Aspidistra description, home care.
In the liliaceae family, a plant such as aspidistra was attributed. Literally translated, in Greek it means like a shield in the shape of a star. This can be explained by the shape of the stigma, which is translated from Latin as an indicator of snakes. Homeland China and Japan - this is the native element of the growth of this plant. Perhaps this name came from the similarity of the roots. Among flower growers there is another name - "friendly family". This is due to the many leaves that grow very densely. Stems up to 60cm high, located on long petioles. Dense and luscious dark green foliage, reminiscent of jungle thickets. There is also a different name among connoisseurs of plants.
Reinforced concrete or cast iron. This is associated with good endurance and longevity. The peduncle emerges from the roots, right at the surface of the soil. In general, its flowering is not noticeable and how the aspidistra blooms can be overlooked. Aspidistra blooms, but its flower is inconspicuous and with a brownish-red tint. Small fruits soon appear. You can find high aspidistra on sale, and so there are sixteen species of this plant that can be found in Asia, in their original form. And after 1822, this miracle was already brought to European countries.
For quite a long time, aspidistra was the most popular houseplant. At the moment, this decorative leafy handsome man has become less likely to appear in houses.
The main features of care are fertile soil, a pot or container is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant itself. In addition to the standard plant, there are species, they can also be found varieties with variegated or two-colored leaves. Variegat variety with striped leaves. It is a hybrid form and can be found under such names as aspidistra "Oram", varieties "Arebono" and "aspidistra Milky Way" owners of a white stripe on the leaf. The latter with speckled leaves, also the Leopard variety, also a leaf of aspidistra may contain specks, but in shape it looks similar to the main species. It is quite rare on sale. The aspidistra elatior also deserves attention.
3.Types of aspidistra:
3.1 Aspidistra high or elatior - Aspidistra elatior
An evergreen herbaceous perennial houseplant native to Japan and China. Leaves are glossy, dark green, pointed, up to 60 cm long, on short basal petioles. Flowers hide in foliage, on short and strong peduncles.
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3.2 Aspidistra variegata - Aspidistra Variegata
An attractive decorative leafy plant with large, green leaves with numerous longitudinal white or light green stripes. The variegated view reaches a height of 50 cm.
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How to care
Home care Aspidistra plant is one of the few that is able to grow where other plants can hardly grow. When grown, you can observe how the aspidistra blooms. Such moments as temperature differences in the room, lack of lighting, dry soil and a minimum of maintenance. Aspidistra is a godsend for such premises.
— The soil. Should be heavy and tight enough. The composition of such a soil mixture should include several components: equal parts of sod, compost or humus soil and sand.For a simple aspidistra, you can use land from a garden or vegetable garden. Or purchase ready-made soil in specialized stores. But for forms with variegated foliage - the soil should be much more nutritious and loose.
— Landing. In the prepared container, be sure to put expanded clay. We add some soil. We put the plant in a pot so that it is at the same level as before planting. We fill up the soil and carefully tamp it. Water abundantly.
- Transplant. Very critical to transplant. We do it only when there is really a need for it. If you need to transplant a plant, the best time of the year is spring, from March to May. Topsoil renewal can be done every year. This is done very carefully. The main thing is not to damage the roots. Since damaging even the smallest roots, the plant can take a long time to recover and eventually die. For new transplanted plants, drainage and a small pot or container are prerequisites. For a good and decorative look, it is enough to replant it once every four years.
- after you have carefully pulled out the earthen lump. We take a sharp knife and make a cut of a part of the earthen coma (lower part) no more than three centimeters. We do this carefully so as not to damage the rest of the roots.
- a larger pot is taken for transplantation, we put drainage and a little nutritious soil on top. Next, we put the plant and add the remaining earth to the desired level. Gently flatten the soil.
- We water the plant abundantly, this will allow the soil to come into contact with the roots, so the earth will settle and, if necessary, you can add more. Remove excess moisture from the pallet.
Aspidistra Elatior Snow Cap
Sometimes the variety of aspidistra shown in the photo is called "improved Asahi". True, the plants are very similar, but in this variety, the white pattern is much broader and more noticeable, and it persists throughout the year.
As with the already described variety, in this case you will also have to wait until the plant is ripe in order to please the owner with non-melting, “snow caps”.
Where to put.
One of the main conditions of detention is light and temperature conditions, which must be taken into account when growing aspidistra.
- Lighting... Shades well. It can also grow on the northwest and northeast and north sides of your home. At a short distance from the window, aspidistra will also not grow badly. It will grow better in partial shade, but it can also tolerate very dark places in your room. Bright sun or lighting is contraindicated for this plant.
- Temperature winter temperatures should not drop below 5 degrees and not exceed 20. The golden mean is 10. Thus, the summer temperature in the room is well tolerated. In winter, you need to rearrange the plant to cooler places. But even in winter, aspidistra tolerates room temperatures quite well.
