Selaginella (scum)

What problems can you face

Selaginella is not susceptible to disease. Of the pests, only the spider mite is dangerous. It can be found by the thin cobweb on the plant and the yellowing of the leaves. The provoking factor is low humidity in the room.

In the initial stages of the lesion, treatment with a solution of laundry soap helps. In difficult cases, it is recommended to use insectoacaricides or acaricides. A good effect is given by the use of the drug "Actellik". Processing is carried out by spraying. If necessary, the procedure is repeated after 7-10 days. The dosage is 1-2 mm of the drug per liter of water. As a result of improper care, other problems can be encountered.

Selaginella is an original, unusual, but very beautiful plant. It is often used to create compositions in florariums and aquariums. It goes well with other plants that have similar air humidity requirements.

Home care

This representative of the flora can be content with a small amount of light. The plant needs constantly moist soil and moist air.

The flower is recommended to grow in a mini-greenhouse on the windowsill. Also, the flower can grow in greenhouses, loggias and balconies.

The plant grows well in kitchens with high evaporation from cooking and in bathrooms with good ventilation.

The soil in the container must be kept moist at all times. The plant does not like drying out. For irrigation, you must use soft water at room temperature. It should not contain any chemical impurities.

The air must be humidified. Therefore, the ornamental bush is sprayed 2-5 times a day. Spray water should be soft. The use of a spray bottle is recommended. The plant can also be placed on a pallet with wet moss or damp pebbles. It is allowed to use an additional container with water next to the plant.

When growing in purchased vitaminized soil, additional fertilizing is not recommended. After 1 year after planting, the plant begins to fertilize. Usually, feeding is carried out 5-7 times a year.

You can use a compound fertilizer mixture. It is mixed with water in proportions of 1: 2. A strong solution can burn the root system of the plant. You can fertilize the plant with a mullein.

But manure should not be allowed to get on the bare roots of the flower. This material can severely burn the roots, after which the plant will begin to gradually die.

The plant needs a loose soil with a high humus content. It should be slightly acidic.

In other conditions, the plant does not grow. Land for planting can be bought or prepared by yourself. For this, the soil is mixed with leafy soil.Peat and fine-grained sea sand are added to the top.

Charcoal can be added to the substrate. This material contributes to the maintenance of the necessary environment in the earth. The containers are chosen medium. The root system is placed in the middle of the pot and sprinkled with substrate. After - watered abundantly.

The transplant is very rare. The plant grows meleno. Therefore, a flower is transplanted only when the pot has become small for it. This can be seen from the hanging stems over the edges of the container. It is recommended to use pots that are not very deep, but very wide. After transplanting, the decorative bush is covered with polyethylene. He creates a mini greenhouse. In such conditions, the plant quickly takes root to new conditions. After rooting, the cellophane is removed.

Growing

When the shoots dry out, it is necessary to humidify the air. The flower must be sprayed 3-4 times a day with water at room temperature. It is recommended to cut off the dried tops of the stems with a sharp blade. If the plant begins to wither and dry out, it is worth taking care of the flower soil. During this period, the plant needs abundant watering.

Healthy stems must be cut off for reproduction, all other shoots are thrown away. With a strong twisting of the edges of the leaves and the appearance of brown tissue, there was a severe burn by the sun's rays. The plant must be placed in a shady room.

Damaged stems must be cut off. With the decay of the stems and the cessation of active growth of the flower, freezing occurred. The room temperature is too low. The flower is transferred to a lighter and warmer room. It is also recommended to transplant the flower into new fortified soil.

Temperature

The flower is very thermophilic. He doesn't like temperature changes. It grows best at 20-24 ° C. The temperature must not be allowed to drop below 10 ° C. In such conditions, growth is greatly slowed down, and the stems begin to die off.

The plant loves natural light. In dry hot weather, long exposure to direct sunlight leads to complete drying of the stems.

Therefore, the flower must be hidden from direct sunlight. In the wild, this representative of the flora lives in the shady tropics. Therefore, he needs to provide light and temperature factor close to these conditions.

Features of home care

General rules

So, in winter, selaginella is kept at a temperature of 14-16 C, in summer, a shaded place is needed, a lot of fresh and at the same time humid (60-80%) air.

The leaves are regularly sprayed, being careful not to flood them.

Grows well on northern windows. Even better - in a mini-greenhouse, because it does not like direct sunlight and is defenseless against drafts.

For watering and spraying, it is recommended to use soft, settled or filtered water at room temperature. Selaginella is sensitive to water quality, which manifests itself on its stems in the form of spots, plaque and other "allergic reactions".

