Aglaonema

Aglaonema (Aglaonema) is an evergreen plant from the aroid family. The genus contains from 20 to 50 different herbaceous species. Wild species prefer tropical climates. The culture lives in New Guinea, the Malay Archipelago and southeast Asia. Here the plant is found on the coast, flat areas and in the lowlands of forests.

Opsyvanie aglaonema

Aglaonema is an evergreen herb with short and erect stems. Branched shoots have a fleshy structure. The presence of a stem is characteristic only of adult specimens. It is formed in the area where the lower leaves fly around.

Foliage with solid edges is colored in a variety of shades and has a leathery dense shell. Most varieties have egg-shaped or lanceolate leaf blades. Attachment to the stem is provided by long or short petioles. The surface of the leaves is covered with a patterned pattern. On the outside, in the middle, there is a vein that protrudes from the inside out.

On the top of the bush stick out greenish-white cobs in the amount of 1-3 pcs. The cobs are formed in the axillary lobe and are peculiar inflorescences. In accordance with a certain type, the following types of ears are distinguished:

clavate - thickened inflorescences that reach 1 cm in section, the length is about 4 cm;
cylindrical - extend up to 6 cm, diameter about 0.5 cm.

Aglaonema bears fruit with juicy berries containing one orange or one white seed. Ripening of berries occurs six months after the end of flowering.

Home care for aglaonema

It is possible to achieve decorativeness of aglaonema only by creating comfortable conditions of detention. The flower is unpretentious and responds gratefully to the care of the owner.

Lighting

In tropical forests, the plant chooses shaded corners hidden under the crown of trees. Therefore, cultivated species of Aglaonema are also trying to grow in partial shade. Foliage is at risk of severe burns when exposed to direct sunlight. Variegated varieties are bred in conditions of bright, but diffused light. Otherwise, the perennial will gradually lose its decorative properties.

The shade-loving plant aglaonema willingly grows on the windowsills of the northern orientation and in the depths of the premises, the more it is not burdensome to care for it.

Temperature

In summer, aglaonema develops normally if the air temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees. Hotter weather negatively affects the condition of the vegetative parts. During the winter months, the temperature should not drop below 16 degrees. Drafts and sudden cold snaps can kill the plant.Like other representatives of aroids, the flower negatively perceives a sharp change in weather and fluctuations in the thermometer.

Watering mode

For watering aglaonema, it is recommended to pre-settle the water in order to reduce its hardness. Rainwater and melt water are perfect. Re-moistening is carried out as the upper part of the soil dries up. The demand for water increases in the spring and summer. At this time, the plant has an activation of all life processes. In winter, at least 3-4 days should pass between the next watering, otherwise the upper earthen lump will not have time to dry out properly.

Disease and death of a perennial can be provoked if the soil is overdried and the roots are poured. Moistening the substrate should be done in moderation.

Humidity level

Aglaonema needs high humidity. The leaves need to be sprayed often so that the tips do not dry out. Conversely, in a room where the humidity is too low, the growth of leaf plates will be slowed down. They are deformed, turgor pressure will decrease. To regulate the humidity in the room, it is necessary to install a pallet with expanded clay and pour some water into it. Put a flower pot on top.

At the end of the summer season, when the temperature drops noticeably, the ground parts of the bush are sprayed with extreme caution. It is important not to allow moisture to accumulate at the bottom of the pot. In this case, the root system will soften and soon get sick. Mold and fungal diseases are the main problems with which growers are associated with growing aglaonema.

The soil

When choosing a soil for growing aglaonema, they prefer humus, leafy soil, sand, charcoal and peat. The proportion of the named components is 1: 6: 2: 2: 1. Or you can replace the soil mixture with leafy soil (2 parts), peat (1 part) and sand (1 part). To increase the breathability of the substrate, a handful of crushed charcoal is added. It is possible to avoid the accumulation of liquid after watering in the flowerpot with the help of a drainage layer.

Aglaonema is capable of growing hydroponically. This method allows you to grow a flower not in soil, but in water or nutrient solution, where the roots of the plant are immersed.

Top dressing

While the plant hibernates, the soil is no longer enriched with fertilizers. Aglaonema can be fed only with the first spring warmth. Fertilizers are applied from March to August every 2 weeks. It is advisable to combine organic and mineral fertilizers. Dilute the nutrient solution according to the manufacturer's label instructions.

Transfer

Young aglaonema plants are transplanted once a year. Preferably in the spring. Overgrown flowers are much less disturbing. It is enough to carry out a transplant every 4-5 years.

Caution! The juice secreted by the stems and leaves of the aglaonema, getting on the skin or mucous membranes, causes an allergic reaction and irritation. Work associated with planting or pruning bushes should be carried out with gloves. If no protective equipment is at hand, wash hands with soap and water after contact.

Aglaonema breeding methods

Cuttings

When the trunk begins to branch or the rosette phase ends, the aglaonema begins to multiply. The stem is cut in the same way as the apical cutting. Then a piece of the shoot is divided into pieces from 9 to 10 cm long, leaving healthy leaves on the cuttings.

The finished sections are kept in air for at least a day so that the sections dry out. Before that, they are treated with charcoal in order to prevent infection. The next stage is the immersion of the cutting into a sandy-peat substrate. The planting depth should not exceed 5 cm. Then the container with future plants is moved to a warm place. For active root formation, the temperature is maintained in the room within 22-25⁰C. Having completed all the planting activities, it remains only to wait for the cuttings to take root. Typically, the adaptation process lasts 20 days.

