Love Is Like A Butterfly :)

I just bought this plant on E-Bay and I LOVE it! Her leaves look like little butterflies and she hovers on little wirey stems. I'm not sure how I'm going to do over wintering this cutie in Maine but I just HAD to try.....she was calling my name *lol*

She's known as the Iron Butterfly so I'm thinking this must make her tough enough to survive living with me *lol*
Her latin name is: Christia Subcordata ‘Iron Butterfly’

I keep going in to check on her and make sure she's still living *lol*

Kim

I love this plant too!
Unfortunately....I've killed two of them!

Good luck with yours, though....maybe you'll have the perfect location for it!

Nan,

Any advice as to what NOT to do.....I don't want to kill this feminine jewel!

Kim

I LOVE that!!! Thanks for sharing! Perhaps you could enter your picture into the plant files- I don't see it there yet.

Yeah, IF it makes it.....sounds like it's going to be trickier than I first thought *look of fear on Kim's face* :(

Kim

Oh Kim, she is sooo cute :o) cg

That's just it, Kim....I don't know, and there isn't a lot of reliable information out there on this plant. I tried cool, humid, warm, sun, filtered sun, shade....you name it! Nothing kept it happy.
I have another 'plant friend' from another forum who can grow anything, and she's killed a couple of these, too.
Wish I had some sound advice! Sorry:(

If you do add it to the PF....take the 'H' out of Christia, as it doesn't belong there, even though some sellers are putting it in.

Oh OK Nan.
I know I have been trying to research this plant and each site says something completely different. Makes it quite confusing really.

Well, if you experts couldn't grow it I have a feeling this rather newbie kinda grower will DEFINATELY kill it. Well.....waaaaaa :(

Kim

Not necessarily true, m'dear!

(LOL @ 'experts'....that doesn't describe me, as experts know it all, and I'm still learning!)

You might find the perfect spot and the perfect conditions!

There is a PF page for C. obcordata: But it includes the 'h' in the spelling.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/102084/index.html

Do a google search without the 'h'...Cristia....and there is a little more info on it than there was when I got my first plant a couple of years ago.

Good luck!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Feeling a little woozy and light headed here......it's sounds like I'm in for a fatality soon......Goodness gracious I don't handle death well.....not at all :(

Sniff Sniff
Kim

Your new plant is just adorable! Looks a lot like an Oxalis. Is it in the same family?

I agree with Nan- YOU CAN DO IT!!! Never give up on a plant until you've tried it at least 2 times. Find out all you can about it and try to give it what it wants. I'm sure you'll do fine with this one momma!

GH

Actually, I have read that it's in the pea family (legume) but I don't know. I am literally thinking I hear it dying already *lol*. Tropicals in Maine are already hard enough. When I read Iron Butterfly I thought it would be a tough plant and believe me friend, plants have to be tough to make it here.

Not ready to call 911 yet but keeping the number close by so I don't forget it *lol*

Kim

Kim, did you see this site?

http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/christia_obcordata.htm

Yes, I had seen that Kay but thank you so much. I have read every site out there but each one says something so different and it seems even on PF that people have had real difficulty growing it so the prognosis doesn't look good :(
Keeping fingers crossed and running to check on her again *lol*

Kim

why don't you ask the person you bought it from? they obviously know enough about the plant to be able to sell them to you

That's a good idea! Think I will send her an e-mail right now.
Thanks for thinking of that. She sent me general instructions but I think it's going to take more indepth instructions on this one :)

Kim

LOL! That *is* a good idea!
Why didn't we think of that, Kim!

I did inquire about my first plant...but that seller (not an ebay seller) said that the plant was new to them and he didn't have much info....:(

All I could think was being a legume...that it would prefer cool temperatures...the lighting was a mystery, though, and I agree with you that the 'net has conflicting information.

You've gotta have faith, though!
You might be *the one* who succeeds with this little fuss-budget!

OK, this is what I sent her:

Hello Aleece, I bought one of these from you along with a Firefern. I left feedback already. I have been discussing this plant with my friends on Dave's Garden and NO ONE has been able to keep this plant alive. They suggested since you were selling them maybe you know something about them we don't. Is there ANY information you can help me with that might help me keep this from dying as I love it so much! I was very happy with my purchases. The Firefern is very dismantled and was bent in shipping but these look that way until they get established so I'm going to be patient with that one. But the butterfly didn't wilt or lose a leaf and today looks happy but I don't want to lose it. I have it in a shaded area and have it in a pot that waters from the bottom. It is in my bathroom so it gets warmth whenever someone showers. My e-mail is kim@jakesplace.biz so please feel free to send me an e-mail there. I would greatly appreciate any further assistance you could give me.
Thank you, Kim

Come on Kim...do the "little engine" thing....I can do it...I can do it...I can do it....

Congrats on the firefern, too! I got this over the summer but it died in the scorching summer heat we had. It used a LOT of water- maybe just because it was outside, though.

lol Chantell....I sure hope I can....I think I can.....I will dang it! *lol*

Look at my new little girl that came in to hold my new pot of epis up.....she's so me :)

Kim

So adorable, Kim!!! And ummm....gee, like that pot...hmmm, where have I seen those before? LOL

LOL Chantell....you are so funny.
Went and bought more of every size they had ;)
They ran out quick this year so I'm glad I got them when I did.

Kim

Kim- are you getting buds on your winter holiday cactus? I noticed I had some on one of mine and wondered if anyone else was getting that?

