Mike-
That is awesome!! You know how to grow these.......I don't see a single blemish on that plant!! Keep us updated on the flowering. Hope you get seeds on this one too!! Approximately how big is that plant (and what size pot)?? -Chris

Mike - simply GLORIOUS!!!

WOWOW !

Michael
Interlaken NY Z6

Thanks Chris and Michael, I'll post 2 more pictures taken this morning showing some size scale for the plant, and a couple 'bonus pictures' for information. I'll do my best to pollinate it!

The tallest flower stalk is now a full 12 inches tall and evidently still growing taller!

A leaf cut showing characteristic leaf shape at the base.

And finally the provenance.

Wow, Mike you really outdid yourself on this one. You could win first prize in a garden show.

Holy smokes! That's what I noticed first were the pristine leaves, after of course the exquisite form!

That's really something.

Hi Mike,

I was wondering about the label. I can't quite figure out all the abbreviations and numbers. Is the plant from the Huntington Gardens? Have you had it since '83, or is that '88? Just curious.

Barb,
"ex" means 'from', so this coppertone plant (more precisely, its ancestor) was received by The Huntington Botanical Gardens From the Univ. of CA - Davis in what seems to be 1988, Sometime after that date, the original plant, or plants, were reproduced by the HBG probably from leaf cuts. Then, in about 2001-03, Norma had a 'plant party' for anybody who could come and we all went to the HBG where several Sansevieria species, including coppertone, were made available to us for a nominal fee. At this time, I would guess the plants were 3 years old. So, I would guess my flowering plants are about 12 years old. The numbers by the USA and HBG are some sort of accession numbers.

Thanks Mike,

It really adds a lot of interest to have the history. Also shows us beginners what 12 years of good care can accomplish.

I suppose the 'adding interest' part is true, but sometimes time and blind luck enter the picture - as is the case here with this plant. Ha!

Well, you do seem to have a pretty good track record.

How long do you think you go between repotting?

Somewhat depends on how big the pot is and how big the plant is. I have a masoniana that is at least 15 years old and HUGE and HEAVY. I haven't repotted it in about 8 years and have no plans to do it again. It is a backbreaking chore.
I used to repot trifasciatas (not the Hahnii's) ABOUT every 3rd year because they would fill up the pot. I used the opportunity to cull any reversions or uglies.
When the roots start pushing the plant up and exposing the rhizomes, its definitely time to repot; you want your new growth to come from below soil surface if possible.
On non-trifasciatas, I would probably repot about every 4th year-something like that. I have a few plants like coppertone and kirkii 'silver blue' that I have never repotted because they seemed to be growing nicely enough. I always use new potting mix when repotting.

Good to know. It sounds like they like to be left alone for quite a while. Maybe that's a part of the reason you are getting blooms on the Silver Blue and Coppertone.

Beautiful plant. That will be stunning when both flower spikes bloom.

Mike

Very nice layout Mike. I have just purchased a coppertone and waiting to see what it looks like.
Stush

The bloom stalks on this plant are now twice as tall as they were when I posted the picture and the flower heads are well over the leaves. The twin stalks remind me of an old river paddleboat with twin smoke stacks. The heads are just barely beginning to open. I'll post some more pictures in a week or so. It promises to be unusual and unique!
M.

Mike, How are the blooms coming along? It must be time for some more pix!

Flowers are getting gi-normous, Barb. I was away all last week so the flowers were a pleasant surprise to me when I got back. I will post more pics at the first sign of opening. Thanks for asking and Happy Easter to everyone!

The 'Coppertone' flowered a few days ago and I'm posting three pictures here. The stalks are 12 and 14 inches long, and the flower tubes are 5-6 inches long. It is a beautiful flower that begins to sag only a day after the tip opens to expose the stamens and pistil. The leaf color that gives the plant its name will return at the end of the summer when I move the plant outdoors. The 2 flowers come from 2 different plants whose origin is either from seed or leaf cuttings of the same plant.

A second picture of 'Coppertone'.....

A third picture of the flower from S. kirkii var. pulchra 'Coppertone'....

Awesome! The black background really makes the flowers pop. Too bad they can't last a little longer.

Like white fireworks! Thanks so much for sharing this!

oh I can't wait for mine to grow up.

Mike,
I love the way you laid out the photo. Great job.
Also The seed you sent me is dead. It just got darker and then went soft. Oh well. Next time I' let it dry out for a week or two before planting.