Pink Princess Flower
Soil -- Monochaetum likes loose, well-draining soil that's high in organic matter. A typical soil mix is 2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite or coarse sand. Transplanting -- Keep your plant in its pot the first week while it recovers from being shipped. Then move it to about a 1-2 gallon container with drainage holes. Water the soil before repotting to keep the soil ball from breaking apart, which can damage the roots. After repotting, give no direct sun the first week. Watering -- Aim to keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy) most of the time. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. If your tap water is very "hard", meaning high in minerals, i recommend using bottled water or rain water. Climate -- Monochaetum grows in the cloud forest, where temperatures are mild year-round. I don't know whether it has any frost tolerance, or how much heat it can take. It's possible that might not thrive in temperatures consistently above the low 80s (29°C), especially if nights are warm. It also might not have more than a couple of degrees of frost hardiness. Over about 40% humidity is recommended. Light -- It prefers part sunlight. It needs protection from strong afternoon sun. Fertilizing -- Monochaetum likes average amounts of fertilizer. Feed about every 2 months with a slow-release (pelleted or organic) fertilizer. It's normal for a few of the older leaves to occasionally turn colors and drop, but if it seems excessive, the plant may need more fertilizer, particularly nitrogen. Or the soil may be too dry down in the root zone. Pests to watch for -- Scale (little brown disks on the stem - very hard to see!), aphids, spider mites (tiny "dots" under the leaves), mealybugs (white - easy to spot). If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Enjoy your plant! - Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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