Question

Unknown #1  

Unknown #2   I got this hanging plant from a friend of a friend, and I need help identifying it. It looks like it needs a bit of love, perhaps a 'haircut' - it appears it's lower weight is causing the upper parts of it strain. It's got tiny, spade-like leaves - super dense. Would you happen to know what it might be?

Thanks!
-Alan

Answer
Hi Alan,

The photos are not at all clear, but I suspect your plant is a Tahitian Bridal Veil or Gibasis geniculata.

Unless these plants are taken care of properly, they quickly become rather ragged looking with long stems that are bare at the top. It is not weight that causes this, but improper light, watering and lack of pruning.

It must be hung in a sunny window that is uncovered throughout the daylight hours. It needs lots of direct sunlight to do well and produce flowers. It must be kept potbound, so don't even think about repotting it, no matter what you hear or read elsewhere.

Water it thoroughly as soon as the top half-inch of soil feels dry.

Pruning is a bit tricky. The key is understanding that new growth emerges at the end of each stem and grows longer from there. So, if you just prune off the last few inches of stems, new growth will soon replace it and in a month or so it will look as if you never pruned it. Stems that have already lost many leaves at the pot end of the stems, should be pruned way back to a length of about 2 inches. Then new growth will emerge close to the pot and fill in the empty space where older leaves have been lost. By pruning regularly, you will keep the vines from becoming too long and you will keep fresh new growth coming in close to the pot.

I have written articles on pruning that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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