Arundinaria is an ornamental perennial plant from the Cereal family. The perennial originated from Japan and China. Today, the distribution area of this wild-growing culture affects Western European countries and the United States. Besides the traditional scientific definition, it is called indoor bamboo and reed.
There are about 20 different forms in the genus. Certain types are very popular among flower growers and will perfectly decorate any interior. The height of the stem thickets, connected by a common rhizome, can fluctuate within 0.5-8 m.At home, they are engaged in breeding exclusively low-growing varieties of arundinaria, the length of which is about 0.4-3 m, and for garden planting, higher varieties with narrow belt-like leaves.
Description of arundinaria
The frame of the bush is formed by straight shoots with tough and tight-fitting leaves. As they grow older, the leaves tend to bend and lower the ends down. Leaves are small in diameter, devoid of petiole processes. The surface of the plates is cut with a distinct pattern, similar to a net of fine veins.
The color scheme of foliage and stems for each species is individual, there are completely following shades: purple, emerald and cream. Drooping shoots stick out directly from the rhizome, which form a whole bush or weave into thickets.
There are also specimens with creeping shoots and characteristic tubercles from internodes. The inside of the stem is hollow, while the outside is covered with a hard woody layer. Due to this property, arundinaria is used for the production of toys or is planted as a hedge on the site.
Paniculate or racemose inflorescences are formed from small loose flowers that stretch into long spikelets, like cereals.
Home care for arundinaria
It should be remembered that Arundinaria comes from tropical latitudes, so the conditions of keeping the house should be as similar as possible to the natural microclimate. As a rule, it is difficult for flower growers to care for bushes in winter, since improperly organized wintering disrupts the growth and development of culture. The air temperature in the room during this time must be maintained between 6 and 8 ° C.
Location and lighting
Arundinaria prefers to grow in rooms with cool air. In warmth, the shoots lose their attractiveness. The best place is greenhouses, verandas or spacious lobbies in buildings.
Exposure to direct sun on the vegetative parts of a perennial is undesirable.Inside the room should be illuminated by diffused light. It is allowed to place the pots in partial shade or place them on the windowsills near the windows that are installed on the north or east side. When placing a flowerpot on the west or south windows, curtains are drawn to shade the bushes at noon and to protect from the scorching rays.
Temperature
In the summer season, the optimal indoor temperature is 18-20 ° C, and in the winter - no higher than 10 ° C. If the temperature goes beyond 15 ° C, the arundinaria will start to be capricious and grow poorly. Warm wintering leads to depletion of the plant or threatens complete extinction. When sunny summer weather sets in outside the window, flowerpots with bushes are transferred to breathe in the fresh air. Regularly ventilate the room in which the arundinaria is located.
Indoor humidity level
Wild natural plantings of the described species live along the coast of rivers and lakes, and also hide in the lowlands of swamps. However, unlike natural plantings, cultivars of arundinaria prefer moderate air humidity. The moisture index for the stable development of the bush is determined empirically. For example, when the plant feels normal at high humidity, foliage spraying is done occasionally. Conversely, if the bushes look healthy in low humidity, the aboveground parts are doused with water as often as possible. The spray bottle is filled with soft water only.
Watering
From spring to late summer, the soil is watered 2-3 times a week. The substrate is kept constantly moist. Drying out of the earthen coma is unacceptable for the plant. In the winter months, watering arundinaria is carried out less often. In order not to flood the roots, it is better to wait until the top layer of the soil dries out.
The soil
As an earthen mixture, purchased substrates are used for palm trees, dracaena, yucca and other decorative deciduous crops, where the acidity level is 6.8 pH. To prepare the substrate at home, mix compost, turf soil with sand and add a little leafy soil.
Top dressing
While the plant is actively growing foliage, it is fed 1-2 times a month using mineral formulations. For the effective development of young bushes, it is recommended to use phosphorus fertilizers. Leaves will grow in size faster if the crop is fed with nitrogen complexes. Perennial specimens of arundinaria do not need frequent feeding, therefore they are applied only when the plant is deficient in nutrients. In the autumn-winter period, there is no need to fertilize the substrate.
For reference! Arundinaria blooms only once. Usually such an event falls on the 33rd year of life. A faded bush loses a lot of strength and dies as a result.
How to transplant correctly
Arundinaria transplant is arranged in the spring months and the procedure is repeated every 2-3 years. The reason for moving the plant to a new pot is the lack of free space inside the container and squeezing of the roots. The flower is transferred in a transshipment way, trying not to damage the earthen lump. They pick up a low but roomy flowerpot.
