Spathiphyllum domino flower - home care
Content:
Spathiphyllum Domino is a houseplant that is distinguished by its decorative qualities and amazing color. It looks very beautiful both during the flowering period and during the dormant period, when there are only leaves. Caring for this flower is quite simple; even a novice florist can grow it.
History of appearance
At the beginning of the 19th century, the spathiphyllum flower was first noticed by the German botanist Gustav Wallis in the lands of Colombia.
In the 60s of the twentieth century, this plant was brought to the territory of Europe.
Description and appearance
Spathiphyllum domino is a hybrid obtained as a result of breeding work on the spathiphyllum plant. Belongs to the Aroid family. The peculiarity of the flower is that it practically does not have stems, its lanceolate-oval green leaves with white streaks grow directly from the soil. Arrows with amazing flowers also appear from the ground. The stems can reach a height of 40 centimeters.
During the flowering period, the plant exudes a very pleasant aroma. Due to the long flowering period, spathiphyllum is also called "female happiness".
When and how it blooms
Types of flowers
Spathiphyllum flowers are white with pale green veins. They have a delicate aroma.
Flower shapes
The spathiphyllum flower resembles an ear of corn with a white blanket around it.
Flowering period
Spathiphyllum usually blooms for 6-8 weeks from early March to late September.
Picture 6 Spathiphyllum with flower
Healing properties
Spathiphyllum secretes biologically active substances that help a person relieve stress. Possesses phytoncidal properties, is able to purify the air from microbes and fungi soaring in it.
How to distinguish from other species
Spathiphyllum Domino has an uneven color of leaves - green with white stains. Spathiphyllum of the Gemini variety differs from the Domino variety - the leaves of these two species are very different. Spathiphyllum Gemini jemini has green leaves with light green streaks.
The stains are larger and are located to the sides of the middle of the leaf in the form of a herringbone. The difference between Picasso's spathiphyllum picasso and Domino's or gemini is that there are differences in the leaves. At Picasso, they are more white. There are leaves on the bush with large white stripes, and completely white.
Home care
For spathiphyllum Domino, home care requires compliance with certain rules.
Temperature
During the active growing season, the optimum temperature is -22-24 C °.
In winter, during the dormant period, - + 16-17 ° C.
Lighting
The Domino variety needs a lot of diffused light, it needs to be shaded from the active sunlight. Keeping the flower in the shade will impair the quality of flowering and reduce the decorative properties of the leaves.
Watering
In the warm season, the flower is watered every 2-3 days, in winter - once a week. Only purified and warm water is used for irrigation.
Spraying
In summer, it is better to spray the plant every day, in winter - once every 3-4 days.
Humidity
Spathiphyllum Domino needs high air humidity - at least 40%.
It is also worth wiping the leaves with a sponge with warm water.
Priming
For planting plants, special soil mixtures are suitable, they can be purchased at a flower shop. You can also prepare the soil yourself. The composition should include peat, leafy earth, humus, sand, crushed tree bark and charcoal. All are taken in equal parts.
Top dressing
Top dressing is carried out with complex liquid fertilizers. It is necessary to make top dressing during the period of active vegetation and flowering. To maintain the beauty of the leaves, nitrogen fertilizers can be added to the soil every two weeks.
Resting care
Before the formation of buds, once every 14-20 days, it is worth making a potassium-phosphorus fertilizing. After flowering, it is necessary to reduce the amount of watering and not apply fertilizers, since in winter the plant is in a dormant period.
Leaving during flowering
During flowering, it is important to remove all inflorescences that have bloomed, this will help preserve the decorative appearance of the bush and promote new ejection of buds.
Pruning
Pruning is carried out as needed, if there are lethargic or dry leaves, as well as after flowering has ended. All peduncles that have already faded are cut off.
Transfer
The plant is transplanted into a new pot along with the old clod of earth. After transplanting, the flower is watered, top dressing is applied only after 3 weeks.
Picture 8 Transfer to a new pot
Breeding options
Spathiphyllum can be grown from seed or propagated by rooting cuttings or dividing a bush.
Picture 7 Spathiphyllum Domino in a pot
Germinating seeds
Plant seeds are laid in a prepared substrate, consisting of garden soil and river sand. The plantings are covered with foil and left at a temperature of + 18-20 degrees. When the first shoots appear, the temperature is lowered to + 10-15 degrees. Water as the top layer of the earth dries up.
Rooting cuttings
Young stems are selected from the bush and cut at right angles. All leaves are removed from the bottom, treated with a root growth stimulant and planted in the ground. During the rooting period, the planting is covered with a film. When the cuttings take root, you need to remove the shelter and take care of it like an adult plant.
Part of a bush
The bush is removed from the pot and divided into several parts. Further, all parts of the bush must be transplanted into new pots and watered well. Apply the fertilizer after 1 month.
Possible growing problems
Although Domino's spathiphyllum is unpretentious in care, the following troubles can occur with it.
Drops buds and leaves
The spathiphyllum gets sick from the draft and sheds its leaves, you need to protect the plant and not put it on the windows that open for airing in winter.
Leaves turn pale
With a lack of complex mineral fertilizing, the flowers on the plant will shrink, the leaves will turn pale and slow down growth.
The tips of the leaves dry
The reason is dry air. It is necessary to constantly spray and use a humidifier. Also, yellowing of the leaves can be observed when watering with hard water or due to insufficient moisture in the soil.
Lack of flowering
The reason is not enough light, watering or fertilization. You also need to remove faded inflorescences in a timely manner.
The lower leaves fall away
The reason is the presence of insect pests. It is necessary to process the bush with tobacco crumbs.
Pests
Most often, the flower is struck:
- Spider mite - apply insecticides;
- Shield - treat with tobacco crumbs;
- Aphids - use chemicals;
- Mealybug - treat the leaves with alcohol.
Signs and superstitions
It is believed that if spathiphyllum gets into the house, then women will find happiness: unmarried people will get married, married people will find harmony in relationships.
When caring for spathiphyllum, you need to adhere to all the rules of cultivation, then it will delight with snow-white flowers and an amazing aroma for a long time.