The spathiphyllum originating from tropical forests grows there in the lower layer of undergrowth, in the shadow of tall trees. Although it is impossible to create conditions in the house that look like moist equatorial forests, the plant feels great and it has charming flowers that can decorate the interior of an elegantly furnished apartment.
Description
Interesting. The name "Spathiphyllum" comes from the Greek "spatha" (bedspread) and "phyllon" (leaf), because its inflorescence is wrapped in a leaf resembling a large single flower petal.
The plant is beautiful not only flowers but also the leaves: dark green, shiny, with sharp tips and long stalks, collected in dense sockets. Veins appear noticeably on their lower surface. The edges are smooth or slightly wavy.
Spathiphyllum in nature
In the description of Chopin's spathiphyllum, a characteristic feature is the complete absence of the stem; leaves grow directly from the underground rhizome (perennial stem), usually elongated and functioning as a reserve accumulation organ. In appearance, it resembles the root, but is equipped with kidneys in the upper part and roots in the lower. Bush height - 30-60 cm, width - 30-50 cm.
During flowering, original white flowers with a delicate aroma, shaped like wings, rise on shoots rising above the foliage.
What is usually called a flower is a white wing, in fact it is not. This bract is a modified leaf that wraps inflorescences to protect them and attract insects. The inflorescence itself has the shape of an ears and consists of male and female flowers. The bract acquires a white color when it reaches maturity, but eventually becomes pale green.
Spathiphyllum flower
Spathiphyllum Chopin usually blooms from spring to autumn, six months after transplanting until the first flowers appear. This period is considered active in the life of the plant, respectively, it is provided with intensive watering and top dressing.
Healing properties
In addition to decorative value, Chopin spathiphyllum has the ability to purify toxic substances from the air. It also absorbs mold spores and harmful electromagnetic radiation. Harmful substances are absorbed from the environment during photosynthesis.
Spathiphyllum Chopin
An additional useful property - spathiphyllum converts carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Interesting. Studies by American scientists have proven that the plant absorbs the following hazardous compounds: formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, carbon dioxide, trichloroethane.
History of appearance in Russia
Spathiphyllum belongs to the Araceae family, its homeland is tropical America. Europeans learned about it after the German scientist Gustav Wallis discovered and described the plant. Wallis did not return from the expedition; one of the species of the flower was subsequently named after him - Spathiphyllum wallisii. In the 19th century, this plant began to be cultivated in Europe, then it penetrated into Russia.
To start new varieties of spathiphyllum began not so long ago - 50-60 years ago. Spathiphyllum Chopin appeared as a result of the work of breeders.
Other types and differences
Today, there are many hybrid varieties that have their own distinctive features. Most similar views of spathiphyllum chopin:
- Tango. The external differences between the spathiphyllum Tango and Chopin are so small that they are often confused. The sizes of adult plants are almost identical, the shape of leaves and flowers as well. A small difference may be a more vertical arrangement of cuttings of leaves of the Tango variety, while the leaves of another plant tend to form a rosette;
Spathiphyllum Tango
- Cupido (Cupido Opal). The variety, bred in Holland, is characterized by the characteristic shape of an external white leaf near an inflorescence resembling a cone;
Spathiphyllum Cupid
- Verdi. In width does not exceed 35 cm, in height reaches 70. Flowering is plentiful;
- Alpha. Leaf growth is very similar to Chopin, blooms from January to December, i.e. almost all year round.
The main distinguishing characteristics of the Chopin spathiphyllum, which ensure its high popularity, are its unpretentiousness in care, abundant flowering, accompanied by a light aroma, and resistance to pests.
Care Features
Spatiphyllum Chopin belongs to undemanding plants, it is easy to grow. However, it is necessary to create comfortable living conditions for plant health and stable long-term flowering.
Temperature
Ideal temperatures are 18 ° C at night and 20-25 ° C during the day. If these conditions are ensured, flowering will be constant from spring to autumn. For a short period and with the necessary humidity, the plant can withstand temperatures up to 30 ° C. On the contrary, it is more afraid of cold and does not tolerate temperatures well below 15 ° C.
Important! Spathiphyllum poorly resists drafts and smoky environments.
Lighting
In its homeland, spathiphyllum is used to partial shade and feels good even in the poorly lit northern window. However, a lack of light damages the plant - the leaves stretch and turn pale. Direct sunlight is also dangerous - burns quickly appear. The best choice is ambient light.
Watering
Spathiphyllum needs high humidity. Basic watering conditions:
- bright and warm place - increased need for water;
- shaded and cool place - you need to water less;
- optimal watering rhythm - every time the topsoil is dry.
Spraying
The plant needs daily spraying. Water should be soft, room temperature. When spraying flowers and buds, they are protected from moisture, for example with plastic wrap.
Spathiphyllum Spraying
Humidity
When caring for Chopin spathiphyllum at home, it is necessary to ensure high humidity. It is not recommended to place the plant near heating appliances. A good effect is the installation of water containers next to it.
Priming
Since the moisture should not stagnate, a drainage layer of pumice balls, gravel, and crumb brick is laid at the bottom of the pot. The substrate should be fertile, loose, with a slightly acid reaction. With independent preparation of the soil, it is necessary to mix sheet and turf soil, sand, compost from the leaves in equal proportions.
Top dressing
During the active phase of flowering, usually from spring to late autumn, the plant requires feeding. Fertilize once every 2 weeks. To properly care for the plant, it is imperative to study the composition of fertilizers. For Chopin spathiphyllum, giving abundant flowering, it is preferable to use fertilizers containing the largest amount of potassium (K) and other important trace elements: phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). Significant for the plant, but in smaller quantities, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (Bo), molybdenum (Mo).
