Tropical Plants Wrap Up

Slide 1 Tropical Plants Wrap Up PowerPoint By: Crystal Price This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Slide 2 BROMELIACEAE Bromeliad Slide 3 Guzmania ranaBromeliad Description: Colorful bracts for 8 - 12 weeks. Lots of different colors available, red, pink, burgundy, white, yellow, orange or a combinations. Succulent plant. Epiphytic Types of Epiphytes Flowers are within the bract 2,877 different species Origin: Tropical America Slide 4 Environment & Culture Temperature: Warmer temperatures during the day 26 C Cooler temperatures at night by 10 C 4 C for cold hardy species, but not under 12 C for true tropical species Light: Very adaptable, no direct light (dapple light) Bright light causes flowers & leaves to fade quickly Low light causes dark green and elongation of leaves Water: Very drought tolerant Allow first 2” of soil to dry out before you water again Can water from the top into the plants “cup” or reservoir or right into the soil Do not let the water sit in the reservoir for too long Water ⅓ cup and then the next day another ⅓ cup Humidity: Basic RH is fine, extra is appreciated 60% Misting the leaves is also welcome by Bromeliads Humidity tray Slide 5 Slide 6 Soil: Well - draining soil Can add a little sand or more perlite to increase pore space and drainage Can be mounted to logs & boards (epiphytes) Soilless media (orchid mix, charcoal, moss) More watering, misting required & must be consistent Fertilizer: ¼ to ½ strength once or twice during the growing season No liquid fertilizer in the “cup” If watering in the reservoir or “tank” you can add 1 pellet of slow release fertilizer Avoid fertilizers with metals (Boron, Copper) Avoid feeding in winter or when plant begins to flower Slide 7 Special Care Require specific conditions to flower: Forced bloom with ethylene gas Plastic hot box with an apple Flowering varies with different the species Day length, temp, RH, water & feeding Bloom only once per plant Better bloom color in less light and cooler temperatures Slide 8 Like to be root bound in a small pots Small root system Re-pot in spring every 3 or 4 years Never use hard water Disfigures the leaves Slide 9 Insects & Diseases Scale, mealy bug, & spider mites Crown, stem & root rot Slide 10 Pruning: Little required Trim brown edges with sharp wet scissors (or knife) Propagation: Once the plant flowers it will begin to die Will send out one or several pups at the base Carefully cut off individual pups or offsets and pot up Wait till the pups develop a bit of roots before separating from the mother plant Slide 11 Slide 12 Common Problems with Bromeliads Leaves scorch easily in direct light Water out of a plastic or glass container: Very susceptible to metals Leggy from over fertilizing Slide 13 If watering centrally make sure to rinse out and allow to dry: Remove built up salts Never let plant sit in standing water Very shallow root system, rots easily Choose appropriate pot to accommodate this Plant can become very unsteady in the pot if overwatered Slide 14 Toxicity Non-poisonous Slide 15 Silver Vase Bromeliad Requires very bright light to flower Flaming Sword Bromeliad Slide 16 Pineapple Bromeliad Slide 17 Slide 18 Slide 19 cOMMELINACEAE Inch Plant Slide 20 Slide 21 Tradescantia zebrinaInch plant Description: Long vines covered with long petiolate leaves 2” in length. Leaves are green with purple stripes and a glossy silver shine. Origin: South America, Mexico and Columbia Slide 22 Environment & Culture Temperature: Warm 18 C - 26 C Will do fine in higher temps. Light: Bright indirect light More colorful leaves & flowers with brighter light Water: Keep soil moist & allow top 2-3” to dry out before watering Do not keep soggy or water the crown Causes unsightly rot Do not let dry out in winter or in bright light Leaves become stunted & lose color Humidity: Average to higher Rh Leaf tips burn & turn brown if air to too dry Increase RH by placing on a tray of wet pebbles Mist frequently Especially in winter Slide 23 Soil: Well aerated soil with good drainage Add peat or perlite to help with this Can add a small amount of sand to encourage good drainage Fertilizer: Does not require much feeding Dilute water soluble fertilizer by half Bimonthly feeding High N for better color Aggressive feeding will cause leaves to lose variegation and bright colors fade Slide 24 Special Care Needs regular transplanting Does not like to be root bound Once per year (in spring) Slide 25 Insects & Disease Some pest resistance Fungus gnats, aphids, spider mites, scale, and mealy bug High RH required, but can cause fungal & bacterial infections Root rot caused by overwatering Slide 26 Pruning: Regular pinching, as they become leggy with time Cut back 25% of stems each time to a leaf node Takes time to become bushy again Propagation: Easily propagated from Stem cuttings Remove all leaves within 2” of bottom of cutting Slide 27 Slide 28 Common problems with Inch Plant Short lived tropical plant: Become leggy/scraggly within a few years Large sections of the stem become bare Require regular pinching back to keep busy Discolored or damaged leaves: Temperatures below 10 C Faded variegation or scorched leaves: Not enough light (fading) Or to much sun (scorched leaves) Slide 29 Toxicity Level 1 – Slightly or mildly poisonous The sap can be irritating Safe for bird and reptile enclousures Slide 30 Purple Heart Wandering Jew Callisia Wandering Jew Slide 31 Tradescantia blossfeldiana ‘Bubblegum’ or ‘Lilac’ 0r possibly Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ Slide 32 EUPHORBIACEAE Croton Slide 33 Codiaeum variegatumCroton Description: Branched shrub to 1 m indoors, 