If it is not possible to keep containers in mini-greenhouses, it is better to schedule cuttings for spring or summer. Rooted stems with matured underground organs are planted in new pots. They are filled with soil in advance, which was used when planting the mother bushes.

Growing from seeds

Taking proper care of aglaonema gives you a better chance of seeing summer blooms. Blooming inflorescences have no particular decorative value. Occasionally, the culture is self-pollinated. As a result, beautiful bright berries are formed on the stems, colored ruby or orange. When the fruits are fully ripe, the seeds inside will be suitable for sowing. However, according to the experience of most gardeners, the varietal characteristics of a perennial during seed cultivation may not be preserved.

The fruits are cut and seeds are extracted from the pulp. The seeds are thoroughly washed in water. Bowls are used as a sowing container, where a substrate is poured, mixed from peat and sand in a ratio of 1: 1. Seed storage has a bad effect on germination properties. The longer the material lies without soil, the worse the seeds will then germinate.

The soil in containers with crops is systematically watered. Seedlings should be kept in a warm place. When several strong formed leaves appear on the bushes, the plants dive into different small pots. As soon as the flowers grow up, the pots are selected larger than the previous ones. After 3-4 years, the seedlings will turn into spectacular and mature bushes.

Dividing the bush

Aglaonema is propagated in another way - by division. The rhizome is cut into pieces at the same time as the plant is transplanted.

Possible Aglaonema Growing Problems

Darkening of the tips and wrinkling of the leaf blades. The problem is lack of moisture. In all likelihood, the air in the room is too dry and stale. A weakened flower is susceptible to attacks by various pests. To prevent this from happening, the leaves are periodically sprayed and water is poured into the pan. Peat or expanded clay is poured into the pallet in advance.
Folding the leaves. It happens as a result of sudden changes in daily temperatures or under the influence of a draft. Along with the deformation of the plate, the edges turn brown.
Formation of white or yellow spots. Stains form on heavily burnt leaves. The flower is pushed back into partial shade to cool the ground parts. Then the greens are sprayed with settled water.
The bushes grow slowly, the leaves turn brown. The flowers were mistakenly watered with cold water. In the future, the plant should be watered only with settled water. To reduce its hardness, oxalic acid is added in a ratio of 0.2 g of substance per 10 liters of liquid. Stir the acid thoroughly and let the solution stand for one day before moisturizing the soil. Citric acid also softens water effectively.

Spider mites, aphids, mealybugs and thrips are considered dangerous insects for aglaonema. Insect colonies settle in the axils and feed on the cell sap of flower shoots and leaves.

Types of aglaonema with photos and descriptions

Aglaonema brilliant (Aglaonema nitidum)

Comes from tropical evergreen forests that cover the plains of Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra. An adult flower garden can stretch up to 1 m. The leaves painted in a dark green shade reach up to 45 cm in length. Their width is about 20 cm. The plates are characterized by an oval-oblong shape and a shiny surface on the outside. Each inflorescence (ear) contains from 2 to 5 buds. The ear reaches a length of 6 cm. It is protected by an equally long veil. Whitish berries ripen in place of the faded ears.

Aglaonema changeable (Aglaonema commutatum)

Or aglaonema is volatile. The homeland of this aglaonema is called the Philippines and Sulawesi. The erect stem grows within 0.2-1.5 m. The plastics attached to the elongated petioles reach about 3 cm. The inflorescence contains 3-6 thin cobs 6 cm long, which is surrounded by a green veil.After the red berries ripen, the bushes look much more attractive. Varieties of aglaonema variable include:

warburgii - white shading is applied on the outside of the sheet next to the lateral veins;
elegans - it is distinguished by oval greenish leaves and an elaborate patterned pattern of a lighter tone;
maculatum - the elongated emerald foliage seems to be stained with white strokes.
silver queen - a silver-blue bush that needs good lighting. The maximum height of adult specimens is 40 cm.
maria - the flower is widely known among florists. Suitable for growing in the shade, so it will perfectly decorate an office space or a room where there is only artificial lighting. The stems are overgrown with dense bright foliage.

Aglaonema oblong-leaved (Aglaonema marantifolium)

It began its origins in the humid tropics. Singapore, the Philippines, the islands of Borneo and Penang are the main regions where wild species of Aglaonema oblong-leaved are found. In length, the saturated petiole leaves reach up to 0.3 m. Some varieties have a peculiar silvery color.

Painted Aglaonema (Aglaonema pictum)

Also grows in tropical climates. Flowers are common on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. The central stem branches and reaches 0.6 m. The plates are ellipsoidal, the color is green, there are gray spots. For certain varietal forms, a silvery spot with a white tint is characteristic. The plant bears fruit with small red berries.

Aglaonema ribbed (Aglaonema costatum)

Areola of distribution - Southwest Malaysia. The described herbaceous perennial is distinguished by a spreading wide trunk, which is surrounded by a cap of leaves 20 cm long and 10 cm wide. Both sides of the leathery plates are covered with whitish spots and stripes.

Aglaonema modestum

Or mild aglaonema. This species lives in Indochina and the Malay Archipelago. Flowers are taken to the sunny slopes of the mountains, where they take root. The height of the bush does not exceed half a meter. Ovate leaves have pointed tips and an extended base. They lengthen up to 20 cm. The width, as a rule, is not more than 9 cm. On the sides of the central vein, several more veins protrude. The reddish berries outwardly resemble dogwood.

For home cultivation, medium-sized or undersized varieties of aglaonema are used. The most popular are: