Have you tried four inches of hailstones beating the tar out of her? ;-)

Since most gardening is a guessing game, here's my guess. Mom is so focused on the kids, she's got nothing left for herself. And I think you mentioned there's 5 babies attached to her? That might be overkill.

It concerns me that the new leaves die before emerging. Hopefully the dead foliage isn't causing (or caused by) rot issues deep within.

But I can't say that the Jewel you sent me is growing like gangbusters. One leaf at a time is all I get. But I'm not giving up on her!

Phx Ryan

Hi guys,

Playing music and singing may help. That's what I do with very good reults. LOL!

-B

Ryan- I hate to hear this, but I must say...I'm having similar results with the little Jewel you sent to me. I presume the one I have is one of the babies of the bulb you're talking about. I can't seem to get make it happpy. Leaves will start to grow, only to dry up...arghhh! I'm scratching my head too...

-Frank

Frank, do you think that it's maybe getting too much sun? I have a Chico I bought a few months ago that's acting a little finicky, too. Inside the leaves were growing really slow and no blooms. I put it outside at the beginning of the spring and it was miserable - leaves got all burned and dry. I brought it back inside to a less sunny spot, bought it a new unglazed pot and have been holding back on water. The leaves seem to be returning but I still don't know why it won't bloom. It sort of seems like the leaves like less light, not sure about the lack of blooms. Alana

I haven't played music or sang sweet songs to it but I think if I do anything else weird like that, my family will commit me. I'm already on notice for my normal level of weird.

Not much new to report-- the two little leaves poking out are still there and not rotten though they don't look great either. I haven't managed to remove the babies last night-- lack of time and light.

Something I though of is that the top of the bulb is very narrow. You don't think this would be preventing normal topical growth? If these leaves don't survive, I will trim the top tissue down to the crown because it can't be helping anything, though I'm not sure it is hurting anything either.

Right now only a few of my bulbs have leaves to speak of-- the hail took most of the others and they have yet to regrow them. This has been an awful year for my hippis.

Ryan

Frank, I'd be interested to learn of the conditions you're growing your Jewel. Mine is essentially outdoors, in an enclosed porch, but under a grow light. I just think she's too delicate to go outside in the direct sun. The rest of my hippis are thriving under the grow lights, in the warm conditions, however she just sits there with one leaf at a time.

bump.

Frank, would still like you're input on this. I know you've been busy.

Ryan and all- My bulb is inside in a well lit south facing window. I have her in a terra cotta pot in a mixture of sand and potting soil.

I figured it out. My Jewel was just too dry...that is a first for me! Yes, too dry. I am now watering her about every 2 days or so and she is growing like gangbusters. I will try to post a pic so Rocky Mountain Ryan can see his little baby bulb!

-Frank