spathiphyllum flower - home care, the secret of success

An enchanting plant with white flowers and large green leaves is Spathiphyllum, also called “female happiness”. It is very popular with florists due to its long flowering period, excellent decorative properties and unpretentious care.

Description

The homeland of the spathiphyllum from the Aroid family is the tropical forests of Central and South America and some regions of Southeast Asia. The main species are distributed in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, and the Philippines. A characteristic feature of the plant is a pearly white leaf with a yellowish cob-shaped inflorescence in the center.

Spathiphyllum in the tropics

Large leaves have a rich dark green color and shine. The central stripe and lateral veins are noticeably distinguished on them. They reach up to 20 cm in size and are located on long petioles.

Bloom

If Spathiphyllum is doing well, but not perfect, it will produce many new leaves, but it will not bloom. When, with good care, flowering does not occur throughout the year, you should think about a new place for the plant, the old one may be too dark, despite the diffused light. The Russian sun simply does not have the strength of the tropical. In addition, the architectural features of the building (small windows, etc.) may be affected.

The type and shape of the flower

What appears to be a large flower petal in spathiphyllum is actually not. It is a modified leaf, a bract that turns white at maturity. Over time, the bract turns slightly green. In different types of spathiphyllum, it may differ slightly in shape: it can be more elongated, spoon-shaped, curled up in the shape of a cone, etc. The inflorescence is the central ear of yellowish tones.

Spathiphyllum flower

Plant care during the flowering period is characterized by an active watering and feeding regime.

Common species and varieties

In total, there are about 50 plant species in the world. Most of the domestic varieties are hybrids derived from Spathipyhllum floribundum and Spathiphyllum wallisii. Hybrid varieties are more hardy and long-flowering. Some varieties of indoor spathiphyllum:

1. Spathiphyllum Chopin. Its compactness and decorativeness have provided the plant with wide popularity. Leaves are bright green, elongated bracts, with a greenish tinge;

Spathiphyllum Chopin

2. Spathiphyllum Sensation. One of the largest species, bred in Holland. Height - up to 1.5 m. Sizes of dark green leaves: length - 70-90 cm, width - 30-40 cm. The length of inflorescences with bracts can reach 50 cm. Ear with a smoothed surface. It tolerates darkening better than other spathiphyllums.

Spathiphyllum Sensation

3. Dominoes. Low decorative variety with variegated leaves (white strokes on a green background). Inflorescence is greenish or yellowish-white in color. The strong aroma disappears at night. Domino's dimensions are average: height - 50-60 cm, leaf length - up to 20 cm, width - up to 10 cm;

Spathiphyllum Domino

4. Picasso.This relatively new variety is also bred in the Netherlands from Spathiphyllum wallisii. Green and white stripes alternate chaotically on the leaves. Requires good light for healthy growth;

Spathiphyllum Picasso

5. Spathiphyllum floribundum. Plant height - up to 50 cm.The dimensions of light green leaves with a wavy edge: length - 13-20 cm, width - 9.6 cm.The peduncle grows up to 25 cm.White bracts: length - 4-8 cm, width - 1, 5-3 cm. The length of the cob is 2.5-5 cm. Abundant flowering almost all year round. Cut flowers can be stored in water for up to 2 months;

Spathiphyllum floribundum

6. Mauna Loa. A large hybrid that reaches almost 1 m in height. Bred by US breeders from Spathiphyllum Floribundum. Leaves with pointed tips, flowering continues almost throughout the year.

Healing properties

Spathiphyllum is considered one of the most beneficial plants for the home due to its air-purifying properties. It absorbs volatile compounds of acetone, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethane from the air, is capable of destroying mold, reducing the colonies of harmful microorganisms. The high transpiration coefficient allows you to get rid of excessive dryness in the room.

Features of home care

Spathiphyllum home care does not require particularly difficult, however, without proper care, the plant will not look so attractive.

Temperature

The optimum temperature range for Spathiphyllum is 18-25 ° C. In summer, the temperature in the room with a flower should be 20-25 ° C, in winter - 18-20 ° C. At temperatures below 14 ° C, the plant may die. When the room temperature drops below 18 ° C, its growth slows down significantly.

Lighting

When caring for spathiphyllum, it is necessary to provide sufficient lighting. In winter, the plant requires more light. In summer, it should be diffused, since direct sunlight can cause leaf burns.

Watering

A tropical plant loves good hydration. In the summer, the regularity of watering is 2-3 times a week. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the soil. Its top layer should dry out, but moisture remains in the depths. Too abundant watering is unacceptable. The water must not stagnate.

Watering spathiphyllum

Water for irrigation is soft, at room temperature. Rainwater or standing tap water will do.

Spraying

Watering the plant must be supplemented with spraying. This can be done daily in the summer. A warm shower is also helpful, but be sure to keep water away from the bracts.

Humidity

High humidity is a prerequisite for good spathiphyllum health. But it must be coordinated with the air temperature. At low temperatures the humidity should be decreased, at high temperatures it should be increased.

Lush bush in a flowerpot

In winter, it is recommended to keep the plant away from heating appliances. As an additional humidification of the air environment, containers with water are placed next to the plant.

Priming

The flower does not tolerate stagnant water or excessive drought. Therefore, good drainage should be organized at the bottom of the pot, for which pieces of foam, pebbles, and small ceramic fragments are suitable.

What soil is ideal for spathiphyllum? Light and loose, with a slightly acidic environment. You can buy ready-made soil for tropical or aroid plants, as well as compose yourself.To do this, take peat, leaf and sod land, humus, sand in equal parts.

Top dressing

It is necessary to take care of the land for spathiphyllum by making top dressing. This is a mandatory measure so that the plant receives all the necessary trace elements.

