Hello,
@Haffy. Welcome to ATP. As
@plantladylin noted, I had major back surgery last Tuesday, and could not even sit at the computer (much less do anything else) until the last couple of days.
Though I am simply a hobbyist grower, I grow a lot of Fiddles, both divisions from my 25+ year old "mother" plant and seedlings. My plants have certainly totaled well over 100 and counting. I really don't do anything special with these plants and for me at least, they require pretty much the same care/conditions as most tropical plants. By the way, the vast majority of our houseplants are tropical plants
My plants get warm conditions. I try to keep my greenhouses and solarium at or above 50F.
My plants get bright light. Ideally I want my plants to have an eastern exposure during the spring and summer months and a southeastern, southern, or southwestern exposure during the fall and winter month. Strong inflorescent lighting can and should be used if lighting is rather weak.
My plants get spraying/misting every few days while they are inside during the fall and winter months.
My plants get regular watering but I don't water when the potting soil is damp. When in doubt, wait a couple of days to water.
My plants get regular fertilization but it is diluted to 1/4 during the fall and winter and 1/2 during the spring and summer.
My plants get air movement while they are inside but nature provides that movement when they are growing outside.
The most important factor for my plants to do well is having well-draining soil. I customize all my potting media and thus, I can control the drainage however I choose. I want my media to retain moisture, but no mater how often I water, I know the media will never remain wet. I do empty my catch-saucers since I don't want my plants to sit in water. Houseplant typically don't like "WET-FEET". I don't use pebble-trays with large plants. I just don't think these tray contribute enough to raising the humidity around large plants. I generally will water twice and fertilize once during the time my plants are inside and when outside, the plants get alternating fertilization/watering. The watering rinses out chemicals left in the potting soil from the fertilizers.
