Chlorophytum - home care and cultivation features
Chlorophytum is one of the most popular and widespread indoor plants, which not only decorates any interior with its attractive appearance, but also purifies the air in the room. Lush chlorophytum, home care for which is not requires special attention and knowledge of specific features thisth plants, will become a decoration of the home interior.
Botanical description of the plant
Features of the appearance of chlorophytum:
- the plant has arched, thin and elongated leaves;
- leaf length can reach 30-40 cm;
- plant height is 35-55 cm;
- short stem;
- powerful root system, with thickenings in which moisture accumulates;
- depending on the variety, the color of the plant can be monochromatic or variegated.
Chlorophytum is highly regarded not only for its attractive appearance, but also for its ability to effectively purify the air in the home. This plant can be called “green lungs” for indoor use - it absorbs harmful carbon compounds, releasing an increased portion of pure oxygen.
A feature of chlorophytum is the ability to release a large amount of phytoncides, which disinfect the air and neutralize the increased concentration of heavy metals and nicotine. This is why the plant is often used as a natural air purifier and freshener.
Chlorophytum bloom
The chlorophytum bush blooms with small snow-white pearl flowers, which are formed year-round on long and thin shoots growing from the middle of the outlet. Outwardly, the flowers look like loose, "curly" panicles with oblong petals resembling stars. One inflorescence can contain up to 4-7 flowers.
Inflorescences appear from mid-April, at a time that does not coincide with the dormant period. Under favorable conditions and proper care, the flowering of chlorophytum begins 15-20 days after the spring transplant and lasts up to 4-8 weeks.
After that, in place of the flowers, new rosettes with leaves are formed, which can be used for its propagation or cut off - this does not in any way affect the flowering of the plant.
Long-term absence of flowering can be due to various reasons, most often with the "young" age of chlorophytum or too small, cramped pot for growing.
Chlorophytum: home care and its features
Growing chlorophytum is possible even for novice growers, because this plant is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to environmental conditions. Despite the fact that its "historical homeland" is tropical and subtropical forests, it perfectly adapted to growing on a home windowsill. Taking into account the main features and nuances of growing chlorophytum will ensure active growth and full development of the plant.
Chlorophytum can be grown outdoors if desired. The plant is planted in spring. In the open field, it develops well, receives the necessary space for a branched root system, ventilation and natural light.But before the onset of the first frost, the ornamental plant must be transplanted into a pot and brought into the room.
Lighting
To make chlorophytum happy, caring for it at home requires the selection of optimal light. Proper lighting ensures healthy growth and abundant chlorophytum bloom. This plant is very fond of bright sunlight. But he should be soft, absent-minded and in no way direct. If you can find dried edges of the leaf plates on the plant, this most often indicates excessively bright lighting in the room.
Prolonged exposure to direct light becomes a common cause of sunburn on chlorophytum leaves. The best option is to grow a flower on a windowsill in the east or west of the room.
The decorative flower should not grow in a shaded area. Lack of illumination leads to the fact that the plant loses its decorative properties - the leaves begin to lose the brightness of their color and fade. In insufficient light, the growth of chlorophytum slows down noticeably, its flowering decreases, the flowers become lethargic and faded.
Temperature regime
Chlorophytum is an attractive and undemanding plant that does not require strict temperature limits. But it fully grows and develops at an air temperature of + 9 ° C to + 25 ° C. The decorative flower tolerates summer heat and winter cool well.
If the thermometer falls below this mark, the plant may die. It also does not tolerate cold drafts, so chlorophytum must be protected from them.
Humidity level
Chlorophytum needs an increased level of humidity in the room. The main problems arise during the winter season, when the heating on dries the air in the house. In such cases, the flower needs additional moisture.
The easiest way to increase air humidity is to hang a wet towel or handkerchief on the heating pipe or place a container of water next to a flowerpot. Spraying the plant is considered an equally effective method.
