Aglaonema ‘Golden Bay’

The University of Florida pedigree of ‘Golden Bay’

Richard J. Henny developed Aglaonema ‘Golden Bay’ through the University of Florida programme at Apopka and introduced it in 2001. Its pedigree includes Aglaonema commutatum ‘Tricolor’, Aglaonema nitidum ‘Ernesto’s Favorite’ and Aglaonema ‘Manila’. These parent lines ultimately derive from wet tropical forest Aglaonema of Southeast Asia and Malesia.

Leaf and cane care for upright aroids

• Leaf and crown care: Basal shoots make the clump dense; give new leaves room and remove dead material from the centre.
• Light: Use medium to bright indirect light. Turn the pot occasionally if light comes mainly from one side, and protect the broad leaves from strong sun through glass.
• Watering: Check beneath the crowded basal shoots as well as at the rim; irrigate when the upper layer is dry and stop only after the full root ball has been wetted and drained.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep Aglaonema ‘Golden Bay’ in steady indoor warmth and away from chilling temperatures. Moderate indoor humidity is normally enough; use a humidifier only if persistently dry air causes recurring brown edges.
• Feeding: Use a complete houseplant fertiliser at a low dose while growth is active. Feed less often whenever growth slows, regardless of the season, and never fertilise a dry root ball or a stressed plant.
• Propagation: Divide a well-rooted basal shoot during repotting, or root a cane section with at least one healthy node in warm, lightly moist substrate.

Health checks for Aglaonema ‘Golden Bay’

• Drooping leaves: Lift the pot and check moisture below the surface. A light, dry root ball needs a complete soak; a heavy pot with limp leaves needs air around the roots and an inspection for softness.
• Brown tips: Larger specimens can stay wet below while the surface appears dry. When assessing brown leaf tips, base watering on pot weight and deeper moisture. Flush the substrate only when salt deposits are present and the root zone is otherwise healthy.
• Cold damage: Dark greasy patches appearing after transport or a winter draught are chilling injury. Keep the plant warm and wait until the patch stops changing. Keep the chilled leaf attached until the patch stops changing, then cut only tissue that has become fully dry or soft with a clean blade.
• Pests: Inspect the broad undersides and petiole bases for thrips, spider mites, mealybugs and scale. Isolate the plant when feeding damage or insects are present.

Aglaonema ‘Golden Bay’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How the name Aglaonema came about

Aglaonema combines Greek aglaos, meaning shining or splendid, with nema, meaning thread or filament.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Aglaonema in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 1829, page 892.