Could anyone tell me what kind of plant this is and what could be wrong with it? I am watching/taking care of it while my co-worker is out of the office for 2 weeks :/ I'm not much of a plant person so anything would be helpful. Thanks!
Has the plant ever produced white "flowers" that stand on long stalks? Togata could well be correct on this since there are many species and even more hybrid varieties.
Yes it has produced white flowers but not in a very long time. So does it look like it just needs more water? Should I be trimming off any leaves?
Assuming it is a Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) which it does appear to be it needs water on a very regular basis. The soil should never be allowed to dry and needs to remain evenly moist. However, these plants will not do well in the potting soil sold in garden centers. The soil needs to be very fast draining. On page 50 in his 1978 article published in the scientific journal Aroideana entitled The Genera of Araceae in the Northern Andes by Dr. Michael Madison formerly of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens he states, "Spathiphyllum includes 40 species of terrestrial herbs which usually are found in wet habitats." Aroideana is the journal of the International Aroid Society. The plants also love brighter light despite the fact the advice given on many garden sites is to only water once the leaves droop and keep them in a dark corner. This isn't the way Mother Nature grows her plants. A large number of plant advice websites have recently begun to update their information and many no longer advise "dark and dry". Spathiphyllum commonly live in water or or on the edges of streams and pools in fairly bright light. They also need regular doses of fertilizer but don't' ever over fertilize. To keep them happy they should only be watered with distilled water, rain water or water that has been run through a reverse osmosis process. Don't use deionized water. There are several links on UBC that will give you good advice. This is one: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=57259 If you don't find what you need just ask. I'm certain someone will give you a good answer.
Thank you both for all of your help! Hopefully I can get this guy looking better by the time my coworker returns :)
By the way, don't be afraid to cut off the dead leaves right at the plant's base. They won't ever heal and it is far better to allow the plant to just produce new growth.
The leaves look as though the soil has dried out on occasion or, been given too much sun and/or fertilizer. Keep the soil evenly moist (usually once a week to ten days) Water well when the top inch or two starts to feel close to, or almost dry, but not bone dry. You do not want to keep it soggy wet all of the time either. Cutting off all the damaged leaves will make a Huge difference in the look of the plant, although a little smaller until there is new growth:)
I'm sorry Bluewing, I cannot agree. Evenly moist all the time even to the top of the soil. this plant appears to have been kept well away from good light as well as allowed to dry completely. Nature just does not agree with this advice. Water every third day. As of one hour ago there are a total of 18 spathes open or forming in this tank. Some of these plants are 5 years old and watered frequently before they went in the tank but now they are producing spathes profusely. They love water and bright light. The tank has a total of 330 watts of high intensity light just inches from the leaves and they are now growing fast enough I can virtually measure the growth daily. I've been forced to cut 5 blades completely off in the past two weeks since they begin to grow so thick they try to block the light. You can't see them in the photo but they are now four inches higher than the back of the light fixture since they are trying to reach the second fixture which is behind and above the one show. Although other growers have favorite methods which often include watering every 10 days or so this just isn't the way these plants grow naturally. Often I read advice suggesting since people don't like to water the best way to treat the plants is water them only when they begin to "beg". That normally means allowing the soil to become very dry. Worse, if a grower gets in the habit the 10 days will turn into 14 and the 14 into 21. Soon the plant will have black leaves which must be cut off and all too often tht is when they make their post on a plant forum asking for help. Sure, the plant will survive on less water but the larger question is does a grower want a specimen to "survive" or prosper? I prefer to have my plants and animals prosper which is the same reason I give my dog clean food and water daily. To make the plant prosper the soil needs to be loose enough it will fall through your fingers right after it is watered. I explain on a number of other pages on this subject how to properly mix it. The biggest reason people have trouble with these plants is they allow them to dry and their soil should never be allowed to dry but they won't survive and thrive in the muddy soil mix sold in stores. What any grower chooses to do is up to them. I just prefer to explain Nature's methods.
I think different plant environments can take different care. I have had my spath/lily for over twenty yrs and that's how I have always taken care of it without any problems. I have read where many people have lost their plant from one, or a combination of either, over-watering/ poordrainage/pot too large. Light is bright and indirect with a little bit of direct and dapple sun in the afternoon. Dilute, or weak feedings in the warmer months.
That's why soil is imperative. Certainly any grower can use any method they choose but this method is becoming increasingly popular since is based on Nature's own growing "handbook" and is now finding its way onto many websites. I arrived at this based on conversations with South American botanists, Dr. Tom Croat who is the world authority in aroid species of Ecuador and Colombia, by talking to the individual in charge of growing the entire aroid collection at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis (the largest in the United States) as well as growers that live in Ecuador, Brazil and Colombia. The soil mix is based on the way the soil is found where these plants normally grow. Please keep in mind these are rain forest species and experience virtually daily rain fall for 8 months or more per year. Here's how to best mix the soil. You're going to make up a special mixture. The formula isn't critical but start by making a mixture of roughly 30 to 40% moisture control soil mix. Add to that about 20% peat moss, roughly 20% Perlite, and 30% orchid potting mix which contains cedar wood chips, charcoal and gravel. To that add any good compost, a few cups of finely cut pieces of sphagnum moss and some cypress mulch. Add a bag of aquarium charcoal which can be bought at any aquarium or discount store. If you have some Vermiculite throw that in as well. This formula isn't critical, just keep it loose. I know, this doesn't add up to 100%! Just keep ti loose! Mix all of this thoroughly and keep it constantly damp once you pot your plant. Enough ingredients to pot a large plant shouldn't cost more than $15 and the chance are high you'll have enough mix left over to plant one or two more plants. The goal is to make the soil run loosely through your fingers even when wet and make the plants flourish, not just live.
I agree, soil is very important. It should be as light and airy as you can make it, the trouble is, many people will just go out and buy what's available without adding any amendments, and end up with water logged dead plants.
