Plant Sitting - Need Some Help Here

[gord]

A buddy of mine dropped off a couple of plants from his greenhouse for me, saying he was going on vacation and to do something with them. I was wondering if anyone on forum knows what kind of plants they are, and what I can do to bring them to fruition.

BTW this is a high skill photograph - I had to compose and focus carefully to cater to the light conditions and to avoid showing to the membership the squalor I actually live in.

​

 

[BingBong]

A buddy of mine dropped off a couple of plants from his greenhouse for me, saying he was going on vacation and to do something with them. I was wondering if anyone on forum knows what kind of plants they are, and what I can do to bring them to fruition.

BTW this is a high skill photograph - I had to compose and focus carefully to cater to the light conditions and to avoid showing to the membership the squalor I actually live in.

View attachment 342512​

Are they tobacco plants?

NB: my squalor is "better" than your squalor.

 

[gord]

Are they tobacco plants?

Could be . . . I've never seen one before in real life. They won't grow in my area, which is zone 2. They're really attractive though, and add a nice ambience to my kitchen/dining room clutter. I figure they are.

 

[Hillcrest]

I have no idea. I think you need a close up of the leaves. The one on top left looks like a Banyan Fig tree or a Fig Ficus. The two on right look, from the distance to be some type of Bamboo. You indicate they came from a greenhouse so my guess is tropical and expensive (that size looks like a couple hundred dollars) Most of those you allow to dry out between waterings every 3-14 days, moist not wet, some you water when top one inch of soil becomes dry and all keep in indirect bright light. Not knowing the type of plant that should keep them alive until you can contact your friend and get specific instructions or name of plant for further research. Hope that helps in some way. P.S. Very neat squalor !!

 

[occidentalist]

I moved to Texas in my 20s and figured I would buy a cactus. It died in less than 2 weeks.

All I could think of was that I was less nurturing than a desert.

Do not take plant advice from me.

 

[gord]

At this point, the only thing I can assure you all of is that they are indeed the same species . . . . the lighting is causing one to look different from the other. Same leaves, same succulent nature, etc. They are indeed attractive. As a non-houseplant type of guy, I've been watering them in the manner suggested, but they've responded best to a once every three day watering, and have grown about 20% taller since I've got them. There were buds on the top, but I cut them off as my buddy asked me to.

They've lasted longer than any other houseplant I've owned. Like relationships with the fair sex, I've managed to kill off every one I've had

 

[Hillcrest]

If they misbehave, read to them from the WAYS thread and scare them straight !

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Don't let 'em touch the stove pipe.

 

[gord]

Don't let 'em touch the stove pipe.

It's inoperative and the flue is plugged with packrat nests, and no, I'm not kidding.

However, I have a friend that says he'll take a look - very steep, pitched roof. Have a feeling he was just being consoling.

 

[gord]

They get mad if you tell them the truth.

Yeah . . . not much of a sense of humour they have, eh?

 

[bullet08]

Plant basic no. 1. Do not live it to death. Meaning, don't water it too often. Do not fertilize it too often. Watering is tricky. Best to see how the plant is doing without water. If it looks like wilting, lift up the pot and see how heavy it is. If it's shit ton heavy, don't water it. If it's light, water it. Fertilize it once a week with weak mixture. Once a month with a handful of organic fertilizer. But since we are heading into winter, don't fertilize it till last frost in April or whenever that is in UK.

 

[kcghost]

A few more friends like this and we won't have any plants left.

 

[Sigmund]

Dont store them on the wood stove

 

[Hillcrest]

It's inoperative and the flue is plugged with packrat nests, and no, I'm not kidding.

Hire a young chimney sweep to clean and wash that out and put a copper screen over the outside vent. Would be worth it. or send a cat up there.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It does sort of look like tobacco. The leaves are small though and leggy. Maybe some sort of ornamental tobacco, but I also am not used to seeing them in pots or having been grown indoors.

 

[Piper_Bob]

I know it may sound strange but speak/sing to them and put on some music for them as well (I've found classical works well). Best of luck!!

 

[MisterBadger]

It does sort of look like tobacco. The leaves are small though and leggy. Maybe some sort of ornamental tobacco, but I also am not used to seeing them in pots or having been grown indoors.

There are Nicotiana cultivars grown only for the flowers and the scent. Could be one of those.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

There are Nicotiana cultivars grown only for the flowers and the scent. Could be one of those.

Yes, as I said, ornamental tobaccos. Oriental tobaccos are also very small leafed. I grew Samsun one year. Also, if this is an oriental variety, don't fertilize it. Flavors come out more when grown in very poor soils with very little nutrients. This is also true for herbs. If someone is wondering why the tarragon or mint they grow isn't as strong in flavors as store bought, that is because you are using soil that is way too rich.

 

[gord]

It does sort of look like tobacco. The leaves are small though and leggy. Maybe some sort of ornamental tobacco, but I also am not used to seeing them in pots or having been grown indoors.

Looks like you have it! I was informed by the guy who gave them to me, that they are indeed tobacco plants but from a mixture of Oriental tobacco seeds, and his intention was to have me harvest them and try smoking them probably because I favour oriental mixes. Now what do I do? I had seen pictures of tobacco plants before, but these didn't quite fit the bill!

Sharp eyes!

 

[gord]

I know it may sound strange but speak/sing to them and put on some music for them as well (I've found classical works well). Best of luck!!

Doesn't sound strange to me at all. But I'm in a Schoenberg/Webern phase right now. Might not work on them!! lol