Care Tips
- systematically loosen the substrate, but do not immerse the tool deeply into the ground;
- wipe the surface of the leaves as it gets dirty from dust particles;
- use only a wide and low container when planting;
- it is preferable to grow indoor reeds in large areas.
For reference! Currently, in the eastern United States, wild species of arundinaria have flooded the entire coastline, which is of serious concern to local residents.
Potential growing problems
- yellowing of leaves, stretching of shoots, color becomes faded - lack of light;
- weak color, yellow stains, twisting of the plates - the root system does not receive the required amount of moisture;
- wilting of greenery, drooping leaves of a plant - water stagnated in the pot;
- the development of rot on the roots - abundant watering during the dormant period;
- yellowing of the tips of the leaves and drying out - insufficient air humidity in the room;
- infection of the terrestrial part of the plant with whiteflies and spider mites.
Breeding methods for arundinaria
Arundinaria propagates by dividing the rhizome, and the procedure is done simultaneously with the transplant. Or cuttings obtained as a result of pruning bushes are rooted. However, you should not purposefully cut off the shoots.
Green cuttings are cut in June-August or early spring, then they are lowered into the soil and the planting container is heated from below. For root formation, cuttings must be kept warm and in high humidity.
The rhizome is freed from the stuck earth and separated into parts with a sharp knife into several divisions. The finished cuttings are planted in different containers, which are filled with soil moistened with water. From above, the container is covered with a film and the stalk is placed in a bright place where it will be warm and comfortable. The shelter is removed after 2-3 days.
Popular types of arundinaria with photos
Arundinaria appalachian (Arundinaria appalachiana)
The species gained fame not so long ago. Natural habitats are found in the mountainous regions of North America. In addition to its botanical name, the culture is also referred to as mountain reed. The bush is not tall, but it can grow in different directions. Due to its bushiness, the plant is grown as a ground cover. Arundinaria Appalachian grows best near such garden dwellers who cast a shadow. Culture is rarely kept in apartments.
Arundinaria fargesii
The origin of the considered decorative perennial began in China. Gardeners have long been planting a plant in their plots, but it is less popular among flower growers. The height of the thickets in natural conditions does not exceed 10 m. At home, specimens 80-100 cm long are grown. The surface of the belt-like leaves is smooth to the touch. Street varieties have white bloom on the blades or silvery spots, located in a chaotic manner. The frame of the bush is formed by lush, spreading branches, which gives the plant a showiness. The color of young shoots is red-brown.
Arundinaria simoni (Arundinaria simonii)
The rhizome of this perennial is deeply buried in the ground. Erect shoots, covered with a layer of wax on the outside and capable of lengthening up to 6 m. Broadly branching shoots are cylindrical, internodes protrude on the surface. Large leaf plates are painted in a rich green tone. The foliage is predominantly lanceolate. The flowers are paniculate or look like drooping brushes. Each inflorescence contains single-flowered oblong ears with a loose structure.
Arundinaria green-striped (Arundinaria viridistriata)
It stands out against the background of other species with a bright purple-green color of shoots. The length of the leaves does not exceed 18 cm. There are yellow stripes on the foliage sheath. The height of the described variety is about 1.5 m.
Arundinaria brilliant (Arundinaria nitida)
The length of the narrow plates reaches no more than 10 cm. The stems are purple, grow up to 3 m in height in adult seedlings.
Arundinaria variegated (Arundinaria variegata)
It takes root well in apartment conditions. The length of the leaves is about 100 cm.
Arundinaria murielae
In external structure, it resembles brilliant arundinaria, but unlike it has yellow shoots.
Arundinaria giant (Arundinaria gigantea)
The species spread from the southeastern regions of the United States. The diameter of the cylindrical stems of the wild-growing thickets reaches 7 cm. The height of the bushes is 10 m. At first, the lignification of the above-ground part is weak. From year to year, the surface becomes hard and hardens, due to which, with age, the plant acquires a resemblance to bamboo. The stems are hollow inside. The bushes are characterized by strong branching, so after a while they turn into dense thickets. The size of the leaf plates ranges from 10-30 cm. The leaves are rounded, with pointed ends. Arundinaria giant is not afraid of the cold.Even frosty winters, when the temperature drops to -30 ° C, will not harm the culture. In winter, the leaves do not fall off, but remain on the stems.
