How to choose a plant in the store
That part is very important. Perhaps it will help novice florists not to make mistakes that I did not make, due to my prudence. I write this part not for those who are already well versed in Marant, not for those who are bad, but equally for those who are ready to buy the entire family of Marant cleanly with fire in their eyes, even if there are some defects in the form of spots and so on. Because I also belong to such people - it is very difficult to beat myself in the hands and drag me away from the shelves, where all the tortured are flowers... these are the kind of resuscitators we are. So I will try to warn against possible mistakes. The larger your collection, the higher the degree of caution should be, so that later it will not be excruciatingly painful.
Let's say you have several plants belonging to the same species. I tell on the example of my stromanta. We put all three (or how many of them you have there) pots with flowers next to them and determine by eye the one where the most leaves are. If the most magnificent turned out to be the most spoiled, you have to choose from the remaining least painful and tenacious at first glance. If after such a technique you have one rastishka - the job is half done, no - look further, and, analyzing, choose less between two evils, do not miss.
1. The most important thing is, of course, the roots, or rather their condition. Of course, we do not have the opportunity to look at them, but we can always analyze the situation. Firstly, we inspect the ground very carefully, if necessary, touch with our finger - checking humidity and temperature (important in winter). Naturally, there should be no flood in the pot, but the dryness of the Sahara is not an assistant to us. The ground should be slightly moistened. Plus, we make a discount on the temperature outside the window. If the flower is just after abundant (especially abundant) watering and spraying - to carry it out into the street is tantamount to murder.
2. Having examined the soil and not finding mold with patina on it (this is very important!) We look at the condition of the leaves. First you need to count the number of "legs." Of course, the more of them, the better. By feet I mean stems and young sprouts in the area of the soil.
3. Examine the leaves.
If you see many dry tips on the leaves - draw a conclusion about how the plant was "looked after," such a plant will get used to your home comfort and care faster than a plant without a single dry leaf. But this does not mean at all that it is necessary to drag only weakened plants into the house, and leave healthy beauties to someone's share. After all, it is much more difficult to leave a plant with damage. So here you choose which is better.
You shouldn't be afraid of such spots, even if they are in the middle of the sheet, these are the consequences of cold transportation, systemic dousing with chemistry from the byak and (less often in the middle of the sheet plate) dry air.
We carefully check the leaves for ticks or thrips - these are the most common nasty things on Maranta. It is difficult to find them on leaves with a pattern, but you can - by looking at the leaves in the lumen. There should be no punctures, discolored dots or strokes. No, it isn't? That's great.
You are very lucky if the most magnificent, healthy representative of the flora from the Maranta family offered to you, turned out to be moderately quick - released a new leaf. Take it without hesitation.
This means that the plant has survived the stress of moving from car to store, adapted and now has some level of stability (it's like breeding wild animals in a zoo).
5. We chose a plant, but do not rush to go to the checkout - we carefully look at the bottom of the pot. If we see it in the plexus of a certain number of roots, we can rejoice and be a little upset. Rejoice, because the plant will not come to you without roots, although you do not need to be upset, if they are not at the bottom, this does not mean anything.
Upset you can only bring the news that you need a transplant. And it would be better to take care of the pot in advance. Therefore, we are looking for a wide pot 2-3 cm higher and 3-4 wider than the previous one.
By the way, it would be nice if the transportation pot is not very high.
So, the plant is chosen Ura-Ura!
Author of the article Lynx