My Aphelandra squarrosa is slowly losing all its bottom leaves but supports lots of vigourous top growth. It is on an unobstructed south-facing windowsill where other than the leaf-loss the plant seems to be thriving. Some of the dropped leaves yellow first, others fall green. The plant has dried out several times. Although the it doesn't appear too large for its pot and it was repotted (but not up potted - Hi Will ) in January it needs watering every one to two days or the leaves wilt like a thirsty peace lily. There are no apparent pests. Could the leaf drop be due to underwatering?

Cricket

Thanks, Will. The plant has dried out more than once and it didn't get watered at all when I was recently away for five days. It usually requires daily watering, particularly in warm weather.

quote:

---

I know from previous correspondence with you that your south facing window is obstructed by a large overhanging roof deck.

---

You have a good memory! But it is my patio door that is obstructed by the deck overhang. The window in which the zebra plant sits is an unobstructed part of the house and receives direct sun all afternoon. I'll post a photo as soon as my camera batteries finish recharging.

quote:

---

Direct sun would be too much for a Zebra plant.

---

Oops! What exposure should it be in?

Hi Cricket,

Photos do not lie, so I must stand corrected. Apparently your Zebra has adapted quite well to the direct sun you have provided. Yours is one of the healthier older Zebras I have seen.

What leaves you have lost were undoubtedly a result of the occasional episodes of drought, which is what you had suggested in your original question.

I wish I had just said, "Yes," and left it at that instead of pontificating as I am oft inclined to do. Thank you for puncturing my pomposity - I need that from time-to-time!

If you have any questions about Zebra plants, please contact Cricket.

quote:

---

If you have any questions about Zebra plants, please contact Cricket.

---

Like Cricket knows anything about Zebra plants!

In the wild, I have seen Zebras feeding off of Crickets!

quote:

---

Isn't it remarkable how adaptable plants can be? Of course, that often leads to confusion as to what is best for a particular plant and sometimes makes a liar out of me!

---

So annoying when plants do that! And you wonder why I talk to my plants!

I was growing one of these....quiet nicely too....and had made a "Y and had 2 yellow flowers...then my hubbys rotti knocked it.Plant did not survive..My SIL bought one though last week(she even seen my double bloom at new years).
Mine wouldn't take full sun.But TX sun is lots warmer than where your at way up north of me.I'd winter it indoors in a southern expousre for winter,but then its gotton north side of house and was quiet happy.Mine was about yours size,but I had mine potted up a size from yours.Temp drops below 50 usually cause leaf drop and so do spider mites(Debra got a spider mite lesson yesterday in walmart)

I loved this plant.The foliage is nice and the flower is neat also.I had orange(well bronze) panseys in pot once with them.

* * * *


I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!

http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit03
http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit
http://photos.yahoo.com/njoynit03

Tammy,

No reason to get rid of all your houseplants because of spider mites. I know they are upsetting especially when they come back after you think you have gotten rid of them. But they can be treated successfully.