Spathiphyllium (flower of female happiness) is an ornamental plant that is distinguished by thin and long cuttings, oblong, brilliant, light green leaves with sharp tips. Flowers may vary in various shades, but most often they are white.
The plant has a special flower shape: the tip of the arrow is covered with a white petal. Proper care of the flower female happiness at home will allow you to successfully grow a beautiful plant.
History of origin
The discoverer of the flower of female happiness - German Gustav Wallis, who noticed the plant during a trip to Colombia. To this day, the flower grows in this country and its surroundings in forests, on deserted shores, in fields.
However, this plant can be found in Polynesia, East Asia - countries with a tropical climate. For many years, the inhabitants of these countries have been using the plant for planting their own houses, but it was not until the 1960s that they began to grow spatiphillium as an indoor plant.
Glossy leaves of the plant have an elongated elliptical shape, the surface of the plate is divided into veins. Most plant species do not have a stalk or it is very short.
At the onset of the flowering phase, green stalks begin to rise above the green mass of foliage with white, creamy perianths that frame a smooth, bright ear.
Biologists know more than 40 species of this plant, but only a few species are suitable for growing in indoor conditions.
When the flowering phase comes, tsvetonos with white, cream and white-green perianth, framing the tuberculate, less often smooth cob of white or muffled yellow color are raised above the green mass of foliage.
This flower is also called white sail.
Basic principles of plant care
In order for the flower of female happiness to grow beautifully and delight in its appearance, it should be carefully looked after. In this case, care is based on the following principles:
- watering is very important - it should be carried out regularly and in sufficient quantities;
- important and proper lighting - take care of diffused sunlight, since direct exposure to the sun can negatively affect the leaves;
- temperature - it is desirable that the temperature in the room does not fall below +16 degrees.
Watering
Watering the plants should be moderate, since lack and moisture overload are very dangerous for female happiness. It should be noted that excessive amounts of water are not absorbed in a timely manner, stagnate in the pot, which can cause rotting of the roots. When planning irrigation, be guided by the condition of the upper ground - if it is dry, you can water the flower.
But you need to spray the plant daily.
The frequency of watering in winter is usually less frequent than in summer, because during this period the plant is at rest, all its processes are slower. If neither reduce the amount of watering, the roots of the plant can freeze.
For irrigation it is best to use water at room temperature, and it is desirable to defend it for 2-3 days.
Transfer
Female happiness - a plant that occasionally needs to be transplanted (once a year). The main objective of this event is flower rejuvenation. It should be remembered that the root system of women's happiness does not grow very quickly, because it is undesirable to choose too large pots.
When transplanting you should take care of the drainage system, because the flower loves moisture. In addition, drainage will help prevent the accumulation of moisture in the pot. To do this, you can use a simple expanded clay layer of 2-3 cm. The rest of the pot must be filled with substrate.
Soil can be purchased at a specialized store - in this case it will delight with its optimal and harmonious composition.
However, many growers independently make a substrate using peat, sheet and sod soil, sand in equal proportions.
Fertilizer flower
Caring for this plant involves its mandatory fertilizer. It is desirable to make nutrient mixtures at least once a month, during the flowering period - once every two weeks. For this plant are ideally complex mineral fertilizers.
Breeding
Spathiphyllum is desirable to propagate vegetatively. The use of seeds for propagation of this plant is a rather difficult task, since it is very difficult to develop seed material. And in most cases, germinated seeds are not pleasing to healthy and strong seedlings.
For reproduction, you can carefully divide the root system when transplanting plants to a new location. You can also apply the cutting method, using a small part of the top of the flower. It is desirable to carry out all work on the cultivation of female happiness in the spring before its flowering. It is required to act as carefully as possible so as not to damage the plant.
Only healthy parts of the spathiphyllum are suitable for breeding. The most important thing is that they should settle down in a new place. For this reason, it is advisable to take care of creating a greenhouse effect for sprouting the process, necessarily placing the plant under the film.
Pests and diseases
When growing plants, it is important to monitor its condition. I am glad that this flower has practically no enemies among the parasites. Occasionally, a spider mite may appear - in this case it is better to use a soap solution. They just need to wipe the leaves, as long as it does not get to the ground. The next day, rinse the leaves with clean water.
Problems and solutions
The appearance of problems with the development of the flower usually leads to improper care. For example, if the leaves darken or turn yellow in the flower, this may indicate incorrect watering, constant exposure to direct sunlight. In some cases, the problem may be in insects living on the spathiphyllum.
Also, yellowing of the leaves can result in:
- the pot is too small;
- improper location, causing the plant to suffer from the sun or drafts;
- low humidity in the room;
- too much fertilizer applied.
But if the leaves are blackened, this may indicate the death of the root system.
Anxiety can cause such a problem as the lack of flowering. However, many reasons are not considered serious:
- The plant may not bloom if the pot is under direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. That is why diffused lighting is so important.
- Flowering affects fertilizing, because it is so important to constantly use fertilizers. During the flowering period it is better to use mineral fertilizers.
Folk omens and superstitions
Our ancestors were convinced that the spathiphyllum growing in a house can bring not only visual pleasure with its appearance, but it also helps in other areas.
It is believed that the flower of female happiness the truth will give a person love, marriage. According to national signs, the presence of this plant in the house will help to get pregnant faster and improve health. In addition, according to the signs, the spathiphyllum perfectly helps to maintain the passion between the spouses.
This flower is considered an excellent gift, especially if you present it as a gift to an unmarried girl without children. And best of all, if such a gift will present a man - brother, father, nephew, that is, consisting in consanguinity. It’s good if a good friend who recently married or gave birth to a flower gives a flower, it is believed that she will give her lucky energy to the birthday girl.
And it is best to give female happiness during the flowering period - in this case, the action of the flower, according to signs, will begin faster.
However, there are negative signs regarding this plant. It is believed that the lack of flowering or the death of the plant can indicate damage or the evil eye. According to some signs, the appearance of yellow leaves may indicate that the beloved spouse has ceased to feel passion, love, tenderness.
