Question
I really enjoy my plants, but I seem to have somewhat of a black thumb when comes to indoor plants. I've had dozens of plants, but only a few of the heardiest have made it. Now i'd like to treat them well as a reward...and as an attempt to actually have a few decent plants to look at.
Anyways I have e-mailed you photos of 3 plants that have thus far survived but I don't know what they are. The first is a plant i recently drove from my parents home (i'm going to grad school), and the trip hasn't done good things for it (6 hours sideways in a hot car). Some of the leaves are turning a yellowish color and wilting. Further, from its long hard years as my very own house plant it is tall and somewhat spindly. This may be normal for this species of plant, although it is rather thin in the middle (the hardest years on it when no one was watering it). Anyways is there anything I can do for this plant to revive it? My mother put in a few sticks of fertilizer a week or so before I took it down.

The other two plants are the same as always and i'm just wondering what they are, and how to care for them properly.

I also have a hibiscus and I'm wondering if i should leave it outside for the humid summers that I believe it thrives in. Any other care tips would be appreciated.

Finally, in my tradition, i killed a jade plant. Its stalk fell over, ripping itself from its roots. So i cut it up in hopes of propogating the leaves/stalks. To that end i have the leaves and stalks that i cut up sitting in water as I heard that promotes root growth. Is this correct, how long should it take? etc.?

Thank you for your help. Sorry that this was sooo long.

Answer
Hi Nick,

I have not yet received any photos from you. Did you send them to [email protected]? That is my correct email address.

Out of fairness to others who are seeking my help, I cannot answer care questions about so many plants all at one time. So I will limit my reply to your Hibiscus and your Jade.  Feel free to resubmit your other plant issues at another time.

Yes, your Hibiscus will benefit from being outside in light shade during the warmer months, but because of the light, not the humidity. Water it as soon as the surface of the soil is dry. Fertilize it monthly with a liquid fertilizer. (Fertilizer sticks create mineral hot spots near the roots so I do not recommend using them.)

Bring your Hibiscus inside when temps fall below 45 degrees in the fall and keep it near a sunny window. During the cooler months allow the soil to get drier deeper into the pot, stop fertilizing and keep it well pruned.

Healthy stem cuttings can root in plain water, but they sometimes rot before roots develop. As an alternative, you can let them dry out in the open air for 24 hours and then insert them into a small pot filled with damp, porous potting mix. Likewise, with the leaf cuttings. Provide as much indoor direct sun as possible and keep the potting mix barely moist. It will take 4-6 weeks for roots to get established. You should see some new growth after that as long as you keep them in the same small pot. A larger pot will discourage growth and increase the possibility of root rot.

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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