spider plant

[mothhawk]

I had one spider plant from which all the others in the house are taken as baby plants. When they get too big, I chuck them and start a new one, so all the plants I have are descendents of the original plant.

Now one of them is showing dwarf characteristics. Both these plants were started at the same time in identical pots and compost. They are about 18 months old, and the babies on the smaller plant have been on it for about 6 months. The bigger plant had regular size babies which I cut off. I've planted up one of the dwarf babies, and after 2 months it still has leaves only 3 inches long.



I know there is a specific dwarf variety, but my original was just the common regular size one and I've had it years.

Curious.

[Nicos]

Sounds like it's 'gone back to basics' genetically -wise!

Are you sure the smaller pot hasn't had an influence?

[veggiechicken]

Perhaps its finding being a mother to so many a bit of a strain

[Nicos]

Perhaps its finding being a mother to so many a bit of a strain

Never was a truer word said!

[mothhawk]

Sounds like it's 'gone back to basics' genetically -wise!

Are you sure the smaller pot hasn't had an influence?

They're both treated just the same, and it is on the windowsill in exactly the same place as the regular but overgrown one it has replaced. I have a spider plant in every room, partly to clean the air, and partly 'cos they are so good natured and don't need any coddling, but only this one is reluctant to grow.

I haven't taken the babies off because they look pretty, and come the spring when I've more window room I'll pot them up and see if they all stay small.

[veggiechicken]

Could there be some problem with the roots? Compacted, or nibbled?

[mothhawk]

It is about due to be re-potted, as is the bigger one. Its roots are fine, nothing in the pot or on the plant to nibble it. I generally leave re=potting until they are so tight I have to cut the pot off (good natured you see )

[veggiechicken]

Perhaps, if you pot up the baby babies, they'll become even smaller plants until they are so minute that you can call them Spiderlings?

[chris]

Well, I never knew that plants could remove toxins from the air! Have just been on wikipedia gathering a list.

*off to ebay

[mothhawk]

The baby babies don't look big enough to have flowers, and the babies grow on the end of the flower stems, don't they?

[mothhawk]

Well, I never knew that plants could remove toxins from the air! Have just been on wikipedia gathering a list.

*off to ebay

Another benefit of NASA's research!

[mothhawk]

Perhaps, if you pot up the baby babies, they'll become even smaller plants until they are so minute that you can call them Spiderlings?

This is a baby that was potted up 2 months ago. It's roots are already showing at the bottom of the pot. It's getting bushier, but no bigger.



If it has babies, they will most definitely be spiderlings!

[veggiechicken]

Are they Money Spiderlings?
(Goes orf to Goggle why tiny spiders are called Money Spiders).......

[lottie dolly]

Maybe it's like animals with the chromazones going awol,can that happen with plants?