My old roommate left this behind. She told me it was a "chinese money plant" but I am sure it isnt. (according to google.com) As you can see in the pics, there are 2 tree like plants and then some vine like plants on the other side of the pot. The 2 "trees" seem to be pretty sturdy, and the "vines" feel really weak. The soil stays pretty moist without watering too much, and the some of the leaves are a little curly and dry feeling. advice please.. thanks
the vine one looks like a golden Pothos.(Devils Ivy) and the other one looks like a chinese evergreen .. they both like good light and good watering but not wet all the time.. let dry out some before watering again.. Marn
We may need a little help, and a bit more information, to determine what you are growing. The photos are quite dim. I took two and put them in PhotoShop in an attempt to brighten them with no real success. My first suggestion would be to take the plant out in brighter light, but not direct sunlight, and try to rephotograph them so we get as detailed photos as possible of both the individual leaves and the plant stalks. When you do that, try to avoid as much background clutter as possible. If your camera will permit really close-up photos, even better. The second thing is general information. Do the leaves of either plant feel "velvety"? Have you ever seen either produce a "flower"? If so, can you describe it? One appears to possibly be either a Philodendron sp. or an Epipremnum sp. As Marn has suggested, Epipremnum is the scientific name for "Pothos". I just can't make out enough detail to make a determination. It could also be a variation of Philodendron hederaceum (possibly oxypetalum). The cane of the second is possibly one of many genus, possibly an aroid, possibly an Algaonema bybrid (Chinese Evergreen), but again the photos just don't show enough detail to make a determination. In general, plants of these species, assuming those are what you may be growing, don't like real wet soil. They love damp soil, just not muddy and wet. Some will tolerate very low light, but some won't. Most prefer at least moderate light. The plants don't appear to be super healthy which may be a result of too much water around the roots or inadequate light. Again, that will have to be determined from better photos. If the soil is really wet, despite infrequent watering, you likely will need to repot the plants using a "moisture control" potting mix. The pot appears to be able to drain due to the rim below, but if it stays soggy perhaps one of those rocks is blocking the drain hole. "Moisture control" soils are now available at a discount store or nursery and are inexpensive. If you choose to repot them, buy a good brand. The brand does make a difference! When you post the new photos, give us as much detail about the plants as possible. Where are you growing them? Do they receive much light or are they constantly in dim condition? Any details may help. Have the leaves ever stood erect? In cases like this, details often help someone spot something they might otherwise miss.
I was to busy looking at the plants and not the pot they were in .. i didnt realise they were in just rocks... i would get them out of that and plant them in seperate pots with dirt .. and then get them in a bright window... Marn
Good catch Marn! I was working under the assumption these were in soil covered with rocks. But I'd sure like a confirmation from the original poster as to how they are planted. Better photos would be very helpful in order to try to give a semi-accurate identification. If these are both aroids, and they do appear they may be, a soil that holds moisture but will not remain soggy is important to the good health of the plants. And, as Marn has suggested, better light is very important. If these are kept in the low light conditions they appear to be in they are unlikely to ever flourish. But indeed, Marn your eyes are better than my old pair! I blew two of these photos up significantly last night in PhotoShop and didn't catch they appear to be only in rocks. One does at least appear to be one of the variations of Philodendron hederaceum often known by plant collectors as oxypetalum. I'd just like to be able to confirm or deny my suspicions.
hey you guys.. thanks so much for all the help so far. I will send more pics tonight. The plant is planted in soil with rocks over it. I know the plant is as it came when she bought it over 2 years ago. I found a rock covering the hole in the bottom of the pot last night and i moved it over, so the soil could dry out a little. I also put the pot outside this morning to soak up some sun. the leaves on both plants feel waxy and soft. the tree like plant has lighter green speckles on the leaves, and the vine like plant is solid green. thanks so much.. i will post more pics when i get home tonight.