Important! If the fertilizer is universal for all types of plants, these doses should be reduced by 4 times.
Winter care
During the dormant period, the number of irrigations is reduced, feeding is stopped. If the plant continues to bloom, then you can fertilize it once a month. The temperature should be maintained at least 16-18 ° C.
Pruning
A grassy plant does not need pruning, but there are situations when you still need to take scissors:
- the leaves have completely or partially dried, becoming brown;
- root rot is removed to healthy roots;
- if necessary, cut the flowers, they are cut as low as possible.
Important! The cutting tool is thoroughly disinfected before surgery.
Breeding
Spathiphyllum can be propagated in three ways:
- root division;
- cuttings;
- seeds.
Most often, flower growers achieve success by applying the first two methods.
Seed germination
The difficulty is that the seeds for germination must be fresh, they can only be obtained directly from the mother plant, artificially pollinating it during the flowering period. Even if it was possible to get suitable seeds, then the problems are just beginning, as they have a very low germination.
Step-by-step actions when growing from seeds:
- Place drainage at the bottom of the landing tank;
- To fill up a friable substrate;
- Sow the soil with seeds, sprinkling them lightly on top;
- Create greenhouse conditions by covering the container with glass or cellophane film, which are removed daily to prevent mold;
- When the emerged sprouts slightly increase in size, and the leaves appear, they should be transplanted into separate vessels.
Important! Germination temperature is about 25 ° C, humidity is high, but excessive flooding should be avoided.
Rooting cuttings
It is produced during the period of active growth, when rosettes are formed from young leaves near the base of an adult plant. These sockets are called cuttings.
Sequencing:
- Carefully separate the cuttings;
- Peat-sand mixture is poured into the container and young sprouts are planted there. Sometimes they don’t have roots yet. In this case, you can put the stalk for a while in the water so that it gives roots;
Propagation by cuttings
- Moisturize the soil and cover the container with a transparent film. As with seed germination, daily ventilation is required.
Bush division
The most reliable and popular method of reproduction. The secret of success lies in the fact that the separated parts of the plant already have formed roots and take root very quickly in a new place. Procedure:
- Take spathiphyllum out of the pot and carefully shake the ground from the roots;
- With a disinfected and sharp knife, delicately divide the rhizome into parts, each of which has at least 2-3 leaves and well-formed roots. Slices are treated with charcoal;
- Young plants are planted in well-moistened soil. In the first few days they do not water, just spray;
Spathiphyllum propagation by division of the bush
- Store in a shaded place until young leaves appear. This means that the plant has taken root well, and you can begin normal care.
Transfer
The need for transplants arises immediately after the purchase of the plant and as it grows, when the root system fills the entire space. Sometimes spathiphyllum grows so fast that annual transplants are required, but on average it is transplanted every 2-3 years. The time for the procedure is spring, before flowering begins.
Important! Typically, transplants end when the diameter of the pot reaches 20 cm. Then, every year, the surface soil layer is removed by about 3 cm and fresh substrate is poured.
Transplantation Stages:
- Remove the plant from the pot with an earthen lump;
- Carefully spread the roots by shaking off the ground. Remove rotten roots;
- Cut dry and very young leaves, as well as peduncles, if any, so that the transplanted plant does not spend too many resources to support flowering;
- In a prepared pot with a drainage covered with 2-3 cm and part of the soil on top of it, place the plant, sprinkle with a substrate so that 2 cm remains to the edge. Then lightly tamp the soil, fixing the spathiphyllum tightly. Do not fill the root neck with earth;
- Two days after transplanting, do not water, only spray the leaves.
Spathiphyllum transplant
Often a transplant is done simultaneously with the division of the rhizome for reproduction.
Growing difficulties
Improper lighting, fertilizer and watering conditions can cause disturbing symptoms and a general weakening of the plant.
Lack of flowering
Sometimes spathiphyllum does not bloom at all or drops leaves and buds. Possible reasons:
- lack of light;
- too big pot;
- there is no rest period;
- lack of minerals in the soil.
Leaves turn pale
Leaves lose saturated light due to lack of light.
The tips of the leaves are dry
If the ends of the leaves blacken and dry at spathiphyllum, then the following errors in care are likely:
- lack of fertilizer;
- too plentiful and frequent watering;
- lack of moisture.
Important! When the plant fades from a lack of moisture, the pot is immersed in a container of water, kept there until the bubbles stop rising, then the water is allowed to drain.
Brown spots on the leaves
This also includes the problem of why the lower leaves fall.
Possible reasons:
- sunburn;
- rotting due to stagnation of water in the soil;
- excess fertilizer.
Dried tips of spathiphyllum leaves
When overfeeding a plant, it should be immediately transplanted into a fresh substrate.
Pests
Plants weakened by improper care can infect pests: spider mites, aphids. They are disposed of when treated with insecticides (Aktara, Aktellik, etc.).
Signs and legends
Various legends and beliefs are associated with spathiphyllum, sometimes called it “female happiness”. According to one legend, the goddess of love Astarte breathed into the flower a part of the happiness that filled her on her wedding day. From now on, the plant will bring happiness to every woman who believes in its strength. Lonely, it should help find a chosen one and become a mother, married to restore good relations in the family.
Spathiphyllum Chopin is a non-capricious plant, the efforts made to grow it are minimal. Believing in his strength, he will bring harmony and happiness, for all, without exception, he will create a festive atmosphere in a room ennobled with luxurious flowers.
