How to care for zmyokulkas at home correctly?

Zamiokulkas as a room culture was not known until the end of the XX century. Its massive sale began at the Dutch flower auctions. Now this is a popular indoor plant not only among amateurs, but also among professionals in greening premises. This is due to the high decorative qualities and unpretentiousness, which is characterized by zamiokulkas. How to plant and care for him, especially the structure and reproduction - about all this read on in the article.

On zamiokulkas it is necessary to pay attention first of all to beginning florists, who have minimal experience in growing indoor plants. In order to understand what your green pet needs and what it likes, you should pay attention to where it comes from, and also its anatomical features.

Zamiokulkas: description

Zamiokulkas belongs to the homonymous genus and is its only species. For the first time his botanical description was made by the collector of tropical plants K. Loddges. Now zamiokulkas zamielistnyj, named so for similarity of the form of leaves with leaves zamii, it is possible to meet under the name Loddzhesesa and lanceolate.

The native land of the plant is Zanzibar, East Africa and Madagascar. He is the representative of the lower tier, which explains his high resistance to shading. What is Zamiokulkas? How to take care, photos, tips and recommendations - all this will be discussed below.

So, before us is a herbaceous perennial plant with a characteristic tuberous rhizome. The leaves are complex, glossy, saturated dark green, can reach a height of 1 m. Although the plant is considered to be evergreen, in case of a drought it can discard leaves.

In zamiokulkasa imperceptible inflorescence, which is not very special beauty and charm. It is an ear of light cream color, which is formed on a thin peduncle. A modest, light-green blanket reliably disguises it among the leaves. In the conditions of the room flowering occurs extremely rarely and only in very old specimens. It would be logical to start a conversation about how to properly care for zamiokulkasom. How should it be located in an apartment, house or office? The choice of location depends on two main factors: lighting and air temperature.

Temperature and humidity

Zamiokulkas is a child of the tropics, therefore he prefers warmth. The most optimal for him will be the regime in the range from +20 to +25 ° C. However, in an enclosed environment, it can grow over a wider temperature range. In winter, the plant has a kind of rest period. He needs a cooler temperature (from +16 to +18 ° C, but not below) and rare watering. Keep in mind that zmiokulkas is very sensitive to temperature changes. If it is stably cool - this is normal, but if there are constant jumps, the plant can turn yellow and discard the leaves.

Humidity of air plays no special role in the cultivation of zamiokulkasa. This fact can not but rejoice, because in urban apartments air is often dry. Occasionally, you should wipe the leathery leaves of the plant with a damp cloth from the accumulated dust on them. But do it carefully so as not to damage the green part of the plant.

Lighting

Knowing how to take care of zamiokulkas at home, you can greatly facilitate the already simple process of its cultivation. One of the main factors of care is lighting. As already mentioned above, zamiokulkas is able to tolerate shading, which is why it can often be found in rather dark offices. Note that this is only an adaptive feature of an unpretentious plant. In bright, but necessarily diffused light, it will have a more decorative appearance and develop much more intensively. The plant does not like direct sunlight and can get severe burns. When choosing a place for zamiokulkasa in the house, pay attention to the presence of drafts on the window or on the floor. The plant does not like them very much. Remember that drafts are one of the main causes of the development of various diseases.

The soil

Admiring the powerful shoots of zamyoculcas and its juicy leaves, it is difficult to guess that it is absolutely unpretentious with respect to the composition of the soil. The only requirement for soil is lightness, moisture and air permeability, which will not allow water to stagnate, and insignificant presence of organic matter. In order to plant a flower zmiokulkas (photo, how to care, propagate in a vegetative way - further in the text), experts recommend using a universal soil or soil mixture for cacti and succulents.

If you can not buy it in the store, you can cook it yourself. Mix in equal proportions washed large river sand, turf and leaf ground, peat. At the bottom of the pot, pour a drainage layer in the form of expanded clay, which should be at least 1/4 of the total volume.

Watering

Excess water and its stagnation - this is something that can not tolerate the plant zmiokulkas. How to care for him in terms of watering, it is important to understand once and for all. The rule is one: it's better to undercharge than to pour. Watering should be moderate and not too frequent: once a week in the summer and once a month in the winter. Let us dry out the earthman to whom not only on the surface, but also to the middle of the volume. You can check this by putting your finger in the ground or weighing the pot in your hands. If you are not sure, then it's better to be safe and wait another 1-2 days. Reserves of moisture accumulated in leaves and stems, enough for this plant for this short period. Always drain water from the pan, as the stagnation of moisture in it can negatively affect the state of the tubers and provoke their decay.

Fertilizing fertilizers

Talking about how to care for zamiokulkas at home, we can not help but mention the topic of fertilizing the plant with fertilizers (organic and / or mineral). Note that this species grows slowly, and this is its physiological feature. Do not expect to receive a powerful bush of zamiokulkasa for a couple of months or even a year. The annual increase is 1-2 sheets. Trying to speed up the development of a flower is very much an occupation not only useless, but also dangerous.

Fertilizing must be done very carefully. Organic use is not necessary. Choose complex mineral preparations intended for cacti and succulents. Strictly observe the indicated dosage on the package, otherwise you risk burning the roots of the plant. Periodicity of fertilizing - once every two weeks in the period of active growth (in summer).

