Spathiphyllum is a South American tropical perennial. Despite the pleasant nickname "female happiness", the plant is poisonous.
Spathiphyllum is a favorite among flowers for home content. Thanks to its unpretentiousness and beauty, the plant has won the love of flower growers and florists. The name consists of two words "bedspread" and "leaf", describing its delicate white flowers.
Characteristic
Spathiphyllum is a member of the Aroid family. The short rhizome accumulates moisture and nutrients. Another function of the tuber is to support the flower itself and to participate in vegetative propagation.
Straight from the tuber grow its oval, with pronounced streaks, leaves. There is no stem. The flower deserves special attention.
It is located on a pedicel with a thick axis of length equal to the length of the stem. The flower is represented by a white bristle, wrapping the axis, at the end of flowering acquiring a greenish tint. Flowering lasts about 2 weeks, once or twice a year.
Spathiphyllum species
Spathiphyllum genus has about 50 species. There are several categories of plants:
- kannolistny;
- Helicious;
- Wallis;
- charming;
- spoon-shaped;
- floriferous.
Varieties from the latter category are the most common type of spathiphyllum for home cultivation.
It has a small size, reaching a height of about 50 cm. The bush has oval leaves, no more than 40 pieces. The plant is characterized by abundant and long flowering.
Home care
The natural environment of the spathiphyllum is represented by a marshy, well-moistened soil. Therefore, the home maintenance of the flower requires careful watering.
Normally, the soil should always be slightly wet. The plant loves spraying water on the leaves as well as warmth. After the acquisition, after 2-3 weeks, the plant must be transplanted into a more spacious pot.
It is necessary to monitor the good soil moisture. Dry indoor air is contraindicated in this plant. Drafts should also be avoided.
Lighting
The flower does not require any special lighting conditions. He feels well in the shade, the penumbra. Therefore, the most suitable place for it will be the north or north-west window. But do not keep it in excessive darkness, as the leaves may become smaller. The plant also tolerates bright light.
But, having a spathiphyllum near the south window, you need to take care of its protection from the direct rays of the sun. Solar irradiation makes the plant leaves pale.
Temperature conditions
Spathiphyllum feels great at room temperature. The most acceptable temperature is 22-23 degrees.
Its flowering begins at a temperature of about 18 degrees. Do not lower the temperature below 16 degrees. You can not put the plant near the battery, it leads to its drying. It should isolate the plant from drafts.
Humidity
This is one of the most important factors for the well-being of spathiphyllum. In spring and summer time it is necessary to make regular spraying, at least 2 times a day.
You can put a flower in a container filled with wet clay. To preserve the beauty of the leaves, dust removal and additional moisture, they should be cleaned with a damp cloth every two days.
Watering
The flower loves year-round watering. Drying the earthy coma causes the death of the plant. Winter watering is moderate (up to 1 times a week), and spring-summer - abundant.
Spathiphyllum does not tolerate stagnation of water, therefore, excess moisture must be drained. The lack of watering is reflected in wilted foliage. If after normalization of the irrigation regime the foliage does not rise, then the problem is not enough moist air.
The soil
The soil consists of peat (1 part), leaf soil (1 part), humus (1 part), river sand (0.5 parts). The proportions of the components of the soil should be observed when transplanting plants. In specialized stores you can buy ready-made version of the soil for aoids.
Bloom
Spathiphyllum differs in long flowering. With proper care, you can achieve year-round flowering.
To re-bloom for 2-3 months, the temperature of the plant should be lowered to 20 degrees, but not lower than 16 degrees. It is also necessary to water the flower more intensively, to feed, to monitor the humidity of the air.
Pruning
At the end of flowering, it is necessary to prune the peduncle in order to stop the waste of nutrients. Crop should be as close as possible to the rhizome.
Places of cuts are recommended to powder with coal powder.
Transplantation and dressing spathiphyllum
The plant can be easily transplanted, requires only accuracy and compliance with the rules.
Transfer
An adult flower should be replanted every 3-5 years, when the rhizome grows over the entire pot. The plant has brittle roots, so it is recommended transfer method. No need to shake the earthen room, it is better to transplant with it.
Rotted roots clean up. The best time for repotting is the end of winter, on the eve of flowering. It is also allowed to transplant a flower in autumn, at the end of flowering.
A picked up slightly larger pot is filled with a slightly acidic, universal primer. It is necessary to provide for drainage.
The additive should be at least 10% of the total soil. You can also cover the flower with polyethylene and air it twice a day. If the plant is old enough and does not grow, it is not necessary to replant it. You can only replace the top layer of soil.