If the humidity level in the room is insufficient, the flower pot can be placed on a pallet with moistened pebbles.
It is necessary to ensure that the root system of the plant does not come into contact with the liquid. This simple technique helps to saturate the chlorophytum with the necessary moisture.
Top dressing
Top dressing of an ornamental plant is the key to its healthy, active growth and abundant flowering, elasticity, strength and brightness of the leaves. It is recommended to feed chlorophytum in the second half of March or early April, during the flowering period 10-20 days after transplanting. For this purpose, mineral and organic fertilizers are used.
The best option for feeding chlorophytum will be special complex fertilizersintended for leafy ornamental plants. They have a balanced composition, which includes all the components necessary for a home flower.
Also for this purpose, universal fertilizers with a liquid consistency are used, which are pre-diluted with water in equal proportions. Such feeding is carried out at the stage of formation of daughter outlets, with a frequency of once every 2-3 weeks.
It is recommended to feed "adult" plants only once throughout the year, in the spring months. Fertilizers are applied to well-moistened soil in the evening.
In winter, chlorophytum does not need additional feeding.
Watering
Chlorophyptum belongs to tropical plants that love water very much. The ornamental plant must be watered regularly - in the summer months, often and abundantly, in the winter months only after the top layer of soil in the pot has dried.
When watering, you need to ensure that the roots of the ornamental plant have time to absorb the incoming moisture. Since the root system of chlorophytum is large and powerful, too frequent watering is not recommended.Excessive soil moisture is just as dangerous for the bush as the lack of watering.
For watering chlorophytum, only settled water is used, warmed up to room temperature. The best option would be spring or rainwater. It is forbidden to water the ornamental plant with cold tap water. In the summer months, the plant requires frequent watering - once every 3-4 days, in the winter season it is quite enough to carry out the procedure every 7-8 days.
In order to prevent stagnation of moisture in the soil after watering, it is imperative to loosen it. This is done very carefully, as the risk of touching the branched root system of the plant is too great. For optimum moisture retention in the soil, mulching with coconut substrates is carried out.
It is possible to determine the need for watering by the appearance of thickened areas on the roots of the plant, dry soil, wilting, drying, yellowing and the gradual falling off of chlorophytum leaves.
Spraying
Chlorophyptum is very fond of moisture, although it can grow in a room with dry air. Therefore, spraying is an important part of plant care. In the summer, they need to be carried out regularly, in winter - much less often, but not completely abandon spraying.
For spraying, it is most convenient to use a spray bottle with a fine spray, irrigating all the above-ground parts of the plant with it. It is best to use heated water to irrigate the flower and spend it in the evening - this will protect the plant from sunburn.
If the leaves of chlorophytum begin to dry, curl or turn yellow, this indicates that the number of sprays must be increased. Irrigation helps not only to increase the humidity level in the room and saturate the plant with liquid, but also to clean it of dust.
Choosing a container for planting
An ornamental plant should only be planted in a spacious, large container. Chlorophytum has large, massive and branched roots that require ample space. During the first few years of active growth, it is imperative to transplant the bush and change the pot.
When choosingflower pot for transplants, it must be borne in mind that its diameter should be 4-6 cm larger than the previous container. The best option would be a fairly wide, but low flowerpot, in which the rhizome could grow in breadth. Too narrow and tight a pot can lead to a decrease or complete cessation of flowering.
Clay containers are not used for an ornamental plant. This material allows moisture to evaporate very quickly, and constant soil moisture is important for chlorophytum. Chlorophytum belongs to ampelous plants, so it can be planted in hanging flower pots, making it an interior decoration.
Chlorophytum primer
In order for chlorophytum to please you with its appearance, home care should begin with the correct choice of soil. The soil for growing chlorophytum should be light and loose. The best substrate for growing chlorophytum is a mixture of turf, rotted foliage, humus soil and sand.
Many growers use a neutral acidic ornamental plant mix for begonias, palms or rose bushes. Expanded clay, pebbles or small brick chips are used for drainage.
