Tropical Plants Wrap Up

1. Tropical Plants Wrap Up

PowerPoint By: Crystal Price This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

2. BROMELIACEAE

• Bromeliad

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Insects & Diseases

Scale, mealy bug, & spider mites Crown, stem & root rot

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Toxicity

• Non-poisonous

13. Silver Vase Bromeliad

Requires very bright light to flower Flaming Sword Bromeliad

14. Pineapple Bromeliad

15. cOMMELINACEAE

• Inch Plant

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Special Care

Needs regular transplanting Does not like to be root bound

• Once per year (in spring)

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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)

23. Toxicity

Level 1 – Slightly or mildly poisonous The sap can be irritating

• Safe for bird and reptile enclousures

24. Purple Heart Wandering Jew

• Callisia Wandering Jew

25. Tradescantia blossfeldiana ‘Bubblegum’ or ‘Lilac’

• 0r possibly Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’

26. EUPHORBIACEAE

• Croton

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. Pruning:

Occasional pruning of stem tips to keep bushy Propagation: Air Layering

Tip cuttings (over bottom heat), stem cuttings, air layering

33. 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.

34. Toxicity

Very poisonous, level # 3 Can cause severe health problems.

35. Norma Croton

• Gold Finger Croton

36. Craigii Croton

37. lomariopsidaceae

• Boston Fern

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. Special Care

Plant in shallow azalea pot Overcrowding or wilting

Are common signs plant needs transplanting Dusting of leaves

• Turn regularly

42. Insects & Disease

Aphids, mealy bug, scale, spider mites Pesticides damage ferns

Diseases

• None, fairly disease resistant

43. Pruning:

Cut dead fronds off as they appear Propagation

Division, plantlets, tissue culture, offsets Cut fern root-ball in half or in quarters

44. 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)

45. Toxicity

Non - poisonous plant Great for cleaning air

46. marantaceae

• Prayer Plant

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. Special Care

If there is not enough light the leaves will not open fully during the day

51. Insects & Disease

Spider mites, mealybug, scale, aphids, thrips Diseases

Leaf spots from watering sitting on the leaves

52. Pruning:

Old dead leaves, cutting back to keep compact Propagation:

• Division, root division (spring), tip cuttings

53. 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

54. Toxicity

• Non-toxic

55. Live Walls