Zamioculcas (lat.Zamioculcas) Plant care at home

Zamioculcas is a beautiful evergreen plant native to the tropics. Belongs to the aroid family, which have tuberous roots and thick fleshy stems and leaves. In common people it is also known as the “dollar tree”.

Zamiokulkas bloom is a rare phenomenon even in natural habitat, and waiting for it at home is difficult, but possible.

The flower of zamiokulkas has the appearance of a whitish inflorescence-cob 4 - 7 cm long, covered with a green sheet-blanket. It blooms on a low stem emerging from a tuber. It blooms for several days, after which it darkens and bends towards the ground.

In nature, it is pollinated by crawling insects; at home, self-pollination is impossible due to the special structure, namely, the separate arrangement of male and female flowers.

Flowering begins at a fairly mature age. Growth is slow, so it takes 5 - 6 years to form a strong plant that can bloom.

Description of the plant

Zamioculcas (lat.Zamioculcas) is a perennial herbaceous evergreen plant of the Aroid family native to East Africa.

The plant has tall, powerful stems of dark green color, on which, opposite or alternately, rather large (up to 10 cm long and 3 cm wide) erect glossy elliptical leaves, covered with a layer of wax coating, are located.

The root system is tuberous, it is able to accumulate moisture and nutrients, which allows zamiokulkas to tolerate prolonged drought.

Zamiokulkas is popularly called the flower of celibacy, the eternal tree or the dollar palm tree. Its juice is poisonous: it causes a burning sensation of the skin, provokes an upset stomach and an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is important to place the flower out of the reach of children and pets.

Reference. Basically, the stems and leaves of the dollar palm are large, modified compound leaves that form from the rhizome.

Flowering and fruiting

During flowering, which most often occurs in late spring, an ear-like inflorescence forms on a short and thick peduncle. It consists of small, light cream or yellowish flowers with a pleasant, fragrant aroma.

Under natural conditions, after flowering on zamioculcas, berries containing 1 seed each can form and ripen; when growing a plant at home, seeds are not tied even in the case of artificial pollination.

Zamioculcas rarely blooms. At home, flowering can be expected only if ideal conditions are created and not earlier than 3 years after planting.

How does zamioculcas bloom?

When the zamioculcas bloomed, the owner can be proud of his achievement, because in indoor conditions this is a rare occurrence.
During flowering, a lot of energy is devoted to pollination and seed formation; it is impossible to leave the plant without care during this period.

The watering mode, temperature, lighting does not need to be changed so as not to create unnecessary stressful situations. Apply fertilizer for flowering, following instructions and dosages.

It remains only to admire the handsome man and not forget to take a beautiful photo for memory.

Home care

For healthy growth and development of zamiokulkas, it is planted in a substrate consisting of equal parts of sod, leafy earth, sand and peat with the addition of charcoal and small stones. You can also use a ready-made potting soil mixture designed for cacti.

Pruning and rejuvenation

To keep the plant lush, even and get enough light, it is shaped like a ball. For this, in the spring, formative pruning is carried out, removing the growth point and irregular, vertically growing lateral shoots.

They also regularly carry out anti-aging pruning, which consists in removing old branches that have lost their decorative effect.

Temperature and humidity

Comfortable temperature for zamiokulkas - + 22 ... + 25 ° C in spring and summer and about + 16 ° C in winter. The maximum allowable temperature indicator is + 38 ° C, the minimum is + 12 ° C.

To increase humidity in the warm season, the plant is given a warm shower with a water temperature of about + 35 ° C, and in winter the pot is placed on a tray with damp pebbles or the leaves are sprayed with soft water.

Lighting and a comfortable place

The plant loves bright and long-lasting lighting, the lack of light negatively affects its decorative effect. It is better to put it on a windowsill on the south or southeast side of the apartment, protecting it from direct sunlight with tulle.

Watering

Water the zamioculcas as the topsoil dries out to a depth of 3-5 cm. On average, it is 1-2 times a week in the warm season and twice a month in winter. Water for irrigation should be settled or boiled and have room temperature.

Important! The larger the pot, the less watering is needed.

Fertilizer

Top dressing is applied 2 times a month during active leaf growth, from mid-spring to early autumn. Liquid fertilizers for cacti or succulents are suitable for zamiokulkas, for example, "Good Power" or Bona Forte.

