Homeland of the plant spathiphyllum, the history of the origin of the flower female happiness

Reproduction

Pelargonium is propagated by cuttings or planting seeds.

Cuttings

Pelargonium reproduces well
using cuttings. This method preserves all the varietal characteristics of the plant.

Cuttings can be harvested from early spring to autumn. Flowering time occurs in 16-20 weeks, depending on the variety. It is not recommended to take cuttings from dormant plants (until the end of January).

For reproduction, shoots 6-7 cm long with three leaves are harvested and the cut is dried in air for several hours. For dwarf varieties, cuttings 2.5-3 cm long are suitable.To do this, make a small cut at an acute angle, and remove the lower leaves. In order for the pelargonium to take root well, you can use root-stimulating preparations, with which you need to lightly powder the cut and plant it in prepared pots.

You do not need to cover the cuttings. At a temperature of 20-22 degrees and regular watering, young pelargoniums will soon grow. Usually, the rooting process takes from two weeks to a month, depending on the variety. When watering, you need to try to prevent water from getting on the leaves and stem, in order to avoid diseases. As soon as the cuttings have grown, they will need to be transplanted into separate pots with a special soil mixture recommended for pelargonium.

Seed propagation

The recommended time for sowing seeds is the end of January - February. Some gardeners have planted before. But in this case, additional lighting is required, since the natural daylight hours are still too short, and the seedlings can stretch out a lot.

The seeds are sown in a container with moistened soil and sprinkled with a thin layer (approximately 2-3mm) of the soil mixture. The optimum temperature for seedlings is 20-22 degrees.

Pelargonium seeds
can be sown in individual plastic or peat cups, 1-2 pcs. In this case, picking is not required. The seed container should be placed in a warm, bright place. Seedlings appear in 5-10 days.

All this time, you need to monitor the moisture content of the soil and prevent it from drying out and forming a crust. It is better to moisten the soil by spraying. As soon as the seedlings appear, water gently, taking care not to get moisture on the leaves. After germination, the temperature can be slightly reduced to 18-20 degrees.

In order to prevent the seedlings from stretching, it is better to provide additional lighting. Phytolamps have proven themselves very well, thanks to which a strong strong seedling is obtained. Pinching over the fifth leaf is done in order to get a compact and lush pelargonium bush. For the same reason, it is recommended to pinch the flower every 2-3 months. If the seeds were sown in a common container, the pick is made after the appearance of the real first leaf.

When propagated by seeds, the flowering period occurs after about six months.

Pelargonium photo

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With the development of indoor floriculture, an increasing number of exotic plants appear on the market. Of course, it is interesting to grow a novelty on your own, but do not forget the usual flowers. One of them was grown by many generations of our ancestors. And even now, in almost every home you can find the most common geranium.

Yes, today we will talk about her. Someone casually waved his hand, they say, what is this in pelargonium? Have you seen the latest breeding innovations? On a bush with three leaves, there is a huge cap of double flowers. Colors from white to purple, all shades.And what foliage! Carved, variegated, multicolored! These beautiful plants bear little resemblance to grandma's geraniums. If only the specific smell of leaves. With proper care, you can enjoy flowering almost all year round.

How to grow geraniums at home? Agrotechnics of any kind are very light. A little effort, simple care and a secret in which pelargonium begins to bloom - that's the whole cultivation technology. But for those who are breeding this flower for the first time, we will describe everything in detail.

Types of spathiphyllum

There are no varieties of this tropical plant. There are many different types of spathiphyllum, including even those with green, red and pink flowers. This is due to the fact that the flower conquered almost everyone with its beauty, and therefore, from pure species, they began to create new varieties by hybridization.

