This morning at 82 deg F (27 deg C) with breeze, a beautiful time in the garden. I took James Missier's advice "plant short cutting with 2 nodes in the soil and the crown at surface". Firstly, what is 2 nodes? That prompted me to know more on anatomy of a plant. Wikipedia has a better illustration of a plant stem. At top of a stem is divided into a few 'nodes', usually a pair. Each 'node' holds an inflorescence (or cluster) of buds sometimes a pair of leaves instead. I think Mother nature has a wonderful way of dividing weight of each bract of buds/flowers in stable manner (fork-like) and branching on each stem encourages more inflorescence. In the end, you'll see the main stem branched out to a few new stems then compounding pairs of nodes carrying clusters of tiny Egyptian stars.
1st pic showing 2 plants, one had succumbed to aphids, the other hanging tough. I tried pesticides and heavy pruning when I spotted the weak plants mid-Sept. Leaves turned yellow with red tip and reddish veins. 2nd pic for illustration only, that stem was spared has it has new buds on it. Next pic showing 4 trimmed Egyptian stars (Pentas Lanceolata) in a pot, now placed at the nursing bay in shade to root with daily light watering for the whole week.
This is my 2nd attempt in propagating Pentas *fingers crossed*.
Happy Deepavali !!
Update Oct-20: 3 days since potting. Leaves looks good :)
3 comments:
Good luck to you. I always use a homemade pesticide - liquid soap + tobacco soaked in water(just take the water) .. It works for me.
Interesting to know a plant by the name "pentas".... and good luck to your attempt. Yea, we never know unless we try!!... ~bangchik
Thanks!
I plan to try dish detergent + vege oil in water to see if it works but a heavy downpour for 2 days, leaving clean clear garden. :)
Post a Comment