It is necessary to ensure that the substrate used is not alkaline or acidic, in such an environment chlorophytum develops very slowly.
Many growers plant chlorophytum in a hydrogel placed in florariums. The bushes planted in this way look very attractive and impressive and are used to decorate rooms.
When planting a plant in hydrogel you need to remember several important features - for this method of growing, only young bushes are used, which quickly take root in this type of substrate. The rhizome of the flower must first be thoroughly rinsed from the remnants of the earth, and after transplanting the florarium should be placed in a shaded place with a source of diffused light.
Reproduction of chlorophytum
Reproduction of chlorophyptum in most cases does not cause any difficulties for the grower. Various methods are used for this purpose. When growing a plant at home, it is most convenient to propagate a decorative flower using daughter outlets, by dividing a bush. Much less often the plant is grown from seeds.
Daughter sockets
Reproduction by daughter rosettes is used for those varieties of chlorophyptum that do not have antennae. This is done very simply - it is necessary to separate the required number of outlets 6-8 cm long together with the roots from the main peduncle.
After that, transplant the bushes into separate flower pots.
If there are no roots on the daughter outlets yet, chlorophytum must first be rooted in water that is regularly changed or in well-moistened soil. After the formation of roots, the plant is transplanted into the soil.
By dividing the bush
Dividing a bush is one of the simplest and most common methods of chlorophytum reproduction. It is most convenient to use this method when transplanting an ornamental plant into a new container or soil.
The bush must be carefully removed from the flower pot, rinse the rhizome from the remnants of the earth and with a sharp knife blade divide it into several seedlings.
Too long roots should be shortened by about half, rotten, dry and damaged fragments should be removed.
After this, the cut sites should be sprinkled with powder from crushed activated carbon tablets and transplanted into separate containers.
This method is used for regular (every 4-5 years) rejuvenation of the bush and can be used for all varieties of chlorophytum.
Growing from seeds
Growing chlorophytum from seeds is used for those plant varieties that do not form daughter rosettes.
The main stages of the procedure:
- pour the seeds into a pre-moistened napkin, wrap and place in a plastic container (container);
- cover and germinate, sprinkling water on a napkin from time to time;
- germination temperature should be in the range from + 26 ° С to + 29 ° С;
- after 12-14 days, the seeds begin to germinate, thin white shoots appear from them - at this time they should be transplanted into moist soil to a depth of about 5-6 mm;
- cover the sprouts with plastic wrap, regularly removing it for airing and watering the plant.
When several green leaves are formed from the sprouts, the chlorophytum seedlings are dived.
Plant pruning
Chlorophytum does not need regular pruning, as its foliage forms in the central part of the root rosette. This procedure is most often carried out exclusively for cosmetic and decorative purposes, to give the bush a neat and attractive appearance.
Broken, withered and dried leaves are also removed by pruning. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the daughter rosettes that feed on the sap of the main plant, slowing down and impairing its growth.
Chlorophytum transplant
Chlorophytum transplantation for home care is carried out annually, since the ornamental plant has a powerful, branched root system and a tendency to grow rapidly.
It is necessary to transplant the bush in the second half of March or early April. A transplant is necessary if the rhizome of the flower is shown through the drainage holes in the pot. Young bushes need annual transplants, mature plants need one procedure every 2-3 years.
Before carrying out the procedure, all garden tools used should be disinfected, prepare the soil for transplanting, consisting of sand, compost soil and humus.
Chlorophytum transplant stages:
- Pour a thin layer of expanded clay crumbs onto the bottom of the flower pot - this will save the root system from moisture stagnation.
- Carefully inspect the roots of the ornamental plant - carefully remove all dry and rotten parts.
- Sprinkle the places of cuts of rotten fragments with crushed tablets of activated carbon and let them dry completely.
- Pour a thin layer of soil over the drain and place a bush.