Fertilizers
To ensure regular flowering of spathiphyllum, it is necessary to feed the plant regularly. Starting in the spring, fertilizing should be carried out at least 1 time in 2 weeks.
When autumn comes, top dressing can be reduced to 1 time per month. But during the flowering period, fertilizing the plant is not recommended. Do not fertilize young spathiphyllum, as well as during transplantation.
The flower likes organic fertilizers, for example, a solution of bird droppings. Also well suited special fertilizers for flowering plants or universal.
To improve flowering fertilizer must contain potassium, phosphorus. From March to September, the flower requires mineral dressing.
The lack of minerals in the soil leads to the absence of the formation of flower ovaries. Pre-watered flower is fertilized with a weakly diluted solution of fertilizer - 1 g / 1 l of water. After the procedure is also required to water the flower.
Spathiphyllum "female happiness": methods of reproduction
There is the simplest method for propagating spathiphyllum. When transplanting can be done division of the bush. The plant has the property to the rapid growth, the formation of new outlets.
Young plants should be planted in small containers to avoid the growth of roots. Roots need to pre-nourish water, rinse, unravel. It is necessary to clean them, sprinkle the cuts with coal powder. After that, you can begin to divide.
Each bush should have its own core, thanks to which each part of the flower is a full-fledged plant, ready for planting in the ground. The most successful period for the propagation of spathiphyllum is spring, before the start of the collection of green mass. The recess is made the same as that of the main plant. The soil should have the same composition.
Another breeding method is carried out by cutting, carried out in the spring and summer season. The sheet rosette is cut off. After placing it in water or wet sand, root formation should occur.
The outlet with the already formed root system, which has reached 2-3 cm, can be immediately planted into the ground. Each rhizome should have at least 2-3 leaves.
Leaf stalk is not suitable for reproduction.
Probable problems, diseases, pests
There are two factors of negative influence on the spathiphyllum: pests, care errors. The main pests that threaten the health of spathiphyllum are:
- Spider mite The insect entangles the leaves with cobwebs, causing them to dry. The plant should be washed with a soap solution, and then with ordinary water. You can use a five-day infusion of onion peel (100 g) in 5 liters of water;
- Aphid. This fast-breeding insect feeds on plant sap, settling on the lower part of the leaves. Get rid of it at one time will not succeed. It is necessary to process the flower with a solution of 1 g of nicotine sulfate and 1 l of water. You can apply a soap solution. The soil should be covered with a film of polyethylene;
- Shchitovka. Dark spots on the stem, leaves of the flower indicate the presence of scythes. The agent against it is a soap and tobacco solution, in which kerosene is also added. After wiping the affected areas of the plant, it is necessary to wash it with a solution of soap, treat it with insecticides;
- Mealybug. Waterlogging of the soil leads to the appearance of a mealybug. It can be found between the leaves of the flower when viewed. A small amount of the pest is removed with a cloth moistened with alcohol. Mass damage to the plant requires the use of actellica, insecticides.
The reason for the yellowing of leaves, lack of flowering
Due to errors in the care of the spathiphyllum, one can observe the following negative phenomena:
- Changes in the color of foliage. Why do the leaves turn yellow? This is a lack of moisture. For the prevention of this phenomenon, you need to arrange bathing the plants in warm water (+20 degrees). It also helps to prevent the occurrence of pests. If yellowing is observed only on the tips of the foliage, it is necessary to make the water softer. Excess nutrient saturation contributes to the appearance of brown spots. Blackening of the leaves indicates improper watering or deficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus;
- Lack of colors. Why spathiphyllum does not bloom? The reason may be too young age of the plant. The reduced air temperature, the lack of humidity also affects. Sometimes the reason for the lack of flowers is the lack of trace elements and nutrition in the soil. A portion of fertilizer should increase gradually.
Signs and superstitions with spathiphyllum
Spathiphyllum knowingly bears the nickname "female happiness." If you want to create a family, have a baby, strengthen family life, this flower must be present in the house.
There is a sign that with the blossoming bud desire will begin to be fulfilled. But flower drying is a bad omen, comparable to the loss of happiness. Therefore, in a house where spathiphyllum grows, you cannot quarrel. It is sensitive to negative energy.
If you carefully handle the flower, ask him about the fulfillment of desire, then the flower will thank the owner of a dream come true. You can get a flower as a gift or purchase it yourself, but only on women's days: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. It is impossible to give a plant, only its processes.
Growing spathiphyllum at home is not particularly difficult. You only need to properly follow the recommendations for care. Placing your hopes on a flower about personal and family happiness, you need to take care of it with love.
For more information on the care of the spathiphyllum, see the following video.
