Zamioculcas - dollar tree transplant

The ornamental plant Zamioculcas was discovered and described in 1828 by the English botanist Konrad Loddjes, who studied tropical flora. At the beginning of the last century, the director of the famous European botanical garden in Berlin, Adolf Engler, named it Zamioculcas Zamiifolia for its resemblance to the leaves of the zamia that lives in the tropics and subtropics of America.

Zamioculcas belongs to the Aroid family. This flower comes from East Africa, so it is not afraid of the scorching rays of the sun. The plant has perfectly mastered at home, it can be found not only in apartments, but also in large offices. Unusual flowers and a peculiar crown of zamiokulkas can become a real decoration of any room.

Zamioculcas is an integral part of any interior

Breeding zamiokulkas, or dollar tree, as it is sometimes called, is not difficult. Although the flower is exotic and special, because its homeland is the sultry African continent, it has taken root well in indoor and greenhouse conditions. The most difficult thing in the process of growing a zamioculcas plant is a transplant. In order not to make mistakes, you need to get acquainted with the agrotechnical features of breeding. To achieve its flowering in "captivity", you will need to apply a lot of patience, perseverance, knowledge.

Features of the dollar tree

The plant gained great popularity due to the belief of people that it brings prosperity to the house where it was planted. Whether it is true or not, it is unknown, but a good mood always reigns where this flower is. The hostess is doubly happy if he has released the buds, which is extremely rare.

The group of succulent plants to which the zamioculcus belongs (like aloe, agave, bastard, cacti and others) is distinguished by thick fleshy leaves and large tubers. With proper care at room conditions, they can bloom. The dollar tree has peculiar flowers, similar to corn cobs, wrapped in leaves.

Flowering dollar tree

One of the rules for caring for a plant is planting it. The flower can be purchased at any store. In order for the plant to take over well in new conditions for it, you need to know how to transplant zamiokulkas. It is imperative to transplant the purchased flower, otherwise it will die.

The reasons:

1. When transporting from abroad, special soil is used, which is heavy and devoid of nutrients.
2. This substrate is unsuitable for growing zamiokulkas.
3. In the transport containers, the drainage is replaced by holes in the bottom, into which the flower roots can germinate.

The optimal time for a transplant

The most favorable time is spring (March or April). These months are suitable for young and adult specimens. The dollar tree is considered a slow-growing plant, therefore, mature zamioculcas can be transplanted in 3-4 years. Young shoots should be planted annually until they turn 3 years old. It is during this period that the flowers are actively growing.

There are exceptional cases when the transplant period has passed, but the plant needs it.The procedure can be postponed to early summer. Autumn is the most inappropriate time for planting, because the flowers are preparing for winter, falling into "hibernation", that is, into a state of rest. At this time, the plant will not take root, because all its vital processes are inhibited.

Dollar tree ready to transplant

How to transplant a dollar tree from pot to pot

There are three types of transplantation: after the purchase of a flower, annual until it is 3 years old and periodic once every three years for adult specimens.

What signs indicate that you need to transplant zamiokulkas at home:

• Withered and withered foliage.
• Stopping flower growth.
• Compaction and airtightness of the soil in the pot.
• Cracking of the container from overgrown roots.

The first sign that requires a flower transplant is tightness for the roots.

In addition to the planned, emergency transplantation of zamiokulkas is sometimes carried out when there is a suspicion of a plant disease or decay of rhizomes.

What land is needed for a dollar tree

In order for the plant to successfully start after planting in a new pot, it is important to know what kind of soil is needed for zamiokulkas. The soil should be:

• loose and breathable;
• mixed with expanded clay or river pebbles, that is, have the property of drainage;
• with a minimum amount of fertilizers, as their overdose leads to disease;
• disinfected with boiling water or heat treatment in the oven.

In order for the plant to take root well after purchase or transplantation, it is necessary to determine what kind of land is needed for zamiokulkas. The prepared soil for zamiocalcus should include leafy earth, sod, sand and peat in equal proportions. Add a small amount of humus. An alternative to this composition can be a special substrate for succulents with neutral acidity, which can be purchased at a specialized store.

Despite the fact that there is expanded clay in the prepared soil for planting zamiocalcus, a drainage layer is required at the bottom of the pot. This is necessary not only to ensure moisture permeability, but also for the stability of the container. The dollar tree grows up to 1 meter in height, its branchy stems and fleshy leaves can outweigh the pot to the side. The pebbles at the bottom will help the flower's stability.

