New owner of Dracula Lotax with a few questions

[myblue66stang]

I'm a proud new parent of a Dracula Lotax. I wanted to try something new and after some research decided that this little guy would work best for me and my growing conditions. Not to mention the flowers are too cool.

Anyway, I have a couple of questions. (yes, I'm a nervous mom) When I ordered it, I was expecting to receive a tiny plant, however, I received an overgrown 2.5" pot. I repotted and it's growing like a weed and I think it has spikes (maybe a dozen or so) because they do not look like roots and are growing horizontally and up. It came with a few brown leaf tips. Is this ok? maybe from too much light or fertilizer? Also, some leaves have small brown spots, about the size of a pencil mark, is this OK? or should I be worried? All of the new growth is perfect. Finally, how big should the plant get before you divide, since this guy is a monster in a 5 in pot! How do you divide?

Thanks for any help, Cindy

[Ross]

Cindy, yes the wiry growths are probably spikes - it's the right time of year. I divided mine by just pulling it apart. The mass is actually a group of separate crowns packed together and they divide quite readily. Wait until blooming is done. The brown leaf tips are common and mean it was subjected to either too much fertilizer or to many minerals in the water. They are quite sensitive to mineral buildup at the roots. I use pure R.O. water. Distilled would work fine though. Sounds like a happy plant. They do like crowded roots so be careful of overpotting.

[EdinAZ]

Cindy,

I second all of Ross's advice and comments.

They do grow like weeds and bloom profusely. You'll be a very proud parent indeed!

Ed