How to Grow and Care for Tassel Fern (Huperzia species) - Video

This is based on my years of experience of care and cultivating these Tassel Ferns - the Huperzia species.

The ones that I currently care for: 

Huperzia phlegmaria

Huperzia nummularifolia

Huperzia squarrosa 

Huperzia carinata

And the one from the nursery: Huperzia goebellii

Here - I share the details: 

MEDIUM: 

I use Coconut chuck - chips which I had cut and placed them around the root ball.

WATERING: 

Once a Day - Just keeping them lightly moist but not over-watered as it can cause crown rot.

The Medium must be fast draining by the next day.

LIGHT: 

To be placed in an indirect shaded area. 

Too direct Sun can burn the foliage - Too shaded can cause plant stagnation and rot.

FERTILIZER: 

I use Osmocote as I find it is the best solution - other fertilizers tend to burn the plant.

PLACEMENT: 

Airy and good airy movement is good for the plant.

Huperzia is a sensitive plant and therefore good care is required. 

 Once it is established it is fairly easy to maintain in a long duration of time.

Tradescantia spathacea - Moses in a Basket Plant

Tradescantia spathacea previously listed as Rhoeo spathacea.
Commonly known as Boat Lily, Moses in a Basket, Moses-in-the-Cradle, Oyster Plant is another type of Tradescantia species but have totally a compact spiked leaved giving an appearance similar to a bromeliad.

Another interesting characteristics is that it has a purple underside of the foliage with a bract-enclosed flowers hence that how this plant got it's name - Moses Boat, Basket or Cradle.

This particular one requires open bright sunlight as it won't do well in wet shaded areas however if condition suited rightly it will manage also grow well. The can appear to grow in full compact condition and therefore do consider their growing conditions before introducing them in the garden.

Also too much watering can cause them to crown rot - therefore do make sure that the medium is fairly dry before the next watering.

Please click on the Link below for the Main Page
For other basic information of plant Care and Different Types of Tradescantia Species:
Different Types of Tradescantia Species

Furry Tradescantia - Tradescantia sillamontana

Tradescantia sillamontana commonly known as

Tradescantia sillamontana 'White Velvet'
Cobweb Spiderwort
White Gossamer
White Velvet
White Velvet Gossamer Plant
White Velvet Hairy Wandering Jew
White Velvet Tradescantia

This particular tradescantia has a fuzzy-furry leaves, another type of spiderwort which has dual characteristics whereby when it is well watered and hydrated it will appear clear from the fur and become hairy green plant. 

When refrained with much water where it is given a condition like desert conditions - it will revert to this hairy condition. It does have a lovely pinkish bright flowers and bloom when the condition is right. Native to mountains of northern Mexico, they prefer sun during the day and extreme cold condition during the night.

The planting factor (Light, Medium, Watering) are similar to a succulent planting condition.

Too much water can cause root rot and you may lose the plant - do refrain from over-watering this plant as it is not tropical hardy.

Please click on the Link below for the Main Page
For other basic information of plant Care and Different Types of Tradescantia Species:
Different Types of Tradescantia Species

Tradescantia fluminensis "albovittata"

This particular type is known as Tradescantia fluminensis "albovittata" had recently made appearance here in the local plant market however they don't appear to be hardy compared the the sun loving type.

This one is native from Brazil to northern Argentina, coming from the cold temperate condition - it may require more cooler environment but may tolerate some tropical weather. However in long term I would say this can prove challenging and may not be hardy at all.

Often I find the root ball wither and rot away due to over-watering condition when too much rainwater fall on them. Other times, I find they are slow growing and rarely span out new growth and therefore I'm left with a singular one long piece of plant of which I have to regularly prune and propagate of which not all actually survive.

Eventually the plant disappeared from my garden collection. Recently I was surprised to find the plant had ditched off all the white coloration from the plant structure giving out all pale looking light green plant. Truly appearing not an albino or a green plant and can easily mistaken for a sick looking plant.

Some history concerning this plant:

Genus name honors John Tradescant (1570-1638) and his son John Tradescant (1608-1662), botanists and successive gardeners to Charles I of England.

Specific epithet comes from Latin flumen meaning river in probably reference to the January River in Brazil along which this species is native.

‘Albovittata’ features attractive green leaves striped with white above but toned purple beneath. This cultivar name comes from the Latin alba (white) and viattala (belt) in reference to the variegated leaves. Some experts consider 'Albovittata' to be a cultivar of Tradescantia albiflora and other experts consider it to be a hybrid between Tradescantia fluminensis and Tradescantia crassula.

There are indeed many different types and cultivars are slowly being introduced currently in the market and I also find that they seemed to withering away while sitting in most nurseries waiting for an unsuspecting novice gardener to get enticed and purchase them.

All is not lost, if the gardener knows how specifically to care and maintain this cold temperate conditioned plant. I however find it is too much hassle to introduce such sensitive plants in my garden, especially when it comes my garden conditions as such where when it rains - it pours for hours for days and when it is hot dry season - it is almost feels like in an oven. I rather focus plants that can handle that kind of stress in my garden considering I would rather prefer to keep my plants for years.

However, I just wanted to showcase what is available and their growth conditions in this hot tropical climate - I wouldn't recommend this one for sure unless you enjoy short term garden plants.

Please click on the Link below for the Main Page
For other basic information of plant Care and Different Types of Tradescantia Species:
Different Types of Tradescantia Species

Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Zebrina (Jade)

Commonly known as Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Zebrina have been a popular houseplant for ages adorning as hanging basket plant where it has a lovely cascading effect of foliage colored plant - this one has a lovely striped leaved feature which appears to have a iridescent features.