Water carefully, in moderation, but overdrying should not be allowed. In addition to daily water procedures, it is advisable to use either a humidifier or a decorative fountain - or try to limit yourself to a pallet with expanded clay

Selaginella should be fed 2-3 times a month (except for the winter period) with complex mineral fertilizers. Selaginella is very susceptible to salts accumulating in the substrate, so they are fertilized only with a weakly concentrated solution.

In general, the indoor selaginella species are just mimosas compared to their wild ancestors.

Transfer

As it grows, the roots of Selaginella fill the entire volume of the pot, so the plant needs to be transplanted about once a year. The best time for transplanting is spring, but selaginella can also be transplanted in the summer-autumn period.

The soil with which the pots are filled should be loose and moisture-absorbing. It is desirable that it consists of equal parts of fibrous peat and leafy soil, as well as sand. You can use a ready-made substrate for saintpaulias, begonias.A prerequisite is the presence of 2-3 cm of drainage material (expanded clay, broken brick, sand or pebbles) at the bottom of the container.

Reproduction of selaginella

It is carried out in three ways:

Stem cuttings

Since most Selaginella species form side shoots, they can be easily and simply rooted by cutting them off from the main bush and directing them into moist soil (peat is best).

Cuttings can be covered with a glass cover and aired daily for 20 minutes, spraying with a spray bottle. After two weeks, after the formation of the roots, the branches can be planted in separate containers.

By dividing the roots

You will need peat pots for planting. The bush is separated from the roots, the rhizome with shoots is divided into parts and planted in several pieces in one container. The soil in the pots should be well moistened, and then it is necessary to control so that the soil remains moist.

Disputes

Sometimes professionals use spores located on the lower surface of the leaves, while a box of peat is prepared in advance. Spores scatter over the surface of the soil. Cover the box with plastic wrap and wait for seedlings.

Growing errors

Selaginella is accustomed to periodic flooding of the soil, so it rarely suffers from root rot. Parasites also almost never attack the plant (in rare cases, spider mites, aphids, powdery mildew can settle). Still, both strong waterlogging of the soil and drying out of the soil and low humidity should be avoided, so as not to weaken the plant.

With its appearance, Selaginella is able to signal improper care:

Caring for Selaginella at home

Temperature regime

At home, only thermophilic species are grown. In the summer, they feel good at an air temperature of 20-23 degrees, and in winter you need to make sure that the room is not colder than 18 degrees. Selaginella should be protected from cold drafts. In the hot summer months, it is recommended to move the plant from the windowsill to a cooler place.

Air humidity

It is recommended to keep the air humidity at least 60 percent. Experienced growers are advised to systematically spray such a plant. It is best to grow selaginella in a florarium or "bottle garden".

Illumination

Feels great in the shade and can grow on a windowsill located in the northern part of the room. Protect from direct sunlight.

How to water

The soil must always be moist, as insufficient watering can lead to foliage falling. Water for irrigation is used extremely soft and at room temperature. It is best if rainwater is used for irrigation. The soil must be loose and absorb moisture well. Also, do not forget about good drainage.

Transplant features

Transplanting is carried out infrequently, since selaginella is a slow-growing plant. As a rule, the transplant is carried out only if the bush does not fit into the pot. Then it is simply transplanted into a new larger pot, or the bush is divided and seated in different containers. You should opt for a small and low pot, since the roots of the plant are near the surface of the earth.

Earth mixture

For planting, use a loose, weakly acidic soil, which allows air to pass through well. Make sure that there is no lime in the substrate. A suitable dredger consists of turf, peat, charcoal, and sphagnum, taken in equal proportions. You can also use a mixture of leafy earth, peat and sand. A good drainage layer is required. If air is not supplied to the root system, the plant may die.

Top dressing

You should not overfeed the plant. So, within 6 months after purchase or after transplanting selaginella, fertilizers should not be applied to the soil. Then this is done only once every 2 months, using fertilizer for ornamental foliage plants (1/2 of the recommended dose).

Reproduction methods

The plant can be propagated by dividing the bush during the spring or summer transplant. In order for the cut to take root faster, it is necessary that the humidity is high all the time. It is recommended to place small plants under the film.

Stem cuttings with aerial roots are also suitable for reproduction. It is necessary to separate only those parts of the stem on which there are regrown roots in the branches. For germination, a substrate consisting of sand and peat is used. The stalk is placed directly on the surface of the earth. Make sure the cuttings do not touch each other. The lower part of the cutting should be sprinkled with a thin layer of earth.