• Spathiphyllum Abundantly flowering. It is a shrub with light green leaves, and sometimes it is possible to find light green leaves. They are dense, you can visually see every vein. Each leaf has a thin petiole, generally no more than 8-9 centimeters. At the same time, the leaf can grow up to 20 centimeters in length. The flowers are white, small in size, only 2-3 centimeters wide. The flower has a peculiarity - it is able to bloom all year round, if proper care is carried out.
• Spathiphyllum Pleasant. It differs from all its relatives in the size and shape of the leaf plates - large and flattened with depressed veins. The length of the plant is also different: it can grow up to 40 centimeters and has a large root of the same size. Flowers appear constantly, but year-round bloom is not guaranteed.
• Spathiphyllum Cannoli. It has dark green leaves, the shape resembles an egg. Has a pleasant scent when blooming. Flowers are mostly yellow, sometimes white with a slight yellowness.
• Spathiphyllum Quatro. It is a hybrid of a flower. It is characterized by accelerated growth and is capable of reaching up to 80 centimeters in size.
• Spathiphyllum Chopin. Reaches a size of 40 centimeters. The leaves are always green. They have a shiny surface that could win the hearts of flower growers.
• Spathiphyllum Picasso (Variegated). It is also a hybrid derived from two other plants. It should always be in the shade and warmth.
• Spathiphyllum Sensation (Royal). The leaves can grow up to 50 centimeters in size, and the plant itself can grow up to 1 m. It is considered to be the largest representative of this family of flowers. It has a dark green color of leaf plates, leaves are wide in shape. It can be in the shade and for a long time in direct sunlight. Outwardly similar to the Bellini variety.
• Spathiphyllum Strauss. Because of its small size, it received a second name - a dwarf, or dwarf. It grows slowly, and the size of an already adult plant reaches only 20-29 centimeters. When touched, the pointed leaves appear to be composed entirely of strong silk. The stem is completely absent, and the flowers are yellow.
• Spathiphyllum Verdi. Able to grow up to 75 centimeters, but subject to the appropriate conditions. With proper feeding and watering, it can bloom twice a year. The plant has white flowers and wide leaf plates with a rough surface.
• Spathiphyllum Vivaldi. Has a short root system. Oval leaf plates. White flowers are located on a long stem. This type of "female happiness" loves high humidity and does not tolerate direct sunlight.
• The most favorite and common type of Spathiphyllum is Wallis (Alana or Yess). He received his recognition for his unpretentious character, which gets along well at home. Its height is 35-40 centimeters. The leaves are oval, bright green, the plant is able to delight with its flowering for a long time. The snow-white flowers themselves reach an average size of 9 centimeters and appear twice a year.
• Another species is called Helikonielistny. Reaches one meter in height, leaves are oval, green, flowers are white.
• Spathiphyllum Spoon-shaped (Giant), also capable of reaching one meter in length. Large leaves of this giant are round, narrow cut, 80 centimeters wide and 40 centimeters long.
• Spathiphyllum Cupido, or Cupid, is valued for its snow-white beautiful flowers in the form of a sail. The maximum height of an adult plant does not exceed 50 cm.
• Spathiphyllum variegated is a rather rare species. The flower received this name for the white stripe that runs along the leaf.

Growing Lisianthus from seeds at home

General description and history of the plant

Spathiphyllum (from the Latin Spathiphyllum) is a plant from the genus of evergreen perennials of the aroid family. The appearance of the flower is reflected in its name, which consists of two words of Greek origin: σπάθη - "veil" (spathe) and φύλλον - "leaf" (phyllon).

The discoverer of spathiphyllum is the German scientist Gustav Wallis. Back in the 19th century, he described the culture found in Colombia. From the second half of the last century, a new "history" of the flower began - breeders were actively engaged in breeding its decorative hybrids.

Botanical description

A plant up to 60 cm high has a short rhizome and is devoid of a stem - the leaves are located on the root and grow from the soil in a bunch. The shape of the leaf plates is from elongated elliptical to lanceolate. They are whole, with prominent veins - middle and lateral.

Flower arrows grow from the center of culture. The inflorescence is a light yellow ear with snow-white flowers against the background of an oblong perianth-bedspread. During flowering, it is white and then quickly turns green. The flowers are bisexual.

Upon completion, the peduncle is removed by cutting it as low as possible.

Homeland of spathiphyllum, and where can you find it

The disrupted distribution of a plant implies the presence of several parts of it, geographically separated from each other, but located in a tropical climate: it does not have one country of origin.

Most of the representatives of the culture can be found in Central and South America, and also several species are grown in the Philippine, Mollukskie, Solomon Islands and New Guinea.