- There should be a distance of at least 3-4 cm between the root system of the plant, the walls and the bottom of the flowerpot.
- Sprinkle with soil, lightly pressing it with your hands. It is not necessary to tamp the soil too much, as this can damage the root system.
After transplanting, the plant must be watered with soft water - best of all with spring, rain or settled water.
Growing problems
Problems in growing chlorophytum are very rare. Most often they are the result of improper care of an ornamental plant or its absence. The most common problems include drying, yellowing or blackening of the leaves, which can have various causes.
Drying out the tips of the leaves
Drying of the tips of the leaves of chlorophytum is most often accompanied by other unpleasant signs - lethargy, slow growth, faded foliage, loss of decorative attractiveness.
Common causes of drying and yellowing of chlorophytum leaves:
- No transplant. The rhizome of the plant grows rapidly. The flowerpot becomes cramped for him, which leads to wilting, yellowing of the leaves, as well as slower growth.
- Using soil without pre-fertilization. Poor soil does not saturate chlorophytum with all the nutrients necessary for its active growth and development. In this case, the ornamental plant must be fed. Complex organic or mineral fertilizers are used.
- High room temperature. To prevent dryness of the plant on hot summer days, it must be hidden from direct sunlight in a shaded place.
- Increased dryness of the air in the room is also dangerous for chlorophytum, as well as the wrong temperature regime. The plant needs to provide the necessary level of humidity and regular ventilation. Moreover, it should be protected from drafts, since they are destructive for him.
In some cases, mechanical damage to the plant becomes the cause of dryness, yellowing and wilting of chlorophytum leaves.It can be injured during transplantation into another container or damage the root system when loosening the soil in a pot. Therefore, such procedures require special care and attention.
Blackening of chlorophytum tips
Many growers notice that the leaves of chlorophytum gradually acquire a brownish tint. Sometimes they become covered with dark spots and after a certain period of time turn black.
In most cases, the reason for blackening foliage is associated with:
- with irregular loosening of the soil or their complete absence;
- increased soil moisture in a flower pot.
To prevent stagnation of moisture, you need to strictly control the amount of watering the flower. In the winter season, reduce them to a minimum, allowing the plant to "rest".
Watering in winter is recommended to be resumed only after the top layers of the soil in the flowerpot have dried. In some cases, the darkening of the leaves of chlorophytum may be associated with hypothermia. The pot with the plant is best placed in a warm place with diffused sunlight.
Diseases and pests
Chlorophytum is highly resistant to various diseases and pests, so this problem most often occurs with improper or insufficient care of the plant.
The following signs indicate a plant disease:
- Yellowing, leaf rot, and blackening of the root may indicate the development of fungus, root rot, or gray rot. In this case, all damaged areas are cut off with a spine. Sprinkle with crushed activated carbon and transplanted into new soil, placing it in the shade for 3-5 days. If the root is completely blackened, the plant cannot be saved.
- Leaf tips brown or yellowish. This is a sign of insufficient plant nutrition or increased indoor temperature.
- Bright brown spots on foliage most often appear when there is too much moisture in the soil or air.
- Brown spots, curling of leaves - indicate insufficient watering of the plant.
- Excessive softness and looseness of the leaves. Chlorophytum freezes, the plant needs to be moved to a warmer place.
- Light yellow or brownish specks on the leaves are signs of sunburn.
- Rotting in the center of the root rosette - the cause of this problem is the excessive amount of moisture in the soil.
Chlorophytum is highly resistant to various pests. But sometimes the plant can be attacked by insects such as nematodes, mealybugs, scale insects, aphids or thrips.
For pest control, folk remedies are used. With extensive damage to the plant, safe and effective insecticidal preparations are used - Aktara, BI-58, Fufalon.
Chlorophytum is a beautiful ornamental plant. It will not only decorate any interior, but also purify and disinfect the air in the room. Due to its unpretentiousness and ease of care, the cultivation of chlorophytum will not cause difficulties even for novice growers.