALL the AV's I've ever been given (usually from a florist while in the hospital) have always been in terra cotta except for one very large one. They seemed to do ok.
If not t.cotta pots, what would you recommend?
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase)
From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
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The african violets I sent out are all babies, and as such do not have well developed root systems. Terra cotta pots tend to draw moisture out of the soil, which drys out the roots of the baby.
Older african violets can live in terra cotta pots just fine.
I do prefer plastic pots, however. It just works better for me that way. Almost everyone has a different way of growing them, and none is wrong, as long as you have happy healthy plants!
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We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
From: S. Lane Co., Oregon | Registered: Aug 2003
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