I.D needed please

Hi,ive just been given this from a stall holder at our local market ,she didnt know what it was and says i could be dying off,it doesnt look too bad to me,the leaves are a bit limp and the soil is damp,anybody know what it is and is it worth trying to save it? Thank you julie xx
Not the best photos sorry,i can take more if needed

Its a bit darker green in colour than this photo shows..

 

Keep it away from your mouth until Sal or Pete can confirm its not a Dumb Cane, just to be on the safe side.

 

You could right ziggy thanks x
Does look a lot like this photo..http://www.yourgardenshow.com/plants/6157-Dieffenbachia-seguine

 

Yes this almost certainly Dieffenbachia spp.

Problem is I feel, the breeders have gone overboard massively on the variegation, this puts the plant at a major disadvantage (hence the reason it limps in shade). This plant will need *massive*amounts of light just to survive.. because the breeders have bred out the Chlorophyll.. bad move.

So this plant will have to go in the lightest possible position.. but then this creates the problem of the leaves burning.. I always use a rule of buying plants with no more than 20% (or margin variagation).

This is one of the worst cases of over-variegation I have seen in my life..

 

Or Stephen

Thats what confused me, the Varigation.

 

Would it survive in the unheated greenhouse do you think,its bubblewrapped?
Thanks stephen

 

It'll die below 5c Joolz.

 

Dont know where i can put it then,i dont have a conservatory

 

A south facing window will have to do I suspect.. keep it well watered it should be ok, but may look a little tired at times. Give it feeding too that may help.

 

Will the heat from the raditors do it any harm i can leave a top window open for it?its looking limper now what do i feed it??
The roots are peeking out the bottom a little,will a repot help?

 

repot in mp compost with some sand in.. and give a general houseplant feed on a window sill. I'm not sure if the sunlight will burn its leaves, I suspect so. Radiator might do it a little harm, but if you have a humidifier it should fight those effects somewhat.

 

If its been on a draughty market stall at this time of the year it's bound to get a set back or maybe even die.
To grow to that perfection its been used to some Dutch nursery greenhouse and it's bound to have been shocked.
Its a good job you were given it Julie, I'd never buy anything of that type from a market stall in mid winter.

 

I shall get straight on the job in the morning stephen thanks,there are 2 stems so i think it could be 2 plants in the pot,i will seperate when i re pot if so

Hi pete thanks,it is an indoor market but the temps are not great in there,with her not knowing what it was she probably picked it up cheap from here suppliers and thought it would sell she had it priced up at £7.99

 

Check you out..knowing a plant thats not edible x

 

Joolz , be carefull if you have cats or dogs , it`s extremely poisonous also can cause skin irritation.
overall can become a really nice house plant and can be sank in the garden in summer ; )