The "favorite" habitats of spathiphyllum are swampy forests, the coasts of water bodies in the tropics, that is, areas in which a fairly high temperature remains all year round without sharp fluctuations, the same high humidity, and the seasons are not expressed.

In the wild, it grows in the lower tier of tropical forests, and therefore, in order to capture the few sunlight penetrating through the thick of greenery, the spathiphyllum had to grow large leaves - they significantly increase the area of ​​photosynthesis of the culture. Some of its species have adapted to living on the trunks of larger plants, becoming epiphytes.

How to create comfortable conditions for a plant

Spathiphyllum is given popularity by the combination of the beauty of leaves and flowers with a low demand for care. However, being native to the tropics, they need abundant watering and constant spraying, and therefore require regular attention. This must be taken into account when deciding to purchase a beautiful flower.

Location and lighting

Spathiphyllum loves bright, but diffused light. In partial shade, it grows well, but reacts to the lack of light by chopping the foliage. The flower feels good on the windowsills of the north side of the house. The specimens located near the southern windows need partial shading, since direct sunlight causes burns to the leaf plates.

The plant does not like cold drafts and cool streams from the air conditioner.

Room temperature and humidity

Since the homeland of the spathiphyllum plant is the tropics and subtropics saturated with moisture, it needs high air humidity all year round. If the condition of the flower shows that regular spraying is not enough for it, it is advisable to place it either next to a large container of water (for example, an aquarium), or on a pallet with damp suitable material (moss, expanded clay or pebbles).

They try not to disturb the leaves, wipe them from dust no more than once a month with a damp soft cloth or sponge. It is not recommended to use lustering solutions for this.

Optimum air temperature for a plant:

• in summer - 23-27 ° C;
• in winter - about 16 ° C.

It is these conditions that facilitate the entry of the flower into the dormant period. "Quality" rest of the spathiphyllum allows it to bloom for a long time and intensively in the summer.

Requirements for soil and pot

The recommended soil for the plant is slightly acidic, loose and light, well aerated and moisture-absorbing. A ready-made composition of a universal soil for aroid crops or for tropical flowering plants with a small addition of sand is optimal.

Those who prepare the substrate themselves can mix:

• one part of high peat, leafy land, coarse sand;
• two pieces of turf;
• add about 10% of the total mass of the mixture of charcoal, coarsely chopped bark (or coconut fiber), brick chips.

The prepared soil is fertilized with superphosphate.

Another possible version of the soil mixture:

• 3 parts of peat land;
• 2 parts - sheet;
• one part of humus, bone meal and sand.

The material of the pot does not matter. Classic options are chosen according to the form

It is important to choose the correct container size. In order for the spathiphyllum to regularly form buds and bloom for a long time, its roots must be in a slightly cramped state

Too large a vessel will require artificial soil compaction to start flowering.

When a plant is propagated by divisions or seeds, initially, 10 cm diameter cups are sufficient. Subsequently, when transplanting young bushes, pots are selected 1-2 cm larger than the previous ones.

General description and features of the content

Spathiphyllum, or "female happiness" as it is popularly called, is an evergreen plant, some species of which can be found on the windows of many houses. Basically, the plant grows in its natural habitat in swamps, the banks of some rivers and streams.

Another name was given to it - a stalk with a veil. After all, the flower only half covers the stem and it seems that it is wrapped in a veil.

At home, indoor spathiphyllum grows in humid subtropical and tropical forests. Since the plant "female happiness" grows there at high air temperatures, at home the optimum temperature for growing will be from 18 to 23 degrees. Afraid of strong winds and small drafts, they can destroy the plant in a matter of days. He likes to bask in the sun, although he hides from direct sunlight - they will only destroy the plant.

In summer, it requires plentiful drinking, you should not allow the earth to be very dry, but in winter it is the opposite - you should not water it often, once a week is enough, while you actively monitor the state of the flower's soil. In no case is it possible to allow a strong excess and stagnation of moisture in the ground - the flower can rot starting from the root system. It is considered favorable to spray the leaves of the plant with a spray bottle twice a week.