Selaginella diseases and pests

Why Selaginella dries photo

Ancient Selaginella is disease resistant.

The only pest is the spider mite, which often appears when the air in the room is dry. This is a small reddish insect that feeds on plant sap, from which the leaves turn yellow. Also, the pest leaves a barely noticeable discharge - whitish cobwebs. First, treat the bush with soapy water.

If the pests persist, consider using insecticides or acaricides. Aktellik helps a lot. Dissolve 1-2 drops of the drug in 1 liter of water and spray the plant with a spray bottle, repeat if necessary after 7-10 days.

Improper care is fraught with negative consequences:

• If the plant is hot, the leaves begin to darken and dry out. It is necessary to provide a lower temperature,
• With a lack of light, the leaf plates fade and the stems are strongly stretched. Shade tolerance should not be overused, grow in natural ambient light or replace it with artificial light. If trouble happens, move to a brighter place, but without exposure to direct sunlight,
• The leaves soften and wither - oxygen does not reach the roots, which means the substrate is heavy. Transplant into suitable soil, lay a drainage layer on the bottom,
• Slower growth is indicative of nutrient deficiencies. Feed urgently, do not forget to fertilize regularly,
• At low air humidity, the tips of the leaves begin to dry out. It is necessary to spray with water daily, periodically put on a tray with humidifiers,
• Leaves curl up from heat or draft. Maintain an optimal temperature regime; when ventilating the room, the plant should not stand in a draft,
• The leaf plates become discolored when the light is too bright.

Selaginella scaly Selaginella lepidophylla

Selaginella lepidophylla Selaginella lepidophylla photo

Desert plant. It is often sold as a dry glomerulus, but as soon as you start watering and provide a suitable level of humidity, it will come to life. A very interesting process. Feathery shoots are covered with scale leaves. Each leaf is equipped with a “tongue” that collects moisture. The species is known as the Jericho rose (Anastatica hierochuntica).

Selaginella martensii

Selaginella martensii photo

A neat bush about 30 cm high. The stems look up. In structure, the shoots are similar to a fern, they release air roots. Leaves are greenish, sometimes with a silver tip.

Selaginella apoda

Selaginella without pegs Selaginella apoda photo in nature

It grows in the form of dense soddy cushions, very similar to moss. Smooth shoots covered with thin leaves extend from a short stem. Colors in light green.

Selaginella uncilata Selaginella uncilata

Selaginella hooked Selaginella uncilata photo

The shoots are directed upwards, the leaves are oval-ovoid in two rows. Shade green with a blue tint.

Selaginella is unusual and original. In a florarium or bottle garden, you can create a stunning composition by combining plants with similar needs. For example, the sundew predator plant and other carnivores, you can plant several different selaginella species together.

Varieties of culture

Today there are almost seven hundred varieties of this culture. But only twenty-five varieties are cultivated indoors. The following are the characteristics of those that are most popular with gardeners.

Selaginella martensii

This variety is the most popular among gardeners. Compared to other varieties, this vegetation is quite large in size, growing up to thirty cm. The stems are decorated with dense, saturated small leaves. The leaves make original patterns on the shoots.

Selaginella Martens: Photo of the variety

This species grows quickly, loves moisture, a place with moderate illumination is selected for it. Root outgrowths appear on vertical shoots over the years, the shoots become drooping to the surface soil layer, after a certain period of time they take root.

Selaginella uncinata

In appearance, the plant resembles a large snowflake. The stems are tightly pressed against each other, their surface is pubescent, decorated with small leaves-needles of a light blue color.

Selaginella Kryuchkovataya: Photo of the variety

Selaginella kraussiana

This variety is grown as ampelous vegetation. Shoots grow up to thirty cm. They are fast-growing and hang beautifully on the sides of the container.

Selaginella Kraussa: Photo of the variety

Selaginella apoda

This type of low stature. Homeland - the North American continent. The stem is almost invisible. Only leaves are visible, creeping along the surface soil layer, thereby creating a soft and dense rug.

Selaginella Bezlegkovaya: Photo of the variety

In appearance, this vegetation resembles moss. Already in the 20th century, such an undemanding and decorative variety has become a very famous home vegetation. It is cultivated indoors as an ampelous flower. Loves moisture.

Selaginella Helvetica

This vegetation is widespread in the mountains of the Caucasian, European and Far Eastern territories. It differs from other varieties in snake-shaped stems. Greenish leaves are located in a perpendicular plane, thanks to them you can see the original patterns.

