In recent years, Zamioculcas is considered one of the most popular plants among flower growers. In the people it received the name "dollar tree". According to the practice of Feng Shui, Zamiokulkas has powerful energy and helps to attract wealth and prosperity to the house. That is why it is often presented for birthdays and housewarming. You will learn how to care for this exotic plant and how to reproduce Zamioculcas at home.
Plant features
Zamioculcas is a representative of the Aroid family. His homeland is East Africa. A feature of the flower is that it has no stems. Fleshy, thickened in the lower part, petioles, on which spectacular glossy and fleshy leaves of a dark green color are located, depart from a powerful tuber hidden underground.
Zamioculcas is a succulent. Leaves, petioles and tubers accumulate moisture, so the plant can survive a long period of drought. The flower grows very slowly. Only a few new leaflets appear during the year. Plant height with proper care reaches 1 meter.
Zamioculcas blooms (home care, photos, plant propagation are described below) is extremely rare, as this requires ideal conditions. The appearance of the flower is very nondescript.
Succulents have a life expectancy of 5 to 10 years.
The plant is quite unpretentious in care. It is not afraid of drafts and a change of residence. However, in order to grow and maintain a beautiful zamioculcas, home care, including reproduction, must be performed in accordance with certain rules.
Lighting
You can place the plant on both the southern and northern sides. Nevertheless, in order for the flower to grow more intensively and its leaves are saturated green, it is better to choose a window with sufficient lighting. The lack of sunlight slows down the growth of Zamioculcus, new leaves in this case grow weaker, in addition, they grow solitary.
Temperature mode
Zamioculcas is able to withstand a wide range of temperatures, but it will feel best in a warm room. In the cold season, it is recommended to keep a dollar tree at a lower temperature, at which it can accumulate strength for intensive growth in the summer. The ideal temperature for keeping in winter is 16-18 ° C. In the summer, the temperature in the room where Zamioculcas is located should be +25 ° C.
Humidity and watering
Dollar tree normally tolerates dry air. Nevertheless, periodic spraying and washing of leaves favorably affect the plant.
Equally important in the care of the flower is watering. Do not forget that zamioculcas is a succulent. Accordingly, it tolerates a moisture deficit better than its excess. Excessive moisture in the soil can destroy the plant. At the same time, prolonged drought causes zamioculcas to spend internal reserves, as a result of which the leaves in the upper part of the petiole can begin to turn yellow and fall.
The optimal watering for zamioculcas is rare, but plentiful. In the summer, the flower is watered after the soil has completely dried. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum.
Top dressing
Fertilizers for succulents or cacti are well suited as top dressing; you can also use universal flower top dressing, while spending half the dosage. Zamioculcas is fed from spring to mid-autumn, that is, during the period of active growth of the plant.
The frequency of fertilizer application is 1 time in 2-4 weeks. In winter, feeding is excluded.
Transfer
Zamioculcas is transplanted as the rhizome grows. If it completely filled the pot, this means that the plant became cramped and it was time to transplant into a more spacious pot. When choosing a new flowerpot, it is advisable to give preference to products made of clay, since plastic containers can crack under the pressure of the powerful root system of zamioculcas.
How to breed
Reproduction of Zamioculcas at home can be performed in 3 ways:
• division of a tuber;
• sheet;
• cuttings.
Tuber propagation
How else can a plant be propagated? Reproduction of zamioculcas at home (photo provided below) can be carried out using tubers. An adult plant that has large tubers is suitable for this method. The tuber is divided into parts so that each piece has at least one growth point. Before planting, the tubers are dried for several hours, and the sections are sprinkled with charcoal. Planting is carried out in a prepared substrate, while the tuber itself should not be very deep in the ground. It is worth noting that the growth of a new plant with this method of reproduction occurs rather slowly.
Propagation of Zamioculcas by leaf
At home, many flower growers propagate succulent leaves. To grow a new plant instance in this way can be much faster than from tubers. For reproduction, it is better to take large leaves growing in the lower part of the flower. They can be rooted in water, or can immediately be planted in the ground. For better root formation, sections are recommended to be treated with rooting stimulants - Heteroauxin, Kornevin or Zircon.
The soil must be sterile and consist of either sand or a mixture of peat and sand. To create greenhouse conditions, the planted leaves are covered with polyethylene or plastic or glass containers.
Root formation is a long process and lasts from 1 to several months. Periodically, the greenhouse is opened for ventilation and, if necessary, moisten the soil.
Cuttings
Reproduction of Zamioculcas at home is suitable if the flower is already old enough. The cuttings are cut from the bare branch from the bottom with a kidney formed on it. Then, with a sharp knife, cut the stem and shorten it. As a result, we have a small stalk with a kidney and a leaf. Slices sprinkled with charcoal, left to dry for several hours, and then planted in a substrate. Roots usually appear after 3-4 weeks. During the rooting period, you need to ensure that the earth is constantly moistened.
Soil for Zamioculcas
Zamioculcas is not very picky about the soil. Ready-mixed soils for cacti and succulents are perfect for the plant. Also, many flower growers prepare the soil themselves. To do this, in equal parts mix turf, leaf soil, peat, sand. In order to prevent root rot, charcoal is added. The main requirement for soil for Zamioculcas is friability, air and water permeability.
Conclusion
The popularity of Zamioculcas is growing day by day. And there is every reason for this. The huge demand for the plant is due to its decorative qualities, simplicity and unpretentiousness of care. Succulent feels good both in bright rooms and in places devoid of bright sunlight. Having knowledge on how to properly propagate zamioculcas at home, you can significantly save on buying a new plant and decorate your home with several copies of this exotic flower.