ASK THE INDOOR GARDENER : Polka-Dot Plant Takes Special Care
QUESTION: So far I’ve purchased four polka-dot plants, none of which has lived more than three weeks. I was told to water lightly twice a week and spray mist three times a week. Obviously, these directions didn’t work, but I like the plant and would love to raise one successfully. Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Yes: Buy a new one and try once more. This time, follow these directions, perhaps a little more complete: Keep your polka-dot plant, also known as “freckle face” (Hypoestes sanguinolenta) --a beautiful little plant with small, oval-shaped downy leaves spotted with rosy red markings--in bright, filtered light, water thoroughly when the soil barely dries out (which could be more or less than twice a week), spray every day and keep the plant on a pebble tray as it really needs lots of humidity, and feed once a week with a good liquid houseplant food such as Miracle-Gro.
Pinch it back as the stems get straggly--this will encourage new, thick growth at the crown. If you’re lucky, your polka-dot plant will produce tiny lilac-colored flowers. Incidentally, I’ve had good success growing this plant in terrariums. It also makes a great accent in a dish garden.
Bonsai Tree Needs to Be Taken Outdoors
Q: I recently received a beautiful bonsai tree as a gift, and put it in a place of honor in my living room. It’s some kind of evergreen (I think it’s a juniper), but it’s rapidly drying up and turning brown. I’m sure it was very expensive and I’d hate to see it die. What should I do?
A: If you have an outside area, the first thing you should do is take it outside. Junipers (or other evergreens) are probably the most common commercially available bonsais, but they won’t live indoors!
It’s sad but true: Most people who buy bonsais don’t know that only dwarfed indoor plants can survive indoors, and thus lots and lots of these gorgeous living sculptures die and lots of money goes down the drain. If you haven’t got an outside area where the plant can thrive in its natural conditions, I’m afraid you’d best give (or sell) it to a friend who has.
