Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana(rabbit's foot, "Mon'yosho")
Japanese name: モンヨウショウ（紋様蕉） Scientific name:Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana
[Overview]
An evergreen perennial about 30 cm tall.
The short stems creep.
The leaves are elliptical, about 15 cm long, and white-tinged green, with dark green to brown markings on either side of the midrib.
At night the leaves stand upright and close.
The flowers are small and white, and two staminodes develop into petal-like structures.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or stem cuttings.
It prefers well-drained soil rich in humus.
It can also be planted in sphagnum moss alone.
Grow it in bright shade.
In direct sunlight the leaves scorch or curl.
In shade, on the other hand, the coloring becomes poor.
The optimum growing temperature is 25–30 °C; it likes heat and humidity, and needs 15 °C or higher to overwinter.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter keep it on the dry side.
If the soil becomes too dry, spider mites appear.
It also prefers high humidity in the air.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer once every 2 months.
Pests and diseases include black spot, leaf spot, scale insects and spider mites.