The soil

Admiring the powerful shoots of zamiokulkas and its juicy leaves, it is difficult to guess that it is absolutely unpretentious in terms of the composition of the soil. The only requirement for the soil is lightness, moisture and air permeability, which will not allow water to stagnate, and a slight presence of organic matter. In order to plant a zamioculcas flower, experts recommend using a universal soil or soil mixture for cacti and succulents.

If it is not possible to purchase it in the store, then you can cook it yourself. Mix in equal proportions washed coarse river sand, sod and leafy soil, peat. At the bottom of the planter, be sure to pour a drainage layer in the form of expanded clay, which should be at least 1/4 of the total volume.

Transfer

The transplant is carried out as the root system grows, on average, once every 2-4 years in spring or summer. The pot should be earthen, high, 3–5 cm larger than the root ball in diameter. In a wide container, the plant starts up forces on the development of the rhizome, slowing down the growth of the aboveground part.

Transplant process:

• pour a drainage from expanded clay or small pebbles on the bottom of a new pot so that it takes up a quarter of the container, and a soil mixture;
• remove the plant from the old flowerpot along with a lump of earth and place it in the center of the new container;
• fill the voids with the substrate, making sure that the growth point is at ground level.

Transplanting is also recommended in case of decay of the root system, plant disease or pest attacks. In these cases, a complete replacement of the substrate is required.

Reference. Zamioculcas is not watered for 5-7 days after transplantation.

Reproduction methods

Seeds

It is almost impossible to buy seeds of Zamiokulkas "Raven". If you succeed, then sow the seeds in a moist earthy mixture for succulents at a distance of a couple of centimeters and cover with foil.

Air the plantings once a day and regularly monitor that the substrate does not dry out.Seating is done after the appearance of two leaves, which will have to wait at least two to three months.

Cuttings

The easiest and most efficient way. The stem, located above the soil, is cut and cut between the leaves. The wounds are dried in the air. Next, the cuttings are planted in the ground, poured into a flat container.

The plant can be propagated by cuttings

The soil is abundantly moistened by spraying, the seedlings are covered with plastic cups.

Before rooting, the shoots continue to be kept at a temperature of at least 20⁰С in sufficient diffused lighting, sometimes ventilating and spraying in a timely manner from a spray bottle.

By dividing an adult plant

When the transplant is carried out, the trunk-tuber of the overgrown plant is divided, and each part is planted in a new container. Further care is carried out as for an adult specimen.

Leaves

The slowest way: a broken-off leaf is placed in water and the roots are expected to appear. After six months or a year, a tuber appears, after which you can plant it in the usual way. To stimulate the process, special preparations are used that activate the formation of the root system.

Rooting can be carried out directly into the substrate if you put the leaf in a mini-greenhouse and spray it regularly.

Diseases and pests

Important! A day after using insecticides, the plant is washed with a warm shower, after covering the soil with polyethylene.

Fertilizing

Talking about how to care for zamioculcas at home, one cannot but dwell on the topic of feeding the plant with fertilizers (organic and / or mineral). Note that this species grows slowly, and this is its physiological feature. Do not expect to get a powerful zamiokulkas bush in a couple of months or even a year. The annual growth is 1-2 leaves. Trying to greatly accelerate the development of a flower is not only useless, but also dangerous.

Fertilizing should be done very carefully. You don't need to use organics. Choose complex mineral preparations designed for cacti and succulents. Strictly observe the dosage indicated on the package, otherwise you risk burning the roots of the plant. The frequency of fertilizing is once every two weeks during the period of active growth (in summer).

Views

There are several varieties of zamiokulkas that have arisen naturally or through the work of breeders.

Lanceolate (Zamioculcas lanceolata)

A natural plant form found in Mozambique at the beginning of the 20th century. The bush grows up to 1.5 m in height, characterized by long branches and lanceolate leaves, longer than those of the usual zamioculcas.

Variegate (Zamioculcas variegate)

The homeland of the plant is Madagascar. It differs in that its leaves are spotted in color with white or beige stains, which are located in a geometric sequence.

Motley

The leaves are elongated, with lemon spots on the main green color.

Black (Zamioculcas Black)

This type of zamiokulkas is native to Korea. Young shoots and leaves are light green, but darken over time and turn black.

Boivinii Decne

The main feature of this variety is its large tuber. Leaves are leathery, whole-edged, emerald colored. It blooms rarely and for a short time.

Zenzi

A dwarf variety of a plant with a thickened trunk and glossy leaves of a dark green, sometimes black, color.

