Plant Identification

What Is A Chocolate Soldier Plant

April 1, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 14 Comments

Ask the Expert: have you ever heard of a chocolate soldier it has bright blooms and is similar to African violet but larger Janice Goode

Reply:

The problem with common names is they are often used for many different plants. However by your description, I think the plant belongs to the genus Episcia and are in the same family (Gesneriacea) as African Violets. You might look for it under the common name Flame Violet or the botanical name Episcia cupreata.

Chocolate Soldier Plant From Logees Greeenhouse

I found a picture of Chocolate Soldier at Logee’s Greenhouse in Danielson Connecticut which is a go-to source for these plants. In fact, I spoke with Margaret at Logee’s to find out more about these wonderful plants. Although, Chocolate Solider is a little difficult to propagate, they are fairly easy to take care of and make wonderful indoor plants. Margaret said, all of the Episcia plant are wonderful and a delight to have in your home. They carry another Episica called Fire ‘n Ice that has a lighter leaf than the Chocolate Soldier. Episcia are in the same family (Gesneriacea) as African Violets If you need care instruction for the Chocolate Solider, Logee’s has a great Episcia care page.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Chocolate Soldier Plant, Episcia, Plant Identification

Mystery Seed Pod Needs Identification

March 30, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 6 Comments

Mystery Seed Pod

Ask the Expert: Recognize these seed pods? found at the edge of the marsh,,,empty of seeds Jane

Reply:

What a very interesting seed pod. I didn’t recognize this plant right off the start but with a little research it looks very similar to a wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata). Wild Cucumber is ususally found in thicket and along streams and river banks throughout most of North America except for the southeastern United States and California-Nevada.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Echinocystis lobata, Native Plants, Plant Identification, Seed Identification, Wild Cucumber

Your Plant Clipping Is A Schefflera

March 24, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 4 Comments

Schefflera

Ask the Expert: I would like to know what kind of plant this is. this clipping was given to me and I’m not sure how to care for it or ever what kind of plant it is. Jimmy

Reply:

What you have is a Schefflera actinophylla (sny Brassaia actinophylla). This plant has many common names: octopus tree, Australian ivy plam, Queensland umbrella, umbrella plant.

It makes a good houseplant. This plant can become quite large and may out-grow the typical home environment. However, this Schefflera won’t reach extreme heights fro some time. In the mean time, it will make a nice addition to your home. It will need a room with lots of light and the soil will need to be kept moist to the touch. You might want to read our Caring For Schefflera page (the plant care will be towards the bottom of the page).

Good luck with your new plant and keep me posted.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification, Schefflera, Schefflera actinophylla

What Are Early Spring Bloomers For Indiana

March 16, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: Pre-flower identification and transplant
Indiana, moved in last Aug. Beginning of flowers coming up, no flowers yet. Need to identify plant whose leaves look like a Daffodil but twice as big. Also have crocus, daffodils, tulips growing in areas to be leveled. Is it okay to transplant them now? Andrea

Reply:

Without seeing the bloom it is hard to say. It could be one of these early blooming spring flowers:

Glory Of the Snow (Chinondoxia sardensis)

Dwarf Iris (Iris danfordiea or Iris reticulata)

Snowdrops (Galanthus sp) ***this is what I think it is***

Star Flower (Ipheion uniflorium)

Striped Squill (Puschkinia scilloides)

It will be hard to tell until we see the bloom.

I normally transplant my existing bulbs after they have bloomed when the foliage starts to die back. However if you need to moved them now, try to move the whole clump without disturbing the individual bulbs. You can also move the individual bulbs; just be sure to plant them at the exact depth as they were. You will need to fertilize them when you move them. Good luck and keep me posted. When they bloom upload a photo and we’ll make a definitive identification.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Identification, Plant Transplanting, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers

What Is This Succluent?

March 12, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Crassula

Ask the Expert: How do I identify a plant?
I bought a plant today but I have no idea what that plant is called or how I should take care of it. I’m attaching a picture with hopes of someone knowing what I brought home. Aga

Reply:

What you have is a succulent from the genus Crassula. I’m not sure which species. It could be a Crassula clavata, Crassula cultrata, Crassula herrei or some other kind of Crassula. In the scheme of things it really doesn’t matter. You will basically take care of them the same way. Give it plenty of light. Keep the soil moist in the summer (or during times of high heat) and a little less water during the winter. Needs good drainage. Will not like soggy soil.

