Zamioculcas - all about the indoor plant. Zamioculcas care at home Zamioculcas propagation by cuttings

We bring to your attention an overview of the main methods of propagation of Zamioculcas. Caution should be exercised in this case, given that all parts of the flower are poisonous.

Zamioculcas reproduces by dividing a bush, leaf or stem cuttings, its shoots take root well. The easiest and fastest way to obtain daughter plants is by dividing zamioculcas tubers.

According to all characteristics, the indoor plant Zamioculcas can be classified as a succulent. Homeland - East Africa. It has acquired a popular name: “dollar tree”. Homeland and origin of Zamioculcas, general information about the plant, types, description and photo, care at home.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia - exotic plant with a powerful tuberous rhizome, from the aroid family, representative of a single species - (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).

Zamioculcas can also be transplanted by dividing the tubers. If the plant in your flowerpot has already completely filled the pot with its root system, then you can easily halve it and replant it. In this case, the zamioculcas plant is taken out of the pot and its tubers along with the stems are separated.

We separate the zamioculcas tubers and send the main part of the bush back to its original pot, sprinkling it with fresh soil mixed with sand or clay soil and fertilizer.

Despite the fact that Zamioculcas is characterized by increased resistance to diseases and pests, the latter still attack it, but not often. Such rare attacks can be explained by the fact that the plant itself is poisonous and the fact that its leaves have a rather dense leathery structure that is not so easy to break through.

Try to inspect your pets more often so that you are always fully prepared and immediately begin the fight for the flower. Indeed, if the disease is advanced or colonies of pests have settled, the zamioculcas plant can be lost forever.

Zamioculcas is ideal for home grown, he is unusually flexible to all changes in environment. The main factors for caring for Zamioculcas: how to care for it at home.

The indoor plant Zamioculcas called the “dollar tree” has long settled in our apartments, thanks to its exotic artificial species and unpretentious character.

Zamioculcas reproduces and transplants well, almost all of its shoots take root perfectly, be it transplantation and division of tubers or propagation by leaves, leaf and stem cuttings.

The leaf is a petiole (rachis) with many sheet plates ok - its length sometimes reaches 60 cm or more. It is not always convenient to propagate zamioculcas with a whole leaf; it is better to disassemble it into leaf blades or cut off the tip of the leaf 20 cm long.

Zamioculcas - perennial, evergreen, easy to care for at home. In everyday life, it received the name “dollar tree”, since, presumably, with its energy it is capable of “attracting” wealth and prosperity to its owner.

General information

According to rumors, as soon as a new piece of paper appears, a certain amount of money appears completely unexpectedly (for example, you were returned old debt, gave a bonus, received a percentage of the deposit and much more).

But if the leaf falls, then this is a warning about material problems (for example, you should not invest money in some new business - it may burn out, or the car will break down and you need to spend money on repairs, etc.). Maybe for this reason, many people like this plant, and it can be found both in apartments and offices.

There is also an opinion that the money tree, Crassula, serves to increase wealth in the houses where it grows.

There is one more sign associated with another name of this flower - “ woman's happiness" When zamioculcas blooms, this indicates that the owner has found her betrothed, but flowering occurs very rarely and only if the care rules are followed.

Due to such a protracted period, many blame the plant and call it the “flower of celibacy.” Everyone believes in different variants but what is it beautiful and unpretentious plant– there is no dispute about this.

The flower is not very expressive. An arrow is released from the tuber, and an inflorescence begins to ripen on it, which is a white or cream-colored cob wrapped in a green “veil.”

Those who believe and follow the rules of Feng Shui should know that in order to increase savings, the flower should be placed in the south-eastern part of the room or house. If you were given a flower, then it should be a kind person with good intentions.

Zamioculcas is a genus of plants of the araceae family, represented by a single species: Zamioculcas zamiifolia, originating from tropical Africa.

Zamioculcas care at home

For healthy growth, Zamioculcas must be planted in a well-drained and “poor” substrate consisting of turf and leaf soil, peat and sand (1:1:1:1), you can also add small pebbles, because in natural conditions the plant is found in rocky soils.

If you buy ready mixture, then the soil is suitable for cacti. The main thing is that oxygen flows freely to the roots and the soil dries out in time, otherwise, for example, in soils with a high humus content, water lingers at the roots for a long time, which leads to rapid rotting and the plant gradually dies.

