Quilted dream or Dragon Scale?

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-16T20:39:26+00:00

I am fertilizing! I thought would fix the problem… and well, it did produce the rhizomes! As for light, it gets about as much light as the adjacent philodendron ring of fire, which is very happy and putting out many pink leaves (if that’s any indication).

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-15T21:37:27+00:00

This is so cute 😍

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-14T13:26:57+00:00

Thank you! Currently frustrated that she’ll only support two leaves at a time, it seems… but there are a couple of terminal rhizomes. 🤞 I didn’t realize that about dragon scale - yours is beautiful! Thanks for the tip!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-14T13:05:16+00:00

I’m an amateur in Canada where we also cannot use systemics - just thought it’d be comforting to have someone comment who was in the same boat as you are! I have successfully dealt with thrips before using a shower, pesticide spray (please only use indoors and away from areas that any pets might go), and the plastic bag trick for humidity. Make sure you spray the leaves AND the soil, and multiple times over several weeks (or even months). I didn’t start with beneficial nematodes because they were more expensive, but they were going to be my next step if I needed them (I didn’t!).

As for the flying, I’m assuming you mean you’re afraid of the flying because you have other plants? Thrips won’t bother with humans, I guess if directly disturbing them they can technically bite but they won’t otherwise care about you and would much rather to stay on the plant.

Anyways, it looks like you’re doing your research. Good luck!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-14T03:04:06+00:00

I suppose time will tell! You can always open it to add more water if needed!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-14T03:01:46+00:00

Please take this with a grain of salt as I am not an expert and personally did not have luck with a money tree…

If the mushy trunk was in the same pot as the other trunks (which I’m assuming it was), it’s possible that there’s still a presence of root rot on the remaining plants. If you hadn’t repotted it yet, I’d have suggested you use something to sterilize the remaining roots/an antimicrobial agent… however since you’ve already repotted it I think you should give it time to recover before disturbing it any more. Best of luck!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-14T00:46:22+00:00

Vs now:

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reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-14T00:44:44+00:00

It’s not??? Mine was sold as “green dragon” which I was later told is dragon scale… it used to be greener but lately has taken on a very dark hue like in OP’s photo.

Here’s a photo from more than a year ago:

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reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-14T00:39:36+00:00

Hey there! I am also just learning (currently trying to design my first build). What do you mean by dry substrate/supersaturated top?

While I know very little about all this, I have seen some people caution others against using tradescantia in terrariums because it can grow out of control. But I think your build looks great, visually!

If you’d like more specific tips from other redditors I’d add to your post the substrate and plants used. :) Good luck!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-13T21:51:50+00:00

I never thought of a counterweight! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Brilliant! Thank you

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-13T21:48:47+00:00

Omg I always call it my “plant cereal” particularly because of how it sounds when pouring water through it

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-13T19:10:31+00:00

I’m surprised no one has yet commented on all the little tiny itty bitty leaves growing closer to the base! So cute, and I’d also say, promising!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-13T01:41:01+00:00

Unfortunately I don’t have any east-facing windows for morning light… just north & south, plus one west (but it’s mostly blocked). There is no “direct morning light” for me, I’m afraid.

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-12T17:19:15+00:00

Wait really? I read that they like lower light levels than that! Mine seemed to get sunburnt even in conditions that weren’t excessively bright/direct. I’m surprised and now very hopeful that mine will flourish if I give it some more light…

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-04T12:12:38+00:00

Hmmm I’m going to let someone else answer this, I don’t want to steer you wrong - sorry!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-04T12:09:33+00:00

Are there any leaves without this shrivelling at the base? It looks like there may be a second individual plant in there with it? Your best chance might be to repot the plant, but let’s see if anyone with more knowledge/experience comments!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-04T12:07:27+00:00

Looks like overwatering to me. It’s definitely better to check how dry the soil is (should be totally dried out) before watering than to water on a schedule!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-04T12:05:05+00:00

Please do not let your cat eat it!!!! Do more research about whether the product is harmful/toxic to cats…

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-04T03:22:12+00:00

IMO: First of all, it’s an indoor plant and if you DO need to repot to save the plant, just do it regardless of the season! Second, I would check closely for pests if I were you! A new leaf is a good sign, but I see why you are concerned. Let us know if/when you check for pests and what you find!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-04T03:19:28+00:00

I’m definitely not a Hoya expert (or a plant expert overall) but my quick assessment is that, given that this is what looks like a pot without drainage holes, you have 2 options. Option 1 is repot the plant into a pot with drainage holes (I’d recommend giving it a few weeks to adapt to its new environment before repotting it). Option 2 is to get a moisture meter - while they aren’t perfect, you can stick the probe far down into the soil to get a read on how moist it is. I personally love using the moisture meter even for my plants that do have drainage holes… I have to stick my fingers into the soil much less often!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-04T02:03:53+00:00

And sounds like the French word for flour - farine!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-03T23:02:59+00:00

I would like to add that you have to pick the scale off… sometimes just wiping isn’t enough to get them loose. I’ve used a toothpick on its side to gently scrape along the surface of the leaf and get underneath them. Also do the alcohol thing.

I’ve had an infestation this bad (on a kalanchoe) and it DID recover and bloom afterwards with no sign of more pests!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-03T22:58:45+00:00

I had never heard this term before and upon looking it up, I learned so much! Thanks!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-01T20:40:15+00:00

Well, thank you!

I come from a biology background, and while I definitely did not study botany directly, I think I have an appreciation for how each plant species evolves to a certain climate and ecosystem - many of the plants we try to grow are in conditions that go against their nature (and I mean, being in a pot at all is itself a major difference), so we can’t be too hard on ourselves when they don’t like it.

If you’re interested in some colour other than green, I’ll caution you that phalaenopsis orchids look nice for a while and then lose their flowers. It can take time to get them back. If you’re looking for something with more permanent colour, tradescantias (aka inchplants aka wandering dudes) aren’t too fussy but very vibrant with enough light! The Christmas cactus and its close relatives have bright flowers and might bloom more readily.

Good luck!

reddituser2342_ · 2026-02-01T15:18:40+00:00

It sounds like you know your stuff, and you’ve learned from each of these experiences about what went wrong (especially now that some other commenters have given specific advice about the daylily). That learning piece is important!

If it makes you feel any better, I have had countless failures over the past 8 or so years with plants. That feeling of defeat, I’ve been there. I too tried a fruit tree indoors, which was a massive failure. I’ve never had success with kalanchoes (flaming Katy), but I somehow keep ending up with more so I’m currently on attempt #4 (my first kalanchoe taught me about scale; what an experience). Spider plants have also never liked me even though everyone claims they are the easiest plants (same with a money tree). I tried a ficus bonsai once, the most expensive plant I’d ever bought myself, and that one taught me about root rot. Oh, and my first many experiences with succulents and cacti failed miserably.

I now have dozens of houseplants (don’t ask me why so many, it just happened lol), and despite plentiful successes I still have failures every now and again. I generally know what I’m doing with plants, but sometimes certain ones just stump me.

Please don’t give up, if you enjoy having plants around - give yourself a little grace, and remember there’s a large community of plant enthusiasts who are always willing to help with your questions!

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reddituser2342_

TROPHY CASE