Homalomena is a tropical plant belonging to the Aroid family. Its homeland is considered to be the American and Asian tropical regions. The genus contains about 150 different species. The characteristic features of the plant are large basal rosettes of long-petiolate leaves, a powerful root system in the form of a branched rhizome, inflorescences of small greenish-white flowers on the cob.
The capricious and slightly decorative homalomene is known in culture in the form of several varieties and hybrids. The most widespread variety is "Harlequin". It belongs to slow-growing specimens, possesses decorative qualities and has attractive external characteristics. Leaves, dense in structure (about 20 cm long) with a velvety surface, have an oval shape and represent a beautiful dark green background, on which strokes, dots and small spots of a light green hue are randomly scattered.
Home care for homalomen
Homalomena as an indoor flower is not common, therefore, beginner growers need to familiarize themselves with the recommendations for caring for this plant.
Location and lighting
Like many indoor plants, Homalomena prefers bright, but diffused lighting, without direct sunlight. The sun's rays and open sunlight contribute to the yellowing of the leaves, and the lack of light affects the growth and development of the plant, as well as its decorative effect.
When choosing a growing site, it is necessary to take into account that the windows on the east and west sides of the room will be most suitable for the flower. On the north side, the lighting will not be enough - additional artificial lighting will be needed, and on the windowsill on the south side, the lighting in the daytime will be too sunny and a little shading will be required in the middle of the day.
Temperature
For a thermophilic homalomena, it is necessary to maintain a room temperature of 21 to 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year. During the warm spring and summer months, the plant can be moved outdoors, but the site must be protected from rain and direct sunlight.
Watering
Timely watering is very important, but moderate. The amount of irrigation water should keep the soil slightly moist. Drying of the soil and an excess of moisture in it have the same negative effect on the development of the flower. Repeated overflow of water is especially dangerous and can lead to the development of root rot, as well as to many other fungal and infectious diseases.
Air humidity
Tropical homalomena prefers high indoor humidity. It is possible to create favorable conditions for it with the help of daily (2 times a day) spraying with warm boiled water in the summer and using a household steam generator in the winter months.In the absence of such a device, you can put a container with a houseplant on a pallet filled with wet expanded clay.
The soil
Perhaps the main requirement for the composition of the soil when growing homalomen is a high content of humus. A light and slightly acidic potting soil mixture, designed for growing members of the Aroid family, is sold in every specialty store, but it is also easy to prepare yourself. It will require: river sand (coarse), coniferous and leafy land, peat (horse). All ingredients in equal amounts. First, the flower container must be filled with a small drainage layer (you can take expanded clay), and then top it up with prepared soil. Drainage is necessary to protect the root of the plant from moisture stagnation in the soil.
Top dressing and fertilizers
It is recommended to apply complex fertilizers for indoor plants no more than 1 time in 2-3 months.
Transfer
Homalomene can be transplanted any time the need arises. The most favorable time for this is early spring, or rather the period before the start of the active growing season. The grown indoor flower must be transplanted into a container larger in size with the previous one.
Reproduction of homalogena
Reproduction by dividing the rhizome
The houseplant must be carefully removed from the ground, washed out the roots and carefully cut into several parts so that each of them has its own individual roots. The cuts must be treated with crushed charcoal or activated charcoal before planting the cuttings in new flower pots.
Reproduction by daughter sockets
Daughter sockets cut off from a common root must be placed in a container with water and kept like this until their own young roots appear, after which you can proceed to planting.
Diseases and pests
Most often these are diseases associated not with the appearance of an infection, but caused by improper care.
- Very dry air - dry leaf tips.
- Bright sunlight - yellowing of the leaves.
- Small flower capacity and lack of nutrients - stunted growth and small leaves.
- Overflowing irrigation water - rotting of the base of the petiole and yellow leaves.
- A normal natural process is considered to be leaf fall from the lower part of the plant due to aging.
The most common harmful uninvited guest is the spider mite. Ways of struggle - treatment with drugs "Actellik" or "Fitoverm".
