Zamioculcas as a room culture was not known until the end of the 20th century. Its mass sale began at Dutch flower auctions. Now this is a popular indoor plant, not only among amateurs, but also among gardening professionals. This is due to the high decorative qualities and unpretentiousness, which is characterized by zamioculcas. How to plant and care for him, the features of the structure and reproduction - read about all this later in the article.
Zamioculcas should pay attention primarily to beginner growers who have minimal experience in growing indoor plants. In order to understand what your green pet needs and what he likes, you should pay attention to where he comes from, as well as his anatomical features.
Zamioculcas: description
Zamioculcas belongs to the same genus and is its only species. For the first time, his botanical description was compiled by a collector of tropical plants C. Lodges. Now Zamioculcas is amyloid, so named for the similarity of the shape of the leaves with the leaves of the zamia, can be found under the name Lodges and lanceolate.
The birthplace of the plant is Zanzibar, East Africa and Madagascar. He is a representative of the lower tier, which explains its high resistance to shading. What is Zamioculcas? How to care, photos, tips and tricks - all this will be discussed below.
So, before us is a herbaceous perennial plant with a characteristic tuberous rhizome. The leaves are complex-ply, glossy, of a deep dark green color, they can reach a height of 1 m. Although the plant is considered to be evergreen, in case of drought it can drop leaves.
Zamiokulkas has an unobtrusive inflorescence, which does not differ in special beauty and charm. It is an ear of light cream color, which is formed on a thin peduncle. A modest light green veil reliably disguises it among the leaves. In a room, flowering is extremely rare and only in very old specimens. It would be logical to start a conversation about how to properly care for zamioculcus. How should it be placed in an apartment, house or office? The choice of location depends on two main factors: lighting and air temperature.
Temperature and humidity
Zamioculcas is a child of the tropics, therefore, prefers warmth. The most optimal mode for him will be in the range from +20 to +25 ° . However, in a closed environment, it can grow in a wider temperature range. In winter, the plant begins a kind of dormant period. He needs a cooler temperature (from +16 to +18 ° C, but not lower) and rare watering. Keep in mind that zamioculcas is very sensitive to temperature differences. If it is stably cool, this is normal, but if there are constant jumps, the plant may turn yellow and drop leaves.
Humidity does not play a special role in the cultivation of zamioculcas. This fact cannot but rejoice, because in city apartments the air is often dry. Occasionally, you should wipe the leathery leaves of the plant with a damp cloth from dust accumulated on them. But you need to do this carefully so as not to damage the green part of the plant.
Lighting
Knowing how to care for Zamioculcas at home, you can greatly facilitate the already simple process of growing it. One of the main factors of care is lighting. As already mentioned above, zamioculcas is able to tolerate shading, and therefore it can often be found in rather dark offices. Note that this is only an adaptive feature of an unpretentious plant. In bright, but always diffused light, it will have a more decorative look and develop much more intensively. The plant does not like direct sunlight and can get severe burns. When choosing a place in the house for zamiokulkas, pay attention to the presence of drafts on the window or on the floor. The plant does not really like them. Remember that drafts are one of the main reasons for the development of various diseases.
The soil
Admiring the powerful shoots of Zamioculcas and its juicy leaves, it is difficult to guess that it is absolutely unpretentious in terms of soil composition. The only soil requirements are lightness, moisture and air permeability, which will not allow stagnation of water, and a slight presence of organic matter. In order to plant Zamioculcas flower (photo, how to care, propagate vegetatively - hereinafter), experts recommend using universal soil or soil mixture for cacti and succulents.
If it is not possible to purchase it in a store, then you can cook it yourself. Mix in equal proportions washed coarse river sand, turf and leafy soil, peat. Be sure to pour a drainage layer in the form of expanded clay to the bottom of the pot, which should be at least 1/4 of the total volume.
Watering
Excess water and its stagnation is something that Zamioculcas does not tolerate. How to care for him in terms of watering, it is important to understand once and for all. There is only one rule: it’s better not to overfill than to overfill. Watering should be moderate and not too frequent: once a week in the summer and once a month in the winter. Let's dry the earthen coma not only on the surface, but also to the middle of the volume. You can check this by lowering your finger into the ground or weighing the pot in your hands. If you are not sure, then it is better to play it safe and wait another 1-2 days. The moisture reserves accumulated in the leaves and stems are enough for the plant for this short period. Always drain the water from the pan, as stagnation of moisture in it can adversely affect the condition of the tubers and cause them to rot.
Fertilizer fertilizer
Talking about how to care for Zamioculcas at home, one can not stop on 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 get a powerful Zamioculcus bush in a couple of months or even a year. Annual growth is 1-2 sheets. Trying to greatly accelerate the development of the flower is not only useless, but also dangerous.
Fertilizing with fertilizers should be carried out very carefully. Organics do not need to be used. Choose complex mineral preparations for cacti and succulents. Strictly follow the dosage indicated on the package, otherwise you risk burning the roots of the plant. Frequency of top dressing - once every two weeks during a period of active growth (in summer).
