Identification: Help with mystery plant

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by Microfiche, Jan 4, 2009.

  1. Microfiche

    Microfiche Member

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    Trying to figure out what this plant is and how to keep it healthy.
    The leaves seem to curl up at the end all the time - whether dry or wet.
    Inherited this a few years back. The small one I rooted from a cutting at the bottom of the big plant probably 2 years ago? Grows VERY slowly.
     

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  2. Bluewing

    Bluewing Well-Known Member

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    Very nice plant! It looks like CODIAEUM VARIEGATUM, some type of Croton species.
     
  3. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    i agree with the croton id.

    should be in a well draining mix (regular potting soil and cactus soil maybe or perlite) and keep the soil evenly/consistently moist...not soggy, just moist. and, no, they don't grow too fast at all :)
     
  4. Microfiche

    Microfiche Member

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    I had thought about that, but do some types of crotons have leaves this thin? The thickest leaves are only about 5/16" (8 mm) wide. All the pictures I have seen show much wider leaves. Also, the leaves are mostly in "tufts" at the ends of the branches - sort of like a palm? I neglected to mention that the ends of the leaves are not square as they look on the smaller plant - those have had the brown curly ends cut off.
     
  5. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Last edited: Jan 5, 2009
  6. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Agree with Chris; I have that exact variety, as well as some of the broader-leafed ones.
     
  7. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    I have one just like yours, Microfiche---but mine is not nearly so huge and magnificent as your lovely specimen! Wow---the parent plant is a TREE. Beautiful!

    Agree with the above posts: croton leaves come in a vast variety of colors, sizes, and shapes; they like to be warm and evenly moist; enjoy bright light. Keep the humidity level high. If you are watering regularly but still have a leaf curling/browning problem, I'd suspect that your croton might enjoy some misting action.
     
  8. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    i have a croton with thin leaves like yours - the coloration is much different and it has little 'baby' leaves growing off the ends of the main ones.

    croton's are SO variable - both colorations and leaf shapes. there's one for just about every different preference.
     

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