In flower salons and in home collections, an outwardly very attractive flower is often found with thick sturdy and fleshy stems, confidently sticking out of the ground in different directions, covered with shiny, dark green, leathery, peaked leaves. This plant is Zamioculcas. Caring for it is simple, the plant is unpretentious, therefore it is very popular among lovers of home floriculture. The undemanding of the decorative flower to external living conditions and care is explained by its origin from the African desert. Shiny stems and leaves are covered with a layer of wax, which helps retain moisture, high temperatures and dry air in the rooms are also not afraid of him. And still, to make the plant look attractive, healthy and strong, there are certain rules for caring for it, which basically come down to observing the irrigation regime and ambient temperature, as well as the timing of fertilizer application and the level of illumination.
How to care for Zamioculcus
This plant loves good lighting and warmth. Leathery strong leaves are not afraid of bright sunlight. In summer, he prefers frequent but moderate watering and an ambient temperature of about twenty degrees. Love for the sun, light and heat is manifested in the fact that the southern side, an open bright space, is most suitable for the normal development of the plant. During spring, summer, and also the beginning of autumn, zamioculcas needs regular fertilizing. The most suitable for this plant are ready-made fertilizers for cacti, which can be bought in specialized stores. The “child” of the African desert, Zamioculcas winter prefers the easiest. It should be watered at this time of year as little as possible, only when the lump of earth in the pot becomes completely dry. It is not necessary to spray the plant in winter, it does not need it at all.
Every year, in early spring, the plant should be transplanted into new land, which is made up of equal parts of chernozem, peat and river sand. A drainage layer is necessarily poured at the bottom of the pot. Perennial adult plants can be transplanted not every other year, but once every two years.
Zamioculcas. Care and reproduction
In our latitudes, this decorative flower is propagated in two ways: vegetatively, by rooting the leaf, and dividing the bush, which is the simplest and most common. During the transplantation of a plant, its root and processes are separated, the earthen lump is slightly dried and planted in different pots with prepared soil.
Reproduction using a leaf is a longer and more complex process. First, a leaf with a growth bud attached to it is selected. Gently cut from the stem and dried for several days. While the leaf lies on drying, prepare a pot of soil, which should be well heated. The leaf is planted in a pot, watered and covered from above with a glass jar or a transparent bag to create a greenhouse microclimate. Under these conditions, the leaf of Zamioculcas roots within fifty days.
Proper watering, regular and strictly measured top dressing contribute to good growth, beautiful appearance of the home plant Zamioculcas. Care in compliance with all simple procedures will exclude the appearance of various unwanted diseases. However, you should know that excessive watering and excessive moistening of the roots can lead to their decay. Insufficient watering and dry earthen coma will contribute to yellowing and falling of leaves. The most common pests affecting this plant are: aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. They must be fought with by spraying leaves and a lump of earth with special preparations, which can be purchased at a specialized store.