Zamioculcas transplant at home

As for transplantation, this procedure is carried out as the rhizome grows, when the zamioculcas plant becomes crowded - it is transplanted into a more spacious pot.

When choosing containers, give preference to clay ones, since the root system is very powerful and there have been cases when the pot cracked.

Zamioculcas watering

Zamioculcas – heat-loving plant, therefore it tolerates heat quite easily, just increase the humidity (frequent spraying). A temperature of 18-26°C is considered comfortable; it is better not to allow it to fall below 15°C.

It is resistant to dry periods, but it is better not to force the plant to starve, otherwise it begins to absorb its own reserves, which can lead to depletion; the leaves and trunk become thinner and turn pale.

Therefore, as long as regular watering is observed with breaks to dry the soil, zamioculcas will be able to stock up sufficient quantity water. In winter, watering should be reduced to a minimum, just slightly moisten the soil so that it does not dry out.

Lighting for Zamioculcas

The plant is adapted to exist even in a dimly lit room or in the back of the room. This does not mean at all that he does not like light, on the contrary, in good lighting and accordingly good watering, it will grow much faster.

Not afraid even of straight lines sun rays, but in this case additional moisture is necessary, since the moisture will evaporate faster.

Zamioculcas propagation by cuttings

To do this, any leaf or even part of it is selected and planted in wet sand, or a mixture of sand and peat. Treat the cut with a rooting accelerator (for example, Kornevin). The soil must be sterile.

Cover the top with transparent cut plastic bottle or glass jar, for creating greenhouse conditions, and place it in a warm, well-lit place. Rooting occurs within one month to six months. The process is long. You must be patient and do not forget to ventilate the plant (remove the jar) and moisten the soil, if necessary.

Zamioculcas reproduction by tuber

Only mature plant with large tubers can be propagated this way.

The tuber is cut so that each part has at least one growth point. It is planted in the prepared substrate, without burying the head of the tuber too much. The new plant grows very slowly.

Diseases and pests

The most common problem when caring for zamioculcas is yellowing of leaves .

There are two reasons: if old leaves turn yellow , then this is a natural process of replacement with young leaves, and if new leaves begin to turn yellow , then the cause may be constant waterlogging of the soil, which led to rotting of the roots.

In some cases, if the process is not too advanced, the plant can still be saved; to do this, it must be pulled out of the pot, carefully shake off the soil, inspect the root system and cut off the rotten parts. Treat cut areas charcoal and spray the whole plant, for example, with Fundazol, let it dry a little and plant in new soil and pot.

Zamioculcas - African exotic in our house

Lukyanchik Irina

This plant was first discovered in the 1830s on the sun-scorched mountain plateaus of East Africa, and it grows here and there in Madagascar. Relatively recently (a couple of decades ago) it appeared for sale on the shelves of our flower shops, and is still considered quite rare and expensive.

We will talk about a close relative of Dieffenbachia and Monstera, also belonging to the Araceae family. This is Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It received such an ornate name for its external resemblance to a rare gymnosperm plant - zamia.

The appearance of Zamioculcas is somewhat unusual, which is not uncommon for representatives of hot climates. climatic zones. In the soil, in the form of a large tuber that stores moisture, there is directly the main stem itself - the trunk, in other words. Only 4-6 feathery leaves rise above the soil surface. They are closely located on a short horizontal stem, as if collected in a rosette (at first glance). The leaf petioles in the lower part are strongly developed and swollen, which is why they are often mistaken for stems.

These petioles often reach 80-100 cm in length, and along their entire length there are dense dark green glossy leaf blades. The hot African climate has transformed Zamioculcas into a succulent that can grow and survive in conditions of scorching sun and drought. The leaves are covered with a dense waxy coating that protects them from burns and prevents excess evaporation of precious moisture.

Zamioculcas grows very slowly, and new leaves rarely appear. It blooms, like all aroids, with inflorescences consisting of a spadix and a spathe, which appear at the very base of the leaves at a fairly advanced age of the plant.

Conditions of detention. What is, of course, good about Zamioculcas is its unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention: it does not care about dry soil and rare watering, dry air, low lighting, pests, etc. It is simply ideal as a houseplant. It will grow well on a window of any orientation, but it is still better where there is enough light. Although he won’t be capricious far from the window either. The temperature in the room also does not play a fundamental role, but it is advisable that it is not too cold: the optimal range in summer is from 20 to 25 C, in winter - 16-18 C.

