| Description: |
Fairly slow growing, and willing to be trained or sheared into formal shapes. The long slender leaves are dark green. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime.
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Keep the soil on the wet side and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed every two weeks during the spring and summer with a water soluble fertilizer. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to mealy bugs, scale and root rot. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Stem cuttings and seeds
in the fall.
It is best to propagate any type of cuttings or seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
This is a good plant for a cool entrance. Prune liberally to keep the plant small if required. Do not let the plant sit in water. Plant is poisonous if ingested. Do not keep it around children. Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and clean the leaves with a damp cloth. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water. Repot in the early spring.
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| Bonsai: |
This species can be bonsaied. |