Fertilizer should be liquid and contain potassium and phosphorus. It should be fed during the active period every two weeks. In winter, feeding stops or, if the room is warm enough, it is done no more than 1 time per month.

Basic recommendations for fertilization:

1. Top dressing is effective on warm days and in bright rooms;
2. It is not recommended to fertilize immediately after purchasing a plant; it will take a couple of months to adapt;
3. Newly transplanted flowers cannot be fed;
4. The fertilizer solution should not get on the leaves of the plant;
5. Water the flower before feeding to prevent damage to the root system.

Winter care

There are a number of rules on how to care for spathiphyllum in winter. In winter, during the dormant period, when the temperature drops to 16 ° C, frequent watering should be stopped. This happens once a year and lasts for several weeks. A rest period with cooler temperatures and less water is necessary for the plant.

Sometimes you can find recommendations to keep spathiphyllum for several weeks with reduced irrigation and not fertilize. Then feed, start watering abundantly and fertilize more often.

Lauretta variety

Presumably this should stimulate flowering, because doing so mimics a tropical winter with less rain followed by a wet, nutrient-rich spring. Such home care for a flower, female happiness, reproduces the natural living conditions of the plant, taking into account the annual rhythm.

Pruning

The plant does not require pruning, except for the removal of dead leaves and flowers.

Reproduction

The secret of success in the reproduction of spathiphyllum depends on the choice of its method. The most laborious method, which, moreover, does not give a guarantee to grow a young individual, is to propagate with the help of seeds. In total, three breeding methods are known:

• germination of seeds;
• dividing the bush;
• rooting of cuttings.

Germinating seeds

Experienced growers prefer to collect seeds themselves, which increases the likelihood of germination. To obtain seeds, it is necessary to artificially pollinate the flowers.

Procedure for germinating seeds:

1. Pour the steamed substrate from a mixture of sand and peat into the planting container;
2. The soil should be slightly damp. Seeds are sown and slightly pressed or sprinkled with soil from above;
3. The container is covered with foil and placed in a warm place at a temperature of about 25 ° C. It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out, periodically moistening it;

4. After the sprouts appear, the film is removed on the 5-7th day;
5. When the sprouts have thrown out the first leaves, they can be transplanted into separate pots.

Rooting cuttings

Young leaves sprout from the ground next to mature leaves. They will become cuttings if they are separated and removed from the soil. The separation is made with a sharp cutting instrument, which is pre-disinfected. The movement of the knife should be quick and short.

Sometimes the cuttings have no roots. Then they are kept in water until roots appear. The stalk with roots must be planted in the ground, previously warmed up in the oven. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the flower container.

Planting cuttings of spathiphyllum

The pot with the plant is placed in a warm (temperature over 21 ° C), slightly shaded place.One or two days after planting, you can only spray the sprout, then carefully proceed to watering, keeping the soil moist, but without excess water.

Dividing the bush

It is the most successful method. As the plant ages, it forms a strong rhizome that can be cut with a sharp knife. Each part must have at least 3 sheets forming a rosette. Rotten roots are pruned.

Division of the rhizome of spathiphyllum

The cuts are processed with coal. The individual parts are planted in pots and watered vigorously. During the first three months of growth, they are not fertilized.

Transfer

Spathiphyllum blooms only when the pot is somewhat tight. In a large pot, all his strength goes to the development of the root system. When it fills almost the entire volume, peduncles are thrown out. A young plant needs an annual transplant. Moreover, each time the diameter of the pot should be 2-3 cm larger.

In an adult spathiphyllum, the number of transplants is reduced to one in 3 years. The time of the procedure is spring, at the end of the dormant period and before the beginning of flowering.

Spathiphyllum transplant

Step-by-step actions:

1. Water the plant a little and carefully remove it from the previous pot;
2. Clean the roots with light strokes. Rotten and very long - cut off;
3. Move the spathiphyllum into a new pot with a drainage layer and a small amount of soil, sprinkle with a substrate on top and press lightly so that the flower sits tightly;
4. In the first days after transplanting, moderate watering and frequent spraying are recommended. Then the usual care is restored.

Growing problems

Spathiphyllums are very hardy and relatively immune to pests. But they do not resist drafts and strong room smoke. Typical signs of diseases and treatment options:

1. Leaves turn pale. This comes from a lack of light. It is necessary to increase the illumination;
2. Sheds leaves and buds. The pot is not cramped enough, little light, no fertilizer. Errors in containment should be corrected;
3. The tips of the leaves dry. Air is too dry. Perhaps there are heating devices nearby, then the flower is transferred to another place. It is also treated with frequent spraying;
4. Brown spots on the surface of the leaves. This is a sign of over-fertilization. The plant needs a transplant;
5. Why do the lower leaves turn yellow or black, then fall? This is often caused by over-watering, resulting in root rot. The irrigation regime should be changed. Another reason is a lack of nutrients, the plant needs to be fed;

Damaged spathiphyllum leaves

6. If the leaves partially darken and a web appears, the plant has been attacked by pests.

Spathiphyllum is most often attacked by spider mites and aphids. It is necessary to carefully examine the leaves. If harmful insects are found, treat the plant with insecticides.

Signs and superstitions

Numerous signs are associated with spathiphyllum. Among its names - spathiphyllum "Women's happiness", "Lily of the world", "White candle", "White sail".

The flower is believed to help:

• find a groom for a lonely girl;
• childless to give birth to an heir;
• spouses achieve harmony and satisfaction in marriage.

If you give the flower to other hands, happiness will leave the house.

Spathiphyllum looks great and sets elegant accents in the design of the apartment. Its cultivation requires care, but not special knowledge and skills. Plants grown and sold in a nursery are preferable to buying from a supermarket.