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Adequate Lighting for Streps

Posted by frankiokc AR (My Page) on
Wed, Dec 20, 06 at 13:46

I have a lot of problems with the foliage on my streps curling under and getting brown edges. As the new "baby" leaves start growing in, they tend to turn brown and mushy before they are even 1/2" long. I grow them under 4 fluorescent tubes with my African violets. Do you think my streps would be happier if they were grown next to the plant stands instead of directly under the light tubes?

Thanks!

Franki


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Adequate Lighting for Streps

Franki -

most possibly they are just way to wet. Pale yellow brown mushiness on young leaves can have 2 reasons - way too wet and wrong fertilizer. Looks like they hate urea - so be sure that your fertilizer is urea free. I use Dyna-grow, some people are swearing by other brands.

There was a very informative thread here a couple months ago about fertilizers.

To be sure that they are not too wet - cut your violet mix with 1/3 perlite, add some perlite on the bottom and do not use too thick of a wick.

I read that people prefer 4 tubes instead of 2 for streps and 2 instead of 4 for violets. For me baby streps do Ok under 2 tubes. IMHO more light - more bloom, less light - more leaves on streps, so if you grow them to show, 4 would be better.

Irina
Snowed up in Denver


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RE: Adequate Lighting for Streps

Just for an experiment you could place your streps in window light. Being close to a window would also allow the coolness they prefer. You might discover they grow as well or better there.

Nancy


 
 

 

 


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