Zamioculcas zamielistny(Zamioculcas zamiifolia) - a very plastic, unassuming plant, and for this reason - a frequent indoor resident. However, for its successful cultivation, some rules must be observed, based on the biology of the species and its natural adaptations, which can be read about on the Zamioculcas page. Planting and transplanting
For good growth, zamioculcas must be planted in poor, well-drained soil, which includes sand, small pebbles, perlite or expanded clay, because in nature it grows precisely on such sandy-stony soils. Such soils allow oxygen to flow freely to the roots (mixtures rich in humus remain moist for a long time, the roots stop breathing and quickly rot). From purchased soils, you can recommend soil mixtures for cacti and succulents; it is imperative to add sand, perlite or expanded clay to the universal soil. In heavy soils, zamioculcas gradually degrades.
Transfer produced as the rhizome fills the pot, young plants - every year in spring or summer, adults - every few years. When transplanting, the nature of the plant's growth should be taken into account: the rhizome of the zamiokulkas, like any stem, has a growth point, so more space must be left in its direction. Sometimes the growing rhizome strongly deforms or even breaks the plastic container, in this regard, it is preferable to choose to stop at clay pot.
Growing conditions and care
The first thing to remember is zamiokulkas - heat-loving plant. The temperature optimum lies in the range from +18 to + 26 ° C, a drop below + 15 ° C is undesirable. It tolerates heat quite well, on such days it is useful to spray the plant, increase the illumination and watering.
Despite the fact that zamioculcas is adapted to long periods of drought, this does not mean that it does not need to be watered. With a lack of moisture, the plant will not be able to fully photosynthesize and will starve, using only its internal reserves, doomed not to prosperity, but to survival.
Watering should be done regularly and abundantlyso that the zamioculcas can store water, but between waterings the soil must dry out... The more sand there is in the soil, the better the outflow of water, the more often the plant can be watered. If the zamioculcas turns yellow, this is the first sign of waterlogging. With systematic waterlogging, the roots rot, the disease spreads to the leaves, in severe cases the plant dies rather quickly. With a lack of water small leaves begin to fall off. With prolonged drought, zamioculcas discards leaves, but the rhizome remains to live, so do not rush to throw the plant away, after watering it will release new leaves.
Due to its undemandingness to light, zamiokulkas is extremely popular with phytodesigners. The plant is able to exist even in the most dimly lit corners of the room. However, in a strong shade, zamiokulkas will not grow, for such rooms a specimen of the required size is immediately selected, and watering is limited in such conditions. In the light, preferably with some shading, zamioculcas, on the contrary, will actively grow, and the frequency of watering can be increased. It can grow in direct sun, also with more frequent watering.
Success secrets:
- Poor, well-drained, sand-rich, breathable soil.
- Watering is regular, but immediately after the soil dries.
- Bright diffused light.
- Accommodation at room temperature.
- Top dressing is scarce.
- Strict correspondence between temperature, lighting, watering and feeding.If one of the factors is lacking, the rest also decrease (for example, if there is a lack of light, watering, fertilizing and the temperature of the content are reduced), if one of the factors is in excess, others should be increased (for example, in the heat they provide more light, increase watering and feeding).
Zamioculcas resists well to various diseases and pests... But under very unfavorable conditions, it can be affected by a spider mite, rarely by a scabbard or mealybug.
Read about measures to combat them on our portal in the article Houseplant pests and control measures.
The most common problem is yellowing of leaves zamioculcas. If old leaves turn yellow, it is a natural process of replacing leaves. An adult plant can bear 15-17 leaves.
However, if young, recently grown leaves begin to actively turn yellow, then the reason, most likely, is excessive waterlogging of the substrate, and, as a result, decay of roots and rhizomes. In this case, it is necessary to remove the plant from the pot, carefully free it from the old soil, carefully examine the rhizome and roots, cut out all decayed parts, sprinkle with crushed coal, actively spray the ground and underground parts of the plant with Oxyhom or Fundazol, dry it slightly and plant in fresh soil.
Reproduction
Zamioculcas reproduces quite easily by vegetative parts. For this, any piece of leaf (from a small leaf to a whole pinnately complex leaf) or rhizome is suitable. The leaf or part of it is planted in wet sand, perlite or in a mixture of sand, perlite and peat. It is important that the soil is sterile. Placed in a damp greenhouse or covered with a transparent airtight cap. The greenhouse with the plant should be in a warm place with diffused light, perhaps artificial. Effectively use rooting stimulants (Kornevin, Heteroauxin, Zircon). The soil should be kept slightly damp. The process of root formation and growth of the underground tuberous rhizome is rather long, lasting from one to several months. The larger part of the leaf was taken for rooting, the larger the rhizome forms, the sooner the young plant will turn into a full-fledged specimen.
You can read more about the technology of rooting cuttings on our portal in the article Cutting indoor plants at home.
Zamioculcas can also be propagated by sections of the underground stem-rhizome. It has buds that are able to wake up and give lateral shoots, i.e. new plants. When a plant at the age of several years old leaves die off and the rhizome is exposed, it is better to renew it.
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