Tropical Plants LHAP 303

1. Tropical Plants LHAP 303

• Crystal Price

2. Schlumbergera truncata

• Christmas Cactus/Thanksgiving Cactus 2

3. Tropical Plants For Living Walls

Pinching is necessary to promote branching out.

Always pinch after a leaf node.

A new stem will grow from a node Tip:  Pinch close to the stems (bare parts left will die)

Make a clean cut with a sharp knife, scissors or small pruners

Jagged tears can attract disease and insects 3

4. Always use tepid water for tropical houseplants

Always use tepid water for tropical houseplants.

Cold water is a shock to tropical plants Tropical plants need high RH

Can sit plant(s) on a tray of water with pebbles (not in the water)

Use a humidifier near the plants Group three to four plants together

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5. ARACEAE FAMILY

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6. Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’Amazonian Elephant Ears

Description

Dark green/purplish green, narrow arrow shaped leaves are wavy with ribs & margins a creamy bright white.  Grow from tubers.  Occasional yellow flowers.

Origin

• Southeast Asia
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7. Environment & Culture

Temperature

• Warm 18 - 23 C +
• Heat loving plants

Do not tolerate cold temperatures well Light

• Bright indirect light

Can tolerate 80 % shade No direct sun exposure Water & Humidity:

• Moist

Do not like wet feet (soggy soil) Good drainage is important

• Water from below in morning

In the winter give it a break and allow to dry between waterings

May go dormant in the winter if let to dry too much

High humidity, very important Increase RH water pebble tray or humidifier

Can save tuber and plant in the spring Soil:

• Well drained potting soil

Additional perlite or sand to increase aeration & drainage

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8. Fertilizer:

Every 2 weeks during the growing season Heavy feeder

Dilute by ½ Stop fertilizing in the winter Allow to rest

Special Care

• Bleached or singed leaves
• Too much direct light

Move into a dimmer location Insects

Spider mites is the main concern Mealy bug can be a issue

• Aphids

Diseases

Root rot and fungal leaf disease Remove damaged leaves

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9. Propagation:

• Division

Corms can be removed and planted in a new pot Poisonous Level #4

Skin & eye irritant Swelling in the throat, mouth & lips (oxalic acid)

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11. Anthurium andraeanumFlamingo Flower

Description

Glossy simple leaves on a large stem.  Epiphyte.  Heart shaped flowers in a variety of colors.  Spathes or modified leaf (bracts) with spike like flowers.  Stem lengths are 15-20 inches, commonly used for cut flowers (flower for 3 weeks)

Climbers, provide support Must be healthy to flower

• Collectors plants

Not for the inexperienced grower Origin

Central & South America, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay

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12. Environment & Culture

Temperature

21 - 32 C Warm temperatures preferred

• Does not like the cold

Avoid strong temp. fluctuations, no drafts Light & flowering:

Bright, indirect light Year round flowering Low light will reduce flowering

Move to a bright location in the winter Water & Humidity:

• Moist at all times

Roots do not like to be soggy, don’t overwater High humidity

Supplement with regular misting - warm water Raise RH with humidifier

• Aerial roots like misting

Soil

Half potting soil, half orchid soil Can use perlite instead of orchid soil

Use a high quality potting soil Rich loose soil Fertilizer:

Monthly fertilizing of a balanced fertilizer Only ¼ strength

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13. Special Care

Overwatering causes root rot & yellowing of bottom leaves

• Low RH
• Leaves burn easily in high light

Too much fertilizer can result in leaf burn and inhibit flowering

Sensitive to soil salt build up Monthly leaching

Give them a rest period in the winter with little water for 6 weeks

Promotes a greater flush of flowers in the spring

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14. Insects & Disease

• Fungus gnats

Bacterial blight & wilt Keep foliage dry Careful when watering

Rhizoctonia root rot (discolored brown roots) Good drainage

Cleanliness https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP292

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15. Pruning:

Remove flowers once they are done Prune any dead older leaves

Trim aerial roots from older plants Propagation

Division is best during repotting Tip or stem cuttings

• Warm propagation temps
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17. Very poisonous

Skin irritant, eye irritant, painful to mouth if ingested

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19. Epipremnum aureumGolden Pothos/Devil’s Ivy

Description

Epiphytic (facultative epiphyte), climbing vine with aerial roots at nodes.  To 3-3.5 m in the home, 12 - 15 m in the wild.  Leaves alternate on a round stem.  Leaf blade ovate, glossy green with yellow streaks or blotches, 7.5 - 10 cm long when immature.