Zamioculcas is watered like other succulents (the presence of leaves should not mislead you), that is, rarely, but abundantly, after waiting until the soil has completely dried out, plus a few more days. In any case, even if you forget about it for a long time, it will not suffer: after all, there are water reserves in the tuber. IN winter time Of course, watering is reduced to a minimum. There is no need to spray the plant, but periodically it is necessary to carefully wipe off dust from the fragile leaves soft cloth, and in the summer a warm shower won’t hurt. During the active growing season, you can occasionally feed with fertilizers for cacti and succulents: in spring and summer once every 3-4 weeks, in winter when kept warm - once every 5-6 weeks.

Transplantation and propagation. When thinking about the composition of the soil for zamioculcas, you must not forget that it is a succulent, and focus in this direction: it should be loose and permeable. You can make a mixture of equal parts fertile soil, peat and coarse sand, not forgetting to lay a large layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot so that there is no stagnation of water in the tuber area. You can also sprinkle pebbles or coarse sand on the surface.

As the zamioculcas grows, it is transferred to a larger pot, a shallow one, preferably a wider one. Root system it is small, the growth rate is very low, so young specimens are replanted no more than once a year, only slightly increasing the volume of the pot and renewing the soil, and adults - no more than once every five years.

To propagate Zamioculcas, lower leaf blades from adults are used, which are called “ripe” leaves. The leaf is carefully cut with a sharp blade, and the fresh cut is treated with powder. activated carbon(you can even just burn a match to the end - that’s coal!) and dry it for 2-3 days. After this, it is buried about 1.5 cm in dry sand, which does not need to be moistened, and covered with a jar. Although the practice of our non-African flower growers shows that rare spraying accelerates rooting.

In general, after 5-6 months, nodules with roots develop, now young plant can be transplanted into soil and watered carefully until the first true leaf appears. For propagation, they also use dividing an old large plant into separate parts so that each new specimen has one growth point.

Possible problems. At improper care or rotting of the roots, a sudden drop of leaves occurs. In addition, you need to know that in old plants the lower leaves partially fall off, regardless of care - it’s just how they are supposed to be due to their age. Among the pests, Zamioculcas can be damaged by aphids and spider mites, but this happens very rarely.

Attention! All parts of the plant contain very poisonous juice! Therefore, care must be taken when caring for it.

1. Growing temperature: Zamioculcas is thermophilic and is grown at a temperature of 25 - 30 ° C throughout the year.

2. Lighting: Well-lit location with lots of reflection sunlight. It develops well with artificial lighting.

3. Watering and air humidity: The plant will tolerate short periods of drought rather than over-watering. Air humidity does not need to be increased.

4. Peculiarities: Zamioculcas is unpretentious in maintenance and is patient with the many mistakes of novice gardeners. The plant does not like the bay.

5. Priming: you can have a nutrient-poor substrate with plenty of river sand or perlite and vermiculite in the composition. It will feel best in neutral soil.

6. Top dressing: throughout the entire growing season - mineral fertilizers for succulent plants every month. In mid-autumn, fertilizing is reduced to nothing and resumed only in the spring.

7. Reproduction: by dividing large bushes during transplantation, leaf cuttings, separating tubers, less often - seeds.

Botanical name: Zamioculcas.

Family. Araceae.

Dollar tree - the birthplace of the plant. The plant originates from East Africa and grows in semi-shaded foothills with poor soil, where the climate is arid.

Description.Zamioculcas or dollar tree is a slow growing herbaceous perennial evergreen. The full name of the plant is Zamioculcas zamifolia, due to its resemblance to zamia.

Stems tall, powerful, dark green with many glossy, fleshy, elliptical leaves, arranged oppositely or alternately, in 2 rows. In fact, the division into leaves and stems is conditional - both stems and leaves are very large modified complex leaves. The stems of the plant are located in the root system - these are Zamioculcas tubers.

Leaflets up to 10 cm long and about 3 cm wide, located in opposite pairs. Often young leaves, with their powerful growth, literally push away old ones.