Selaginella Swiss: Photo of the variety

Selaginella willdenowii

This variety differs from others in the form of a bush. The stems are highly branched. They are decorated with lush foliage, consisting of a large number of very small leaves that are attached to the branches in two rows, reminiscent of shingles. In appearance, the variety looks like small branches of an ephedra. The plant can be grown in pots as ampelous.

Selaginella Vildenova: Photo of the variety

Selaginella lepidophylla

This variety differs from others in its originality. She comes from the Mexican deserts of Chihuahua. In wild plants, when there is drought and heat for a long time, life processes stop, the bush curls up into a ball. In a ball, a bush can be for a very long time, up to a hundred years, with the formation of positive conditions, it comes to life. Because of this sign, the flower was called the "Rose of Jericho" and "The Resurrection Flower".

Selaginella Scalystnaya: Photo of the variety

When dried, this plant is stored in a wardrobe, because it can scare off various pests, for example, moths. In the dried form, the flower is stored for 100 years. This original flower can be purchased in a special store in the form of a dry glomerulus (cryptobiosis).

After immersing the bush together with the container in water, it will instantly come to life. The transformation will be quick, in one hour the branches will straighten and turn green. In a day, the dried glomerulus will turn into a spectacular lush plant. Shoots will cover bunches of dissected small leaves.

Selaginella species for indoor floriculture

The numerous genus of Selaginella includes about 700 different species, but only a few have been adapted to indoor conditions. The most common are:

Selaginella Jory. A plant variety with a modest small size. Laconic bushes with erect shoots, painted in a light green color with a golden edging. Selaginella Martens. Stunted view, covers the ground with a fluffy carpet, somewhat reminiscent of moss. Stems stand upright, can reach 20 cm. Grows well in diffused light and abundant moisture, used to create small greenhouses. Selaginella scaly. Due to its unusual shape, reminiscent of a flower, it received its second name - the Rose of Jericho. The shoots are 10-15 cm long; during drought, they begin to curl inward with the leaves, forming a form in the form of a ball.

It can often be found commercially in the form of a ball of twisted dry grass that looks completely dead. When it gets into the water, the flower "before our eyes" comes to life, during the day it blooms with fluffy twigs, acquires a rich green color.

Location and lighting

The flower is very fond of warm and damp places. It needs diffused light or shadow to grow. Selaginella is the ideal solution for landscaping a north-facing window or for rooms with artificial lighting.

Watering and humidity

As a representative of the tropical culture, Selaginella needs special care at home. A domesticated flower feels great in conditions of high humidity. If it is not possible to spray selaginella several times throughout the day, then you can put a container with a flower in a tray with water.

The flower loves abundant watering, since it does not have a state of rest, then it is watered in the same way, both in summer and in winter.

Soil and its fertilization

For the well-being of Selaginella, she needs a moisture-absorbing and nutritious mixture, consisting of chopped sphagnum, sand and turf. The reaction of the soil is slightly acidic or neutral.

Flower feeding is done every two to three weeks throughout the entire spring - autumn period. To fertilize selaginella, you can use an orchid feed or use a nutrient mixture for ornamental deciduous plants, reducing the recommended dose by half.

Home care

Selaginella does not tolerate drafts, wind, drought. It can grow in peat-rich soil, sand and water bodies. Some people use it for planting in an aquarium and decorative ponds.

Interesting. Other names are selaginella rose of Jericho, "Resurrection plant". The name is due to the fact that many take the plant for a miracle. The culture experiences long dry periods, rolling branches into a ball, brown in color. The green color is restored in about a day when water appears.

Planting and care are special in the plant selaginella rose of Jericho. Cycles consist of sleep and wake time intervals. For the first, you just need to stop moisturizing. What to do if it's time for an instance to wake up:

1. Prepare a container for the process.
2. Place the plant there, add water, flood it.
3. Wait and watch the instance wake up, which happens throughout the day.

According to some reports, such a representative of the flora can remain without water for 100 years.Moreover, a dry period is necessary. Describing the selaginella plant and proper home care, it should be noted: the absence of such a break in hydration leads to death.

The rest lasts about 2 weeks. During this time, the flow of moisture stops, the specimen turns into a brown ball, and when watering is resumed, it resurrects again.

Scaly variety, dry and green

The selaginella revival flower is used by some families as a symbol. Provide her awakening for the holiday, decorate the table.

Sun protection

Direct sunlight on a plant that is open to them is not tolerated by it. Therefore, the flower is placed in natural light, but taking into account this circumstance. It is allowed to use artificial sources for highlighting. Shady conditions are fine. You will need a stable temperature from 17 to 26 ° C, without drops, otherwise health may be damaged.

