care of zanioculeas zamifolis (zz plant)

Discussion in 'Araceae' started by indoor gardner, Jul 6, 2008.

  1. indoor gardner

    indoor gardner Member

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    I recieved a beautiful ZZ plandt for Mothers Day. It seemed to be doing well, even producing a flower. Now I find the branches are spreading apart as opposed to a tight plant. Is there anything wrong with my plant? I haven't seen any other zz plant loking like this.
     
  2. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    can you post a pic of it?
     
  3. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    a pic would really help us diagnose.

    And a spellcheck for internet searches - Zamioculcus zamiifolia might turn up more hits.
     
  4. indoor gardner

    indoor gardner Member

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    Sorry, You keep asking me for pics, but I still don't have a proper camera.
     
  5. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    you can use a regular camera (even the one-use things) and, when you get the film developed, have them put the pics on a cd...then all you need to do is upload the pics - right from the cd.
     
  6. lily

    lily Active Member 10 Years

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    Hi Indoor Gardener,
    I've been wondering the same thing myself about my ZZ. I've noticed that the ZZ's in the stores seem to grow tight and have a lot more stalks than mine. You don't have a camera so I'll post mine. Does yours look something like this? I've had mine for 4 or 5 years. It's never flowered. The stalks seem to bend outward. Maybe it's suppose to look like this I dunno.
     

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  7. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Lily, yours looks normal.

    Part of the problem may be the wealth of misinformation on the net about the plants. They're not succulents, and you shouldn't treat them that way! Plant them in fast-draining, sandy soil, then water them frequently, like you would a peace lily. Don't water starve or they may drop all their leaflets....
     
  8. lily

    lily Active Member 10 Years

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    Thanks Lorax, haha~ I like 'normal'
    Yep, I've got it in fast draining sandy soil. Yippeee~ I've done something right.
     
  9. GreenLarry

    GreenLarry Active Member 10 Years

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    I have tried twice to propagate this plant from a leaf and failed. I get the bulb coming then it just stops. They're reckoned to be real tough plants tho and are a kind of Arum with a caudex. Very expensive to buy over here!
     
  10. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Larry - did you give it a drying out period after the bulb started coming? The plant in its native environment is accustomed to a severe dry season followed by heavy rains, which is almost required to get the bulb to form properly from a leaflet.

    They are very tough plants, though, and will take loads of abuse once they're established. I have friends who neglect them in ways that would make normal houseplants curl up and die, and the ZZ just keeps chugging along.
     
  11. lily

    lily Active Member 10 Years

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    I started my plant from a single leaf that I picked off my office plant. I kept it in a damp piece of paper towel in my purse until I got home from work. Anyway, I just stuck it in styrofoam cup (just regular potting soil from the store) I rarely watered it. Finally, it took about a year to produce some new shoots. I'll tell ya, I was really excited. I never thought it would ever grow. lol. I also started two more plants for both my grown sons.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2008
  12. indoor gardner

    indoor gardner Member

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    Hi ya all,

    Lillys plant looks fine. My plant came full growth from an excellent nursery. It came, as you said, very tight, so i was puzzled when the branches grew apart. It may be my imigination, but when I watered it, as my guide indicated it was dry, it seemed to tighten.
     
  13. GreenLarry

    GreenLarry Active Member 10 Years

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    Well i had it in a pot for about a year,and the leaf withered leaving the bulb. I watered it little and then it produced a thin shoot. I got a bit excited but the shoot never turned green but just withered. Maybe i should try again,third time lucky?
     
  14. lily

    lily Active Member 10 Years

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    Hi Larry,
    Why not try it again? When I did mine the second time, I mixed regular soil with a bit of sand, I let it dry out between waterings and just waited, and waited, and waited...
     
  15. GreenLarry

    GreenLarry Active Member 10 Years

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    Right,all i have to do is find a leaf to pinch...
     

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