This one has totally a different features, since there are no official ID names given, I'm just calling them as Tradescantia Zebrina (Jade) until I had found an authentic name of this particular one.

Also I had found it is a slow growing type and not appearing to have the invasive fast growing feature as most common tradescantia species have.

Please click on the Link below for the Main Page
For other basic information of plant Care and Different Types of Tradescantia Species:
Different Types of Tradescantia Species

Different Types of Tradescantia Species

I often find this particular plant species taken for granted, sort of more like considered as a nuisance than a houseplant especially when they grow leggy and have this invasive tendency.

However when maintained and cared properly this one can truly be a beauty. I want to share my collection and my experience with them and my thoughts on this particular species type.

I would really recommend this one for beginners as they are quite hardy and robust and the plus point of this particular one always come with vibrant colored foliage which give strong emphasize in small space garden or a hanging potted plant.

This is the List of Types of Tradescantia species.
Do click on the Name of the Plant for more detailed information on this particular tradescantia to their link below:

Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Zebrina

Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Zebrina (Silver)

Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Zebrina (Jade)

Purple Heart - Tradescantia pallida

Tradescantia fluminensis "albovittata"

Furry Tradescantia - Tradescantia sillamontana

Tradescantia spathacea - Moses in a Basket Plant

Tradescantia fluminensis

Spiderwort / Dayflower (Commelina erecta)

Basic Plant Care:

As I mentioned earlier these are hardy plants and easy care, however these are some basics considering them.

WATERING

These ones prefers daily watering however they cannot handle over-watering and may easily rot away if they are in wet feet. They seemed to do fine if they are underwater but may shed lower leaves for it to survive.

LIGHT

They require bright indirect light - too hot may cause them to have burned leaves and too shaded may cause them to become leggy - looking for a light source and easily break due being too brittle.

However if they are in their optimum light position - the foliage appears to be vibrant and colorful.

SOIL MEDIUM

I find they can do very well in all range of soil medium - a well balanced fast draining soil medium works best and they seemed to be a surface plant and therefore don't require deep pot rather shallow pot will do. Also they are very much behave as a trailing plant and works best cascading or trailing plant.

FERTILIZER

Above all, these truly don't need any fertilizer - I just spray my general foliage fertilizer to all my plants and spray together on them.

PEST

I find that snail & slugs seemed to feed on their leaves and can be easily taken cared of by using mollusk pesticide.

PROPAGATION
The best and easiest method to propagate them using stem cutting - trim off the bottom leaves (2 nodes) and poke into the soil medium and kept them in shade for a week until new growth appears.

Also they do then to grow longer and the matured bottom part of the stem structure appear to leggy and messy. It would do look good and neat when they are trimmed and replanted.

Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Zebrina (Silver)

Commonly known as Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Zebrina have been a popular houseplant for ages adorning as hanging basket plant where it has a lovely cascading effect of foliage colored plant - this one has a lovely striped leaved feature which appears to have a iridescent features.

There are few different varieties of this particular type which I had noticed and found. The one that I'm holding turns out to be in pale green when in shade but turns brilliant red (like the top pic) when exposed in good bright light (or sun)

The second one (as in comparison)
Appears to be in a reverse tones from the first one.
I doubt they are specified and identified and therefore - I'm just calling them as (Silver) for my ID.

The characteristics of this particular one is that it appears to be brilliant when planted in shade incomparison the red counterpart where that one fades into pale green and jaded tones.

(You can note the difference from the first picture above)

These are ideal for shaded garden areas where colors and vibrant tones are lacking. These fulfill those areas very well without much fuss as they are hardy plant. One thing is to be considered is that they do then to have invasive behavior where they would move out from the designated planted area if planted on ground - and therefore may need constant pruning and replanting to keep them compact and to give that effective visual display.

Also they are great together as companion plant - this one is growing together with Chrysothemis pulchella (also known as sunset bells, black flamingo or copper leaf plant)

Please click on the Link below for the Main Page
For other basic information of plant Care and Different Types of Tradescantia Species:
Different Types of Tradescantia Species

Amazing Iridescent Blue Begonias - Black Velvet Begonia Collection (Part 2)

This is my Part 2 of my Black Velvet Begonia Collection where these begonias have the iridescent Blue sheen that has a nice glowing appearance when viewed from an angle in the night

Here in this collection:
Bethlehem Star & Black Velvet Begonia, Begonia Chivalry, Begonia - U578 also Silver King with the venous iridescent features.

 I hope you enjoyed the Blue Sheen - the mesmerizing effect, giving the mysterious look in this Plant Kingdom.

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Black Begonia Collection

I'm showing my Black Velvet Begonia Collection where these begonias have the iridescent sheen that has a nice glowing appearance when viewed from an angle.

Here in this set-up are :
Begonia Chivalry, Begonia Black Knight, Begonia - U578, Begonia Aquamarine, Bethlehem Star & Black Velvet Begonia.


This is my Update from my first experiment using a mop-wick system which I started from Sept 2019. Over the months some had thrived and done so well, some lasted for a few months and died or gone dormant. Due to the past rodent infestation that faced had badly damaged most of my begonias. It had caused great damage to other plants as well and some of it had died out of stress. Once I had handled the pest control. The begonias began to pick up.

Thank you for visiting, do click like & subscribe and love to hear your comments or questions concerning this begonia topic.



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Do check out my post where I also write and blog more on detail concerning Begonias:

57 Different Types of Begonias - Names and Images https://jamesmissier.blogspot.com/201...

Different Types Cane Begonias (Name & Images) & How to Care & Cultivate: https://jamesmissier.blogspot.com/201...