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Keep my aspidistra flying

44 replies

Aridane · 22/09/2019 18:57

The new leaves of my aspidistra are unfurling and are thin, papery dry and yellow.

What is wrong with it?

I think it could be under watering as when I lifted the pot it was super dry and light.

It is in the hallway where there is some light (not much).

It's about a year old

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NanTheWiser · 22/09/2019 20:34

I would unpot it and check the roots, I have a large variegated one in my porch which doesn't get watered very often, they are really tough plants, but checking the roots would be the first thing to do, I think.

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Aridane · 23/09/2019 09:16

These are the roots

Keep my aspidistra flying
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Aridane · 23/09/2019 09:17

Do they look normal enough to you?

PS soil is damp as have just given a soak to the dry dust in which it is potted!

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Aridane · 23/09/2019 09:18

And here is the new sad papery leaf that’s come through

Keep my aspidistra flying
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Aridane · 23/09/2019 09:20

And compared with the usual dark glossy ‘old’ leaves

Keep my aspidistra flying
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Aridane · 23/09/2019 09:21

And another new(ish) leaf that is part green, part yellow

Keep my aspidistra flying
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Aridane · 23/09/2019 09:21

Keep my aspidistra flying
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NanTheWiser · 23/09/2019 11:36

The roots look fine, no idea really about the papery leaves I'm afraid. It looks a little like red spider mite damage, but that would have been apparent on the other leaves too, not just the new ones.

Maybe a repot with fresh compost and a bit of TLC might help, sorry I don't have the answer!

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Aridane · 23/09/2019 12:03

Thank you - will try repotting or a bit of fertiliser .

I had googled before posting and wondered if it might be chlorosis and compost is just exhausted

dengarden.com/gardening/House-Plant-With-Faded-Yellowing-Leaves-And-Green-Veins-Chlorosis-May-Be-The-Problem

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DustyDoorframes · 27/09/2019 16:07

If it was super dry I'd say it's just that it needed a good water! You could also move it to somewhere a little brighter for a month or so to perk it up, then put it back?

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Aridane · 30/09/2019 19:07

Would you cut off the unhapppy leaves?

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Aridane · 30/09/2019 19:07

(which would be visually more attractive - shallow thing that I am)

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NanTheWiser · 30/09/2019 22:21

Probably would be OK, although I don't know how many it's got! As long as you have a few healthy leaves, I don't think it would be a problem.

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Aridane · 07/10/2019 13:37

Aspidistra has had the snip and looks much better!

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VirginiaCreeper · 07/10/2019 13:40

I came on here expecting lots of George Orwell puns.

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Drabarni · 07/10/2019 13:44

I want one of these, have always wanted one.
We live in an Edwardian semi with a very dark hall, it hardly ever gets light.
Would it be ok? Is there a particular type I should look for.
I'd love to try for "The biggest aspidistra in the land". Grin

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Aridane · 07/10/2019 14:00

They are perfect for dark Edwardian hallways and were very popular in Victorian times for that reason.

They grow slowly and so the larger specimens may be quite expensive.

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Drabarni · 07/10/2019 14:42

Aw, thank you Aridane

Sorry for derailing, I'm currently checking our garden Centre. Thanks

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Aridane · 07/10/2019 15:04

No derail - aftyl, it’s a thread about adpidistras!

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ListeningQuietly · 07/10/2019 15:10

Mine is still outside in the garden - where it has been all summer under a tree
It will come in for winter and get more neglect
but it does not like overly dry air

the flowers are pollinated by slugs by the way

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NanTheWiser · 07/10/2019 20:46

Yes, they are quite expensive to buy (if you can find one - my variegated one came from a friend over 30 years ago).
Ideal for shaded areas that get little light, and as ListeningQuietly says, the flowers are pollinated by slugs and beetles. They are often missed, as they appear at soil level, and look like purplish "earth stars".

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Drabarni · 07/10/2019 21:17

Eh? Do you mean they bring slugs inside with them.
I don't know anything about them but have always wanted one as grew up hearing old ladies talk about them, in the 70's.

I've also inherited a huge plant that is too big to keep. it's inside and i don't know what it is. No flowers, just waxy leaves, on a stem.
The roots are huge and brown, and I'm sure it's going to sing feed me.

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NanTheWiser · 08/10/2019 11:14

@Drabarni, no, hopefully they don't bring their own slugs! But if outdoors, that is probably how they are pollinated, as the flowers are at soil level.

If you post a pic of your huge plant, we might be able to ID it for you.

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Drabarni · 08/10/2019 16:05

Sorry, I had visions of slugs crawling about inside.

I can't do pictures and link, must ask a child to help me Grin
It's more of a bush than a plant, we found it in a greenhouse at my ds1 new house when they moved in.
Looks quite old as the roots are massive.
The leaves are dark green and waxy sort of small shape, then another and another and so on, all in like a line. They are very waxy.

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ListeningQuietly · 08/10/2019 16:51

Drabarni
It could be an aspidistra
or clivia
or a sanseveria

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