Flora44
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:19 am
Location: Newport News, VA

What are these guys? What do to with them...?

I was given some really great indoor plants however I was not told what they were or how to take care of them really.... I am new to gardening and indoor plants so I hope you all can help me.

I am pretty sure this is some kind of Dracaena???... but I am not sure. This one is really large and over grown and akward is there anyway to trim it down without taking the big leafy stems off??
[img]https://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/Flojo444/Plant1.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/Flojo444/Plant2.jpg[/img]


This one is also over grown with three main parts. I think this one is a Bromeliad. Can I separate these 3 parts into 3 different pots? Also I had heard that if this is an indoor Bromeliad not to water in the middle because the water will not evaporate fast enough and to water at the base. What is correct?
[img]https://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/Flojo444/Plant3.jpg[/img]

I know this is some type of Plumeria and love how bushy it is at the bottom. Can I clip that awkward looking long stem off the top to make it look a little better?
[img]https://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/Flojo444/Plant4.jpg[/img][/img]

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Kisal
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Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:04 am
Location: Oregon

I think you're right that plant #1 is some type of Draecaena, but it's one I'm not familiar with. If you cut off the 2 stems with the large leaves, say about halfway down, they should sprout new leaves. You can root the top parts to create a new plant, or just add them to the original container for a bushier look. The care is bright indirect light, and water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry to about an inch below the surface before watering again. It kinda looks like it might need to be repotted, but I'd wait until spring to do that. You might want to wait until then to cut it back, too. Plants come out of dormancy in the spring, and the processes of growing new roots and sending out new branches happens more quickly. :)

It's been ages since I've grown Bromeliads, but as I remember, they bloom, produce a pup or two, and then the mother plant dies. You should be able to separate the smaller plants and repot them. They're probably the pups. I wouldn't dispose of the mother plant right away, though. Wait until you can see whether it's going to die or not. There may be some newer varieties that don't always die after flowering. I've never heard that indoor broms shouldn't be watered in the cup, but I have seen recommendations that bottled water should be used. I think distilled water or rainwater would be even better. Don't rewater if the cup still contains water.

The last pic I would ID as a Shefflera, some variegated variety. I definitely could be mistaken, since I've not grown plumerias. In comparison with online images, though, the leaves don't look right for a plumeria. Have you seen it bloom? If the plant is a Shefflera you can certainly prune it to shape to suit your taste. It shouldn't do it any harm. If it's a plumeria, I doubt pruning would harm it, but I really don't know for sure.

Welcome to the forum. :)

Flora44
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:19 am
Location: Newport News, VA

Thank you so much for your help! For the Bromeliad should I also wait till spring to separate the 3 and re-plant?


With the Shefflera/ Plumeria I have not seen it bloom yet. The lady who gave them to me told me that it does bloom in the spring though.



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