How to grow a gorgeous Dieffenbachia or the secrets of proper flower care
Dieffenbachia (photo) can often be found in offices or homes, because it has a very beautiful decorative look. In addition, it has long been known that the flower cleans the air of harmful substances well, which is an undoubted advantage over many indoor plants that are kept for aesthetic pleasure.
Despite the beneficial property of dieffenbachia, its juice is very poisonous, which must be taken into account when working with a flower. When transplanting and grafting a plant, as well as when rubbing the leaves, it is recommended to wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from injury.
When you create the right growing conditions for the flower, it grows very quickly, releasing a young leaf every week. In just five years, a small sprout can turn into a two-meter giant!
To dieffenbachia at home it grew lush and had large, juicy leaves, it must be properly looked after. In addition, special attention should be paid to the location of the flower.
The more intense and even the color of the leaves, the better the plant tolerates partial shade and the deeper into the room it can be placed. Variegated varieties of diffebachia need good lighting.
The main set of care measures includes:
- selection of nutrient soil;
- watering;
- top dressing;
- periodic rejuvenation of the old plant.
What kind of soil does the flower like?
If Dieffenbachia was purchased from a store, it must be transplanted into new soil, since the plants are usually sold in so-called transport soil (peat). There are no nutrients in it, and if the flower is not transplanted, over time it will begin to wither.
Dieffenbachia loves moisture-absorbing, breathable and nutritious soil.
As a basis for the substrate, you need to take the usual universal soil from the store or soil for dracaena or palm trees. And to improve their properties, coconut soil is used. It is sold in briquettes that must be soaked beforehand. Then these two components should be mixed, adding a quarter of the coconut soaked soil to the total volume of the soil.
How to water?
The beautiful Tropicana loves good watering. The soil in the pot should be damp, but not wet. It is enough to water the flower once a week, but abundantly, and in order to avoid stagnation of moisture, pour drainage at the bottom of the flowerpot.
It is good to use pieces of styrofoam as drainage.
How to fertilize?
Dieffenbachia should be fed from spring to the end of summer, with a frequency of no more than twice a month. In winter, the flower does not need feeding. Complex preparations for decorative deciduous plants are well suited as fertilizers.
The drugs should be used no more than half of the dose indicated in the instructions.
From folk remedies, you can occasionally use:
- weak infusion of mullein, diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 5;
- litter infusion, diluted 1:15;
- wood ash for sprinkling on the soil.
When is it time to rejuvenate the flower?
Since Dieffenbachia grows rapidly and at the same time its lower leaves fall off, reaching the maximum height, the plant loses its attractive appearance. The trunk stretches out, becomes exposed and may even begin to wobble. As soon as this happens, it is necessary to rejuvenate the plants.
To do this is quite simple: you need to cut off the top and put it in an ode.When roots are formed on the handle, plant it in the ground. In the same way, you can propagate a flower with the help of pieces of the stem.