Flowers small, inconspicuous, collected in an inflorescence - an ear surrounded by a spathe; the flowering often goes unnoticed. Only old plants bloom; after flowering they can shed their leaves.

As a storage organ, the plant has small, light brown, tubers in the root system, reminiscent of potatoes.

This plant develops interestingly - it does not produce individual leaves, but appear immediately from the ground young twigs with leaves.

2.3.When it blooms

Summer However, in home culture, flowering zamioculcas can be found quite rarely.

From pests Zamioculcas can be attacked mealybugs, thrips and scale insects. Appearance on leaves blurry yellow spots may cause aphids. Sometimes you can notice a thin, almost invisible cobweb on the bushes - this sign indicates that the plant has been chosen by a spider mite.

Insects - pests

Insect name	Signs of infection	Control measures
	The surface of the leaves and shoots is covered with a fluffy, cotton-like white coating. Plants lag behind in development	Folk remedies : spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Infusions of tobacco, garlic, cyclamen tubers, alcohol treatments, and pharmacy tincture of calendula have worked well. Chemicals : green soap solution, Actellik, Fitoverm.
	Inconspicuous cobwebs on the leaves, yellowing and falling leaves with extensive damage. The surface of the leaf plates becomes dead and covered with small cracks. Plant development slows down.	Traditional methods . Plants can be washed in the shower and left in the bathroom in a humid atmosphere for half an hour. Irradiation ultraviolet lamp every week for 2 minutes. Chemicals based on pyrethrum, sulfur powders, Fitoverm, Actellik.
	Sticky droplets appear on the leaf blades, the leaf blades curl and become deformed, tender buds and young leaves wither. Colonies of insects can be seen on the tips of shoots, buds or the underside of leaf blades. The flowers of plants affected by aphids may become deformed.	Traditional methods: infusion of nettle, decoction of rhubarb leaves, wormwood, soap solution, infusion of tobacco and dandelion, onion, marigold, yarrow, tansy, dusting with virgin ash. Chemicals: Sulfur powders, treatment of green mass with green potassium soap without getting into the ground, Decis, Actellik, Fitoverm.
	The appearance of yellow spots on the leaf blades; small brown dots can be observed on the underside of the leaves. When pests spread, they cause leaves to turn yellow, dry out and fall off.	Traditional methods. Increase air humidity, wipe the surface of the leaves soap solution to reduce the number of pests. Preparations based on pyrethrum - 2-fold treatment with an interval of 7 - 10 days, spraying with tobacco infusion, infusion of yarrow or Persian chamomile, decoction of cyclamen tubers. Chemicals: dusting with sulfur powders, using anabasine sulfate in a soap solution.
	Sticky droplets on the leaves, small yellow spots on the surface of the leaf blades. When scale insects become widespread, they cause leaves to dry out and fall off. Flowers slow down their development	Traditional methods struggle. Spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Scale insect larvae do not like garlic infusion; they also use pyrethrum-based products. Chemicals. Fitoverm, Aktellik, Fufanon.

2.8.Care, how to trim zamioculcas

The plant is extremely unpretentious and will tolerate neglect rather than careful care.

Place the bush in the warm season on fresh air - in the garden or on the balcony, taking care of shelter from strong winds, rain and direct sunlight.

Old, yellowed leaves carefully trim at the very base with a sharp sterile instrument to maintain a neat appearance.

The appearance of buds can cause the plant to spend too much energy on flowering - experienced flower growers flower stalks often delete.

The large mature leaves of the plant take on impressive dimensions and will need support.

Zamioculcas is unpretentious, however, it should be gradually accustomed to any changes in its contents. For example, if you take a bush out into the open air in the warm season, then first leave it there for several hours and gradually increase the stay time to a day or more.

2.9.Fertilizer

What and how to feed zamioculcas?

Feed regularly with liquid fertilizers for decorative foliage plants or succulents and cacti during the period of active growth – from spring to autumn, about one once a month. The solution is diluted to approximately half the dosage recommended on the package.

In the winter months, when the plants are dormant, feeding should be stopped and resumed only with the first signs of new growth - in the spring.

Zamioculcas will be grateful for organic and for mineral feeding.

Plants react violently to foliar feeding by applying the nutrient solution directly to the leaves using a spray bottle.

Fertilize plants only after watering- if fertilizer gets into dry soil, it can cause burns to the root system.