The magical properties of zamiokulkas

The name "dollar tree" speaks of belief in the ability to attract material wealth into the house... A healthy, large plant is believed to indicate wealth and well-being.

This magic is especially well used in offices. Conversely, yellowing of leaves, disease can lead to financial problems.

The lesser known name "flower of celibacy", which means blooming as a bad sign, is derived from the flower's resemblance to spathiphyllum. But there is a sign that if a plant appears in the house as a gift, you need to give several coins for it, paying off negative energy.

How zamioculcas blooms and how many times depends on many factors, but with patience and providing the necessary care, you can see a rare exotic flower.

Chlorosis

Sometimes such a zamioculcas disease (in the photo above, you can see how it manifests itself) can be caused by a lack of iron in the plant. This leads to a disruption in the production of chlorophyll and minimizes the process of photosynthesis. In this case, the sheet plates initially lighten a little, and subsequently completely discolor. The characteristic difference is the green veins on the light background of the leaves.

The disease develops on young shoots at the beginning of the growing season. Initially, this is expressed in small stripes and strokes, which subsequently grow and merge into a single whole.

You can get rid of chlorosis with the help of iron chelate by watering the plant under the root with a working solution at the rate of 5 g of the product per 5 liters of water. Treatment should be carried out every 10 days until the plant is fully restored.

Growing problems

Improper care entails the emergence of problems when growing zamiokulkas. Leaves may be burned when exposed to sunlight. Leaf plates begin to turn yellow with excessive watering, violation of the temperature regime.

Despite the fact that zamioculcas differs in slow growth rates, sometimes it stops developing altogether, begins to wither. The reason for this phenomenon most often lies in the lack of minerals. A delay in growth is often provoked by a low temperature.

With insufficient care and frequent rearrangements, drops resembling tears form at the ends of the leaf plates at the zamioculcas. If any problem is found, containment procedures should be reviewed. Correcting mistakes made in the care of this tropical plant, as a rule, leads to the recovery of the zamiokulkas. If his condition does not improve, then the reason lies in the infection with parasites.

Why the dollar tree blooms: signs

The rare flowering of zamiokulkas gave rise to peculiar signs and beliefs:

• if the plant bloomed in the apartment of an unmarried girl, this means that incredible luck will come into her life and soon she will meet her betrothed;
• Eastern beliefs say that a blossoming dollar tree attracts luck and wealth;
• according to some signs, in order for a plant to bring happiness to the house, it must be donated, and not bought personally;
• you can enhance the monetary energy of a plant by pouring water on it, in which silver coins or gold jewelry lay for a day.

Find out why Zamioculcas is called the "flower of celibacy."

The dollar tree blooms in exceptional cases when the indoor microclimate corresponds to natural habitat conditions. But even a non-flowering plant is a valuable decorative leafy specimen that can emphasize the merits of any interior and create a favorable atmosphere in it.

General information

Zamioculcas is a low herb that has a root in the form of tubers. A plant needs such a thick and juicy root in order to store moisture in it. The tubers release feathers that are quite dense and leathery to the touch. One such sheet can reach a height of one meter. If it happens that you do not water the zamiokulkas for a long time, then it will begin to shed the leaves from the top of the leaf. Thus, the plant will be able to reduce moisture evaporation. But the lower petioles, on the contrary, are responsible for conserving water to feed the plant. In addition, as already mentioned, the flower retains moisture in its roots.

If the grower manages to provide the zamiokulkas with the necessary conditions for normal growth, then he has a chance to observe how this plant blooms. Short stalks emerge directly from the base of the leaf. On them you can see light cream cobs, which are inflorescences.

Phomoz, or dry rot

This zamioculcas disease develops as a result of a lack of moisture in the absence of timely watering. It manifests itself in spots of a brown-gray shade of a round shape. Another reason for infection is close proximity to a diseased plant.

First of all, negative signs appear on old shoots. Subsequently, in the absence of any measures and treatment, the zamioculcas disease spreads to the tubers. This leads to the fact that the plant begins to dry from the inside and may die.

To combat phomaosis, it is recommended to water the zamiokulkas with a working solution of the drug "Maxim" or "Previkur", which will help stop tissue necrosis. Subsequently, it is necessary to transplant the flower into a new soil with the removal of the affected tubers.

Rejuvenation

Plant rejuvenation is the separation of an old, highly overgrown zamiokulkas bush during its transplantation.

In addition to formative pruning, anti-aging is also carried out. This means that you need to remove the old branches that have lost their decorative appearance. After pruning, ugly stumps often remain at the base of the plant. They can be removed very carefully during transplantation.

