Chlorophytum is an unassuming perennial herbaceous houseplant. There is heated debate about his belonging to a particular family. Some experts attribute it to the Sparzhevs, others - to the Agavs. This flower is very common in apartments. He is loved for his unusual appearance and amazing undemanding conditions. Chlorophytum has many other names: Flying Dutchman, Spray of champagne, Green fountain.
It was brought to Europe in the 19th century from South America, where representatives of this species are still found in tropical forests. Also in the wild, chlorophytum grows in Asia, Australia, the island of Madagascar and Africa. The genus is large, has 250 species.
Description
A herbaceous perennial plant with long, narrow leaves that form lush bunches. Periodically releases a mustache, on which, at the end of flowering, a daughter with aerial roots is formed. There may be several such stems. Flowering occurs in the summer. The flowers are white, sometimes with a purple tint, not large.
It is bred as a decorative foliage. Often used as ampel.
Kinds
For decorative purposes, contain only a few types of chlorophytum. But on their basis, breeders have created many hybrid varieties that differ in color and shape of the leaves.
View | Description |
Crested | Long, up to 50 cm, narrow, pointed-shaped leaves. The length of which are the longitudinal lines. Leaves form a voluminous, fluffy hat. Many shoots with children grow from the center of the leaf bunch, which give the flower the appearance of a cascade. Grown as an ampel plant. |
Kinky (Bonnie) | Outwardly similar to crested, but the leaves curl into rings. Sockets are more compact. |
Cape | Leaves up to half a meter long, 3-4 cm wide, without stripes. Unlike other species, it does not release a mustache, does not form children. Less popular. |
Winged (Orange) | The wide leaves are narrowed in shape, located on the cuttings. Evenly green. Petioles, depending on the variety, can be pink or orange, sometimes red. Grade Green Orange (Fire Flash) - cuttings are bright orange, the same vein color on the underside of the leaf plate. So that the stalk does not lose brightness, peduncles must be removed in a timely manner. |
Laxum | Thin long leaves, white stripes are located at the edges of the leaf. Subsidiary plants do not form. |
Mboeti | Leaves have a curved edge. |
Chlorophytum Care
Chlorophytum is a wonderful home plant for inexperienced gardeners. In home care, it is simple and extremely hardy.
Parameters | Spring Summer | Autumn winter |
Temperature | Easy to get used to any temperature. Optimum + 20 ... + 23 ° C, but not lower than + 10 ° C. In summer, it can be taken out onto the street or onto the balcony, providing cover from direct sunlight and precipitation. Able to tolerate temperatures below + 10 ° C, if watering is excluded. | |
Lighting | Photophilous, but grows well in partial shade (in this case, the leaves lose their stripes and become uniformly green). If you provide it with artificial lighting, it is able to grow perfectly in dark corners and corridors. Variegated varieties need more light than plain ones. | |
Humidity | In additional spraying needs only in the summer, during the heat. At normal times, it is enough to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, sometimes to take a shower. If water enters a leaf outlet, moisture must be carefully removed. | When placed near heating appliances, occasionally moisten the air around the pot. He does not need spraying; sometimes it is enough for him to wipe the leaves from the accumulated dust. |
Watering | Heavy watering | Watering only as the topsoil dries. |
Thanks to nodules on the roots that accumulate water, chlorophytum is able to do without watering for a month. Very quickly restores its decorative appearance upon receipt of water. | ||
Fertilizer | Twice a month, with liquid mineral fertilizers. | Does not need. |
Pruning | To improve the decorative properties, it is recommended to periodically trim dry, damaged leaves. If the mother plant is weak, it is better to cut the shoots with the children, as they take away many nutrients from the main plant, thereby weakening it. |
Transfer
Chlorophytum has a powerful root system that grows rapidly. Therefore, in the first years of life, it is recommended to transplant every spring. Adults - once every 3-4 years, when the roots become crowded. This can be determined by slowing down the growth, prolonged lack of flowering, and roots sprouted through drainage holes.
Pot selection
It grows well in hydroponics, in hanging flower pots, the tank must meet the following requirements:
- The roots of chlorophytum grow in width, so the pot should be 4-5 cm wider than the previous one.
