Cast iron plant has only recently begun to gain its popularity among flower growers, but has already conquered many with its easy growing conditions. We will analyze all the subtle nuances in caring for this flower so that it delights your eyes for as long as possible.
Basics
Cast Iron plant is a perennial that came to us from the tropical forests of East Asia. This plant is popularly called the "snake pointer". Since we know that the usual habitat is tropical forests, snakes were hiding in this flower, or rather in its leaves. When they crawled, a characteristic sound was issued, which announced the presence of a cunning predator.
One of the main features of сast iron plant is a very dense root system, a complete absence of stems, and the leaf plates are very long and have a bright flax color. From this flower you can wait in vain for flowering, because it blooms very rarely, only in summer and often blooms for one single day. In addition, very slow growth is noted. It is highly resistant to polluted atmospheres and is resistant to small amounts of light.
This plant is very well suited for novice flower growers, because it does not need a careful and special approach, everyone can handle this flower.
Watering
It is best not to flood this flower with water. Watering is done when the topsoil dries up. In the warm season, 2-3 waterings per week will be enough, but in the cold season it is better to reduce watering to once a week. Avoid drought of the soil, but also strong stagnation in the liquid in the root system.
Use drainage for this purpose, so as not to harm the flower.
Temperature
Cast iron plant quite easily adapt to the conditions of the temperature regime of the external environment, but it will not refuse the coolness. The best reading would be 15-17 degrees Celsius (59-62.6 degrees Fahrenheit). If the temperature is more than 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), then spray the plant with a spray bottle.
In no case, do not allow even short-term frosts, this can very much harm the plant.
Light
This green pet will thrive even in low light. Therefore, you can not be afraid to decorate the shadow corner of your apartment with it. Keep it out of direct sunlight in summer. Please note that there are different varieties and types, if there are patterns on the leaves of your flower, then it is better not to put it in the shade. From a lack of sunlight for a long period, this ornament from the leaf plate can disappear.
Other recommendations
1.Priming
This plant is not very picky about the soil, but for better and effective growth, you will need to purchase a soil mixture. It should be well saturated with organic nutrients.
If you do not want to take a purchased one, then you can cook one yourself at home. Take leafy soil, river sand, turf and humus, mix all the ingredients in the following proportion: 2: 1: 2: 2. Calculate the volume from the pot in which you plan to plant or transplant the plant.
2.Top dressing
Fertilizing for a flower should be started in spring and at the end of summer. If the flower grows in the shade, then the substrate can be added once every three months, and if the place with the pot is well lit, then this procedure must be performed once a month. It is best to choose a water-soluble fertilizer that contains nitrogen.
If there are patterns on the leaves of your flower, then you do not need to introduce complementary foods, because later these ornaments will disappear.
3.Cropping
Because of the wide and long leaves, this plant is very lush, but with constant growth it loses its decorative effect. It is worth pruning leaves that are sickly or withered. Cut at the very root of the leaf plate. This procedure stimulates the growth of new leaves.
4.Flowering
To see the flowering of cast iron plant is a very rare occurrence; for a start, it is worth providing proper conditions and care. A bud begins to form on the roots, after which it opens and a flower rises in front of us. It is similar in shape to a star and has a bright purple color, but it blooms only for a day, and after that it simply fades. In its place, a round fruit begins to form, inside which there are seeds.
This process occurs in the summer, in rare cases - in the spring.
5.Repotting
This seemingly impressive flower has a very delicate root system; it is very easy to damage it when transplanting. Carry out it no more than once every three years, this will be quite enough. Better to choose the time from March to April.
First, choose a pot that is larger in size than the previous one, because the root system is quite dense. A drainage layer is definitely needed, expanded clay will perform this function just amazingly. Drainage must be sprinkled on top with soil. Then we carefully “populate” the plant into a new house, fill in the voids and lightly tamp the soil. After transplanting, the plant needs to be watered.
- Diseases and their symptoms. Prevention
- Yellowing of foliage. Most often this happens due to the fact that rot appears on the roots. At the time of watering, it will be necessary to stop, the places of decay should be treated with a solution of a fungicide, and it is better to treat the substrate in a pot with a solution of potassium manganese.
- Loss of color. If the plant is in a dark place or is oversaturated with nutrients, then the bright color of the leaves may fade. To combat this, place the flower in a lighted place and exclude feeding for a while.
- Leaves do not grow. This indicates a low nitrogen content in the substrate. We recommend watering the flower with a solution of urea in a ratio of 1 liter to 1 gram.
- Dark spots on the leaves. This factor speaks of hypothermia of the flower or exposure to a draft. The leaves should be cut off and the flower placed in more favorable conditions.
