Sensitive plant (Biophytum sensitivum)

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mgarr Hanover Twp., PA(Zone 6a) Feb 24, 2005

Sensitive plant
Biophytum sensitivum

Tiny little plant resembling a palm, with foliage that closes up at night.

Thumbnail by mgarr
Post #1306360
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Feb 24, 2005

And if you touch it, it closes up too. Even guys are fascinated by it...lol.

Post #1306435
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mkjones Aurora, TX(Zone 8a) Feb 25, 2005

Hey, mgar! I have one of these, recently purchased. It's not really thriving.....the leaves are yellowing and shedding. How do you tend yours?

Thanks, MKJ

Post #1307902
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Feb 25, 2005

That happened to mine too at the end of last summer. It even bloomed poofy little purple flowers. I tossed it, but plan to get another this summer. I just figured it was an annual that had lived its life out.

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mkjones Aurora, TX(Zone 8a) Feb 25, 2005

Hmmm.......thanks, ceedub! I bought mine 2 weeks ago, and don't know how to improve its cycle, I guess. Logee's has offered to replace it if does croak, but I'd like to help it live! More humidity? More water or fertilizer? Outdoors in warming weather??

What'll help?

MKJ

Post #1308050
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Feb 25, 2005

I'm not sure. Is listed as a "tropical/tender perennial". Maybe Mgarr has some insight into this little treasure. Maybe its just a matter of cutting off the "branches" or "fronds" that turn yellow.

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mgarr Hanover Twp., PA(Zone 6a) Feb 26, 2005

Here is this plant's growing conditions. Cooler nights, warm during the day up to 80 when the sun is out, never direct sunshine between 11am and 3:30pm. The humidity is usually 65%. The soil is moist and never allowed to dry out. If there is just one spider mite in my whole town it finds it's way to this plant. I find spider mites at least twice a year. I simply wash the whole plant in mild dishing washing liquid, then rinse. I try to spray a fine mist of warm water on my indoor plants once a week to check for mites. I'm afraid to use any horticultural oil, the plant seems to delicate. I fertilize with fish and seaweed fertilizer 2.3.1 and once in a while a tiny shot of Superthrive. When the seeds are ripe they must be shot from their capsules because I've had this plant come up in other plants that were growing close to it.

Post #1309542
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Feb 26, 2005

Thanks!

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