Origin

• Asia
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21. Environment & Culture

Temperature

Min. 10 C.  Likes an average of 25 C.

Will tolerate occasional lower temperatures Light

• Medium to high indirect light Under low light loses variation

Under high light and dryness foliage will lose it’s color contrast (look dull)

Can be grown in shade to partial shade Water & Humidity:

• Moderately dry

Water well and then allow 50% of soil to dry out before watering again

• Like to dry out
• Damaged by high salts
• Basic household humidity
• Likes high humidity
• Can tolerate low humidity

Soil

Well aerated, quick-draining soil that dries out quickly

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22. Fertilizer:

Fertilize every two weeks in the spring & summer when plants are actively growing

Monthly in the fall and winter Well balanced plant food

Dilute by ½ recommended strength Special care:

Likes to be root bound.  Can top dress rather than repotting.

Common problems with Golden Pothos Older leaves yellowing & dropping & plant death:

• Overwatering

May get black spots from overwatering Bright yellow leaves and drooping:

Soil has gotten to dry before you watered it Leaves turn black:

Temperatures that drop below 7 C Will stop growing

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24. Insects & Diseases

Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, fungus gnats, aphids

Overwatering causes crown, leaf & root rot Once roots are destroyed, it is difficult to save

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25. Propagation:

Stem cuttings, tip cuttings with extra leaves on stem

Pruning

Trim long runners to keep looking bushy 5 - 6” cuttings can be rooted in water to make new plants

Can cut right back to the soil level to sprout fresh new growth

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Poisonous

Level #2.  Best kept away from children & pets

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• Marble Queen Pothos
• Jade Pothos

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30. Philodendron hederaceumHeartleaf Philodendron

Description

Heart-shaped, glossy leaves emerge bronze, then turn green.  Leaves 2-4” long cover long slender stems.

Origin

Central/South America - Caribbean Height

Climbs or trails 4 ft (1.2m) or more 30

31. Environment & Culture

Temperature

Average room temp. (18- 24 C, min. of 16 C)

Light

Moderate to bright light, avoid direct light which can scorch the leaves.

Solid green leaves can tolerate less light

Others without solid green can tolerate more exposed indirect light or bright light

Water & Humidity

Do not need as much water as other tropicals High light will need more watering

• Low light, cool temps. water less often

Slightly moist spring through winter.  Allow surface to dry out between waterings.

• Especially in the winter months

Likes humidity but will tolerate dry air.  40% RH or higher

Browning of leaf tips if the air is to dry 31 Soil:

• Peat-moss based mix African Violet mix

32. Fertilizer Program:

Feed monthly spring - fall.  20-20-20 or 10-10-10 liquid or water soluble (diluted by half).

Organic fertilizer can be used.  Feed monthly depending on organic source.

• Maintain 5.5 - 7.5

Special Care

Remove dead leaves & regular pruning to keep the plant from growing too big.

• Indirect light is best
• Regular dusting of leaves

Insect Issues

• Fungus Gnats
• Allow media to dry out
• Aphids
• Attracted to new growth
• Treat immediately

Not too many pest problems Propagation

Stem tip cuttings (3 leaves attached) in spring.  Cut just below a leaf node.  Roots in water or moist soil.

Can root right in water.  Very easy to propagate.