Transfer

Frequent transplantation is not loved by every representative of the flora, including the home flower zamiokulkas. How to care for him, we will look further. This plant belongs to the number of those species that build up a very powerful root system. Young specimens are recommended to be transplanted every 1-2 years, gradually increasing the size of the pot by a small amount (4-5 cm more than the former in diameter). Adult plants do not need to be bothered for 3-5 years, they should be oriented at the speed of their growth.

The roots of zamiokulkasa are so strong that they can easily deform the plastic container or even break it. In addition, the abundant and heavy foliage of a plant can simply outweigh, and the flower will fall. Therefore, preference should be given to heavy and strong pots of clay. Transshipment of large specimens and transplantation of young ones is one of the important aspects of the question of how to take care of zamyoculcas at home.

Before starting this process, do not water the plant. Carefully pull it out together with a clod of earth from an old pot. Remove the old soil, remove the dried or diseased rootlets, allow the wound to dry, and then plant the zamiokulkas in a new pot. At the same time the level of penetration of tubers should remain the same. Ideally, the rhizome should protrude only 1-1.5 cm above the surface.

Having learned more closely the plant zmiokulkas (how to care what is required, etc.) and admiring its efficiency and unpretentiousness, for sure many will want to have several copies of this species to decorate their house or share with friends. At home, only vegetative reproduction is possible. In order to get a new young plant, you can use any part of the parent specimen: the rhizome, the entire leaf or its individual part.

Multiplication by division

This method is the most simple and effective. Remove the adult bush from the plant, shake the ground and divide the rhizome in half or into several parts. It is important that each kidney has buds that will "wake up" as soon as you plant the plants and give side shoots. It is important to know how to take care of zamiokulkasom in a pot, when it does not yet have leaves. Throw off the tuber, and to stimulate germination, create him a hothouse condition. For this, you can cover the plant pot with a new plant with plastic film or glass, and then put it in a warm place.

Reproduction by cuttings

The method of reproduction of zamioculcus by cuttings is a little more difficult. They can be obtained by cutting into parts of a complex plant leaf or using it entirely. In the first case, cut small cuttings with a sharp knife or scalpel. They should be 5-6 cm long and have one sheet. Root them directly into the ground (use a loose sand mixture, as for an adult plant), covered with a plastic bag or a glass (or plastic) cap.

As a result, a small tuber should form on the leaf area under the ground, on which the roots and the kidney will grow in the future - the growth point. Do not forget to ventilate the greenhouse periodically. The process of tuber formation is not fast and can take several months, and new leaves will appear even later - after six months. Well, how to take care of zamiokulkas at home, you already know.

You can also use a whole sheet of zamiokulkas for vegetative propagation. Root it in a similar way. Or you can put a leaf in the water and wait for the appearance of roots, but there is a risk of decay.

Diseases of zmioculcus

Zamiokulkas is a plant with high resistance to both fungal and bacterial diseases, and to various pests. However, the problems are still there, and they are associated mainly with mistakes in care.

Consider the main ones:

• Invalid placement. If the plant is in the open sun, then certainly wait for burns on the leaves.
• Wrong irrigation is the most common and the main reason for the lion's share of unhappiness, which is caught up in the growth process of zamiokulkas. How to care? Yellow leaves of the plant often enough, but very few people know the main reason for this. And the reason, as a rule, is simple - frequent watering of zamiokulkasa in a combination to a low temperature of air. All this causes rotting of the roots and, as a consequence, yellowing of the leaves. You can save the plant at an early stage. Remove it from the flowerpots, remove the damaged roots, sprinkle them with powdered activated carbon, treat all (leaves and rhizome) with the "Oxychoma" solution and replace the soil.

• Excess fertilizers. Do not try to "disperse" the growth of plants with the help of special preparations. Enhanced fertilizing causes the death of the roots.

Defeat of insects

Insects-pests are susceptible to all plants in varying degrees, including indoor plants. Zamiokulkas (how to care, the methods of reproduction indicated above) is highly resistant. Its dense leaves are reliably protected by a leathery shell. However, sometimes due to the weakening of the immunity of the plant, aphids or scutes may appear. If the room is too dry air, a spider mite may start. When detecting traces of the presence of these insects, the zamiokulkas should be urgently treated. For a start, you can use folk methods: washing the leaves with a mild soap solution, spraying them with a tincture of tobacco. If this does not help, then use insecticides, for example, preparations "Intavir", "Fitoverm", etc.

note

• The juice of the plant contains poisonous substances that can cause food upset or allergies. In this regard, caution should be exercised in transplanting zamioculcas and its pruning. Be sure to use gloves. In addition, try to keep the plant away from small children and pets.
• Zamiokulkas in indoor floriculture introduced relatively recently and is an exceptionally natural species. However, in 2007, the breeders presented the first hybrid of this plant - the Zamicro variety, characterized by its miniature dimensions (not more than 60 cm in height) and more graceful leaves.

If you are looking for your apartment or office spectacular, unusual and at the same time unpretentious plant, then choose a flower zamiokulkas. How to care at home for him, you now know. It is enough to remember a few basic postulates, and then cultivation of zamioculcas will turn for you into an uncomplicated occupation.