A flower aspidistra, or a friendly family, can often be found in houses and apartments. Its scientific name in translation means "pointer of snakes." It is believed that it is due to the fact that in nature the plant prefers the same places in which these reptiles like to hide. In addition, the snake resembles a gray curved root of the plant.
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Speaking of a room or garden aspidistra, they usually mean the appearance of an aspidistra high. It is she who, as a rule, is cultivated by flower growers. In total, 98 species of herbaceous stemless plants belonging to the Asparagus family belong to the homonymous genus Aspidistra.
The plant originates from the humid mountain subtropical forests of Japan and South China. Growing in the garden, it covers quite large spaces. Because of the many leaves growing one near the other, the plant was popularly called the "friendly family".
Description
This plant is notable for its long-leaved dark green leaves (spotted varieties were also bred). They are glossy, have a saturated color, a lanceolate, strap-like or wide-oval shape. In length, the leaves of the garden and indoor flower Aspidistra (photo of the plant is presented in the article) reach 50-60 centimeters, in width - about 15. At their base, at the beginning of the petiole, you can notice small scales, which are modified leaves, the purpose of which is to protect the main sheet.
The rhizome of the aspidistra is quite powerful, long, curved, highly branched. With strong growth, small roots can tightly braid the entire land lump in a pot of aspidistra flower.
How does the plant bloom? This usually happens in the winter. The flowers of the aspidistra are not very noticeable, you can even say, inconspicuous, sedentary. They are purple in color, with eight lobes and eight stamens. How the Aspidistra flower looks high can be seen in the photo below.
The fruits of the plant are pear-shaped large berries. At home, they can be obtained using artificial pollination.
Requirements for conditions: lighting
Those who are interested in caring for an aspidistra flower should first of all understand that this plant comes from dense tropical forests, so it loves the shade, and the direct rays of the sun can be destructive for it. Variegated varieties ("variegata") require slightly more lighting. But in general, this plant is shade-loving, shade-tolerant, which means it is most suitable for landscaping rooms facing north. In the summer, taking the indoor flower to the aspidistra (photo below) on the balcony, terrace or garden, this should also be taken into account. The scattered bright light will not harm the plant, but it should be protected from direct sunlight. A sunburn appears as brown or brown spots.
Temperature mode
Nowadays, more and more often in summer the air temperature rises to unusually high levels. What to do in this case with a flower aspidistra? How to care for him? Aspidistra does not need to create special temperature conditions. It feels great in the temperature range from +18 to +25 degrees Celsius. But if the summer turned out to be hot, it is necessary to provide additional moisture: spray it from the spray bottle and water it more often than usual. Home care for the aspidistra flower (photo below) also involves wiping the leaves with a damp cloth. In the heat, it will help the plant avoid drying out, and at other times of the year it is necessary to remove dust.
In winter, it is desirable (but not necessary) to keep the aspidistra in a room with a temperature of + 15 ... + 17 degrees. It tolerates a decrease in temperature well up to + 10 ... + 12 degrees, but there is no special need to create such conditions.
Strong currents of cold air are detrimental to the plant, so it is advisable to protect it from drafts. In general, given the origin of the aspidistra, it can be noted that heat is more dangerous for her than a seasonal decrease in temperature by 10-12 degrees. Hypothermia can harm a flower if it is combined with excessive watering.
Watering need
In the warm season, the plant needs to be watered after the topsoil dries well. In winter, watering is carried out not immediately after drying, but after a few days. If at the same time the aspidistra is kept in a cool room, then watering once every 10 to 14 days is enough.
Water, as for other plants, should be soft - thawed, rain, or at least settled. Water temperature for irrigation - room. The lack of moisture is indicated by the drying of the ends of the leaves.
Feeding aspidistra
It is carried out in the warm season (from April to October), using complex fertilizers for deciduous plants. Dilute it twice as much as indicated on the package.
Experienced flower growers do not recommend feeding variegated varieties. According to them, the aspidistra may lose its decorative effect, since the leaves will acquire the usual green color.
Transfer
The rhizome of the aspidistra is quite sensitive, so it is better to transplant the plants by the method of transshipment, leaving an earthen lump between the roots. The pot is selected 3-5 centimeters wider, and on the sides, around the roots, new earth is added.
The plant is not picky about the composition of the soil, but it is desirable that it be light, with a neutral or slightly acid reaction. You can simply plant the aspidistra in a universal soil mixture for indoor plants. If you wish to prepare the soil, they independently take sod, leaf, humus soil, peat and sand (2: 1: 1: 1: 1). A drainage layer (for example, expanded clay) must be poured at the bottom. This will help protect the roots of the aspidistra from decay during excessive watering. The top of the basal cervix should not be covered with earth.
Transplantation is usually carried out as necessary, when the flower grows. Most often - every three to four years, in the middle of spring. Aspidistra does not tolerate it very well, so care must be taken. After this, the flower can remain in one pore for a long time, without showing signs of growth. If the roots were damaged through negligence, the plant may become ill.
Breeding
This flower is propagated by dividing the rhizome (bush) or leaf. In the first case, the rhizomes are divided into several parts, on each of which there are three to five leaves. Cuts must be sprinkled with crushed activated charcoal or ash. Parts of the bush are planted in separate pots.
When propagating by leaf, the procedure will be somewhat more complicated. It is necessary to choose a healthy fleshy leaf and cut it together with an influx of reduced leaflets at the base. The sheet must be kept a couple of hours in the air to dry the cut. After this, the sheet should be placed in a wide bottle of water, which must be closed with a lid and sealed to prevent air from entering. For germination, the leaf needs heat and light. After the roots appear, the bottle is opened, the sheet is removed and transplanted into loose leafy soil. On top of it, it is necessary to close it with a bank to ensure greenhouse conditions. It can be removed when the plant takes root and releases a new leaf.
A situation is possible when the transplanted sheet begins to rot. Then it should be cut off above the affected part and closed again in a water bottle until the roots appear.
It is better to propagate the aspidistra, as well as transplant, in April - early May. It is advisable that when it is rooted, the temperature does not exceed +18 degrees. Fertilizing the plant for a month after transplantation is not recommended.
Diseases and Pests
In a dry room, the plant can be affected by a scab and a spider mite. The soft larvae of the guards, moving, move to the underside of the leaf and stick to it. After that, their body is covered with hard shields, which is why these pests got their name. Affected leaves begin to turn yellow, and eventually fall off.
To combat the scab, use a soap solution with which the leaves are washed. First you need to collect the pests manually. In case of profuse infection, special preparations are used - “Fufanon” or “Karbofos”.
When affected by a spider mite, the leaves on the back side are covered with a thin spider web. Gradually, they also become brown and fall off. To combat this pest use the drug "Actellik".
It is interesting
In China and Japan, in the homeland of the plant, it is traditionally used in folk medicine as an astringent, diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Folk healers believe that decoction of aspidistra leaves is an excellent remedy for diarrhea, kidney stones and bladder, and even seizures. Leaf compresses are used for bleeding gums. You can also just chew the sheet in a small gruel for ten minutes, and then spit it out. This procedure is performed to strengthen the gums daily for two weeks. It is also recommended to rub fresh aspidistra juice into the gums several times a day until a healing effect is achieved.
Finally
The article briefly described the necessary aspidistra flower (with photo) for home care. Its lush leaves are highly decorative, and it will certainly become a worthy decoration of a house, greenhouse or garden.
An aspidistra flower, the care of which is quite simple, is a rather undemanding flower that can be recommended for cultivation even by beginners.