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Polka Dot Plant Is A Nice Gift

August 3, 2009 by

Ask the Expert: Hi. I live in Florida and one of would you please answer my question?
Hi. I live in Florida and one of my students gave me this pretty plant with green leaves and pink spots. I would like to know how to take good care of it. Thank you so much. Isabel

Plant Care Expert:

Hypoetes phyllostachya

Hypoetes phyllostachya

I believe your plant is a Polka Dot Plant (Hypoetes phyllostachys). Does your plant look similar to the picture shown?

If so the plant is relatively easy to take care of, just follow a few easy care instructions and your plant should thrive.

First keep the plant moist.  Make sure it is in a container that can drain off excess water. Mist around the plant every other day or keep in a humid environment.

Second,  give it plenty of light but no direct sun.  In thie summer time you can set it outside under shade. This plant likes warm temperatures and during the growing season it likes to be fed every two weeks.  During the winter feed it once a month.

To keep the plant shapely, trim leggy growth.

Although hypoetes is used as a garden plant, it makes a wonderful houseplant.

Good lucky with your plant and keep me posted.

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Blind Plant Indentification

July 31, 2009 by 1 Comment

Ask The Expert: I RECENTLY PURCHASED A HOUSEPLANT AT A LOCAL GARDEN CENTER. IT DID NOT HAVE
ANY TAG AND NO ONE AT THE CENTER WAS SURE WHAT IT WAS. IT WAS TOO INTERESTING AND BEAUTIFUL FOR ME TO PASS UP. IT IS GROWING IN A NEAT MOUND SO FAR. THE LEAVES ARE OVAL SHAPED, ABOUT 1″X 2″. VERY DARK IN COLOR, THE UNDERSIDE IS DARK PLUM COLORED, THE TOP IS DARK GREEN WITH SILVER STRIPE
AND NICELY TEXTURED. THE NEW LEAVES ARE RATHER PLUM COLORED AND THEN GET DARKER. OVERALL IT LOOKS SIMILAR TO AN EMERALD RIPPLE OR SOME SORT OF PEPEROMIA. WOULD YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS?? PATTY

Plant Expert Reply:
Nothing is more challenging than identifying a plant without seeing it. Your awesome description makes it a little easier. There are two possibilities: a type Pilea or a type Peperomia. Below are some pictures of different types. See if any look like your plant. If not, send me a picture of yours and I’ll try to make a better identification. My choice would be the Aluminum Plant.

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Looks Like A Purple Crinum Lily

July 27, 2009 by

Crinum Lily

Crinum Lily

Ask the Expert: id a mexican flowering plant
If found this flowering plant in Matzaclan, Mexico. It maybe from a buld.  There was no one to ask what it was, so I took a picture of it. Maybe you can id it or let me know where I can go to get identified.
thanks,
Dan

Plant Expert Reply:

It looks like a Crinum Lily – maybe a Crinum strictum or Crinum americanum.  Crinum strictum are native to Mexico and is sometimes referred to as Texas Swamplily.   It is a bulb which reproduces very slowly.  If left undisturbed will bloom with out fail for many years.


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Eating Wild Onions Good Idea Or Not?

July 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: fake wild onion?
During an overnight trip on the Smith River, one of our guides picked a wild onion to show us.  However, he said that there was another plant that was very similar but could kill you in 4 hours if ingested. He said it was called “death canis” (I”m not sure of the spelling).  Can you tell me if this is true?

I have all these great wild onions but I’m afraid to eat them. Patricia

Plant Expert Reply:

Meadow Death Camas

Meadow Death Camas

I’m not sure what plant the guide was referring to – Montana has a poisonous plant called Mountain Death-camas (Zigadenus venenosus). The leaves might look like onion leaves but it would really be a stretch. See how flat the leaves are? They look more like a lily leaf than an onion leaf even through they are in the same family. Onion leaves tend look more cylindrical.

Wild Onion

Wild Onion

As for eating the wild onions in your yard, I probably wouldn’t. Not because the plant is poisonous, more because of the taste. The onion genus – Allium has many members. However, not all have a pleasing taste. The wild onion and garlic species tend to be more pungent than the cultivated species.

If your wild onions are in your lawn, you need to be aware of their exposure to chemicals. I am always cautious when it comes to eating wild vegetation. However, all Allium bulbs are edible even if not palatable.

The Meadow Death-camas picture comes from the poisonous plant section of the Montana Plant Life site.

The Wild onion photo came from the Pacific Bulb Society Allium page.

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China Doll: A Delicate But Interesting Houseplant

July 10, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: Can you help identify this plant? It was given. It’s of the green plant family and has dark green leaves resembling ‘cow itch’. I would like to know name and caring instructions. Thanks, Danny

Plant Expert Reply:

Radermachia sinica 'China Doll'

Radermachia sinica 'China Doll'

Does your plant look like this China Doll (Radermachera sinica) – sometimes Aralia is attached to the name.  If so, you have a delicate but interesting houseplant. The foliage texture and glossy green leaves are the reason this plant is quickly rising in popularity.

