posted
I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what kind of plant this is. It's been passed around the office and now we have it and can't identify it. I've looked in all of the house plant books at my local library and no go...Any help will be appreciated! thanks! Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
Thank you! We thought maybe some sort of poinsettia b/c of the coloration. Hopefully someone has seen one like this before. I can't wait to hear what the 'experts' think!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
* * * * I love the sweet scents wafting in the breeze. I stop to admire the vibrant colors of all living things. And people think me odd. Then ODD I am!!!
posted
Thanks, but both of the links took me to the same page and I don't think it was the page intended! I could only find pictures of the 'basic' poinsettia. This plant very well might be a poinsettia. All of it's leave have red undersides, and green uppers. The top leaves definetly have more vibrant red on the bottoms.. And all of the stems grow very crooked. I've never seen a plant like this.
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
It is on the top of a cabinet now, about three feet from the lights that are pointed towards the ceiling reflecting back down. It's a very bright room. However, I don't think they ever shut the lights off! That could have something to do with it, but it seems as though the bottoms are supposed to be red and the tops green. It happens right away even on the small leaves which sprout from the top and the middle of the plant.
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
Should I assume this is some kind of poinsettia? I haven't heard anything for a while. I'm still not convinced since all of the leaves have red undersides. I appreciate all of your input and help! thanks again!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
It does resemble a poinsettia of some kind...how big is that pot, though? if that's a file cabinet it's sitting on, then it's not very big? I would think a poinsettia would have large leaves regardless of growing conditons.
Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 72.16.97.202
posted
The pot is about a 3.5inch pot. It's not a very big plant. the strangest part is the way the it grows, some of the sprouts/stalks (I don't know that proper word) have grown down like a vine and then they start to grow back up towards the light and the leaves are only on teh ends. The leaves are about 1.5-2inches in diameter. I would like to fertilize and see if it helps bring it back around to looking a little fuller, but without knowing what kind of plant it is for sure I'm afraid I'll kill it.
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
I don't have any idea what it is but if it's a poinsettia it will bleed white stuff if a leaf is pulled off....not that I would recommend pulling a leaf off. Catlover
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 67.23.72.155
posted
jdepoy...WOW! this truly is a mystery plant! Don't fertilize it is my take. I think that the droopy "vine" effect is a lack of light issue...I'm going to PM Rugbyhookr and see if he will take another look at this...from what I see of his posts, he really knows his stuff, and if he still thinks it's a poinsettia of some kind, maybe he can re-post some links! Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 72.16.97.202
posted
I believe twelve hours a day of darkness is the requirement. I've heard of putting them in a closet every night for, I think, a month.
Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 72.16.97.202
posted
So, Bill, as long as you're popping in, can you I.D. that funny li'l ole plant for us? Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 72.16.97.202
posted
That's what I would say, too, but that pot is only 3 1/2 inches across, would the leaves be that small, no matter what, and why would it have been in a pot that small in the first place?
Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 72.16.97.202
posted
My first thought was a red ardisia-i used to have one that had reddish hues to the upper leaves. The shape of the leaves is what seems very similar to me. It's more of a shrub than a common houseplant i guess, so i had a hard time finding much info on it, but here is what mine used to look like Good luck!
Plants: 236 | From: Coastal CT | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 64.252.64.112
* * * * I love the sweet scents wafting in the breeze. I stop to admire the vibrant colors of all living things. And people think me odd. Then ODD I am!!!
posted
Wow! I'm glad to see this mystery plant is getting some attention. It might be a breed of poinsettia, but the leaves always have red bottoms and green tops. and I just realized there are tiny thorns on the vines where there are no leaves. Not like rose thorns, but almost like tiny needles. The thorns are not everywhere, just in some spots. I don't think that light is an issue becasue it is very bright in here and my other plants seem to be doing very well with this light. I also found out that they do turn the lights off in herre at night. : ) thanks for all of your help! It makes me feel a little better to see the 'experts' as puzzled as I am!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
After reviewing the links.. I'm almost positive that this is not a poinsettia. It seems to want ot grow down, because we keep propping the the pot up onto something higher and the 'vines' keep creeping their way down. It's leaves feel somewhat waxy but not hard. They are very 'limp' for lack of a better word. It also seems to go through a lot of water. It's a very small plant, I guess the previous secretary had givem this cutting to someone in our work group and then he changed jobs and it sat on his desk neglected for a few weeks before we found and saved it. I've spoken with hte original owner and she said it was a cutting from her sister's plant and they have no idea what it is either. The coloration is fairly consistant although the reds and greens are darker on the new leaves. perhaps I should take a closer picture of the leaves, stems and thorns.. I'll work on that. Thanks again for all of your help!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
I don't think it is a traditional pointsettia. But, something in the euphorbia family that may be considered a pointsettia. Thorns support this thoery. Will look more.
