Gardening with Gary
Gardening Advice from an Expert
Pilea
Madeleine, Quebec, writes~ Do you have any advice for a plant called Pilea? The
picture I saw makes me feel it is Moon Valley variety. Do you know that? Thanks
so much.
A. I have grown many varieties and species of Pilea. It is commonly called the
"Aluminum Plant" Pilea cadierei. But, yours is a more exotic plant...of course!
Many originate in Vietnam. Favorite ones are P. cadierei (aluminum plant); P. involucrata
(panamiga, Pan-American friendship plant); P. microphylla (artillery plant)
The species of Pilea listed are ideally suited for window sills and tables. Most
do not grow more than 12" tall and have peculiarly puffy leaves with depressed veins
that make them look quilted.
Here is terrific color picture of Moon Valley, with its pretty quilted foliage
and small, rather dwarfish growth:
http://www.exoticangel.com/Varieties/plants/Pilea/PileaMoonValley.htm
It grows about 10" tall and has 2 1/2-to 3 1/2" leaves, each with 3 conspicuous
sunken veins; the quilted sections appear to have been brushed with aluminum paint.
Artillery [side, hanging offshoots] plants grows about 8" tall and have stems with
tiny oval leaves about 1/8" long.
Pilea species do best in bright indirect or curtain-filtered sunlight. If only
artificial light is available, provide at least 400 foot-candles, just as you would
African violets or Gesneriad house plants. Night temperatures of 65 F to 70 F and
day temperatures of 75 F to 85 F are ideal. [Do you need these converted to centigrade?]
Keep the soil barely moist at all times. Please do not overwater! Feed at 2-month
intervals with regular houseplant fertilizer diluted 1/2 strength recommended on
the label, but wait 3-4 months before feeding newly purchased or potted plants to
avoid burning the roots.
Because old plants become straggly, it is best to start new plants from stem
cuttings or by dividing the roots, early each spring. The plants generally grow
best in 3- to 4" pots, a size that allows space for a good balance between root
and top growth.
Use a mixture of equal parts of a general-purpose house plant potting soil, peat
moss or leaf mold and perlite. They also do well in soilless mixes. Watch for spider
mites!!! Oooh.
Assistance from: http://www.exoticangel.com/Varieties/Pilea.htm
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