This exotic flower originally from Tropical Africa. It owes its interesting name to the southern plant of the zamia. It is known all over the world thanks to Dutch growers, who, at the end of the last century, first opened a new plant grown in a nursery to customers.
Since zamioculcas is unpretentious in indoor maintenance and has an original appearance, it quickly gained popularity among lovers of home plants. The plant has many different names, for example, in China it is considered a "golden tree", and in our area it is called "dollar tree"Or" the flower of celibacy. "
Content
Home care
In the interior of a modern apartment, zamioculcas looks great, it creates a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. But you need to remember the necessary conditions of detentionin which the plant will develop well. Therefore, caring for zamioculcas at home should include the following steps.
Proper soil moisture
One of the important aspects of caring for zamioculcas is proper watering. Insofar as if you dry or fill the plant, then it will get sick and die... Beginner growers need to keep in mind the following nuances:
- Many plants growing in southern latitudes are capable of storing water for future use, which in natural conditions helps them survive the dry period. Tropical plants tolerate drought well, which cannot be said about an excess of moisture. Therefore, it is better to water abundantly, but rarely.
- Due to excess moisture, the plant will wither away, since the roots will rot and the flower cannot be saved.
- It is also impossible to leave without watering for a long time, which will lead to yellow leaves and their dropping. But the roots of the flower are strong and hardy, they are adapted to come to life when moisture occurs, so after watering the plant will "start up" and release new leaves.
How to get rid of gnats that grow in flower pots from excess moisture:https://flowers.bigbadmole.com/en/bolezni-rasteniy/kak-izbavitsya-ot-moshek-poselivshihsya-v-cvetochnyh-gorshkah.html
How to water a flower? Home care should be carried out according to the following rules:
- Tap water cannot be used. Within 12 hours, such water is defended, during which time it will become room temperature.
- There should be no water remaining in the pan. After about an hour has passed after watering, the excess moisture that the flower did not drink is poured out and the pan is wiped dry.
- The substrate with the plant should dry thoroughly before the next moistening.
- Remember that an exotic in a cramped pot has a greater need for water than in a large container. In the first case, it needs to be watered about 1 time per week.
- In a warm season, a tropical flower is watered more often, during a dormant period, soil moisture is reduced.
Lighting and temperature
Zamiokulkas care should include rules regarding the required level of lighting and optimal air temperature. This exotic flower does not require high moisture content in the air... He loves warmth, so the lightest window sill will be the best place for him to live.
Zamioculcas tolerates the sun's rays well, however, in the very heat it is better to protect it from direct sunlight. In the very heat, it is better to arrange diffused light for him. The plant can exist even with a lack of lighting, but its growth will not be as active. In the spring, when the warm sun appears, care must be taken so that the plant does not get burned.
The most favorable temperature for growing a flower in the summer is 19-26 degrees. Winter maintenance is about 17 degrees. The plant needs a stream of fresh airso do not keep it in a stuffy room.
The humidity of the air should not be increased, it is not necessary to spray the plant, but it will still have to be cleaned of dust, otherwise it will lose all its attractiveness. Wipe the exotic leaves with a damp sponge and he will thank you.
Soil for zamiokulkas
This tropical pet needs good drainage. It is sold in flower shops, but you can make it yourself, you will need expanded clay and sand. Expanded clay is placed on the bottom, then you need to pour out a layer of sand. Good drainage takes about a quarter of the capacity. Usually in stores this plant is sold in a pot unsuitable for further development, therefore, along with the exotic, immediately purchase a volumetric container, drainage and substrate. How to choose a soil?
- The soil for zamiokulkas is chosen loose, which allows oxygen to pass through. Therefore, clay will not work.
- Sand must be present in the substrate, which will provide water access to the roots.
- The plant does not need any special, very nutritious soil, the usual one for indoor plants or special for cacti and succulents is quite suitable.
How to plant zamioculcas?