- The presence of drainage holes is mandatory (the plant does not like stagnant water in the roots).
- Of the materials, ceramics are preferred. Strong roots often destroy thin plastic pots.
The soil
Chlorophytum has no special requirements. It grows well in purchased soil mix for deciduous plants. The main requirement: the soil must be loose, breathable.
You can prepare the land yourself: in equal parts sand, peat, turf and leafy earth, humus are mixed.
Transplanting step by step:
- Before transplanting, soil prepared on its own must be disinfected.
- Remove the plant from the old pot.
- Shake the ground from the roots, carefully disassemble them, possibly straightening them.
- Place the flower in a new pot, having previously laid in it a drainage layer and a small layer of soil.
- Fill the void with earth without ramming it.
- Pour abundantly, after a while drain excess water from the pan.
- For several days, move chlorophytum to partial shade.
Alternative containment methods
In addition to the traditional planting in the soil, chlorophytum is often planted in hydrogel, florarium. Often it is used to decorate aquariums.
Hydrogel
The plant grows well in hydrogel, if you follow a number of requirements:
- For planting in a hydrogel, it is best to choose a young plant, it is easier to adapt to new conditions.
- Before planting, carefully shake the roots off the ground, rinse them.
- Watering is rare.
- When grown in hydrogel, it is best to place the plant in darker places.
- To avoid unpleasant odors, the hydrogel should be washed periodically.
Florarium and aquarium
It is possible to contain the plant in the florarium, but volumetric containers are preferred. In a mini, he will quickly become crowded.
With this method of maintenance, it is imperative to regularly arrange the ventilation of the florarium, otherwise chlorophytum may die.
The aquarium can not be kept for a long time, over time, landing in the soil is required.
Breeding
The method of reproduction of chlorophytum: rooting of children, dividing the bush, planting root children, seeds (some varieties).
Rooting of children (basal and air)
Some varieties that do not throw out antennae are propagated by transplantation of root children. To do this, the outlet is carefully separated from the mother plant and transplanted into a separate container. It takes root very quickly, does not require special conditions after planting.
Air babies can be jailed in three ways:
- Separate the baby, put in water for rooting. When the roots grow back, transplant into a pot.
- Can be planted in a separate container immediately after separation from the antennae. To root the pot with the planted baby cover with polyethylene.
- Without cutting off the arrow, put it in the pot. When the plant takes root, separate from the mother.
Bush division
When transplanting, the root system is divided into parts with a sharp knife. Places of cuts must be treated with charcoal. Further actions are the same as with a conventional plant transplant.
Seeds
For this method, only seeds purchased in specialized stores are used. Procedure:
- fill the seeds with water;
- spread over the surface of the soil;
- moisturize her;
- cover with glass or film;
- put in a warm bright place;
- maintain humidity;
- air every day;
When 3-4 sheets are formed, dive, later planted.
Mistakes in care, diseases and pests
External sign | Cause | Remedy |
Turns yellow | Scarce soil. | Make top dressing. |
Dry air. | Spray. | |
Heat. | Ventilate the room regularly and spray the plant. | |
Leaf damage. | Crop. | |
Rooted closely in an old pot. | Transplant. | |
Not enough moisture. | To water. | |
Brown spots, black tips. | Excess water. | Change the irrigation system. |
Loss of color and stripes. | Lack of light. | Change the place. |
Decay of the outlet. | Stagnant water. | Remove the damaged part along with the root system, transplant. |
Sluggish. | Low temperatures | Rearrange. |
The tips are dry. | Lack of moisture. | Change the watering schedule. |
Scarce soil. | To fertilize. | |
Web. | Mite. | Treat with insecticide. |
Leaf drying out. | Aphid. | |
Sticky coating. | Shield. |
Mr. Dachnik recommends: chlorophytum is a home cleaner and a favorite of cats
Chlorophytum is known for its ability to purify air. It is proved that the substances that produce its leaves kill up to 80% of bacteria in the immediate vicinity of the pot. In addition to cleansing, it moisturizes it perfectly.
This plant is very fond of nibbling cats, it helps them clean their stomach. It will become a real decoration of the house, requiring virtually no effort.