[Sugar_Ape]

Hi everyone I'm new here and bit of a novice with all things gardening related so please go easy on me

I was recently given a bunch of houseplants by a friend who was moving house so I put them in my apartment. I don't know what they are (remember I'm a beginner) and I would like to look after them well. So I may need an identification for them.

Here is the first one. It has troubles already.



Can anybody tell me what it is. You will also notice that the some of the leaves are yellowing. My limited knowledge suggests that may be due to a nitrogen deficiency. Could this be it? For identification purposes the houseplant has variegated leaves and feels slightly leathery to the touch.

Please help, I don't want this plant to die. Thanks.

- Sugar Ape

[Red]

Hey, hey, I know this plant. My sister has it and it is called a dumb cane. Try feeding it with baby bio plant food. It may just be hungry.

[GPI]

Yep, it sure looks like the dumb cane (Dieffenbachia "Compacta" to my eyes).
Heres what it likes......
A bright location, but no direct sun.
A moderate to warm room with moderate to high humidity.
It requires watering when the surface of the compost is dry.
Feeding is required at two week intervals.

The leaves may be yellowing due to under feeding.
Are you feeding it fortnightly with a high nitrogen feed for leaf growth?
If not, apply that feed now by misting with a foliar feed followed by a watered in feed at the next watering.
Baby bio is a good all round feed, there are however many housplant feeds which are higher in nitrogen.

Two other reasons why the plants leaves may be yellowing are over-watering and draughts.
You must asess the plant for them yourself.

Hope this helps.

[Sugar_Ape]

Hi GPI.

Thanks for your reply, yes the dumb cane looks to be the one alright. It is a moderately warm room and gets plenty of sun but not directly. I suspect maybe it just needs a good feeding with a feed like the one you suggested.

But I also suspect it could be maybe a draught that may be causing some problems. I had it position next to the door of a room which is open most of the time and there is usually a window open inside the room. So maybe there is a draught circulating directly onto the plant. Just to be careful I have moved its position.

Thanks again for you reply, I will keep you updated of coures and will be back to ask more questions soon!

- Sugar Ape

[GPI]

Might be a good idea to move your Dieffenbachia "Compacta" alright.
Another position may suit it better.
Be aware as well that the sap is poisonous if you go to remove some of the damaged leaves.

With the moving and the leaf removal, at least it wont die of boredom.

Let us know how you get on.

[Sugar_Ape]

Just an update on the story of this little plant:
I have been feeding it with a general purpose plant food at two intervals for a while now and took it out of the draught it was near. I'm happy to report it is thriving No more yellowing leaves just lots of new green ones!

Thanks GPI and all, I love these forums

[MargeSimpson]

I have a Dieffenbachia and I find it a very fickle plant. It's the most difficult house plant I have to maintain. Over watering or under watering even the slightest bit causes the leaves to yellow and die. I grew another plant from it once by airlayering hoping that the new plant would have a better start, but it looks like it's going the same way.

[GPI]

There is some interesting information on the Dieffenbachia houseplant here on IG.....
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1249#1249