Question
Hi Will,

A couple of days ago I went to a local green house and bought some plants. I've been able to identify most of them, but I can't seem to find any information on four of them. So, I was hoping you could tell me what species they are so I can give them the right lighting and water conditions. I'll send some photos to your e-mail address so you can see them.

Three of them are brightly colored with either white or pink. So I'm assuming that those ones need a good amount of light. But that's about all I can tell by just a general observation. And what is the usual height that these plants reach?

The pink-stemed plant has me confused the most, I've never seen a plant like it. What does this plant end up looking like? A small tree?

Oh, just one more quick question. A few months ago I pruned back a couple of China Dolls that were becoming VERY leggy. So I pruned them to the bottom of their stems. Since then they both came back to life and are growing again. The only thing I'm worried about is that the new growth is a little odd looking than the usual growth, and the edges of the leaves are a little yellow. Is that normal for plants that have been completely cut back? Should I be pinching back the new stems to encourage normal full growth? And does a plant that has been cut back need water as often as a normal plant?

Anyway, thanks in advance for your advice. You've helped me a few times before and your answers have always been great. You don't happen to have a book out do you?

Thanks again,
Ben

Answer
Hi Ben,

You have a lot of questions here. I will do my best to answer them.

The first plant is a Dracaena 'Janet Craig compacta. The second is a Gold-dust Dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana). The third plant is an Impatiens hybrid, probably I. 'hawkeri.' The last plant is a Nerve plant or Fittonia.

Of those four plants, only the Impatiens needs some direct sunlight. The others do best in very bright, but indirect, sunlight.

All of the plants, except for the Fittonia will grow quite tall and become leggy if not pruned back. The Fittonia is a ground cover and is usually grown in terrariums where humidity is high.

The Impatiens is a herbaceous shrub that grows to a height of 1 -2 feet outside. As a potted plant, it is best to keep it pruned back to a height no taller than what it is in the photos.

With your China Doll, I don't know what your mean by "odd growth," so I cannot answer that directly. If the light, water and pot size are all appropriate then the new growth should be normal and healthy. There is no need to pinch back after a major pruning. The yellowing of leaf edges can be attributed to hard water or under watering.

A plant's use of water depends on many factors - amount of light, humidity, temperature, plant species, how tightly potted it is, day length, and leaf surface area. These interact in a complicated and ever-changing manner. Thus, you should water your plants on an as-needed basis. That is, a plant should be watered when the soil reaches the appropriate level of dryness.

I have a book that is about half-written. I am researching publishers now. I is a long and arduous process!

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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