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new2plants

Any suggestions for care?

new2plants
19 years ago

Hi, I have this plant and didn't even know what it was until I came across this site. Mine is very slow growing, but has 3 "babies" along its sides. I have a little browning along the sides of leaves, and a "corky" hole, is this normal? How much light and water is recommended? When should I repot it? I appreciate any help!

Comments (6)

  • shroomer
    19 years ago

    this plant thirives on neglect dont worry it will do well in almost any spot in the house water x 2 weeks (mines gone longer)clean its leaves and pamper with bright light and it will reward you with fast growth.a pot bound mature plant will even give you tall spikes of dainty white fragrant blooms but i have never seen or smelled one before.

  • Cena
    19 years ago

    Not exactly...

    You did not specify which variety you had, so culture tips are hard. Most all of them come from Africa, that is your first clue.

    Housewives have been stuffing this in a dark corner for years and years, that is your second clue.

    I suggest you go look at the Photo Gallery to inspire you to what Can Be, and work from there.

    Many growers differ on how they do their stuff, so you have to find a way that works for you. A long ago poster kept his in small pots and watered twice a week. There are top notch growers here, but this forum doesn't move like others. It is an obscure, but loveable, worthy plant.

    These suffer from cold, but don't get corking like Cactus do... Not sure what you got going on there.

    A more throrough description couldn't hurt, length of leaves, basic color, curved, twisted, straight, length of leaf, stripes, bands, rosette shape, lance like leaves?... more to work with ALWAYS helps!

  • birdsnestsoup
    19 years ago

    Agghh! I always go CRAZY when I see those words "Thrives on Neglect". Surely no plant actually THRIVES on neglect. Sure they survive & plod along quite happily but to get a plant growing well & thriving, you need to care for it, give it the correct growing conditions & only then will it thrive. Sorry I just had to get this off my chest.

  • Solar_Storm
    19 years ago

    I concur with Birdnestsoup, but how about "benign neglect"? As a novice collector, I will admit to "drowning" a few plants by over-watering.

  • new2plants
    Original Author
    19 years ago

    Hi, The longest leaves are about 5 inches. They seem to grow out instead of up. Looking at it from the top it looks like a star. They are a light green and dark green stripe. Reminds me of the outside of a watermellon. Maybe the holes aren't so much "corky" as "scabby"? Brown (tan) scabs and a hole. How many babies can live in one pot? Someone told me they like to be crowded...true? I always hear the "thrives on neglect", I have a jade and that is always the advice I get. I think when people say that they don't mean it literally, I know I don't take it literally. It just tells me that the plant isn't going to be a "diva". I just can't stand those damn "diva" plants!! :)

  • Cena
    19 years ago

    New, take a look at the plant that loads when you first log onto this forum... is that your Plant?

    Diva plants die at my house, and only come home by accident or because some one insisted I could grow it. I know my style.

    BNS, the acquaintance who used to grow in small pots with lots of water, insisted that these plants did much, much better with proper light, water, and attention. Pictures of his home looked like an art gallery with these plants being the 'art' and center of attention.

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