Adult Zamioculcas - an unpretentious plant with an excellent exterior - is on sale at a fairly high cost, so breeding it is an urgent task. This article provides specific recommendations for the propagation of Zamioculcas and its cultivation.

Brief description of the plant

Zamioculcas amyloid (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) - this is the name of this plant - it belongs to the Aroid family. He can be called a relative by such indoor plants as monstera and dieffenbachia. Like them, zamioculcas is considered decorative and deciduous, but has a fundamental difference from these plants. What is mistaken for the trunk of this flower is actually foliage of an unusual shape. Numerous paired glossy leaves of dark green color with a pointed end can extend up to a meter in length.

The plant has a lot of them, they are planted close to each other and form a basal rosette. Actually, the trunk of Zamioculcas is the underground part - a tuber, which is able to store water perfectly. Zamioculcas also has a flower. It does not represent decorative value, since it is rather plain-looking and appears almost at the very ground. In shape, it looks like a calla flower, has the shape of a sail. Both adult and young plants can bloom, which is a kind of indicator of proper care.

Zamioculcas refers to those indoor plants with which some folk signs and superstitions are associated:

1. "Dollar tree". A flower with lush foliage can bring prosperity to the house. It is considered a competitor to the fat girl, which has long been recognized by the people as a "money tree." Feng Shui recommends installing a pot of zamioculcus in the southeastern part of the apartment so that the "dollar appeal" works.
2. Celibacy Flower. Zamioculcas was nicknamed by a similar nickname by mistake and ignorance. Outwardly, it is very similar to spathiphyllum, it has a similar flower, so they are corny mixed up, and the mystical properties do not work here.
3. "Woman's happiness". Another extreme of the omens of nature - the blooming Zamioculcas promises a happy personal life to its mistress. Perhaps a similar sign appeared against the background of a rare flowering plant with careful care. But for it to work, someone should give a pot with a houseplant.

Dates and optimal conditions for the reproduction of zamioculcas

To propagate the plant, you need to be patient. Young seedlings grow very slowly. First, the basis of the future flower is formed - the tuber. The process lasts about 2-3 months. The first young leaves will appear on the new Zamioculcus only after 5-7 months.

The plant is not demanding to care for, but for its successful propagation, certain conditions will be required:

• the start period of breeding (as well as the time of transplantation) is better to choose the spring one, when all plants start active growth. Some experts advise starting the process on a growing moon;
• For breeding, central heating will not be an obstacle. The plant is drought tolerant, therefore, air humidity, which ranges from 30-60%, will be optimal;
• Zamioculcas is thermophilic. For its cultivation, it is necessary to create a temperature of +18 ° С ... + 26 ° С, and +16 ° С is the limit, and if it is lower, the plant may die;
• soil is selected loose, with a drainage device in ¼ pot (Suitable for purchased cacti or succulents; you can mix independently, in equal proportions, ground, peat and sifted sand);
• the pot should be selected plastic or ceramic with a mandatory hole to drain excess water; capacity should not be too deep and wide.

Experts do not recommend using plants that were just bought in a store for propagation, because various growth stimulants are often used in greenhouses. Wait at least a year for zamioculcas to acclimatize in your apartment.

Step-by-step breeding technology at home

Zamioculcas grows rather slowly; it also rarely throws out new leaves. Florists are often confused about how to propagate this exotic specimen.

There are several ways to do this:

• a sheet;
• cuttings;
• tubers.

The choice of method will depend on the size and age of the zamioculcus. If a large plant is chosen as the mother, then it is more expedient to divide it into tubers by daughter. If you want to propagate a young flower, it is worth applying separation and rooting of leaf plates.

For a medium-sized bush with several leafy shoots, cuttings are applicable. Each of these methods has its own nuances and is quite painstaking, so by the way there will be a step-by-step recipe for each of them.

Leaf

For leaf propagation, small leaves taken from an adult plant will be needed. This method is good because it does not impoverish the exterior of Zamioculcus, since on dense foliage small “losses” will be completely invisible. Leaf breeding will be more successful if you choose a well-developed source material that has a sufficient supply of nutrients. Younger specimens (of a lighter color) will not work. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. The sheet is cut with a sharp knife. It is left to dry for several hours (even for a day), so that the juice-producing vessels are completely closed. A cork is formed on the cut, which will protect the sheet from decay in the soil.
2. The slice is further processed. root growth stimulator ("Kornevin", "Zircon") or charcoal.
3. Prepare light soil for plantingusing peat and sand in equal proportions.
4. Capacity should not be voluminous. Plastic cups, in which holes are made for draining water, are quite suitable.
5. The sheet is buried in the ground approximately 1/3 of its length.
6. Soil moisturize.
7. For the quickest rooting, you can organize an artificial microclimate for seedlings. For this, the container is covered with a jar or film. Landing should be periodically ventilated.
8. Watering is carried out with complete drying of the soil. This is done extremely carefully so as not to damage the delicate roots. You can make small doses of special top dressings along with watering, which can accelerate the process.

