Light:

Keep in a full-to-partially sunlit window. The more sun the better.

Temperature:

Grow above 60° degrees F

Humidity:

Preferably 50% or higher; however, they will tolerate low levels with no harm.

Watering:

Keep evenly moist. Excessive dryness will kill or damage the plant.  Bring the surface of the soil to a slight dryness.  The greatest cause of losing the plant is that the roots dry out.  Be especially attentive to watering especially under high heat.  We recently found a self-watering globe that will keep this plant evenly moist (found in our Annual 2008 catalogue).

Fertilizer:

Sensitive to high fertilizer levels.  If you find the leaves are turning brown on the edges you may find that the fertilizer levels are too high or that there are impurities such as chlorine in the water.  In feeding, it needs a balanced fertilizer applied no more than once every 3-4 waterings.  The dilution level needs to be low (1/8 of a tsp of fertilizer to a gallon of water). Be sure to flush the soil with clear water periodically to remove any salt build up.  It is sensitive to high salt levels.

Re-Potting:

In the re-potting process only go up 2” in pot size at a time.  Place the old root ball at the soil level in the new pot; do not drop the root ball into the pot and put soil on top.  Instead, put some soil in the bottom of the pot and then place the root ball in the pot.  If you pot this plant too deep it can dry out and yet appear to be moist on the surface.  Once it gets established in its new pot, then water by watching the color of the surface of the soil.

Insects and Disease:

Resistant to root disease.  It has a strong root system, so higher moisture levels will not harm the plant.

Comments:

Most Common Problems :

Crispy leaves or brittle, dry leaves- This means leaf desiccation has occurred because the plant could not take up soil moisture.  Generally this happens because the soil was allowed to get to dry.

Solution-  DO NOT ALLOW THE SOIL TO DRY OUT. Watch the soil carefully for signs of dryness and then water thoroughly and do not re-pot too deeply.

Burned Edges/Leaves turning red- High light levels can cause redness or low fertility or both.  There is no harm. Often they will shed these leaves.  Leaves that turn brown on the edges may be sensitive to high salt level.

Solution- Let the red leaves grow out.  The brown edges will remain but should not keep occurring to other leaves if you flush the plant with water and do not over feed.

Plant Doesn’t Flower-  The plant may not be old enough.  It usually starts flowering at 1-½ feet tall and flowers appear on the lateral branches.  Flowers form at the lateral axis.

Plant Doesn’t Set Fruit- The plant may not be old enough to hold fruit, even if it has been in flower.  It needs to be up to 2 feet in height.  The time of year makes a difference; with long days and warm temperatures, the plant will set fruit.  The foliage and flower needs to be disturbed by wind or hand or shaken.

Leaves are Pale and Chlorotic- lack of fertilizer or the soil is too alkali  (the ph is too high). 

Solution: Make sure the soil mix is ½ peat moss and ½ perlite.