Spider Plant Question.....

[sorce]

I figure I can't be the only one with one of these.

Not as an accent but I have a question Google won't do justice.

I have what I believe to be a MALE flower. It is definitely different, the growth is like that of a succulent, after 3 years this is the first I've seen this.

Thoughts? Science facts?

Thanks!

Sorce

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Interesting.

Don't really know. BUT spider plants are related to Asparagus, the culinary vegetable. Asparagus is known to have plants with only male flowers and plants that are only female. So that may indeed be the case with spider plants. But I have no first hand knowledge here.

 

[Nwaite]

I have a spider plant iv been keeping in a small pot to use as a companion to.
It's been growing in it for a little more then 2 years and iv never seen any flowers on it....

And when you say related to asparagus does that mean I can eat it... oh man I can't wait to try some. A little lemon juice, garlic and salt mmmm ...

 

[sorce]

I finally got rid of a few, and won't plant anymore babies.

Got 2 flowering. Kind of clockworkish late summer.

I ended up seeing the above growth on a store one.


Sorce

 

[Nwaite]

Nice ... mine wouldn't even put shoots out... thinking maby my pot was to small or something so I put it in a little bit of a bigger one...
There cool plants though.

 

[sorce]

I've read they throw flower stalks when pot bound.
However, this one is one year off mom, and no roots visible.
Yes, these grow best in "dirty cat litter" too!
Napa 8822. For the shittiest kitty in the city! Meow!

Sorce

 

[Nwaite]

Looks a bit dirty....

 

[watchndsky]

dont know about science or facts - but my own experience with them is that strong growth and slightly rootbound conditions seem to cause these new shoots (flowers, babies, ive heard them called many things)

cut them off, stick them in dirt = more spider plants.....

 

[Nwaite]

Just like real spiders. .... that's were they get there name.... sickning!

 

[GrimLore]

They are not gender specific. The flowers contain both male and female characteristics allowing for propagation.



This one is 21 inches across. If you want shoots and flowers keep them very root bound and let them dry out between watering. This plant produces a minimum of 100 new plants a year.

Grimmy

 

[sorce]

HH.

Sorce

 

[Nwaite]

Camouflage!

 

[aml1014]

I got a baby from my mom's plant this spring and it bloomed after only being in a pot for a month so I have no idea what's up with these things

 

[GrimLore]

I have no idea what's up with these things

It is happy - no mystery!

However, this one is one year off mom, and no roots visible.

If you put that in a smaller container and plain old potting soil it could dry between watering... Reason I mention it is it would probably be 5 -6 times larger by now

Grimmy

 

[aml1014]

Mine is in a small pot and happy frog potting soil and it's massive compared to when I got it off the mother.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I knew someone who used a spider plant instead of a curtain for a window. Good light is part of the trick to get the flower stems and plantlets going. This woman had 4 tiers of plants from one pot. Hung down maybe 3 or 4 feet. Very lush.

I haven't kept one in many years, they take up too much windowsill space that could be used for other things, like orchids, or bonsai.

 

[ColinFraser]

Thoughts? Science facts?

I think what you're seeing might be a swelling ovary after fertilization. In other words, that flower got pollinated and is now becoming a seed pod. Google spider plant seed pods and see if that's a plausible match.

 

[sorce]

curtain

That's awesome! I always think about making a faux rock wall to plant, and let them fall down and reroot....see how many generations I can keep connected!

plausible

I found another at the depot with them!
My curiosity has withered!

That is likely correct!

Thanks!

Sorce