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| DIEFFENBACHIA PRODUCES INTERESTING FLOWERS | |
| Published: September 13, 1997 | |
Mature houseplants sometimes surprise owners by bloomingQ:I was surprised when my two-year-old dieffenbachia houseplant produced buds and then flowers. They are three 6-inch lily-like blooms with light green petals. The plant is in a window where it normally gets morning sun, but I kept the drapes pulled all summer because of the heat. Is it unusual for a dieffenbachia to bloom?A:There are several foliage houseplants that occasionally surprise us by blooming. This usually occurs in mature plants. Dieffenbachia, also known as Dumb Cane, is a tropical perennial so named because a small amount of juice on the tongue will render a person practically speechless for several days.The plant, which has canna-shaped leaves spotted with white, does not grow well in direct sunlight but prefers shade and air conditioning. I think that when you pulled those drapes and provided cool shade, your plant rewarded you by blooming! Assisting last years poinsettias to rebloomQ:I saved a poinsettia from last Christmas. It is full and bushy, in good health. Please repeat the information about getting the plant to bloom for Christmas.A:Its getting to be the time of year when we talk about putting poinsettias in a closet or other dark place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. for six weeks during fall in order to promote rebloom. This is usually started the first week in October.During the day the plant should be exposed to sunlight either from a window or outdoors with protection from freezing temperatures. It should be watered sparingly when the soil is dry to the touch. Do not fertilize during this period. I will repeat my usual disclaimer that I have never been able to remember to move the plant in and out of the closet every day for six weeks, so I have never experienced success with this method. Good luck! Rose mallow being devoured by insectsQ:I have several rose mallows (hibiscus) which are almost dead. Something is eating the leaves. I have this problem every summer even though I spray with Liquid Sevin.A:Rose mallow, also known as native or hardy hibiscus (H. moscheutos), has leaves that are delicious to various pests. Dusting with Sevin powder once a week is the commonly accepted remedy for keeping the pests under control. Im not sure whether the powder will work better than the liquid form, but its worth a try. If that doesnt help, ask your plant nursery for a product containing malathion. If ants are a problem, chlordane is recommended as a control.Q:I am trying to get rid of a lawn weed that has very tiny leaves and lavender/white flowers. Please advise.A:I cant locate a reference to this one. The Cooperative Extension Service says to take a sample to them for identification and they will recommend a control. They are at 1010 Lafayette St. across from the courthouse.While there, pick up information on the Master Gardening Program which is to be offered in Lafayette Parish for the first time. Master Gardeners receive a semi-formal education in serious horticulture in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer service to the community. A fee will be charged in exchange for training by LSU horticulture specialists and local experts. Call Denyse Cummins at 291-7090 for information. |