Actually CJ, my big Christmas Cactus was in full bloom last weekend so it's pretty much going by already. This is VERY early for them this year.

Here is a shot of mine last weekend.

Kim

Oh Kim your Christmas cactus is beautiful... Do those start from seed??? cuttings??? lol


Anyway what I wanted to say before I got side tracked rofl
I went to that link above toptropicals, and it says it is a Perennial herb from Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan, very ornamental... Couldn't you look up info on their plants and maybe find your answer??? I probably didn't state that right, but I am tired and about ready to fall flat on my face lol, but I think you get my meaning :o)

I still am not done decorating, and I still have dishes to do before I can get some of the other things made for the harvest party tomorro... I am beat.... Don't know why I opened my mouth and stuck my foot in it roflmbo

Connie

Wow...that looks fantastic!

cegoins- both seeds and cuttings. ; )

OK....I eats my words....the correct spelling, apparently, is Christia with the 'h' included:)

Beautiful bloomin' beauty, Kim!

Mine(CC/HC) all have buds swelling...but none close to blooming as of yet.

Kim....I just wanted to add that I just *know* that in time you'll be the one telling us all how to grow this Christia!

Please be sure to update us when you hear from your seller?

This message was edited Oct 27, 2006 11:20 AM

Your butterfly plant is so pretty and unusual. I've never seen one offered for sale before. As for the Zygo Cactus - those DO grow from cuttings with surprising ease. Just cut a length of one-two segments and stick it in a well draining peat/perlite mix soil! It'll root in about six weeks. Both of my Zygos are setting buds. My Thor Britta has about 12 buds, the Harmony has closer to 20. Kim, your plant must have at least 20 or more blooms - gorgeous!

Remember that Zygo cactus (holiday cactus) have to be chilled for at least a few weeks to set buds. I take care of this by simply placing mine on a pebble tray, right on the windowsill, and the fall nights in the 40s here in the S. Calif. desert stimulates them to set buds. In many states, though, it might be a bit TOO cold if they are actually touching the window glass, so make sure they aren't. I also mist mine lightly on most days. Don't turn the plant while its blooming, as I've read this can cause the buds to drop. Boy, Zygo Cactus could become addicting very easily - I now want a yellow one!

Randi

Sorry...I know I've said it before...but MAN!! I love that plant! It's so neat! ; ) How's it looking today? Not wilty or anything, I hope?

UPDATE:

Here is the information I received from the Seller I won these from:

Hi Kim, I will tell you what I do to keep them happy. You see from the plants you received they are growing well with new leaves coming up. It took some trial and error, with watering being the most difficult obstacle.I will say the mauve leaved variety is easier to keep. I am is South Florida(subtropical) which suits these plants as they are Zone 11. I have them outside under a shade cloth, facing west.I mist them daily.They are in a tray with moisture beneath, to keep the humidioty up.I let them get dry, but not dried out, surface dry before watering.I feed with superthrive and fish emulsion applying with a turkey baster! Now, I keep my anthurium in a east facing bathroom window, along with some very demanding begonias and they love the diffuse light and moisture. I would be careful of the window sill in Maine if there is a chill. As for the Fire fern Oxalis, the are known to be tempermental and sometimes are Shocky with transplant but they should bounce back. Please keep in touch. If you are unhappy with your purchase I will make ammends. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

Needless to say, my poor baby has gone down hill daily since arriving :(
It's breaking my heart but I'm still trying the best I can to make her happy. I can see that there is NO WAY this plant is going to make it.
I wrote to the seller and told her that I was sure she wasn't going to live and the seller has already reimbursed me for her.
I told her that I would certainly be a repeat customer of hers since she stood behind her plants but that I would be back in the spring and that I wouldn't be trying this plant again.

Such a sad ending to such a cute plant but this one is certainly better suited for those with the proper tropical environments and I can't provide that for sure.

Here is my poor plant today:

Kim

Kim, maybe you could bag it for a bit. I put begonias in clear bags when I first get them to help them acclimate to my environment. Sometimes I give them a B1 boost to help with the travel shock too. just a thought.

What is B1 boost?

Vitamin B1. It's often used when transplanting to reduce shock. I try to feed it when I get new plants or when I transplant temperamental plants.
Most garden centers, HD and Wally will have it. It's not expensive. Maybe 4 or 5 dollers for a small bottle.

http://davesgarden.com/terms/go/944/

I will definately have to get a bottle of that then. Maybe tomorrow when I'm out. Thank you so much! Never heard of it before.

Kim

Kim, I googled B1 after I posted this and there is a web page out there that claims that B1 is a 'garden myth'. I'm going to try and find it and post it here.
I suppose what the theory is, is that transplanted plants do better with a 'stimulator' I'm certainly no expert. But never had a problem using B1.

here it is http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Garden/beware.htm

So now I'm not sure what to make of it.

Someone brought one of these butterfly plants in to the arboretum greenhouse where I volunteer. I'll check it out next week when I'm there and ask what they are doing to grow it.

Don't give up, Kim....since it's a perennial, even if it continues to go downhill, now that you have some extra cultural information, you might be successful in making it re-grow from it's root system.....Laurie's idea to bag it is a good one!

Super Thrive has a lot of Vit B in it doesn't it? Mercy it certainly smells like it does!!

Kim would this maybe survive in a Wardian Case or a Terrarium?

This message was edited Nov 6, 2006 7:38 PM