Spider Plant
House Plants For Beginners
Spider plants are wonderful house plants for beginners, caring for "spiders"
is easy and most of the time only downright neglect will kill the "airplane
plant" or Chlorophytum comosum.
Overall, the Chlorophytum is a quick grower putting out
"babies" on long stalks, variegated strap like leaves coming
from its center of the plant. Most of the time the spider plant seems
to find its home indoors in a hanging basket where it makes an attractive
display.
As the "airplane plant" throws out long stalks
or stems it will produce small flowers followed by the decorative hanging
"babies". The plantlets make propagation a simple task. The
young plants when rooted can be replanted and transplanted outdoors and
used summer bedding, but when planted this way they will need propection
from direct sun.
The Chlorophytum plant originates from South Africa and
grows easily in hydroculture (growing in rocks). Keep it well fed and
pot-bound. When its stems fill the pot, and when the white, wormlike rhizomes
bulge over the surface, it can divided easily.
A spider plants long leaves grow from the center of the
plant and are usually green at the edges with a white stripe down the
middle. Some varieties have white edges and a green central stripe. When
buying "sipders" look for clean, untorn leaves with no brown
tips.
Growing Basics - Light
Grows
in most locations though its variegation is most pronounced when the plant
is near a window. Keep away from midday sun.
Temperature
Very tolerant of a variety of temperature ranges.
Soil
A good soil like an African violet mix or hydroculture
Repotting
Plant likes to be pot bound. It's all right to remove some
of the fat white tubers or rhizomes if they fill surface of the pot.
Separating Spider Babies and Plantlets
- First, prepare small pots with good drainage layer and soil
- Place new pot next to parent plant and bend stem until plantlet rests
on
soil. Peg stem to soil and firm latter around plantlet.
- When plantlet grows new leaves, cut parent stem close to plantlet
with
sharp knife.
Diagnosing Spider Plants When Things Go Wrong
- If leaves are dull and grayish with webs underneath the problem is
most likely Red spider mite.Several solutions exist but I like natural
house plant pest control.
- Plant looks floppy and dull it probably - Needs feeding use a balanced
liquid food.
- Plantlets pull parent to one side - It's time to repot the parent
and remove extra babies
- Plant rotting in Center - Overwatering the biggest killer of house
plants. Allow the spider plant to dry out before watering again. Beware
the plant may die.
- Leave transparent and soft - Cold Damage from exposure to low temperatures.
Bring the spider plant into a warm area and monitor. It may survive!
- Tips of leaves turn brown - Too dry or too much direct sunlight.
Water more frequently and move out of sun but keep in good light.
- Leaves grow weak and lanky, become dry and lose color. Too hot and
dry. Water more frequently and keep in a cooler plant.
The Spider plant is really a great house plant to learn
about plant care, however, it does require some attention and is an excellent
plant teacher! They are inexpensive to purchase an wonderful plants to
learn from.
|