Watering and looseness of the soil

Selaginella, whose care is based on changes in humidity and drought, does not need to be planted. It can persist for a long time in the form of a ball without soil, surviving a dormant period. At the right time, you need to place it in a bowl of water. After a few hours, the plant will come to life. After waking up, you need to water it for 2 weeks. Then let him fall asleep again, depriving him of water for 14 days. This species of flora remains calm even for 50-100 years. This is mainly the case for selaginella lepidophylla.

Selaginella is placed in a terrarium, made part of a desert garden, and provided with a plate. The soil is pebbles, sand, containers with water, which must be replaced regularly if it is standing, otherwise acidification will occur.

Note! It is possible to plant this culture in ordinary soil, but for some types it does not make sense. In nature, the flower lives in areas with rare rains and is adapted to wait for them indefinitely.

With the onset of precipitation, the leaves soon turn green. The rules for watering and keeping in the soil are as follows:

In nature, the flower lives in areas with rare rains and is adapted to wait for them as long as you like. With the onset of precipitation, the leaves soon turn green. The rules for watering and keeping in the soil are as follows:

• Selaginella varieties of Lepidophyll, like the Jericho type, any other, needs watering often, abundantly, the water should be at room temperature. The flower must be kept in a constantly humid environment, as well as sprayed.
• The leaves should not get excessively wet, otherwise they will start to deteriorate.
• The water should be left tough without adding chemicals.
• Having decided to keep the plant in the soil, sphagnum moss is added. Selaginella loves high peat content.

Revitalizing in water

If you want to transplant, you need to do the transshipment. Moreover, the procedure should be rare, because this room culture has fragile roots. Such a moment comes when the container is completely filled with plant matter. An aerial root system can also form.

Top dressing

Selaginella does not need fertilization either. It turns out that this plant is a combination of two organisms (symbiosis) and grows as a result of their mutual influence. Since he does not need fertile soil, then feeding in the traditional sense does not exist for him. The fact that Selaginella was deprived of a rest period can lead to death. This representative of the flora is very ancient, is a contemporary of the dinosaurs.

Care rules

So that Selaginella Martensia Jori or other varieties grow well, do not get sick, do not dry out, maintain the air temperature at no less than 12 and no more than 20 degrees. Lighting should be moderate - shade, partial shade are acceptable, but not too bright light, from which the plant stops growing.

Make watering abundant, use soft water, the temperature of which should be at room temperature. Make sure that the soil is constantly moderately moist.Watering is recommended through the pallet - so the soil will take exactly as much moisture as it needs.

The pallet should be used constantly - it is filled with moss, pebbles or expanded clay. The foliage of Selaginella Martensia is sprayed with water all year round.

Use slightly acidic soil for planting, consisting of the same amount of turf and peat with the addition of moss (moss is pre-chopped into pieces). Drainage should be reliable, choose wide and low pots - this is the best option for Selaginella with its shallow roots.

Top dressing is applied all year round, the main ones are mineral. When applying fertilizers, the topsoil is carefully loosened. From spring to autumn, top dressing is applied every 3 weeks, in winter it is twice as rare. You can use any composition for deciduous ornamental plants, orchids.

A transplant is done only when the plant grows excessively, and the branches begin to be outweighed from the pot. If you see that the culture does not fit in the container, choose a more spacious one for it.

Selaginella is propagated by dividing the bushes. It is almost impossible to divide the culture with the help of spores at home, but you can divide the bush into several parts right before the transplant procedure.

And yet - the culture does not tolerate drafts at all. By itself, it will not be perfectly round, therefore, formative scraps are shown.

Diseases

• When the tips of the stems dry, we can say that the air in the room is very dry. You can save Selaginella from death by increasing the spraying with plain water.
• Darkening, dying off of foliage indicates too high room temperatures. Make sure that they are no more than 17 degrees.
• Slow growth is an indicator of nutrient deficiency. Reinforce feeding.
• The stems are stretched out, and the leaves turn pale when there is a lack of sunlight.
• Soft, lethargic leaves indicate that the air is not getting enough air to the roots. Loosen the soil and reduce the amount of watering.
• Selaginella pests are very rarely affected, a spider mite may choose a plant.

In dry air, the green parts of the plant always dry out; insufficient soil moisture leads to similar consequences. Shoots begin to turn yellow, turn brown, and it is no longer possible to save the culture.

If the edges of the leaves curl, brown spots appear on them, remove the pot from the window - this may be a banal burn. And always watch the air temperature - if it is very low or high, the plant will not develop normally.