* * * * I love the sweet scents wafting in the breeze. I stop to admire the vibrant colors of all living things. And people think me odd. Then ODD I am!!!
* * * * I love the sweet scents wafting in the breeze. I stop to admire the vibrant colors of all living things. And people think me odd. Then ODD I am!!!
posted
Jdepoy11, We LOVE a gooooooood mystery around here....
If the two that Rugby posted are it, *we're hopin'*, if not, maybe some more pictures.. Up close pictures of stems, leaves, etc.. so we can really fine tune it a bit..
This is great... LOVE those mysteries!!!
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
I think we are definetly getting closer! The first pict. looks the closest but the leaves don't branch off like that, could be b/c it's malnutritioned. I will take some close up pictures and get them posted. Sometimes it's a hassle to get picts around here! Hopefully tomorrow. : ) Thanks again. This is fun and the suspense is killing us! Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
Ok. I have some new pictures.. Hopefully these will help. pict1 pict2 pict3
Well I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for your help once again.. Hopefully these pictures help narrow the mystery down. The leaves are 1.5inches wide at the largest. Thanks!!! Gobble Gobble!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
I have no idea! But this one seems facinating!!! I'm just wondering since you keep propping it up if you are allowed hanging baskets I wonder how far down the vines would go?
* * * *
Colonel Jack O'Neill "I ask you, what could possibly be in my eye that could explain all this? "
posted
I'm not sure, but it just keeps growing. It's like it grows up for about 6 inches and then starts to grow down.. I think they will just keep growing out.. It's the strangest plant!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
Thanks Weezie! Thanks Weezie! Thanks Weezie! Just Kidding. I've looked through a giant A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants book and still not sure.. But it made me realize perhaps I'm leaving out important info. So here's some more if anyone is still interested. The new leaves are red/purple and they change to green tops with red undersides, but the midrib is always purple/red tinted. When the "vines" grow about 6 inches up they curve towards the ground and when it reaches the ground (we keep propping it higher and it keeps growing towards the ground andwe prop it highter...) it curves up and starts growing up again. Maybe this info will help... maybe not! I'm still not convinced. : )
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
I work in a greenhouse and in july we usually get 55,000 pointsettia plugs that is a pointsettia, but rather funky, surprised it has a shape like that because points will break if you look at them!,,lol we force a few to be in colour by halloween, and we cover them at 4 in the afternoon, and uncover them at 9. Just to shorten the day. the other 7 or 8 greenhouses change colour in time for christmas with the regular shortening of the day
hope this helps
Plants: 14 | From: canada | Registered: Dec 2005
| Seeded: 64.228.12.176
quote: and still not sure.. But it made me realize perhaps I'm leaving out important info. So here's some more if anyone is still interested.
I just wanted you to know, I have found this one of the most interesting threads ever , I have watched from afar here and done my own research(hours) online and have come no closer than anyone else to identifying your lovely little plant. Good Luck!
I too am swaying towards poinsettia, but still it doesn't seem quite right.
posted
I think so too Mel... It's a bugger.. I keep comin' back and lookin'.. and hopin' some one will come along and snag it..
I said either a pointsettia or some kind of Amaranthe???
***Jdepoy11, Are you up for an experiment or two?
One I would say, get another pot/container, fill with your potting soil.. and set close to the momma plant.. and take one of the hanging down stems, and touch it to the top of the soil.. see if it takes root.. *then you'd have a second one and it would be shorter...*
Again, I am not firmiliar with the actions of a pointsettia, if that's one, and it would do that things..
Sometimes too, looking at it, the trailing habits remind me of some kind of sweet potato vine?????? **that also may cause it to send up more shoots from the bottom.. dunno????
Can any of the people who work with poinsettia's tell me if they root along the stem???? I don't usually grow them and so I'm not sure???