The substrate for filling the pot must strictly comply with the basic requirements for the correct transplantation of the plant.

Choosing the right soil is important for the growth of the dollar tree.

In which pot to plant zamiokulkas

Before deciding when and how to transplant zamioculcas into another pot, you need to choose it correctly. The choice of the container is just as important as the preparation of the soil for the zamiokulkas. When preparing containers for planting a succulent, all the details must be taken into account:

1. The size of the pot should only exceed the size of the previous one by 3 cm. It is not worth choosing dishes by size with a margin, because the leaves and stems of the flower will begin to grow only after the roots fill all the voids.
2. The capacity must be stable, because the dollar tree during the period of active growth increases both in size and weight. Drainage can help create a stable position.
3. The most optimal shape of a planting pot for a flower is narrowed towards the base and extended towards the top.
4. The material for the flowerpot is clay or plastic.
5. Wide and not very tall pots are suitable in size.

The advantages of ceramic dishes include a breathable porous surface, high weight, thermoregulation and durability. Cons - white stains are formed from salt in the water, when transplanting it needs to be broken.

Plastic pots are easy to clean, convenient and easy to reposition, and can be cut if necessary. Negative characteristics include rapid deformation from overheating or overgrown roots, retention of moisture, leading to damage to the roots, poor air circulation, due to the low mass, they can easily turn over. The positive property of plastic flowerpots, which distinguishes them from clay pots, is a small price. In addition, due to the variety of colors, they can be used in different interiors.

You need to decide which container is better to choose individually. Pottery is more environmentally friendly for the development and growth of the root system. But not economical, because you need to break up when transplanting. In plastic pots, it is easier to see if the time has come to plant a flower. You can easily extract the roots of a plant from such a container without damaging them.

The size of the pot for transplanting zamiokulkas plays an important role.

Features of transplanting a dollar tree

Before planting a flower in a new container, you need to learn how to properly transplant zamiokulkas. There are two ways: transfer and transfer. For an adult dollar tree, the second method is preferable, because it allows you to extract the pre-soaked roots of the plant along with an earthen ball with minimal damage and plant it in another, larger container. The direct transplant method requires a complete cleaning of the roots from the soil. This can lead to damage to the fragile roots of the zamiokulkas. This method is more suitable for a newly purchased specimen of an exotic plant.

Step by step flower transplant:

1. Prepare a flower pot, larger in size than the previous one, pour a layer of drainage onto the bottom.
2. Remove zamiokulkas from the old pot by transferring. Check roots, cut off rotten tubers and separate young tubers.
3. Spread a moist layer of soil over the top, leave room for the roots.
4. Plant vertically with roots in the ground and sprinkle on them. Compact the soil to conserve moisture and sprinkle with expanded clay or river pebble mulch.
5. Put in place of its further growth. Initially, do not place the seedling in direct sunlight. Gradually rearrange in the sun.
6. Observe the process of plant engraftment. This is necessary because unforeseen complications occur after the transplant.

Transplanting a dollar tree

Post-transplant care

After transplantation, caring for zamiokulkas consists in following the rules, as for any indoor plant. These requirements are simple: provide the seedling with the required amount of light, water it correctly and fertilize it not very often.

Watering a flower

Despite the fact that zamiokulkas is a southern plant and very thermophilic, it also requires compliance with a certain watering regime. In the summer season, it needs to be watered often, but not too abundantly. The indicator will be dry soil by 2 cm in a pot. In winter, the drying of the soil down to half the pot in depth indicates the need for moistening.

Lighting and temperature control

If the plant grows on a windowsill, then it is better to place it on the east or west side. On the floor, the dollar tree needs to be allocated space under the windows facing south. The temperature of the heat-loving flower Zamiokulkas requires +20 degrees and higher in summer, and at least +16 in winter. In cold weather, its leaves turn yellow and fly around, the plant itself will gradually fade and die.Starting from the first warm spring days, it must be taken out into the fresh air.

Top dressing

The dollar tree accumulates and retains moisture well. It consumes nutrients quickly during the period of active growth. Therefore, in spring and summer, the required amount of special fertilizers for succulents (cacti) must be applied to the substrate. These can be purchased at flower shops. A feature of the procedure is strict adherence to the instructions. Overdose is life-threatening for the plant.

Amateur gardeners and professionals love this unpretentious exotic plant for its ease of care. It is nice to know that a dollar tree grown by your own hands may bring prosperity and family well-being to your home.