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Re: Zebra plant (aphelandra)

Hello!

I have an aphelandra that is doing very nicely, putting out scads of new
leaves and has re-bloomed for me all ready once in the 7-8 (? ) months or
so I've had it. I keep it in a corner of the bedroom in between 2 windows,
one east facing for morning sun, one south-east facing. I've noticed that
it seems happy in rich soil with lots of compost. I mist it a couple of
times a day, and have noticed that it does *not* like to dry out, or be in
really dry surroundings with no moisture relief. It also seems to suffer if
the room gets too hot, or if it's in direct hot light, (I live in Florida),
so I have sheer curtains in these windows and it gets nice, filtered light
(and moisture) in an air conditioned room for most of the day. I know this
isn't a popular fertilizer, but I use the same deodorized fish emulsion I
use on my herbs every couple of weeks and it seems to like it. Also some
used coffee grounds for acidity, which I can't say for sure are what's
keeping it happy, but it seems to like a nice acidic soil.

Good Luck! I've found the best defense against losing precious 'babies' is
to keep an eye on them vigilantly for the first few months, and don't be
afraid to experiment with different light levels, different moisture
levels, etc...I've noticed it usually takes a few weeks to determine if the
plant's suffering or happy when one changes a variable, but try *one*
change at a time until you find the right 'mix' to keep it happy. I've
known so many people who buy a plant, plunk it in one spot, then slowly
watch it die while they do *nothing* to vary the routines which might just
save the plant.

Liila ;-D
.............................................................................
"The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting
 for our wits to grow sharper." -Eden Phillpotts
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