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34. Common problems with Philodendrons

Wilted Leaves

• Medium has dried out or root rot Do not let it dry out
• Yellow leaves
• Overwatering

Ensure drainage holes in pot Brown scorch marks Exposure to direct sun

Fungal pathogens from water sitting on leaves Cut off infected leaves

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34 Poisonous:

Yes very poisonous for people and pets

Keep leaves trimmed back off the floor and from easy reach, # 2 toxicity

35. Additional Cultivars Note

Additional Cultivars Note: These are nice to know, you will not be tested on them.

• Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ Sweetheart Plant

Strokes of yellow & lime green across deep green foliage

Stunning golden -variegated leaves Fantastic training plant in a living wall

Spathes of green-white flowers 20XX Sample Footer Text

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36. Philodendron hederaceum ‘Lemon Lime’

• Beautiful bright cultivar

Leaves emerge as a pinkish yellow Prolific grower

• Easy to grow
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37. Monstera adansonii

Swiss Cheese Plant (Vine) or Adanson’s Monstera Native to Central & South America

• Understory plants

Can reach up to 10 to 20 m

• Indirect sun

Peat-based soil Well lite space Deep jungle plants that thrives under high RH

Try to mimic the natural growing conditions Regular pruning as it will get out of control

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38. Monstera deliciosa

• Split Leaf Philodendron

Slits or cuts in the leaves Big heart shaped leaves 3ft. Long & 2ft. Wide

Bright light (avoid direct light) Leaves won’t split in lower light, & becomes leggy

Warm temperatures with high RH Keep large leaves clean & dust free

Aggressive trimming as they will take over Prefers a large growing space

Appropriate for large living walls, good texture

Smaller growing space to restrict/slow growth Propagate by stem cuttings (include a couple of leaves

Will have air roots to help support the weak stems

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39. Spathiphyllum wallisiiDwarf Peace Lily

Description

Large oval leaves are a glossy green.  Ribbed leaf surface.  Inflorescence is a spadix with a long white spathe.  Fragrant blooms.

Origin

Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica Zone 10 39

40. Environment & Culture

Temperature

• Medium

Minimum 16 C No cold drafts will turn black Light:

• Low to high (will thrive in low light) Filtered light

Leaves will wilt, yellow & die under direct light

Needs more light to flower Water (Picky)

• Moderately even moisture

Allow 50% of soil to dry out No standing water as it will kill root system

Do not let dry out does not recover well Destroys the root system

Damage from fluoride & chlorine Allow 24 hrs to break down the chlorine

• High humidity is welcome
• Likes misting
• High RH is not a must

Soil

Well drained, nutrient rich soil Add perlite or sand to increase drainage

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41. Fertilizer:

Well balanced fertilizer spring & summer Doesn’t need it very often

Doesn’t grow enough in fall & winter to fertilize

Good when flowering (weekly) Dilute by ¼ Special Care:

Tips of leaves and flowers turning brown

Over fertilization (salt buildup) Hard water Yellow leaves from too much light

Overwatering is the most common cause of plant failure

• Like to be rootbound

Do not change pot size to much when transplanting

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42. Insects:

Spider mites are the most common, but other pests are possible

Diseases

• Root rot
• Avoid standing water
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43. Propagation:

Division, tissue culture & seed New crowns will develop (2 leaves should be present)

Pruning

Prune out flowers once they fade Prune to the soil line

• Encourages more flowers

Brown or yellow leaves should be pruned out Sample Footer Text

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45. Toxicity

Level 2 toxicity.

Poisonous to pets & humans Sample Footer Text 45

46. Flowering

Brighter light, warm & humidity to encourage blooms

Remove spadix to extend life of the spathe.

Remove entire flowering stalk when spathe starts to turn green

• Stop producing flowers in the winter

Start out as a green and turn a creamy white as they mature

Sporadic bloomers, once per year Blooming could be anytime Jan. - Aug.

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Variegated Domino Peace Lily Sensation Peace Lily

Grows up to 6ft tall Leaves 20” long

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Referenced Links

• https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP292