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Spider Plant (Airplane Plant)

12/10/2017

2 Comments

 
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If you adhere to the Hindu notion that all life is a continuum and that the most lowly bug could possibly be an ancestor reborn, then it seems likely that Spider Plant was a cat in a previous life. They have nine lives and when you leave them alone for a while in the dark they fool around and make babies

​Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a member of the lily family that produces a cluster of foot-long leaves from a crown of fleshy roots. The Victorians called it "ribbon plant," because of its variegated selections. The variegated sort called Vittatum, with a wide central band of white down the center of the leaf, is most common. A variety called Variegatum has a white band down the outer margin of the leaf. Gold variegated forms are also available.
In summer, spider plant produces dime-sized, six-petaled white flowers along sprawling, much-branched scapes that may reach 2 feet long. The flowers are interesting but insignificant.
What makes spider plant unique, is its ability to produce "spiders," or offsets, if you prefer the horticultural term. These ready-made plants, complete with roots, form at the ends of the flower stem and assorted branches.
These dangling plantlets give rise to the common name as they hang below the parent plant like so many spiders suspended by a stout web. The often heard name of Airplane Plant supposes that the plantlets look like whirling propellers.
​Spider plant is of South and West African origin and seems to have been introduced into Europe by the end of the 18th century, most likely by the intrepid plant explorer Carl Peter Thunberg(1743-1828). Thunberg, after whom the flowering vine Thunbergia is named, was a student of Linnaeus who traveled in South Africa during 1772 and ‘ 73 where he collected seeds, bulbs and dried plant specimens for his botanical work. Capetown was a popular resting place for ships heading home from China and passengers often took home souvenir plants on their return voyage just as we take home trinkets from our travels.
Spider plant is first and foremost a hanging basket plant. It became popular as such during the Victorian period when decorative foliage plants adorned the parlor of all the finest homes. Flower scapes are produced in the summer with plantlets forming on those stems as the days get shorter in the fall. Of late, spider plant has enjoyed some use as a summer bedding plant where it is used like an annual liriope for edging flower beds.
​While spider plants are almost indestructible as a houseplant, they sometimes look a bit tattered and torn. The most common problem is tip burn on the leaves. This is caused by the accumulation of fluoride ions in the tissue until it reaches toxic levels. Affected plants can be cleaned up by trimming the burned tips off with scissors. Unless preventative steps are taken the problem will return.
​Plants of the lily family are especially sensitive to high fluoride levels and often show this kind of tip dieback. The fluoride can come from low-grade fertilizer, some vermiculite sources or tap water (for prevention of tooth decay). To remedy the problem, repot the plants in fresh potting soil, fertilize with a high grade liquid fertilizer and, if your community fluoridates its water supply, collect some rain water for this plant.
​By: Gerald Klingaman, retired 
Extension Horticulturist - Ornamentals
Extension News - February 22, 2002
2 Comments
Julie link
12/29/2017 11:05:05 am

This seems to have been authored 15 years ago - is there an update to what was initially written?

Reply
Master Gardener link
12/29/2017 05:46:01 pm

Julie
Thank you for your comment
This is the most current article that was written by Gerald Klingaman, retired Extension Horticulturist.

I am sure there is more information on line if you do a search.
Thanks
Tamara, Baxter Co. Master Gardener


Reply



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  • About Master Gardeners
    • National Mission Statement
    • UAEX - Univ of AR Extension Service >
      • Baxter County Extension Office
      • The UA Cooperative Extension Service
      • UAEX Master Gardener Program
    • Baxter County Gov't >
      • County Extension Council
      • County Extension Service
    • Our Structure, Rules & Guidelines >
      • 2022 Org Chart
      • Bylaws
      • Standing Rules
      • Duties, Projects & Events
      • New Member Orientation
      • Continuing Education & Training
      • Member Status
      • Apply Online
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events & Outreach
    • Calendar of Events
    • Join Us At Our Meeting
    • Radio Program
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Spring Seminar
    • Annual Plant Sale
    • Farmers Market
    • Fair Horticulture Room
    • Public Education Booths
    • Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
    • Scholarship
  • Garden Projects
    • Fairgrounds Garden
    • Bull Shoals
    • Clysta Willett
    • Cooper Park
    • Fish Hatchery
    • Extension Office
    • Memorial Gardens
    • Library Pollinator Garden
  • Gardening Tips
    • Bringing Nature into your Garden >
      • Native Plant Finder (research by Doug Tallamy, PhD)
      • Creating a Landscape With Native Plants
      • Native Drought-Tolerant Plants
      • Well-Behaved Natives
      • Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
    • Invasive Plants >
      • Invasive Plants to Avoid
      • Invasive Non-Natives
    • Seminar Horticulture Table
    • DIY Projects
  • Members Only
    • Enter Your Hours
    • Buddy Message Blog
    • MG Roster
    • MG Meeting Minutes
    • Treasurer Reports - 2019 >
      • Treasurer Reports - 2018
      • Treasurer Reports - 2017
      • Treasurer Reports - 2016
      • Treasurer Reports 2015
      • Treasurer Reports 2014
    • Forms
    • How-To >
      • Webmaster Duties
      • Website Editing Guide
      • Website Updating Duties
    • Practice Pages >
      • RoseMatta
      • Rose's Roster
      • Annual Plant Sale
      • JanelleStookey
      • MikeKuenzli
      • JanHalligan
      • PennyWells
      • Clysta Willett
      • SusanChamberlain
      • Memorial Gardens
      • Kathleen -Fairgrounds Garden
      • Practice - Cooper Park
      • Judy - Extension Office