Remember that the zamioculcas plant is poisonous! Therefore, when working with zamiokulkas, care must be taken so that its juice does not get on the skin. You should also ensure that pets and children do not have access to it.... This flower is propagated in several ways:
- The leaf method is based on the rooting of small leaves of a small zamiokulkas. Crushed activated carbon is poured onto the cut of the leaf, and then left to dry for 8 hours. Then they are immediately planted in a prepared substrate for succulents and cacti.
- Through branches and cuttings. This is the fastest and most efficient way. You need to cut the stem of the plant into pieces. Each material should have a leaf and a bud. Before planting zamiokulkas in pots, it is dried for about an hour. The cutting takes root one month after manipulation.
- By dividing the root. Zamioculcas is divided into several parts and seated in containers in the prepared soil mixture.
Details about the methods of reproduction of zamiokulkas:https://flowers.bigbadmole.com/en/komnatnye-rasteniya/zamiokulkas/razmnozhenie-zamiokulkasa-listom-i-drugimi-sposobami.html
Plant feeding
The soil for the flower needs fertilization with a special liquid composition for succulents and cacti. A common fertilizer used for decorative leafy plants is also suitable.
What are the rules for feeding a flower?
When purchasing fertilizer, you need to study the instructions for use. It is necessary to know the proportions of the solution.
Fertilizers for zamiokulkasu are applied only to moist soil, since the plant can get a root burn... It is also necessary to ensure that the solution does not get on the ground part of the plant.
ABOUTspraying leaves with fertilizer is allowedhowever, the concentration should be 10 times weaker than the standard fertilization method. Because leaves and roots are handled differently.
During the dormant period, which occurs in winter, the flower is stopped to feed. During active growth, that is, in spring and summer, they are fed no more than twice a month.
Disease and pest troubles
If a zamiokulkas leaves turn yellow, then you should not worry.Since this is a normal natural process in which the old die off and the fresh ones appear... It is worth taking a closer look at the young leaves, since their yellowness is associated with the onset of the disease, which is called root rot.
In this case, you need to check the soil. If the ground is very wet, then the fears were confirmed. Watering should be stopped and new soil and container prepared. At the same time, all decayed parts of the roots are removed, dried and sprinkle the roots with activated carbon, after which it can be planted in fresh soil. If, on the contrary, the ground is very dry, then the plant is thirsty, which means that watering is done more abundant and frequent, this is not connected with root rot.
What to do if drops form on the plant? The "dollar tree" cries very rarely. This is often due to the removal of excess fluid from the root system. Drops on the leaves occur due to waterlogging of the substrate, which can lead to yellowness and decay of the leaves. And also due to the humidity in the room air.
Zamioculcas is rarely affected by pests. Common parasites are: aphids, spider mites, scale insects.
How to deal with spider mites on indoor plants, we wrote here:https://flowers.bigbadmole.com/en/bolezni-rasteniy/pautinnyy-klesch-na-komnatnyh-rasteniyah-kak-borotsya-v-domashnih-usloviyah.html
- The most common pest is the spider mite. It can be found on the back of the leaves, on which white spider webs appear. You can get rid of it by washing the leaves with water, as well as with a tobacco solution.
- The scale cover tightly covers the plant, which delays its development. The larvae are amenable to destruction by soap and tobacco composition.
- Aphids feed on plant sap, which causes them to dry out. It is destroyed with a solution of nicotine sulfate and soap.
Do not rush to discard a plant that has wilted and shed its leaves during pest control. It can still be saved by cutting off the stem and planting the root in another container. If the root system is intact and in good condition, then with proper care the plant will regain its strength and will grow as before.
In conclusion, it must be said that the plant is at the peak of popularity, not only because of its decorative qualities, but also due to its unpretentious content, which is easy to care for. Zamioculcas are the favorite plants of phytodesigners, which they are used to decorate various interiors. It is placed not only on light windowsills, but also in the back of rooms, where there is only artificial lighting.
It feels great both in large outdoor flowerpots and in small containers. High adaptive abilities combined with undemanding care make the flower popular not only in residential premises and offices, but also in the halls of public places such as hospitals and hotels.