Remember that Zamioculcas is more likely to suffer a shortage nutrients than their excess.

2.10.Temperature for growing zamioculcas

Regular room temperature all year round, Zamioculcas develops most actively at a temperature of 25 - 32° C. More low temperatures will force it to slow down its growth rate.

During the winter months do not expose plant exposed to temperatures below 15°C.

Even the strongest summer heat The plant tolerates it easily if it is provided with adequate watering and air humidity.

2.11.Lighting

Zamioculcas prefers well lit location b without access to direct sunlight, but can also grow in partial shade.

If the light is too strong, burns may appear on the leaves. If there is a lack of natural light, Zamioculcas can be grown in artificial lighting fluorescent lamps.

Since the plant is drawn to the light source, for its harmonious development it is necessary turn around its own axis a quarter turn every week.

Since Zamioculcas develops very slowly, it can be placed in partial shade for a while, but to maintain an attractive appearance, the plant should still periodically receive slightly shaded sunlight.

It is believed that when grown in a well-lit place, plants develop faster.

In the autumn and winter months, when the sun's activity is minimal and it is often hidden behind clouds, it is better to place the plant closer to the brightest window.

2.12.Purpose

An elegant large and extremely not picky plant that is suitable for any interior, and main feature will be his unpretentiousness.

According to folk beliefs zamioculcas or dollar tree can bring prosperity and financial stability to the home. It is believed that with each twig that appears, money unexpectedly comes into the house - someone pays off old debts, they reward them at work with a bonus.

Unfortunately, this sign also works in reverse side- if the leaves on the plant turn yellow, this leads to financial losses.

2.13.Spraying

When the heating is on, try increase air humidity by placing the plant pot on a tray of wet pebbles or spraying it with soft water.

You can also increase air humidity in the morning spray leaves softened with water room temperature so that before dusk the moisture has time to evaporate from the surface of the leaves. Remember that to use unsettled water for spraying tap water should not - it will leave unsightly whitish spots on dark leaves Zamioculcas.

Another way is to place it near a plant. decorative fountain or a pond with water or a simple room humidifier.

In the warm season, the plant can take warm shower with a water temperature of about 35° C, however, during this procedure the soil should be covered plastic film, since it shouldn’t get hit a large number of water.

After showering, place the plant in a shaded area away from direct sunlight, in a well-ventilated area with sufficient air movement to dry.

When working with the plant, remember that its juice can cause skin irritation - use protective gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with the plant.

In a natural environment, with the onset of drought, plants shed their leaves - in this way they protect themselves from loss of moisture, and fallen leaves, upon contact with the ground, take root and give rise to new plants.

It is believed that the dollar tree is capable of purify the air indoors from harmful impurities.

Zamioculcas is crying with the onset of cloudy and rainy weather or simply when kept in a too humid atmosphere.

Hydroponics.

3. Varieties and types:

3.1.Black Zamioculcas "Raven" - Zamioculcas Black "Raven"

A variety of indoor plant with glossy, very dark, purple-black leaves. The variety appeared quite recently - just a couple of years ago, but has already gained its fans and in 2018 won first place as best new product at the International Exhibition tropical plants in Fort Lauderdale (USA, Florida). These plants need good lighting, since when grown in partial shade, the color of the leaves becomes standard - green.

3.2. Zamioculcas variegated

Beautiful variegated variation. The leaves of plants are unevenly colored - some have leaf blades that are solid green, while others have white, yellowish or light green. Also, on the same plant there can be quite ordinary green leaves and leaves with all kinds of spots and specks on the surface.

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People have come to love this plant for its unpretentiousness and unusual appearance. And they have even come up with a popular name - “Dollar Tree”. Indeed, he is very similar to " Money Tree" Although, in all its characteristics it is much larger and more massive. And since in our country the currency used to be valued more than rubles, which means more valuable cash should attract a plant larger than Crassula. This is how the responsibilities of these two plants were divided with the appearance of this unpretentious exotic in our homes: Crassula, that is, the “Money Tree” - increases family income, attracting rubles; and Zamioculcas, that is, the “Dollar Tree”, helps to earn and accumulate dollars.

Description of Zamioculcas

Zamioculcas (Zamioculcas) - a monotypic genus of plants of the Aroid family (subfamily Aroideae, tribe Zamioculcadeae), represented by a single species - Zamioculcas zamifolia (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is native to tropical Africa.

