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Mystery houseplant: small green leaves, leggy stems.
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Pekoe
Just Arrived
Joined: 23 Jun 2007
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:52 pm Post subject: Mystery houseplant: small green leaves, leggy stems. |
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Here's the background story. Around a year or two ago, my Mom bought a plant to decorate the living room with.
It thrived for a while, and when I left for university, it began to suffer.
I've visited home for the summer, revived it from critical condition and am planning to bring it back to the city with me when I go back. (To prevent it from being placed in Houseplant ICU again.)
I just need to know the identity of the plant so it'll get the proper light conditions and care.
I have a picture or two that might help:
I know the lighting is fairly bad; it's pretty dreary here today. If anyone can identify this plant for me, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Maybe it'll be really healthy again soon! I just re-potted it to a slightly larger, more well-drained pot today.
Last edited by Pekoe on Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:34 pm; edited 1 time in total
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zuzu's petals
Silly Old Bat
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Location: Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~ (Map)
Posts: 2569
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| Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Pekoe,
I can't be totally certain from the photos,
but I do think that your (mom's) plant looks like Radermachera sinica ("China Doll" plant),
and the low light you speak of may be at least part of the problem.
this site offers clear yet simple growing instructions:
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Zone 9-10 - or Indoors
China Doll is a small green foliage shrub native to the Philippines. There are no significant flowers. Most people have one because they're fairly easy to grow indoors. Top size may be up to 5 feet indoors, but rarely seen that large
China Doll requires a moist soil with good drainage. Provide bright light, but avoid any strong sun indoors. Outdoors, plant in the shade
The main problems people have are sudden decline and the tendency for China Doll to become leggy (most often due to too little light indoors). Plan on pruning/pinching soon after establishment indoors to keep your China Doll compact. Water can be an issue as well. Learn your plant and water moderately, but don't let your China Doll dry out
Apparently China Doll tastes good. Expect pests like spider mites and aphids to make an appearance. That's easy to handle if you catch the bugs early
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Good luck with your rescue mission, they do make lovely specimens. 
_________________
 ~*~ zuzu ~*~
I put a lot of myself into my garden.
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Pekoe
Just Arrived
Joined: 23 Jun 2007
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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Mom told me to keep it anyway; she's a serial killer of houseplants, and it's perked up a lot since I came home.
Either way, thanks!
Now I can make sure that it stays alive and well.
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Chitweed
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 21 May 2007
Location: Delaware, USA
Posts: 291
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| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:48 am Post subject: |
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I second that opinion. China Doll. They are a great little plant.
_________________
But make no mistake: the weeds will win; nature bats last.
- Robert M. Pyle
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Netty
Chaotic Gardener
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Southern Ontario zone 5
Posts: 4654
PlantStew: 4825 |
| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:50 am Post subject: |
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I'll third China Doll. I have 2 and they do get leggy.
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pharmerphil
Just Arrived
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:47 am Post subject: |
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I have one that I put out every summer, It has taken on a "bonsai" look, it's about 8 years old, I'll get a pic today.
In it's native land it is an under-story plant, but low light does make it leggy, so I guess it's not that good a looking plant in it's natural setting?
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