Although delicate, China Doll can make an excellent houseplant, if it is properly maintained.

China Doll Likes

It needs plenty of bright indirect light (at least 4 to 5 hours) and a moist well-drained soil. It is fussy about temperature. Keep it out of drafts. A normal house hold temperature of 65 to 75 degrees works well.

China Dolls like to be root-bound, so don’t repot until the roots over flow the container.

Fertilize this plant once a month with a water soluble fertilizer like Schultz or Peters houseplant food. To maintain the fullness and shape of the plant prune it occasionally.

China Doll Issues

This houseplant hates changes.  Keep light, water and temperature as constant as possible.

Watch for Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.  If you develop a fungus gnat problem, let the soil dry out but not to the point of wilting.

When you water, make sure you pour the water evenly around the plant.  Uneven watering can lead to leaf drop.

It may sound like a high maintenance plant but really it is easy to care for once you get the rhythm.

***Speaking of rhythm – is anyone else hearing David Bowie’s Chyna Doll song in their head?***

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Star Shaped Flowering Vine Is Called Clematis

June 29, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Clematis

Clematis

Ask the Expert: Flower identification

This flower blooms each June and is a vine-type plant. I have not been able to identify this plant. Can you help? Phil

Plant Expert Reply:

What you have is a clematis.  I’m not sure which variety it is.  Go to Donahue’s Clematis, they have great pictures of several clematis varieties and more information on how to take care of them.

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Blue – Purple Flower Is A Type Of Salvia

June 29, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Blue Salvia Bloom

Blue Salvia Bloom

Salvia

Salvia

Ask the Expert: wondering what perennial this is
This flower was planted by the previous owners and I was wondering what it is. It has a purple top and is about 12-18″ tall right now. Unfortunately, you can see that it flops over, so first I want to know the name and second, what can I do to prevent the flopping. It is in partial sun – so does this make a difference in whether a plant will stay tall? Thank you for your help. Emily Hartley

Emily Hartley

Plant Expert Reply:
You have a type of salvia. I am not sure which species or cultivar it is. It could be a Salvia patens. They tend to become leggy and flop over if in too much shade. You can trim it back after it blooms. This might keep the next set of blooms from falling over. If it gets taller and still flops over, you can stake the plant.

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Looks Like A Spider Lily

June 24, 2009 by 3 Comments
Hymenocallis caroliniana Stalk

Hymenocallis caroliniana Stalk

Hymenocallis caroliniana Leaves

Hymenocallis caroliniana Leaves

Ask the Expert: Can you tell me what the name of this plant? I live in Arkansas and I found it on the side of the road. Just thought it was neat looking. It looks like it might have a bloom coming out now. I can’t wait to see what it looks like. Can you tell me more about it? Dawn

Plant Expert Reply:

Looks like a Hymenocallis caroliniana known as Spider Lily.  These are native to Arkansas and often found in the wild.   I can make a positive ID when it blooms.  So if you can send me a picture of the bloom.

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Call This Houseplant Rex – Begonia That Is

June 24, 2009 by 7 Comments
Begonia Rex

Begonia Rex


Ask the Expert: Do you know the name of this house plant? Can you identify this house plant. I would like it’s name and any other information you may have on it. Thank you! Linda

Plant Expert Reply:

It is a little hard to tell from the picture but it looks as if you have a Rex Begonia. This herbaceous perennial is only hardy in zone 10 to 11 and therefore treated more as an annual or houseplant.  This houseplant needs high humidity and well-drained soil. You will need to be careful not to over water this plant.  If the roots remain soggy for too long, they will rot. You, also, need to fertilize it quite often during the growing season. Fertilizing should begin in spring and end in the fall.  I recommend a balanced fertilizer just slighlty higher in nitrogen that is water soluable every two weeks.  Rex Begonias need lots of bright filtered light. The optimum day time temperature is in the 70 degree range and the night temperature is in the 60 degree range.  Most normal household temperatures will be sufficient. 

Good Luck with your plant and keep me posted.

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Heart Shaped Vine Goes By Many Names

June 17, 2009 by 1 Comment
Rosary Vine - Ceropegia

Rosary Vine - Ceropegia

Ask the Expert: what type of plant is this?
I have a plant that was given to me. It consists of long, string-like tendrils with small leaves.. the leaves are green with a whitish pattern. They are spaced approximately 3 inches apart.
I have attached a picture and would really appreciate it if someone could help me identify it so that I can figure out how to propagate it.
Thank you
Janet

Plant Expert Reply:
This plant is called Rosary vine, Hearts on a String, Sweetheart vine and string of hearts. It is formally known as Ceropegia linearis or Ceropegia woodii.

You can propagate it by seed in the early spring when temperatures are around 66 to 77 degrees. If you want to propagate it from stems cuttings, you will need to take 4 to 6″ stem cuttings in the early summer and root them in a sand and peat mixture.

Good luck and keep me posted on your propagation.

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