The homeland of Zamioculcas is the desert expanses of Africa, where it grows along with other succulents - plants capable of storing moisture in fleshy stems, leaves and roots, which these plants use during periods of drought.

Zamioculcas has a large underground tuber, rather large leathery leaves covered with a waxy coating. The leaves of Zamioculcas are pinnate, erect, located on thick, fleshy petioles. All parts of this plant are adapted to create water reserves in case of prolonged drought. U dollar tree flowering is a rather rare phenomenon, especially in indoor conditions.

The Zamioculcas flower resembles a spadix containing light, small, inconspicuous flowers. The cob itself is formed in the lower part of the plant and is covered with a green blanket, so it is hardly noticeable. Zamioculcas grows slowly, but an adult plant grows up to one meter in height, so it is more suitable for large premises, although as a single plant it will decorate any interior.

Features of growing Zamioculcas

Temperature: Moderate, preferably 16..18 °C in winter, but not lower than 12 °C.

Lighting: Bright place with diffused light. In summer, he prefers to sit outdoors - on the balcony, in the garden, etc. In winter, you will have to move the zamioculcas closer to the window.

Watering: Moderate from spring to autumn, but no water should remain on the tray, watering is rare in winter, the soil should dry well before the next watering. Zamioculcas tolerates some dryness more easily than stagnant water in the soil - this can lead to rotting of the roots and the formation of stem rot.

Fertilizer: Usually, it does not need feeding.

Air humidity: Zamioculcas does not require spraying the leaves, but sometimes it is necessary to wash it so that the plant does not become dusty and does not lose its attractiveness. In the summer outdoors Rain washes are sufficient.

Transfer: Every year in the spring. The soil should be quite nutritious. For young plants - 1 part turf land, 1 part leaf soil, 1 part peat soil and 1 part sand. You can add a little well-rotted humus soil. Old Zamioculcas specimens are replanted every two years in the spring. The pot for zamioculcas should be commensurate with the root system. Good drainage is a must.

Reproduction: By dividing the bush, leaves, cuttings. It is better to dry the leaf a little before planting. It is advisable to root cuttings or leaves with soil heating and the use of phytohormones, for better root formation. Rooting can take up to 2 months.

Caring for Zamioculcas at home

Zamioculcas has been cultivated in our country relatively recently as a houseplant. This plant is very suitable for our apartments, where central heating creates dry air in apartments close to deserts. In addition, the indoor plant Zamioculcas is very unpretentious. You can forget to water it, it tolerates bright sun and slight shading well, a fairly wide temperature range (from +12 °C degrees in winter, to +30 °C and above in summer). Zamioculcas does not need to be sprayed, although spraying does not cause any harm to Zamioculcas.

The answer to the question: “How to care for Zamioculcas?” simple - zamioculcas loves warmth, bright light, very moderate watering. It does not like dampness, especially at low temperatures, so zamioculcas should be watered in the summer as the earthen clod dries completely, and in the winter no more than 1-2 times a month.

The best place in an apartment for Zamioculcas is the window sill of a south window, but it will not wither away on the north side either. True, with this arrangement, the leaves of the plant will be somewhat smaller, and in this case it should be watered much less often. In summer, it is good to take the Zamioculcas flower out onto the balcony.

To the soil at the dollar tree too special requirements No. The soil in the pot can be anything other than clay (you can take a ready-made soil mixture for cacti), but good drainage required.

Zamioculcas grows slowly, so there is no need to replant it often, but still, when the entire space of the pot is filled with roots, replanting into a larger volume is very desirable for zamioculcas. When replanting, pay attention - the tubers do not need to be deepened into the ground. They should be slightly visible on the surface.

You need to feed zamiakulkas with fertilizers for cacti and succulents very carefully, only once a month during the growing season, and even then it is not necessary. It is better not to feed at all than to overfeed. During the dormant period in winter there is no need to feed at all.

Reproduction of Zamioculcas

It is not possible to find Zamioculcas seeds in our latitudes, therefore, for Zamioculcas, reproduction in our area is only possible vegetative way. All parts of the plant can be used to produce a new plant.

The easiest way is to divide an adult plant. In this case, the plant is removed from the pot, the rhizome is divided, dried, then each part is planted in a separate container.

