Sunlight Alpana, sunlight!
Crotons need plenty of sunlight to develop their brilliant colors. If
you put it out in the yard, in two weeks you will begin to see a
change. But don't take it into the sun right out from indoors. The
leaves will get scalded by the UV of sunlight and you will lose them.
First put them outdoors in the shade ( north side of the house for a
couple of days. Then give a few hours of morning sunlight for two or
three days. Then only expose it to full sunlight.
Another problem with Crotons indoors is spider-mite infestation. They
are tiny, almost microscopic critters that look like spiders ( they
ARE arachnids and not insects so ordinary plant insecticides won't
kill them), that cover the underside of leaves and suck all the
nutrients out of the plant . If left untreated they will ultimately
kill the plant. Spider-mites love dry , warm environments. How to
determine if there are spider-mites? Easy! Take a piece of white bond
paper, shake the leaves. If a few or many tiny specs of dust-like
things fall off on the paper, begin to move around and if you wipe
them with your fingertip and the crushed mites leave tiny smudges of
greenish yellow stain, they are your enemies.
Two ways to control:
*** Hose the underside of the plants off thoroughly with a
garden spray nozzle. Once every
two weeks or so will keep them under control. They don't like water.
*** Spray with a solution of Kelthane, a strong chemical,
that is available in nurseries
or agricultural chemical supply stores. You won't find them
at Lowe's or Home Depots.
Potho is an easy one. They too like good amount of indirect light.
But they should NOT be over-watered. Water the plant only when the
soil surface is completely dry. Thorough watering once every two
weeks or so will suffice. Fertilize with weak ( half the recommended
strength) indoor plant food solution every time you water.
Next thing you know you will be the Croton Queen and Potho Princess
of Houston :-).
c-da
At 3:39 PM -0500 7/20/08, Alpana B. Sarangapani wrote:
>We have a Croton plant that has only green leaves. How to change the
>color of the plant to red or reddish yellow? Any help, C'da?
>
>Also, even the pothos are not doing very well. What kind of plant
>food do they need?
>
>Thanks!!
>
>
>
>"In order to make spiritual progress you must be patient like a tree
>and humble like a blade of grass."
>
>
>
>
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