The leaves themselves can be wiped with a rag no more than once a month. Inflorescences are not constantly sniffed and disturbed, the flower can throw them off and no longer bloom for a long time. He loves leaf humus, sand very much, so any experienced gardener who decides to purchase this houseplant is obliged to feed the land with appropriate fertilizers.

Reproduction occurs mainly by dividing the bush itself or by apical seeds.

In order for such a plant to grow outdoors in nature, there must be a humid and warm area.Since in the natural habitat there are enough of all the nutrients in the soil, it is quite possible to grow a variety called Epiphyte. But the climate for growing outdoors should be at least subtropical.

Plant structure

Roots

The plant has a shortened rhizome, which it needs to get nutrients from the soil.

In the wild, Spathiphyllum grows in the tropics on marshy soils. Therefore, at home, you need to approach the conditions of the natural habitat of the plant.

Spathiphyllum prefers a substrate of humus, sand and peat. You can make the mixture yourself by adding leafy earth and turf. If this is your first time growing a flower, then it is better to purchase a ready-made substrate in the store. Suitable soil for Aroids.

The root system of the plant is very sensitive to the watering regime. You need to add water regularly, but only when the top layer of the soil dries up

Please note that excessive watering of the spathiphyllum leads to stagnation of the water in the pot. In turn, this leads to decay of the root system.

The plant dies.

To prevent this from happening, the soil must be loosened. This will provide airflow to the roots. By the way, the root system of Spathiphyllum is very easy to damage, so be extremely careful.

Leaves

A distinctive feature of Feminine happiness is its large, beautiful leaves. They are mostly dark green, although there are varieties (Picasso, Domino) with variegated coloring of leaf plates.

Like most Aroids, the leaves of this plant have pronounced petioles, which are approximately equal in length to the leaf blades themselves.

On average, the leaf size of an adult plant is about 50-70 cm. In shape, the leaves of Women's Happiness can be oval, ovoid and lanceolate.

Veins are clearly visible on the leaf plate. The central one is slightly thicker and is, as it were, a continuation of the petiole.

The old leaves of Spathiphyllum tend to the ground, while the young are practically erect.

Cover

During flowering, a white leaf blooms on the long peduncle of Women's Happiness. This is not a flower, but a "veil" that directly covers the inflorescence itself. The "bedspread" is usually pale white. It is smaller in size than the main leaves.

Flowers

Another distinctive feature of Women's happiness is its inflorescence. It is a creamy white ear. Depending on the variety, the ear can be long and thin or short and thick.

Usually the inflorescence is smaller than the “veil” that surrounds it. However, there are varieties (for example, Spathiphyllum Cannoli), where the ear is much longer and extends beyond the "blanket".

The inflorescence itself consists of many small flowers. They have fused petals, which makes it seem as if they are a kind of thorns.

When grown at home, Spathiphyllum blooms once a season. At the same time, flowering, starting in mid-spring, can continue until October.

Experienced florists can bloom twice a season. This is for decorative purposes. However, you should not do this with your pet at home. The flower needs a rest period.

Spathiphyllum "rests" from mid-autumn to early spring. Then the flower will live with you longer.

Content rules

Plant care does not require special knowledge and skills. Spathiphyllum is unpretentious to environmental conditions and easily tolerates temporary inconveniences. However, for abundant flowering and good growth, the following rules must be followed:

• Diffuse light or partial shade;
• lack of drafts;
• temperature regime;
• periodic spraying;
• timely watering.

In places where the sun's rays penetrate, you should avoid hitting the pet's leaves to prevent burns. At the same time, it is necessary to provide the "white sail" with enough light, since with a lack of lighting, its leaves become small and inexpressive.

A prerequisite for health and flowering is an increase in the humidity of the surrounding space.In the spring-summer period, spraying of the plant is carried out 2 times a day. A good solution would be a container with a small layer of expanded clay or pebbles, in which a flower pot is placed.

The amount of watering depends on the season and the stage of development of the "white sail". During flowering and intensive growth, the amount of water is increased. In the autumn-winter period, watering is done sparse and moderate. The water temperature must be at least 18 degrees. It is necessary to monitor the excess moisture in the pot and avoid stagnation.

