Evening star., 1945-07-09
This and That
By Charles E. TrdceUeH.
CALIFORNIA STREET

Dear Sir:
Two and a half years ago I re-
ceived what was called a Lucky Plant
as premium from a Western firm
when l purchased a weather man. I
was told to pin it on a curtain and
that shoots would appear which later
could be planted. With the aid of a
magnifying glass planted these shoots
about 10 days later
We'll, all have thrived, and one in
particular has grown to almost NAM
moth size and somewhat resembles a
rubber plant. 1t is over three feet
tall and still growing I understand
they flower eventually The lower
leaves have dropped off, but two dozen
or more remain and are growing from
the middle of stalks to the top. 1t is in
very healthy condition.
Il have presented friends with a
number Of the leaves and a little boy of
my acquaintance has had such excel
lent results. The lower leaves are still
intact. Why, I wonder? AS a rule,
they drop of. 1t is a curious plant and
l will appreciate any information you
can give us about it. Some one said it
grew wild in the South (Florida),
believe. 1t seems remarkably healthy
and hardy and can stand a lot of
heat, also cold and water. 7 am Won
dering if when they flower, they die.
or if they can be transplanted with fresh
soil they might grow indefinitely, pre-
sumo
I'VE enjoy your interesting and in
formative articles.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely, Z. X. c."
KE
The plant is the Bryophyllum
The leaves drop of from age, or from
too much or too little moisture
The blooms are inconspicuous.
The plant does not die after bloom
ing.
1t should be repotted from time to
time, and pinched back to make the
plant buShy.
The Bryophyllum or air plant needs
warm temperature from so to 10 de-
grees for best results.
1t does best with plenty of sum- rich
but porous soil, with plenty of water,
and some fertilizer when the roots have
filled a 6-inch pot.
Blooming is prevented by low tenn
perature, too dry soil and lack of
light.
Sometimes the air plant is called
Kalanchoe. There are several species,
all of which produce little plants along
the edges of the fleshy leaves.
Occasionally this plant is called the
airplane plant.
A noted authority declares: "In
sense, seed-bearing plants are vivi-
parous, and the term is even more
justifiable when the seed has begun
to sprout before it leaves the parent
plant, as in some of the mangrove
trees. In one of these the part of the
young shoot below the seed-leaves (the
hypocotyD has actually attained a
length of Is inches before the seed
falls from the parent. 1t seems a pity
that the word 'viviparous should be
be applied to various plants that de-
velop separable buds or even young
plants on their leaves or other parts
as in the cuckoo flower, the begonia,
the sleeps fesque, and best example OF
all, the Bryophyllum, one OF the house.
leek family. This is kind of vegetative
or sexual multiplication"
Most of the airplants come from the
MoluccaS, or Spice Islands OF the Malay
archipelago, between Celebes and New
Guinea
A popular relative of the airplant is
the Kalanchoe, pronounced kal-an-
ko-e. 1t is to be had at florist shops
1t has rubbery looking leaves and fiat
heads of little flowers of an orange or
Chinese red color, rather reminding
one of forget-me-not blossoms in shape
The Kalanchoe should have mod
erately rich and porous soil. 1t should
be grown in full sun. Propagation is
by cuttings in the spring. 1t should
be repotted as soon as the roots fill the
pot. Water freely while growing ac-
lively. Failing of leaves in the autumn
is due to sudden change of environ
ment, such as bringing indoors to drier
air. Plants should be brought in at
least two weeks before heat Is turned
on.