Transfer
Not every representative of the flora likes a frequent transplant, including the home flower Zamioculcas. How to care for him, we will consider further. This plant is one of those species that grow a very powerful root system. Young specimens are recommended to be transplanted once every 1-2 years, gradually increasing the size of the pot by a small amount (4-5 cm more than the previous diameter). Adult plants can not be disturbed for 3-5 years, you should be guided by the speed of their growth.
The roots of Zamioculcas are so strong that they can easily deform the plastic container or even break it. In addition, the plentiful and heavy foliage of the plant can simply outweigh, and the flower will fall. Therefore, preference should be given to heavy and strong clay pots. Transshipment of large specimens and transplantation of young ones is one of the important aspects of the question of how to care for Zamioculcas at home.
Before starting this process, do not water the plant. Gently pull it along with a lump of earth from the old pot. Remove the old soil, remove dried or diseased roots, allow the wounds to dry, and only then plant zamioculcas in a new pot. The level of deepening of the tubers should remain the same. Ideally, the rhizome should only protrude 1-1.5 cm above the surface.
Having learned more closely the Zamioculcas plant (how to care for what is required, etc.) and admired its spectacularity and unpretentiousness, many will probably want to make several copies of this species to decorate their home or share with friends. At home, only vegetative propagation is possible. In order to get a new young plant, you can use any part of the maternal specimen: rhizome, whole leaf or its separate part.
Division propagation
This method is the most simple and effective. Remove the adult bush from the pots, brush off the ground and divide the rhizome in half or in several parts. It is important that each delenka has buds that “wake up” as soon as you plant the plants and give lateral shoots. It is important to know how to care for Zamioculcus in a pot when it does not yet have leaves. Deepen the tuber, and to stimulate germination, create greenhouse conditions for it. To do this, you can cover the cache-pot with a new plant with plastic film or glass, and then put it in a warm place.
Propagation by cuttings
A little more complicated is the method of propagation of zamioculcus by cuttings. They can be obtained by cutting into parts of a complex leaf of a plant or using it whole. 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 in the ground (using a loose sand mixture, as for an adult plant), covering with a plastic bag or a glass (or plastic) cap.
As a result, a small nodule should form on the site of the leaf under the ground, on which the roots and bud will later develop - the growth point. Do not forget to periodically ventilate the greenhouse. The tuberization process is not fast and can take several months, and new leaves will appear even later - after six months. Well, you already know how to care for Zamioculcas at home.
You can also use a whole leaf of zamioculcas for vegetative propagation. Root it in a similar way. Or you can put a leaf in the water and wait for the roots to appear, but there is a risk of decay.
Zamioculcas disease
Zamioculcas is a plant with high resistance to both fungal and bacterial diseases and various pests. However, there are still problems, and they are mainly associated with errors in care.
Consider the main ones:
- Invalid placement. If the plant is in the open sun, then be sure to wait for burns on the leaves.
- Improper watering is the most common and main reason for the lion's share of misfortunes that overtake Zamioculcas in the growth process. How to care? The leaves of the plant turn yellow often enough, but few people know the main reason for this. And the reason, as a rule, is simple - frequent watering of Zamioculcus in combination with low air temperature. All this causes rotting of the roots and, as a consequence, yellowing of the leaves. You can save the plant at an early stage. Take it out of the cache-pot, remove the damaged roots, sprinkle them with activated carbon powder, treat completely (leaves and rhizome) with Oxychoma solution and replace the soil.
- Excess fertilizer. Do not try to “disperse” the plant growth with the help of special preparations. Enhanced top dressing causes death of the roots.
Insect damage
Pests are susceptible to all plants to one degree or another, including indoor flowers. Zamioculcas (how to care, methods of reproduction are indicated above) is highly stable. Its dense leaves are reliably protected by a leathery shell. However, sometimes aphids or scale insects may appear due to weakened plant immunity. If the room is too dry, a spider mite may start. If traces of the presence of these insects are detected, zamioculcas must be urgently treated. To begin with, you can use folk methods: washing the leaves with a mild soap solution, spraying them with tincture of tobacco. If this does not help, then use insecticides, for example, Intavir, Fitoverm, and others.
note
- Plant juice contains toxic substances that can cause an eating disorder or an allergy. In this regard, caution should be exercised when transplanting Zamioculcas and pruning it. Be sure to use gloves. In addition, try to keep the plant away from small children and pets.
- Zamioculcas has been introduced into indoor floriculture relatively recently and is an exclusively natural species. However, in 2007, the breeders presented the first hybrid of this plant - the Zamicro variety, characterized by miniature sizes (not more than 60 cm in height) and more elegant leaves.
If you are looking for a spectacular, unusual and yet unpretentious plant for your apartment or office, then choose Zamioculcas flower. How to care for him at home, you now know. It is enough to remember a few basic postulates, and then the cultivation of zamioculcas will turn for you into an easy burden.