The other experiment would be... *say, to do this maybe after seeing if the first stem takes root.. not sure if I would be brave enough to do both at the same time..* but snip one of the longer one's off... and put in water.. and see if it roots that way???
Again, this may cause more basal growth..
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
I'll definetly give it a try! Thanks Weezie! That would at least give us something else to go on. I'm glad I'm not the only one not figuring this out right away! It's fun though. I think it really needs to be repotted into a bigger pot but I've been puttin it off. I'll keep checking and I'll let ya know how the experiment goes. Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
Just for the sake of tossing in my 2 cents, I have a poinsettia that did the exact same thing as the one in your photo. It looks like a twin to mine. It got that way because I didn't keep it cut back to encourage the bushiness factor. Poinsettias do require a bit of trimming, or they will get leggy and fall over the sides of the pot. Mine is in the ground, and now I'm just waiting to see if roots develop where the stem is touching the soil. Long story short, I say poinsettia.
* * * * I used to have a handle on life, but it broke. Plants: 337 | From: Central FL | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 69.22.95.52
It's a variety of the stromanthe... Today I stopped by my nursery to pick up some peatmoss and they had a clearance sale on tropical plants the one I bought was the Stromanthe guienea tricolor... green and cream long pointed leaves with burgandy/purpulish under leaves.. I looked up stromanthe on net and there are several varieties most have dark purple or red underleaves,, from what I read too much direct light changes the color of top of leave , likes to be root bound.and needs to be misted (loves humidity) You know me I'm not good at puter stuff so I'll TRY to post a site according to all I've read and seen this may be the specie your plant belongs too.. www.ccgga.com/corey-nursey-prod-02.html
in any case just look up stromanthe varieties and see if one of these are your,,, Hope I've been helpful.
posted
Just wanted to let the viewers know that we have moved in the office to be close to a window and this plant is really doing great with some real sunshine! Still don't know what it is for sure, I guess I'm sticking with the poinsettia family. If nothing else I'm really glad we posted here because I have really enjoyed the site. I've learned a lot! I'll be using this site to help with all of my plant problems/ questions! Thanks!! Keep up the good work!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
My group will be moving in the office again next week and we will be moving away from teh window. I think that I'll take it home and see if I can get some babies! If it's successful I'll be sure to let you all know. I'd be glad to share the wealth of the mystery plant!! Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
you'll have to copy paste to search b/c I don't remember how to link. I founda picture in my new American Horticultural Society encylopedia of plants and flowers and then started searching the web.. I would love to hear if anyone agrees. Thanks!
Plants: 28 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2005
| Seeded: 12.2.142.7
posted
heres how you do it...in late summer you cut the stems to about 8 inches or about 2-3 leaves per stem, then you stick it outside and through the duration of the summer pinch it back to keep it full. in september bcondition it inside. around october (around Halloween)stick it in total darkness for 12 hours (5pm-7am) and take it out in the morning. When you see bract coloration around december (thats when it will start coloration) you can take it out full time. The bracts will finish coloration w ithout the darkness. and enjoy the beautiful plant.
Oh one more thing it has to bee total darkness. even a street light or anything at night can delay bract coloration
* * * * The good thing about snow is that it makes your yard look just like your neighbors! Plants: 211 | From: philadelphia | Registered: Jan 2006
| Seeded: 71.242.184.163
posted
Im not ENTIRLY sure but I believe its a pointsettia..Time to find the houseplant books (if i could only remeber where i put it) haha
* * * * The good thing about snow is that it makes your yard look just like your neighbors! Plants: 211 | From: philadelphia | Registered: Jan 2006
| Seeded: 71.242.184.163
posted
Yes founnd it! now im going on research duty..much help appricitaed : )
* * * * The good thing about snow is that it makes your yard look just like your neighbors! Plants: 211 | From: philadelphia | Registered: Jan 2006
| Seeded: 71.242.184.163
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I could only find pictures of the 'basic' poinsettia. This plant very well might be a poinsettia. All of it's leave have red undersides, and green uppers. The top leaves definetly have more vibrant red on the bottoms.. And all of the stems grow very crooked. ![[dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
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Just Kidding. I've looked through a giant A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants book 
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It's fun though. I think it really needs to be repotted into a bigger pot but I've been puttin it off. I'll keep checking and I'll let ya know how the experiment goes. 
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