Hi, my Jatropha podagrica had a baby jatropha. When should I separate them? They're in a 4 inch pot, I'm sure it's too small. Plus I promised the first-born to a friend at work.
Jatropha had a baby, when to separate?
Do you mean a seedling? These guys only sparsely branch, and don't sucker. I'm not sure what you mean by "had a baby". Espcecially in a 4" pot. Got a pic?
No dig camera, sorry. A mini plant that looks just like the big Jatropha sprung out of the soil. I never grew this plant before, it's a gift from another DG member. She told me it bloomed before she gave it to me, would that make it a seedling? Then it's self-pollinating? You seem to know a lot about this plant, I hope it's OK to ask you questions.
bbinnj,
Jatropha podagrica has a tendency to catapult seeds all over the place. I find them everywhere, on the floor inside in winter and seedlings growing in other pots.
I would guess, this is a very small seedling next to the older sibling ( from another catapulted seed which had been rescued), perhaps you can just see the first true leaf after the cotyledons emerged?
I would perhaps water the plant well and very gently pry the seedling out of the pot and give it its own place. If you wait too long you will have to repot both plants.
Hi Ursula,
Thanks for the info. Wonder how many more seedling may sprout from this one. It's been taking a lot of water, now I see why.
Beverly
Sry... just now getting back here. Totally adree with Ruk.
Just replanted the little seedling in another terra cotta pot. Quite an impressive root system it had.
I'm amazed at how happy the tropicals are in this weather. My pooy hydrangeas, black-eyed susans, roses- twice a day watering isn't enough for them. Can't wait for it to break.
Good for you, I am glad you were able to to move the baby!
Well, the tropicals think they are home.....:-)