Despite good immunity, spathiphyllum can be attacked by the following pests:

• Mealybug;
• aphid;
• spider mite;
• shield.

If you do not fight them, the flower will die. If insects are found, it is necessary to treat the plant with insecticidal preparations, and a warm shower is suitable as water procedures. When damaged by pests, the leaves of the spathiphyllum become covered with dark dots, turn black and die off.

Of the diseases that can destroy the "white sail", the most dangerous are late blight and root rot. To prevent these pathologies, you need to monitor the moisture content of the soil, avoiding its overabundance. Treatment with "Fitosporin M", "Alirin B", "Planriz" is mandatory.

Reproduction and transplantation

Reproduction takes place in three ways: by apical cuttings, by seeds and by dividing the bush. The first two methods are inappropriate, since “female happiness” gives enough offspring. When it appears, the bush is divided into parts so that sprouts and roots remain on each of them.

The planting container should not be too spacious. An excess of space in the pot promotes intensive root development, which leads to poor flowering up to its complete cessation.

Humus, peat, leafy soil and sod are placed in the soil. As additional components, a mixture of hydrogel granules, crushed sphagnum and sand is added. The turf in the soil should be 2 times larger than other elements.

During transplanting, care should be taken not to damage the rhizome. Brick chips and charcoal in small quantities are suitable for mandatory drainage.

Top dressing with fertilizers is carried out 2 times a month in the warm season, as well as during the period of growth and flowering. With the onset of winter, this procedure is limited to one time. Poultry droppings and preparations for indoor flowers are well suited as organics.

Useful qualities

Spathiphyllum is a phytoncidoactive plant. It cleans the air from carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, acetone and other substances harmful to health. Large foliage releases enough ozone to make room breathing easier

In addition, "female happiness" improves attention and performance, so they are often decorated with offices and rooms for school-age children.

When placing a flower in an apartment, it is important to remember that its juice is poisonous. When it gets on the mucous membrane, it causes drooling, burning and pain in the stomach.

Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that it is not accidentally eaten by pets and small children.

Purchase recommendations

All flowers look well-groomed and healthy in the shop windows.

However, before acquiring "female happiness" it is important to adhere to several recommendations. Inflorescences and shoots, leaves and soil require close attention

The leaf plates should be free of damage, yellow and dark spots, and other defects. A healthy plant has dense, juicy and glossy foliage. Perianths, inflorescences and petioles without signs of drying out. The presence of mold, unpleasant odor, excess water, cobwebs is unacceptable in the soil. A close inspection will help you grow a beautiful and healthy plant.

Description of the flower

Spathiphyllum is a perennial evergreen with a short rhizome. The stem is practically absent. Basal leaves grow in a bunch directly from the soil. They are solid, oval or lanceolate. The middle vein and thin, parallel, lateral veins are clearly visible.There is an elongated petiole, which is provided with a sheath to the middle of the length or to the base of the leaf blade, with swollen vessels at the base of the leaf. Pedicel is equal to or slightly longer than the petiole. The inflorescence consists of a cob and a veil at the base.

It is interesting that, translated from Greek, the name of the Spathiphyllum flower consists of two words - a veil (spathe) and a leaf (phyllon). Indeed, the flower is presented in the form of an ear (similar to an ear of corn), around which its veil is located, which serves to attract pollinating insects. The ear is sessile or pedunculated. The oblong-elliptical bedspread is longer than the cob in size, and from greenish, cream to white in color, and the white bedspread quickly turns green after flowering. The flowers are bisexual, enclosed in 2 circles of fused perianth petals, have 6 stamens each.

Flowering, depending on the care, happens once a year (in spring), or twice - in spring and autumn. Some Spathiphyllum varieties begin to bloom at a fairly early age, six to seven months after planting. Flowers on the arrows last for a long time, more than a month. Large adult specimens are grown in tubs. Their cut flowers last more than a month and are often used to create holiday bouquets.

Brief information about spathiphyllum

South America is considered the birthplace of most varieties of the plant. In Europe, they heard about it back in the 19th century, when amateur collectors went to the Americans in search of unusual plants for home floriculture.

