Spathiphyllum ... An evergreen plant with unusual flowers is the favorite of most gardeners. This is a beautiful pet that is superb in beauty and unpretentious in care, the flowering of which lasts for almost a whole year. And with proper care, spathiphyllum will delight you for several years.
The history and some features of the flower
The birthplace of this unusual plant, belonging to the Aroid family, are several countries in South America and Asia. Spathiphyllum in the wild there is a huge variety of species.
The plant does not have a stem, and unique flowers are corn-shaped petals with a protruding part and a frame reminiscent of the shape of a sail. The part of the flower that resembles a sail is usually painted white. Sometimes cream, green and pink species come across.
Spathiphyllum Domino (photo above) is characterized by unpretentiousness in care. Graceful, oval- shaped leaves look wonderful in the interior of any room. The plant perfectly cleans the air, increases the ozone content.
Interesting facts about spathiphyllum
According to ancient beliefs, this unique flower personifies female happiness, contributes to excellent relationships and family harmony. It has a long flowering period and an interesting type of leaves.
Spathiphyllum Domino will decorate any interior. The time when it blooms is closely related to the ability of the fairer sex to conceive and endure a healthy baby. For this reason, young families are advised to acquire similar plants. Also, this flower has attractive properties for men, so be sure to give this beauty to an unmarried girlfriend.
Useful properties of the plant
Spathiphyllum absorbs harmful substances, for example, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene. Thanks to this, it is easier to breathe in the room, as the air becomes cleaner. In addition, the Domino spathiphyllum flower is the best assistant in the fight against mold fungi. It perfectly absorbs industrial and household toxins, as well as vapors of acetone, ammonia and various types of alcohol.
A great option is to buy a plant in a new house or apartment after repair. No flower fights harmful substances like spathiphyllum does.
Spathiphyllum Domino. Types of Popular House Plants
In general, there are about forty species of this plant, but much less species of spathiphyllum are suitable for home use:
- Wallis. It is a sample of plants of its family. Most of the species were bred directly from it. The flower is 45 cm high, and the length of the inflorescences ranges from 4 to 10 cm. Wallis spathiphyllum is the most unassuming for home maintenance.
- Abundantly flowering. It has a fairly long flowering period, which explains the popularity of a pet. But the flowers are mostly small - 4-6 cm. The older the plant, the darker the oval leaves become. The stalk of the peduncle is approximately 15 cm above the leaf part.
- Dominoes Very attractive and memorable plant. The leaves are dark green in color, on which snow-white stripes are randomly arranged in an oblong shape. The tips of the leaf are pointed.
- Chopin is a small-sized plant 30–35 cm high. This species has neat elongated leaves with veins. Chopin has a pleasant aroma, which is uncharacteristic for flowers bred artificially.
- Cupid. A plant that has become popular due to abundant flowering, during which 8-10 inflorescences appear. Flowers look gorgeous against a background of green leaves.
- Gemini. The bract is oval with a sharp end. If we compare the spathiphyllums of Gemini and Domino, the difference can be seen in the bract, which has an oval shape. The similarity between the varieties is in spots on the leaves.
- Picasso. It has a large size. Leaves are mesmerizing in attractive colors, except for completely green leaves that are completely white. Picasso looks very original and spectacular.
- Alana. It has larger sizes. The leaves are bright green in color, slightly pointed. They are perpendicular.
- Mauna Loa. Great for home growing. It has a fairly long flowering period, and when cut, the flower will retain freshness for a whole month.
- Sensation. It is considered one of the most attractive domestic plants. If it is properly looked after, then the flower grows up to 50 cm. Inflorescences also have impressive sizes and a long flowering period.
- Red. This is another spectacular type of plant. By classification, it can be defined as anthurium. In some flower shops, sellers water the ground with colored water to get a more refined color of the perianth. On sale is extremely rare.
Spathiphyllum Domino, home care for which is not particularly difficult, is unpretentious in cultivation, which is especially appreciated by flower growers. Despite the fact that in the wild the flower grows in the tropics, it is not picky about lighting and humidity. The main thing is not to forget to water and replant annually.
Preparing the soil for planting
It is best to use specialized mixtures sold in flower shops. If you transplant spathiphyllum into already prepared soil, then next month you do not need to fertilize the flower. In order that the roots do not decay, good drainage is installed in the container with the flower. It is recommended to loosen the soil constantly so that the root system breathes. Recommended soil composition for planting:
- peat;
- sheet earth;
- humus;
- sand;
- shredded tree bark;
- charcoal.
In older spathiphyllum, it is necessary to regularly change the top layer of the earth. This procedure can be done without transplanting the plant.