- Humidity... This plant does not need to be sprayed. Better wipe it with a damp cloth. This will moisten the leaves and remove excess dust. However, aspidistra tolerates well spraying. A small amount is acceptable. The water should be warm and settled.
Aspidastra in the interior
Aspidista is a versatile plant that can be used not only to decorate apartments, offices and social facilities, but also to create bright and beautiful bouquets with its help. The main advantages of this plant in floristry are its high aesthetic characteristics, the ability to give the desired shape to the bouquet, as well as its harmonious combination with a large number of flowers.
Experienced housewives recommend growing a flower in the kitchen, where there is a large accumulation of the smell of burning and smoke. Aspidistra not only absorbs all dust and toxic substances as a vacuum cleaner, but also humidifies the air.
The absence of toxic substances in the sap of the plant allows you to make flower zones from aspidistra in the nursery.
The flower stabilizes the child's psyche, improves memory and attention. The cast iron flower is absolutely safe for pets. In the summer, large flowerpots with a plant can be taken out into the street and decorate the local area with them. In climatic zones where the temperature in winter does not drop below 0 degrees, gardeners use the flower for designer garden decoration.
Cast iron wood looks especially impressive in large office spaces. The flower, planted in stylish and beautiful pots, will emphasize the chosen stylistic direction and improve the atmosphere in the work area.
For many decades, indoor flowers have been a traditional decoration of any room, along with interior items, paintings and textiles. Each experienced housewife tries to grow several of the most beautiful plants on her windowsill.
How to water
Water at room temperature is used for irrigation, it is better that it settle for several days.
- Watering. Water it evenly. Try not to overflow. Control of dryness of an earthen coma. As soon as the ground is dry, you can water it. In other words, let the soil dry out. Allowing the soil to dry out is a gross mistake in care.
- Top dressing. We add fertilizers during the period of active growth - from spring to autumn. It is better to do this once a month and use liquid mineral organic fertilizers. If you have a form with variegated leaves, you need to exclude any feeding at all. If you feed the aspidistra with variegated leaves, over time they will become common - green. It's just that this view can be placed closer to a window or a light source.
Top dressing
In the spring and summer, you need to feed the plant. Organic or mineral fertilizers are perfect as top dressing. In the process of preparing the fertilizer, it is necessary to dilute the mixture twice as much as indicated in the instructions.
By the way, it is not recommended to fertilize plants with a variegated color: in this case, the shrub will just turn green. If you want to learn more about the features of variegated species of aspidistra, check out the photo on the Internet.
How to propagate.
-Aspidistra Reproduction. It is better to propagate by dividing the bush. This can be done at the time of planting or transplanting the plant. Gently remove the root ball with soil. Spread the newspaper or oilcloth and loosen the soil with gentle, light movements to free up roots and find a place to divide. It is recommended to divide the plant if it has more than five leaves. When dividing, we try to have five or six leaves on each divided bush. If there are less of them, it is better not to divide the plant at all. After the dividing process, we keep the flower in a warm place for a couple of days. We use nutrient-rich soil for the transplanted plants. If necessary, you need to fill up the earth and crush it at the base of the plant. Then water well. We feed the transplanted plants once every two months, after they have taken root.
Reproduction
By dividing the bush
Important! A bush with less than 8 leaves is not suitable for such reproduction.
Remove the culture from the pot.
Divide the roots into pieces by cutting with a sharp knife.
Each part should have 4 or more leaves.
By the flower very fragile roots, so powder the wounds with crushed charcoal and dry them.
Then transplant each piece into a separate pot.
Next, put it in a warm room, and cover it with glass or a plastic bottle on top.
This is how the plant is propagated every 5 years.
Seeds
In spring, seeds are sown in warm and well-watered soil. Seeds are only slightly sprinkled with earth. When sprouts appear, they need to dive.
Sheet
Pick the best leaf, cut it off without a stem, but with a thick fleshy nodule.
Dry the leaf. Take a bottle with a wide mouth.
Pour water into the bottom. Place the leaf in the bottle.
Cover with a lid, fill the lid with paraffin or cover with plasticine. Place the bottle in a warm place with light. When the roots grow on the leaf, plant it in a container with leafy soil.
If the leaf has not given roots and is rotten, then remove the leaf, cut it to a healthy part. Place the leaf back in the bottle with fresh water.
Pests and diseases.
Aspidistra is quite resistant to both pests and diseases. But made mistakes when growing it at home. Can lead to a number of problems. Foliage may turn brown in dry indoor air. Bright and direct sunlight - Burns on leaves. Root decay can be caused by excessive soil moisture.
- Pests practically not damaged by pests. But scale insects can be harmful. This can be understood by the appearance of a yellow pattern on the leaves. Having found a pest, it can be removed from the sheet. And treat the affected area with a suitable insecticide.