2 m outside. Much variation within the variety as to leaf size, shape and color. All leaves have a glossy upper surface. Foliage color varies with dots & splotches of purple, red, orange and or yellow green. Origin: Malaysia and the Pacific Slide 34 Environment & Culture Temperature: Medium 15 C - 26 C Keep above 10 C Avoid cold drafts Will wilt readily if gets to warm Light: High - direct light Bright light to maintain multicolored leaves Predominantly green with low light Turn regularly to balance growth on all sides Water: Moderately & evenly moist Let dry out a little during dormancy Crunchy leaves from overwatering Leaf margin burn if too dry Sensitive to poor watering practices Leaf drop from over or under watering Humidity: High humidity plus Sit on top of pebble bath, humidifier, group plants 40% - 80% May drop leaves if humidity to low Slide 35 Soil: Rich potting soil and well drained Best to keep root bound Be gentle when transplanting Fertilization: Basic fertilizer ½ strength Brown edges and leaf curling from too much fertilizer Slide 36 Special Care Proper acclimatization before changing situation Massive leaf drop if not Foliage is brittle - special care during transport Latex-like white sap seeps out of wounds Slide 37 Disease & Insects Very susceptible to Spider Mites (very hard to see) Mist regularly Mealy bugs, scale, thrips, fungus gnats Disease: PM & leaf spots High RH can cause issues Slide 38 Pruning: Occasional pruning of stem tips to keep bushy Propagation: Air Layering Tip cuttings (over bottom heat), stem cuttings, air layering Slide 39 Common Problems with Croton Start losing leaves: Temperature too cold Difficult to please indoors Dull leaf color, leaf drop, revert to green Low light levels Phototoridation: Condition from direct sun Leaves turn gray and dull looking This is a difficult plant to grow indoors. It is temperamental and not forgiving. Slide 40 Toxicity Very poisonous, level # 3 Can cause severe health problems. Slide 41 Norma Croton Gold Finger Croton Slide 42 Craigii Croton Slide 43 Slide 44 lomariopsidaceae Boston Fern Slide 45 Slide 46 Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’Boston Fern Description: 30 + species listed. Medium textured rhizomatous epiphytic or terrestrial ferns (above ground roots), with stiff nearly vertical fronds. Leaves, long graceful fronds are green, to 75 cm, wing shaped and finely toothed. Usually have wire stolon's Origin: World wide, tropical & subtropical Slide 47 Temperature: Medium to high 16 C - 27 C for best foliage Min 10 C Keep away from heat sources & fireplaces Light: Medium to high - bright indirect light Low light will cause leaves to lose vibrant color North window Water: Moderately moist Keep evenly moist Good tolerance to fluoride More drought tolerance than other ferns High humidity Fern tips will turn brown in low humidity Water pebble tray & humidifier, grouping plants Regular misting Especially in winter Environment & Culture Slide 48 Soil: Good indoor potting soil Extra peat & or perlite for good drainage Fertilizer: Monthly feeding with a balanced fertilizer ½ to ¼ strength to prevent fronds from burning & turning brown Slow release pellets in spring Slide 49 Special Care Plant in shallow azalea pot Overcrowding or wilting Are common signs plant needs transplanting Dusting of leaves Turn regularly Slide 50 Insects & Disease Aphids, mealy bug, scale, spider mites Pesticides damage ferns Diseases: None, fairly disease resistant Slide 51 Pruning: Cut dead fronds off as they appear Propagation: Division, plantlets, tissue culture, offsets Cut fern root-ball in half or in quarters Slide 52 Slide 53 Common Problems with Boston Fern Pale green or leaf burn foliage: Needs water Crispy brown fronds, especially in center: Over-watered White marks in leaves: Hard water causes this Leaf Burn: Too high light, or direct hot sunlight (summer) Slide 54 Toxicity Non - poisonous plant Great for cleaning air Slide 55 marantaceae Prayer Plant Slide 56 Slide 57 Maranta leuconeuraPrayer Plant or Maranta Description: Leaves fold up at night and are flat during the day. Deep emerald green tricolor leaves, yellow splotches down the midrib and red venation. Underside of leaves is purplish. Leaves are velvety. Short center stems attached to 6” leaves. Low growing spreading with rhizomes Short lived plant Origin: Central & South America Slide 58 Environment & Culture Temperature: Warm 15 - 26 C - Colder temps. damage the leaves Light: Diffuse light Extra light in the winter Leaf scorch or blotching in direct light Water: Uniformly moist during the growing season Never allow to dry out Water when the top just starts to get dry Reduce in the winter Distilled water (leaf edge browsing) Humidity: High Supplement with misting, humidifier, group plantings Or a simple water pebble dish Slide 59 Soil: Acidic soil preferred 5.5 - 6 General tropical plant mix is fine Higher peat ratio Good drainage Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks ½ strength Once a month in the winter Slide 60 Special Care If there is not enough light the leaves will not open fully during the day Slide 61 Insects & Disease Spider mites, mealybug, scale, aphids, thrips Diseases: Leaf spots from watering sitting on the leaves Slide 62 Pruning: Old dead leaves, cutting back to keep compact Propagation: Division, root division (spring), tip cuttings Slide 63 Common Problems with Prayer Plant Too cool or dry: Leaf loss Root rot or loss (cool temps) Washed out leaves with brown blotches: Too much sun Leaf drop and yellow leaves: Overwatering Slow growing: Feed more fertilizer Too cold Slide 64 Toxicity Non-toxic Slide 65 Slide 66 Live Walls