Identification: Is this a wandering jew plant?

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by Squeeesh, Jul 1, 2013.

  1. Squeeesh

    Squeeesh New Member

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    Hi,
    I'm trying to root a piece of a (what I think might be anyways) wandering jew plant. Though, I'm not sure because I haven't seen any other wandering jew plants with this kind of leaf. Any thoughts?
     

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  2. mrsubjunctive

    mrsubjunctive Active Member

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    Yes and no. The usual wandering jew is Tradescantia zebrina, and this isn't that, but I think your instincts are right. My guess would be Callisia gentlei, which is closely related to T. zebrina. So remarkably similar, but technically not the same.

    It should root the same way; my C. gentlei started as cuttings in water and rooted pretty quickly. If I remember correctly, it rooted at the nodes (spots where the leaf attaches to the stem), so you might want to raise the water level so that it's above that lowest node.
     
  3. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    Might be Callisia elegans, Striped Inch Plant.
     
  4. mrsubjunctive

    mrsubjunctive Active Member

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    Callisia elegans is C. gentlei.
     
  5. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    You're right. It appears to be yet another name change. So, to be precise, it should be Callisia gentlei var. elegans.
     
  6. Squeeesh

    Squeeesh New Member

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    thanks for the insight, I've upped the water level above the first node and now I am seeing some roots below the lowest node and new leaf buds on top! :)
     

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