Comments on: Syngonanthus chrysanthus ‘Mikado’

By: Annaka

Annaka — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:54:28 +0000

I have had one of these for about a year, and it is still doing quite well. The big thing that I discovered early on is that it is *very* sensitive to hard water. If you fertilize it, it’s dead. If you happen to have hard water, it is probably dead (although maybe not immediately).
I water mine with distilled water, and it has continued blooming generously.
If it starts to turn brown you might try soaking it with distilled water to flush out any mineral deposits.

By: Stan

Stan — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:47:06 +0000

I have succuess in growing these now for a year and I find that they need clean, mineral free water. They have to be watered with rain or reverse osmosis water. If there is even a slight buildup of minerals in the soil, they will die. The pot should also sit in a shallow dish of of water at all times.

I grow them with orchids in a west window with filtered light. They are only fertilized very weakly once a month or if I remember. Temperature is around 12min in winter to 30 max in summer. Humidity is at a constant 50-60%.

When watered with tap water, their roots die and the plant dries up.

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:27:50 +0000

We bought one that lasted beautifully for about 3 months. Then despite watering, misting, and the correct amount of sun each day. it started to turn brown and dry up. Now it’s totally dead. Apparently these plants do not last forever.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:07:12 +0000

I also picked mine up recently at a Daytona Garden Show. Unusual and unknown to me before now. See it grown in very shallow dishes also - - how does that work? Thanks, Mark.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:30:24 +0000

Well mine has seen better days now - it’s turning brown. However it’s significantly healthier than two that I picked up from Ikea a couple of months ago. These went from bad to worse, and are totally dead now. I wonder if the first Syngonanthus chrysanthus that I got will survive through to the spring?

By: joanne

joanne — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:55:09 +0000

Bought one of these about a week ago and have had it on the kitchen windowsill (gets the morning sunshine so not to hot) and it seems to be thriving along with the venus fly traps. I spray mine with mineral water every day and wasn’t really sure how to look after it until now. Thanks for your help. Joanne

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:41:29 +0000

Thanks Miranda

By: Miranda

Miranda — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:54:25 +0000

Thanks for adding a link, Mark! I like your photos, by the way.