Choosing a place in the room
The plant prefers bright lighting, but direct sunlight is best avoided, as they cause leaf burns. Therefore, if rays hit the flower, it is better to cover it. In other seasons, the windowsill on the southeast side is perfect. In winter, rest time begins, and the plant does not need additional lighting.
Recommended air temperature is no higher than 17 ° C, in summer the flower feels great at 22–25 ° C. If the domino spathiphyllum (the photo colorfully conveys the attractiveness of the flower) is plentifully watered, then it will suffer the heat. It is necessary to determine in advance its location. Spathiphyllum Domino, like all other varieties, does not tolerate frequent rearrangements and does not like drafts.
Care: watering the plants and fertilizing
In summer and springtime, Domino spathiphyllum is regularly watered with warm, settled water. Plant care also consists in spraying the leaves, as well as wiping the dust from them.
Flower care involves constant feeding with mineral complexes, which are sold in specialized stores. It is recommended to feed the plant from April to September, when there is active growth. The best frequency is approximately once every fourteen days.
How to transplant?
Plant transplantation is one of the most important parts of spathiphyllum care. The pot of the young specimen should be approximately 3-4 cm larger than the root system. Every year at the end of winter, Domino spathiphyllum is transplanted. At the bottom of the new tank, it is necessary to put drainage, then the root system of the plant is covered with earth and well packed. Abundant hydration will provide excellent well-being of spathiphyllum in a new place. Plant nutrition begins next month after planting.
Propagation by young shoots
During the transplant, young shoots can be immediately separated. It is recommended to separate the root tuber, as well as the upper processes. If you do not want spathiphyllum (Domino variety) to grow, then leave one shoot for a winter transplant.
In order to better strengthen spathiphyllum, the upper part of the plant is left in the water for 14–20 days. After root formation, the plant is transplanted into prepared soil.
Plant Care Issues
Despite the simplicity and unpretentiousness in the care of spathiphyllum, there are often complaints of lack of flowering, yellowing of leaves and other troubles. Possible problems:
- The leaves turn yellow. This is due to lack of moisture. Hard water also leads the plant to a similar state. It is recommended to establish an irrigation plan, to allocate a separate container in which water will settle. If the color of the leaves has become darker up to brown, then the reason is most likely due to excessive feeding of the plant and an overabundance of nutrients.
- The leaves turn black. This suggests that the plant does not have enough water, or vice versa, there is an excess of it. You can also assume a lack of nitrogen in the soil. With the correction of these points, the leaves of the plant are gradually updated.
- The tips of the leaves dry. This indicates a lack of moisture and excessively dry air. Do not forget that Domino spathiphyllum is a tropical plant. Constantly spraying the leaves with water will solve this trouble. The procedure is alternated with a seven-day shower.
- It does not bloom in an adult state. The reason may be hiding in the lack of water or inadequate nutrition of the plant. In addition, the lack of minerals slows down the development of spathiphyllum, but this problem should be eliminated very carefully. The temperature is also very important, in a cool room it is very difficult to achieve flowering. Inflorescences that have already withered must be removed, and the stem cut off at the very roots.
Various difficulties with growing plants can be caused by diseases and pests. In order for the domino spathiphyllum (variegated) not to die, you need to constantly monitor the quality of the leaves and soil.
Indicative prices
As a result of the fact that all types of plants are equal in size, the difference in price is small. Prices start at 600 rubles. for young and small plants. Large, overgrown spathiphyllums cost about 3 thousand rubles. In addition, if the flower has buds, then this increases its cost.
Plants are sold both singly and in sets. For example, an assortment, consisting of nine species, will cost about 6-7 thousand rubles. Such sets are suitable for offices, gardeners, collectors and as a gift.
Major diseases and pests
- Young shoots are affected by a spider mite. Finding it is very simple thanks to the web that it releases. Eliminate this trouble by processing soapy leaves. In cases of severe infection will have to use insecticides.
- The scabbard is one of the very insidious pests that can destroy spathiphyllum. If bulging spots are found on the back of the leaf, immediately transfer the flower to the quarantine zone, located away from other plants. Next, the leaves are rinsed in a soap solution and processed with tobacco chips. Items affected by the pest are removed. If necessary, chemicals are used.
- In the summer, aphids attack home plants. The destruction of this pest is carried out by repeatedly treating the leaves with special chemicals.
- Mealybug can also cause damage to the plant. It hides between the leaves and is easily detected by a careful examination of the plant. Single pests are removed with a cotton swab, and large-scale infection is recommended to be eliminated using special chemicals.
Subject to certain conditions and the provision of quality care, Domipo spathiphyllum will delight you with flowering almost all year round, which will undoubtedly decorate any room.