The second method is to separate a complex leaf-“branch” with a bud. The separated part is first dried and then planted in a permanent pot, while the tuber bud must be deepened into the ground only to the base of the leaf. Next is the usual care.

Finally, the longest way is propagation by a single leaf blade. The leaf separated from the plant is dried for a couple of days, then planted in a small pot, in a light sandy soil, deepening by 1/3, water and cover with a jar, ventilate regularly. The process of forming tuber roots is very long and you have to wait about six months for new leaves.

Description of Zamioculcas zamifolia

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, synonym - Zamioculcas loddigesii.

The homeland of the species is East Africa. From the tuberous rhizome, the plant develops leaves 40-60 cm long, which - which is very rare for representatives of the aroid family - are divided into 8-12 separate pinnate leaves. The leaf axis (rachis) is thick, juicy and serves the plant to store moisture. The feathers are leathery and dense. The entire leaf resembles the leaf of plants from the genus Zamia, found on the American continent, which is reflected in the name of the plant.

In dry times, Zamioculcas can shed top part leaf with feathery lobes, which protects against excessive evaporation, while the lower part of the petiole serves as a reservoir for water and remains on the plant. Zamioculcas also stores its water supply in a powerful underground root. Over time, the plant can stretch and reach a height of 1 m.

Diseases and pests of Zamioculcas

Zamioculcas gets sick and is rarely affected by pests. This is a very hardy plant, but it can also be “overrun” by inept care. The biggest mistake is overwatering. In this case, the roots begin to rot. If such a disaster occurs, you need to remove the plant from the pot, separate the rotten parts of the plant, and sprinkle the remaining part with crushed coal, dry it and replant it in new soil, and henceforth water the flower very sparingly.

If the leaves of a dollar tree turn yellow, this does not mean that the flower is sick. Zamioculcas, although slowly, grows, new leaves appear, and old ones turn yellow and die, while dark spots may appear on the stems.

If the leaves turn yellow, but new shoots are growing and the dark spots are dry, everything is in order, the plant is healthy. Yellowing leaves should be removed only after they have completely dried.

If the zamioculcas turns yellow and new shoots do not grow, then there are reasons for concern. Yellowing of leaves can be caused by sudden changes in temperature, drafts, insufficient watering and pest damage.

Zamioculcas can be affected spider mite, scale insects, aphids.

Spider mite- a very small red “spider”. Appears on the underside of leaves and envelops them in thin white cobwebs. It is destroyed by spraying and washing the leaves, especially on the underside, with water, weak tobacco infusion, pollination (in the fresh air, outside rooms) with ground sulfur, or the plant is treated with ready-made systemic insecticides.

Shchitovka, or shield aphid, gets its name from the waxy shield that covers the body of the adult pest. At first, when young, the scale insect is hardly noticeable, but it multiplies quickly, covering the stems and leaves with dark spots. Adults are motionless and sit under shields, from under which larvae crawl out and spread throughout the plant. At this time, they are destroyed by spraying with a soap-tobacco solution, to which you can add a little kerosene or denatured alcohol. Adult pests along with their scutes are removed with a damp swab, but you still need to treat the entire plant with an insecticide or soap solution to remove the larvae.

Aphid - small insect may be green, gray or black in color. It settles on the underside of the leaf and feeds on plant sap, which leads to the leaves drying out and curling. Reproduces quickly. It is destroyed by ready-made preparations that are sold in stores or by solutions of nicotine sulfate in water and soap in a ratio of 1 g. nicotine - sulfate per 1 liter of soapy water.

After treatment, the dollar tree should be washed thoroughly after 24 hours, covering the soil with polyethylene. If necessary, repeat the treatment.

In any case, if the zamioculcas turns yellow and flower diseases are obvious, even if the entire above-ground part of the plant has disappeared, do not rush to throw it away. Remove the zamioculcas from the pot, inspect the roots and tubers, if they have not lost their elasticity and look healthy, wash them with a weak solution of manganese, dry them and plant them in new soil, start watering.

It is quite possible that Zamioculcas, like in its homeland, when during drought the entire above-ground part of the plant disappears, when favorable conditions from the surviving tubers it will produce new shoots. Zamioculcas is hardy and persistent, like a real man.

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