tropical plants 8 created summer 2008 euphorbia- nephrolepis
TRANSCRIPT
Tropical Plants 8
Created Summer 2008
Euphorbia-Nephrolepis
BOTANICAL NAME
EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA
PRONUNCIATION
you - FOR - bee - ah pull - CARE - im - ah
COMMON NAME
Poinsettia
Connecting the Scientific Name to the Common Name
Euphorbia reminds me of Euphoria-which is happiness. I am very happy at Christmas-Poinsettias are Christmas plants
DESCRIPTION
Flower is yellow (inconspicuous)
Bracts show colorLeaves are dark green
Flower
DESCRIPTION
3” to 4” petioleRed, pink, white, and variegated cultivars
Flower
Bracts
Modified Leaves
Water
Water regularly and deeply about once per week
Fertilizer
Fertilize when actively growing
Light
High
Size and Growth RateHeight from 1-3 feet
Propagation
Take cuttings from stems or shoots before they harden
Additional InformationTraditional herald of
ChristmasNative of MexicoDiscovered by JR PoinsettNeeds 14-18 hours of total
darkness for bracts to change color
BOTANICAL NAME
FICUS BENJAMINA
PRONUNCIATION
FIE - kus
COMMON NAME
Weeping Benjamin Fig
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)
Benjamin and Benjamina
DESCRIPTIONTough, leathery, shiny, green leaves cover drooping branches
Stem are covered in pale brown bark
Water
Do not allow root ball to dry out
Provide plenty of water during growing season
Fertilizer
Feed monthlyNewly purchased plants should not be fertilized during the first 6 months
Light
High
Size and Growth Rate8’ tall in just 3 -4 years
Propagation
Take stem cuttings before they have hardened
Air-layer
Additional Information
Often loses most of its leaves if moved to a new location
Very Sensitive
BOTANICAL NAME
FICUS ELASTICA ‘DECORA’
PRONUNCIATION
FI - cus e - LAS - ti - ca DE - co - ra
COMMON NAME
Decora Rubber Plant
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)
Decora and DecoraRemember Ficus-Genus, elastica- Species, Decora-Variety
DESCRIPTIONLarge, thick, glossy, leathery, rich, dark green leaves
Maroon and variegated leaf cultivars available
Water
Water thoroughly once or twice a week in summer
Less in winter
Fertilizer
Fertilize all yearMore heavily in summer
Light
Low
Size and Growth RateFast GrowerOver 6’ in 3 -4 years
Propagation
Take stem cuttings before they harden
Air-layer
Additional Information
One of the easiest indoor plants
“Bleeds” a milky substance from leaf
BOTANICAL NAMEMARANTA LEUCONEURA var. ‘Kerchoviana’
PRONUNCIATION
muh - RAN - tuh loo - koe - NER - uh
COMMON NAME
Prayer Plant
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)
I do not know a good way to remember this one. Help me please!
DESCRIPTIONA low growing plant with
oval leaves that lays flat during the day and folds up in the evening
The surface is vivid to pale green with a row of chocolate or red veins
DESCRIPTIONSatiny foliage Small white flowers are rarely seen
Water
Needs lots of water and frequent misting in the summer
Fertilizer
Feed with weak fertilizer every other week
Light
Medium
Size and Growth Rate12-15” tall
Propagation
Start new plants by dividing old plants
Stem Cuttings
Additional Information
Direct sunlight will fade leaves
BOTANICAL NAME
NEPHROLEPIS EXALTATA cv.
PRONUNCIATION
neff - row - LEP - iss ex - all - TAH - tah
COMMON NAME
Boston Fern
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)
This plant reminds me of the head dress of an Egyptian Queen- Nephrolepis
DESCRIPTIONDense, green fronds up to 3 ’ long with graceful, upright, arching habit
Leaflets closely set and 3 -4” long
Water
Water regularlyDo not allow soil to dry out
Fertilizer
Fertilize lightly all year
More heavily in summer
Light
High
Size and Growth RateFronds rapidly grow to 2’
Propagation
Start new plants by dividing old plants
Root the tips of runnersMicropropagation