Just be careful about shocking the plant by moving it from low light to very bright light. A move to intermediate filtered shade will serve both you and the plant much better. Clearing the rock away from the drain hole will certainly help.
well the last pic with the puppers showing his face.. :) that one looks like a chinese evergreen ... and the other a Devils Ivy .. they are 2 different plants... im not sure about the Devils Ivy even like haveing rocks in there pots... the evergreen might .. but i do know they both like to be dry for a lil bit before watering ... Marn
definitely pothos and chinese evergreen. both CAN be kept in water. in fact, my chinese evergreens that are in water are not only doing very well, they all bloomed. i've got another variety in soil and it's not doing as well as the others. the pothos will grow in water or soil. mine is in soil. how long have these plants been in water?? if for a very long time, you will need to do a slow transfer to soil...if they're doing okay as they are, you might want to leave them be.
Really need better photos. I have great doubts this is a pothos since when I correct them in PhotoShop those appear to be "velvety". It has more of the characteristics of P. hederacerum (or at least one form). But the photos just don't show enough detail to identify. Although either will survive in water, they do not do well long term according to science.
I have just done what I would never consider doing with someone else's photos in order to attempt to solve this mystery. I ran two photos through PhotoShop. They were brightened, had the contrast adjusted, and were computer filtered for sharpness. One may be an Aglaonema sp. which has the common name "Chinese Evergreen". One may or may not be an Epipremnum sp. , (Pothos). I still cannot be certain on the vine. I'd love to see better photos of both so a determination can be made. If the leaf is "velvety" on the upper surface it is not as likely to be a Philodendron sp in this case. They are obviously different species. In my opinion, neither looks healthy. In all the scientific research I have done on the species Aglanema none would indicate growing in water. I lifted this quote from the AgriStarts website. They are the largest producer of Algaonema in the United States. The suggest using "A well aerated professional mix. Always include a total micro element supplement in the potting medium. Water thoroughly and allow soil to dry slightly." Both Philodendron sp. and Epipremnum sp. can be easily started in water. Both will survive long term if rooted in soil and then running into a river, stream or shallow body of water, however they become very leggy. Some may be able to grow these for long periods of time in water, but the plant will never flourish as it does in its epiphytic (tree climbing) form. I have asked Aglaonema expert Russ Hammer and aroid expert Julius Boos to take a look at this thread to offer their opinion on both the plants and the care. Russ has one of the largest collections of Aglaonema species and hybrids in North America and Julius has been involved in the publication of scientific literature including scientific plant descriptions.
I just received this response from aroid expert Julius Boos. Obviously, we need better photos before this one is going to be resolved, "Get better photos---till then, they appear to be two plants, the one w/ the canes is probably a sp. of Aglaonema, or more likely a Dieffenbachia because of how the leaves attach to the rhizome. The vine is one of the following genera---Monstera, Philodendron, Scindapsis, or Rhaphidophora, or could be several other genera, but my guess is a Scindapsis sp., as in one of the photos I think I can see that the halves of a leaf are not of equal sizes." As a personal note, I don't have any desire to offend anyone who offers an opinion on these or other plants. But the world of plant identification has many variables and most people are not trained to see the technical differences in species. As a result, I deal largely with botanically trained individuals who have the training to see little details and thus offer a valid opinion. "What it is" may be of little importance to many, but to a number of us, we spend our working hours attempting to identify species accurately. That is simply my goal here. "What it is" does make a major difference in how the plant should be grown including how much light, how much water, what type of soil and numerous other factors. I've already said I don't feel these plants are healthy. With better photos perhaps we can figure out exactly what is growing and therefore give good advice on how to correct the problem.
If you've read this thread you will have noted I had grave doubts on the identification of these plants, both of which are aroids. My concerns were due to the photographs. I do not try to challenge the identifications offered by any collector. But aroids are difficult to identify. Even the world's top botanists have difficulty identifying them! I prepared this morning an explanation as to why it can be both difficult and less than wise to offer and "instant" opinion on the identification of an aroid from a single photograph of a juvenile plant. If you enjoy learning about species in the aroid group, you might find this an interesting read: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?p=99836#post99836