If you want to pinpoint which one it is take a look at this website http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Crassulaceae/Crassula.html it has picture of different types of Crassula.

Hopefully this information will be what you need.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Crassula, Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification, Succulent

My Name Is Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

March 10, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: What kind of plant is this?

Kalanchoe

I received this plant about 3 years ago, it originally was small and had pink blooms on it. Since then I has never bloomed again and it seems to be growing straight up. It is really easy to regrow. All you have to do is pull off a leaf and stick it in the dirt and boom a new plant will grow. The leaves are dark green and waxy/shiny. LuAnn

Reply:

LuAnn,

You have a type of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. Yes, they are very easy to grow. It looks as if this one is getting ready to bloom again. The more you pinch it the fuller the plant will become and it will also keep it from becoming leggy. In order for kalanchoe to bloom they need lengthy exposure to darkness similar to that of a poinsettia. In the greenhouse, we move them to a place that has really low light and that seems to work for us. After they bloom we trim the plant back and this seems to help as well. The Flower Shop Network Kalanchoe page has some care tips that might help. Kalanchoe Care Tips. You’ll need to scroll down the page to see them.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification

Could This Mystery Succulent Be A Pencil Plant?

March 6, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Pencil Plant

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this plant?
I am trying to identify this plant, but I am struggling. Can anyone help? Jessica

Reply:

I think it is a member of the genus Euphorbia. If I’m not mistaken it is a Euphorbia tirucalli also known as a Pencil Plant. This plant is a bushy, tree-like succulent.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Identification, Succulent

I’m Dracaena Fragrans Massangeana But You Can Call Me Corn Plant

March 3, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: DO I HAVE MYSELF A CORN PLANT?

Cornplant

I BOUGHT THIS TROPICAL TREE AT HOME DEPOT, SINCE BUYING IT THE LEAVES ARE DRYING UP AND TURING BROWN, THE INSTRUCTIONS SAID NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND TO KEEP THE SOIL MOIST. WHY ARE THE LEAVES DYING ANY TIPS OR ADVICE WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. Stephanie

Reply:

Stephanie,

It does appear to be a Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana). This houseplant can tolerate low light levels and drier moisture during the winter. If the sunlight from the sliding glass down is hitting the leaves directly, it could cause a burning issue with the leaves. However if that isn’t the case, we need determine the moisture content of the plant. The tricky thing is we need to know what the the moisture was couple weeks ago and what it is now. If the roots were too soggy or too dry a couple weeks ago, the leaves would brown at the tips. If the plant is moist but not soggy right now, you may have corrected the problem. If the plant is soggy or extremely dry, the moisture level needs to be corrected. It usually take a little while for damage to show and even longer for the plant to recover. Correct your moisture, be patient and the damage should stop. Watch for new leaves. The new leaves should be fine. Good Luck and keep me posted.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Corn Plant, Dracaena fragrans massangeana, Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification

Identify This Plant With White Flowers From The Netherlands

March 2, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: what is the plant’s name????

My plant has small leaves(kind of) and has blades around them. its flowers are white and have five petals but they turn green (I HAVE NO IDEA WHY). when they do, the seeds start to grow inside green pods, also it has yellow pollens. its leaves have small tiny blades around them too. it\’s leaves are nearly brown now and i want to nurture it back to health, so i want to know what kind of plant is this and its name!!
please help me!!
oh yes!! another thing, this flower came from Netherlands so, i wonder if its a dutch plant….
Grace

Here is the picture attachment of the plant.
white-flower

Reply:
Grace,

It is a little hard to tell from the pictures. It could be an Anemone piperi. See if it looks like the Anemone piperi flower. Let me know what you think The difference between your plant and the anemone are — it will help me identify it.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification

Where Can I Find Joseph’s Coat Houseplant?

January 29, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 5 Comments

Ask the Expert: Joseph Coat of Many Colors ( Its a House Plant)
Looking for this plant Stella

Reply:
Stella,

The common name Joseph’s Coat has been used for many plants including both indoor and outdoor ones. I can think of two plant in particular that are commonly called Joseph’s Coat plants and can be used as [Read more…]

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Alternanthera, Ask The Plant Expert, Croton, Joseph's Coat, Plant Identification

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