Spathiphyllum or spathiphyllum, or the flower of female happiness, without exaggeration, we call one of the most common indoor flowers. It will not be difficult to find it in any flower kiosk; it is sold out incredibly quickly. What is the reason for the popularity of this amazing flower?

The most important reason is the beautiful appearance of the plant. Dark green glossy leaves, the absence of a stem and, of course, the sails of white inflorescences will definitely not leave impassive fans of the exotic.

Another important reason contributing to the interest of flora lovers is the ability of spathiphyllum to purify the air. This fact will be necessarily indicated on the label when buying a plant.

The latter reason can be attributed to the unpretentiousness of the indoor flower. Spathiphyllum can be undoubtedly recommended for growing even for beginners in floriculture. In addition, it is practically the only flower blooming beautifully, which is relatively shade resistant.

Spathiphyllum blooms for a long time - up to 3 months. Flowers can be of different sizes, it depends on the species. Some plants have large inflorescences, while others have small ones. The color of the inflorescence is exceptionally white, but it can change to greenish when the plant begins to fade. The number of flowers is always associated with proper care. However, there are such types of spathiphyllum, which are difficult to "force" to bloom.

Many people ask: "With proper care, will spathiphyllum bloom for a whole year?" Of course not, it usually blooms between March and September. The plant is similar to anthurium, only spathiphyllum is much easier to care for.

Classification

Sections and views

The genus includes about 50 species and is subdivided into five sections:

• Massowia (K. Koch) Engl.
  • Spathiphyllum cannifolium (Dryand. Ex Sims) Schott - Spathiphyllum cannoli
  • Spathiphyllum commutatum Schott
  • Spathiphyllum laeve Engl.
• Amomophyllum (Engl.) Engl.
  • Spathiphyllum cuspidatum Schott
  • Spathiphyllum floribundum (Linden et André) N.E. Brown - Profuse spathiphyllum
• Dysspathiphyllum Engl.

  Spathiphyllum humboldtii Schott - Spathiphyllum Humboldt

• Spathiphyllum
  • Spathiphyllum blandum Schott - Spathiphyllum adorable
  • Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum (Liebm.) Engl. - Spoon-shaped spathiphyllum
  • Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel - Wallis Spathiphyllum
• Chlaenophyllum

  Spathiphyllum solomonense Nicolson

• view outside the sections

Where can you find a flower today?

From the time of Wallace's discovery to the present day, spathiphyllum can be found in the wilderness of Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil. But unlike the 19th century, in the 21st the genus of spathiphyllums expanded to more than 50 species, each of which was discovered and described in its own time. In addition, since the 60s of the last century, varieties that are not found in the wild have been obtained by selection method. Such spathiphyllums decorate homes, offices, being ideally adapted to the proposed conditions.

The mysterious name of the flower spathiphyllum in translation from Greek means "covering leaf". There are also common folk variations, for example, in Russia it is called a "female flower", in America "flag-bearer", in Europe "lily of the world."

Detailed information about the names of spiiphyllum can be found here.

Any houseplant requires care and attention, but spathiphyllum is said to reciprocate. If the flower is properly looked after, it will bring harmony and good luck to the house. This can be easily checked, because today you can buy a flower in any flower shop.

Cherry on the cake - effective feeding

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What kind of dressings are not on sale now! It can take a very long time to describe what and how is suitable for spathiphyllum. I will write my circuit. The answer is, it works!

• WITH March to September inclusive - complex mineral fertilizers for decorative flowering... It is imperative that the composition is dominated by phosphorus or phosphorus with potassium together. I use both liquid and powder. The frequency of application is 2 times a month.
• According to my mood, I spoil the spathiphyllum with foliar feeding with the means from the previous paragraph. The instructions for them indicate the preferred concentration of the spray solution. On a sheet from a spray bottle. A nice bonus is that nutrients are absorbed by the houseplant much faster. And the result comes faster)
• My favorite top dressing, after which the spathiphyllum will have no chance of being left without flowers, is a solution of potassium monophosphate over a leaf. You should not abuse such doping: in April and July it is quite enough!

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