Contents of the article:
The problem of many gardeners than to populate empty niches and northern windows is easily solved with the help of aspidistra - at home, an unpretentious plant easily takes root. The plant is shade tolerant, leaves up to 60 cm long come out of the ground in a shell of two scales of leaves, which die off. An excellent landscaper who tolerates low humidity and smoke does not require special conditions.
Plant Transplant Rules
Any purchased houseplant must be quarantined. Within two weeks, the plant, arranged in an isolated room, is observed. At the same time, the plant is not fed, but not overdried, by pouring in small portions of settled soft water.
If the plant is clean from pests and diseases, it is transplanted. Aspidistra transplant after purchase is carried out in a larger bowl, because often the plant is not recommended to replant. The roots of the flower grow quickly, and soon the capacity will be filled, and frequent relocation of fragile roots is harmful. The transfer should be done by transshipment method. Freeing the old dishes, aspidistru carefully put in a new one, after preparing the litter from the drainage and the layer of garden soil. The pot under the aspidistry is selected to be voluminous; it should be wide and deep, with good drainage.
The plant is unpretentious to the composition of the soil. You can use universal garden soil, soil for growing seedlings of garden crops. If there is an opportunity to independently make a substrate, then you can use in equal proportions:
- turf soil;
- humus;
- peat;
- sand.
Add to the resulting composition a double volume of leafy land, together with peat, it gives the desired acidity of the soil. Adding vermiculite, crushed charcoal is welcome.
After transshipment, water the plant and drain excess water through a drain.
Thus, a further transplant of the plant is done as long as it is possible. In an adult specimen, the ground is removed from above and sprinkled a new ground. If the plant has more than 8 sheets, it can be divided when seated. Previously, it is impossible to divide aspidistru, both parts will die.
Reproduction of aspidistra
It is clear that during transplantation of an adult plant, it is possible to separate a part that has at least 4 sheets and deposit it in a prepared container. It should be noted that the plant produces only 5-6 leaves per year under normal conditions of development. The newly planted plant should be placed in a warm place and wear a transparent cap on top, but not close it tightly. In such conditions, the plant should be until a new leaf appears, which is a sign of rooting. This also applies to a large bush after transshipment.
In another way, how to get a plant without injuring an adult bush, it will be a leaf reproduction. This method allows you to get a full-fledged plant in a longer period.
Vegetative reproduction is used to obtain more individuals through the regeneration of a complete plant from its part. So all varietal traits and genetic abnormalities are transmitted. Cloning of aspidistra occurs under special conditions.
- Choose the best leaf, cut without a stem, but with a thick fleshy influx.
- Take a long hermetically closed container with a wide neck. This may be a bottle resembling kefir.
- In a container with water at the bottom, the sheet dried on the cut is lowered.
- The bottle is sealed tightly, you can paraffin the joint or cover it with clay.
- Germination is conducted in a warm place in the light.
The appeared roots will give a signal that it is time to root the plant. To plant a leaf, soft leaf earth is taken. As the reproduction of aspidistra looks like a leaf is shown in the photo. Until the appearance of a new leaf rooting lead under a transparent jar.
Sometimes, the sheet does not release roots, rots. In this case, it is removed, slightly cutting the plate, again immersed in fresh water.
Reproduction by seeds of aspidistra is conducted only by fans of obtaining new varieties. Growing seeds out of difficulty is not, but the development of the plant lasts for many years. Seeds can be obtained only by pollinating a flower from a neighbor. A bloom lasts all day. Therefore, the method of cultivation of aspidistra from seed is rarely used at home.
The rhizome of aspidistra is fleshy, and flowers are formed between the leaves in the axils, but they almost sit on the rhizome and are little visible in the foliage. Moreover, they emit the smell of rotting meat, attracting flies. The flower is so arranged.that the fly will surely roll inwards, and when it gets out, it will stick with pollen, transferring it to another flower. After pollination, a single seed ripens.
Like all other methods of reproduction of aspidistra at home, sowing of seeds is done in the spring in a warm, moist earth. Seeds do not bury deep, sow one or more, followed by picking. In this case, the development of the plant will go slowly, because ahead of eternity.
Feature of the plant, which should be considered when transplanting and reproducing rhizomes.
- Aspidistra has very fragile roots that easily break when transplanting. If you do not notice the wound in time and do not dry it, rot may appear.
- To cut the roots during reproduction, use a sharp knife, sprinkle and dry the wound.
- It is possible to divide plants no more than once in 5 years.
- Young plants to be transferred to a larger bowl more often, while gently loosening the earth in the inter-root space, trying to update the substrate and keep the roots.
- A bush having less than 8 sheets for dividing is not suitable.
Following these rules, you can breed aspidistra at home and give gifts to your friends. If you consider that the plant cleans the air, unpretentious and has medicinal properties, the gift will be invaluable.
A few tips on plant maintenance will help to enjoy the beauty of the bush:
- regularly clean sheets from dust using a damp cloth;
- protect the plant from direct sunlight;
- to feed the aspidistra during the growing season once a month on wet land;
- do not abuse irrigation and use soft distilled water;
- to control that insects are not infested on the plant.
That's all simple rules for caring for aspidistra.