Caution! Zammoculcas juice contains substances that, when in contact with the skin, can cause burning and redness, and allergic reactions in the form of a rash. Therefore, all work on transplanting, planting, reproduction and pruning should be carried out only with rubber gloves. But for this reason, you should not give up growing such a beautiful, spectacular flower. When he stands on a windowsill or on the floor, he does no harm to anyone.

Dark spots

Just darkened areas on the barrel are natural. But if there are also stripes, traces of rot, then the flower must be treated.

The first signs of rotting of the stem of the zamiokulkas appear in the form of brown spots.

The plant is processed disinfectants, and the soil in the flowerpot is changed to fresh and sterile.

Insect infestation

All plants are susceptible to insect pests to one degree or another, including indoor flowers. Zamioculcas (how to care, breeding methods are indicated above) is highly resistant. Its dense leaves are reliably protected by a leathery shell. However, sometimes, due to the weakening of the plant's immunity, aphids or scale insects may appear. If the air in the room is too dry, spider mites may start. If traces of the presence of these insects are found, the zamioculcas must be urgently processed.To begin with, you can use folk methods: washing the leaves with a weak soapy solution, spraying them with tobacco tincture. If this does not help, then use insecticides, for example, drugs "Intavir", "Fitoverm", etc.

Possible mistakes

Let's take a look at some of the most common mistakes:

• Excessive watering. Signs: the leaves turn yellow and gradually dry out. The roots and stem begin to rot. Transplant, and immediately.
• Insufficient lighting. The plant loses color, the branches become thin and elongated. The appearance deteriorates. Rearrange to a more suitable, illuminated place.
• Insufficient air humidity. It is especially important in winter, when dry air comes from hot heating batteries. The tips of the leaves become dry and brittle. Spray more often with warm, settled water or put a pot with a plant in a pan filled with moist moss, expanded clay, pebbles, shells, which need to be moistened from time to time.

Attention! If the old leaves turn yellow, but young branches with green leaves appear, this is normal, just cut off the old leaves.

Zamioculcas grows very slowly. Moreover, this does not depend on the conditions of its maintenance, the same happens in nature, this plant has such features. Sometimes it can simply “freeze” for a while, not grow at all. No need to be scared, no big deal. If the plant looks healthy and there are no pests, everything is fine.

Temperature

Home zamioculcas is a thermophilic flower. And from spring to autumn, it is advisable to maintain the temperature in the room with the plant within + 22 ... + 25 degrees. Cooler conditions are allowed in winter. But it is worth remembering that the +16 degree mark is critical for culture.

At any time of the year, it is also important to provide the zamiokulkas with an influx of fresh air. Therefore, regularly ventilate the room, and in the summer you can even send a flower to the balcony or garden. But remember that the plant does not tolerate drafts well. Therefore, when airing, take the pot to another room. And when growing on a balcony or in a garden, choose closed places for zamiokulkas, where sharp gusts of wind do not fall.

Mealybug

The pest can be recognized by the characteristic white fluffy lumps under which it hides. The insect feeds on cell sap and thus negatively affects the general condition of the plant.

Most often, the mealybug is localized in hard-to-reach places at the base of the leaves. To destroy the pest, it is necessary to spray it with Actellik 2-3 times at intervals of 1 week until the characteristic signs disappear completely. Additionally, you should wipe the places of mass accumulation of the insect with a napkin dipped in the solution.

Landing rules

Planting is best done in spring. The soil should be chosen loose so that air and water can easily circulate in the flowerpot.

You can use ready-made mixtures or mix the soil yourself. To avoid stagnant moisture, sand should be added to the soil.

Finely crushed sphagnum or expanded clay is also suitable for these purposes. A highly nutritious soil is essential for good growth. You can use garden, garden or turf soil, heavy soil is not recommended.

When landing on the bottom of the tank, drainage is necessarily placed, which will increase the throughput of the soil.

For this, only a few centimeters of the drainage layer will be enough. Thus, all excess moisture will fall into the pan, which will prevent possible rotting of the plant.

After the plant is planted, the top layer of soil should be tamped down a little. On top you can place sphagnum moss or a small layer of expanded clay. This coating will allow you to retain moisture longer.

Avoid choosing a pot that is too large, it can slow down the growth of the plant. A wide flowerpot with a narrowed bottom is very suitable. The material can be different, but often growers prefer plastic.