- Diseases among the diseases, a number of problems with leaves can be distinguished. Stains may appear on them. This is either a sunburn, which means the plant was standing in the bright sun. The place where the aspidistra is standing should be shaded. If the leaf is torn, it is the result of strong feeding. We reduce the dose of fertilizers, or it is better to stop feeding it altogether for some time.
Each year, five new leaves appear on the plant.
Care errors and their elimination
Frequently encountered problems and ways to solve them are summarized in the table:
| Problem | The reasons | Decision |
| Wilting leaves | Drying of an earthen coma, stagnation of moisture in the roots | Adjust watering schedule |
| Yellowing and drying of leaves | Low air humidity, too hot room | Water the plant more often, spray |
| Loss of the spectacular color of the leaves, their fading | Lack of lighting, excess of nutrients in the soil | Reduce feeding, rearrange the flowerpot to a brighter place |
| Lack of growth | Deficiency of nitrogen in the soil | Fertilize the flower with urea solution |
| Brown spots on the leaves | Sunburn | Move the plant to a shaded place |
Flower design.
Aspidistra high is very much appreciated in interior gardening. The peculiarity is the beauty and shiny leaves of this plant, reaching lengths of up to 20cm. It can be perfectly used in bathroom landscaping, if space permits. Also decorate her corridor. For offices, this is a great addition. Dense and luscious greenery will decorate any office interior. Aspidistra is used in single composition and planting. To highlight the beauty of this plant, use decorative and stylish planters. When choosing a plant, pay attention first of all:
- Aspidistra is sold almost all year round and can be easily found in various centers.
- When choosing a plant, we make an inspection so that it is healthy and without signs of damage by pests or diseases.
- With proper care, the aspidistra will delight you for many years.
- Pricing policy is different, it usually depends on the age and size of the plant.
In any case, aspidistra can grow at home, it will become a decoration of your home. Good luck to you.
Description
Aspidistra in the common people is called snake grass, because scaly curved rhizomes protruding from the ground are similar to the body of a snake. Basal leaves, devoid of stems, grow extremely densely and densely to each other.
Due to its visual similarity and lack of bulbs, this culture has long been considered a relative of lily of the valley and asparagus. The leaf blades of this flower are leathery dark green shiny, but larger and higher than the lily of the valley.
How does it bloom?
Aspidistra blooms rarely and sporadically. Indoors, this happens most often in winter or early spring. Stellate axillary small (up to 2.5 cm) sessile purple or lilac flowers appear between the scales directly from the rhizome.
After pollination, a pear-shaped or rounded fruit is formed with a single large seed inside.
Signs and superstitions
A number of signs and superstitions are associated with aspidistra. It is believed that the flower received as a gift strengthens character and strengthens willpower, as well as helps to overcome depression and heals depression. A bush growing in a house gives its owner stamina and endurance.
In addition to magical qualities, the beneficial properties of aspidistra are also used. All parts of the plant (rhizomes, flowers and leaves) have healing properties.
Decoctions of this herb are used for urolithiasis, cystitis, gastrointestinal pathologies, for muscle pain and cramps.
Aspidistra: the story of the discovery of the plant
The first plants, today classified as Asparagusov family, were discovered in the first half of the 20s of the 19th century by the botanist Gene Goler. He also gave the name to the aspidistra, but according to the ideas prevailing at that time, the genus was attributed to the Lilein family, where it stayed right up to 2009.
The basis for reckoning with plants related to asparagus and lily of the valley was the fact that, unlike lilies, it did not have bulbs. It is unusual that pundits so late saw such a clear circumstance, but in fact, from the discovery until the 80s of the last century, very little attention was paid to aspidistra by botanists.
This circumstance can be judged only due to the fact that until then the methods of pollination of the plant are not clear, and the flowering itself has been very little studied. Among other things, in the 70s, scientists described only 8-10 species, but over the next decade, about thirty more species were discovered in China. By 2008, scientists already had 93 independent species of the aspidistra plant at their disposal. And at this time they are already talking about 101 species, and not all discoveries have been made, because it turned out that the plants of this promising genus have a rather vast region.
Possible growing difficulties
Usually, there are no difficulties with "cast iron wood". the main thing avoid waterlogging in a flowerpot, from this the plant can quickly die.
Excess sunlight, especially direct sunlight, can negatively affect the plant. It is necessary to place the flower in the shade or partial shade of the room.
Growing aspidistra does not require much effort, but the flower will certainly add comfort to the room. She will make the house more beautiful the air is cleaner, and the flower lover will add self-confidence. The following flowers may be more difficult to care for and more fashionable, but it is possible that aspidistra will always remain a real favorite.
Choosing a land for aspidistra
The plant is unpretentious to care for, it does not need special soil; for planting it, you can take ordinary soil from a flower bed. But if you want aspidistra to grow faster, then you can make a more nutritious soil, for this you need to take 1 part of sand, 2 parts of sod soil, 2 parts of deciduous soil, 2 parts of humus. It is better to plant young specimens in such soil for better development and rooting.