It takes a long planting care until the first leaves of a new plant appear, then it will be easier to take care of it.

Important! Zamioculcas requires careful handling when transplanting and grafting. The juice of the plant is poisonous, therefore, protective equipment is needed when working with it: gloves are required.

Cuttings (branch)

The most common method of breeding zamioculcas is cuttings. Rooting in this way is more successful than leaf cultivation — planting stock has more nutrients for development. Time for rooting a seedling is reduced. You can cut the leaf from a medium-sized plant, without waiting for its maximum growth. The sequence of actions will be as follows:

1. On zamiokulkas, a sufficiently strong stalk is selected, which has already fully formed. It is believed that when dividing by a handle, at least one kidney should be located on it. If you cut the entire sheet completely, then it can be freely divided into several parts, each of which has a pair of leaves. The leaf crown has 3 leaves. Sometimes it is recommended to take for seedlings only the upper part with a length of no more than 20 cm. Leave 4–5 upper ones, and remove all the lower sheets.
2. Cuttings are allowed to dry for several hoursand then the sections are treated with activated carbon or a means to stimulate root growth.
3. Light soil is prepared for planting (peat + sand in a ratio of 1: 1), moisten it. First, drainage is placed in small containers for planting, and then soil is poured.
4. The cuttings are buried so that the kidney below is in the ground, the second on the surface.
5. Seedlings can be covered with a transparent cap. for organizing a greenhouse microclimate, but this is not a mandatory operation.
6. The first watering is carried out after 2-3 days from the sprayer, and then - as the soil becomes completely dry.
7. If everything is done correctly, then approximately a month later tubers will be tied first, and only 5-6 months later the first sheet will appear.

Breeding with a twig can be done differently. The selection and cutting is performed in the same way, however, after treatment with the growth stimulator of the root system, the stalk does not immediately land in the ground. The appearance of the roots is waiting in the water. To do this, the seedling is lowered into a shallow container with water, where cotton wool is pre-laid on the bottom. Water is poured a little, as it evaporates, it is added.

Important! Zamioculcas will not produce new leaves until the root system has “mastered” the entire volume of the pot.

For disinfection, it is necessary to put activated charcoal in a container (a few tablets will be enough). Roots with this dilution will form more slowly than when planted in the ground, but the process is available for visual observation. After the emergence of roots and tubers, the plant can be planted in a pot for further germination.

Video: propagation of zamioculcus by cuttings

Tubers

Zamioculcas can be planted by dividing it into several bushes. This method is called tuber propagation. Suitable for the reproduction of adults and sufficiently developed plants. Usually this process is combined with the planned transplantation of a bush into a new tank. The mother plant is divided very carefully so that tubers and roots are not damaged.

The plant must be allowed to dry. If there are places of cuts, the roots break off, then it is better to treat them with charcoal or activated carbon, and then plant them in the ground. Zamioculcas are not watered. After 2-3 days, it is allowed to spray young bushes with settled water.

Seeds

Zamioculcas rarely blooms, like all members of its family. Its flower does not give an ovary of seeds, therefore reproduction by seeds is impossible due to their absence. Get new young plants is available only in the above ways.

Further plant care

Subsequent care of rooted young plants is to carry out routine cultivation activities: timely watering, top dressing, maintaining the temperature regime and timely combating possible diseases or pests. Watering is recommended very moderate: only after the drying of the soil (in winter - after its deep drying).

Water should not accumulate in the pan. For the plant, the most dangerous is excess moisture: the root system begins to rot, and it dies. With a lack of moisture, the flower will shed its leaves, but the roots will not die. If they are actively watered, then new sprouts will appear soon, and the plant will gradually restore its former appearance.The green part can be periodically sprayed and wiped with a damp sponge or rag. During the period of active growth and rooting, it is possible to make fertilizing in the soil. Ready mixes for cacti and succulents are suitable. Drugs are applied 2 times a month according to the dosage recommended by the manufacturer.

Possible problems and solutions

Zamioculcas is quite resistant to pests and diseases of indoor plants. The flower will signal the occurrence of problems by yellowing of the leaves, their drying.

The following causes of yellowing of the leaves are distinguished:

• improper watering;
• sudden changes in temperature;
• constant drafts;
• pests.

Improper watering or lack of drainage in the soil causes root decay. The disease can be detected by transplantation. In this case, all affected areas of the root system are removed, and the healthy part is left to dry a little and sprinkled with charcoal or activated charcoal for disinfection. After this, the plant is planted in another soil prepared by you.

Among the pests of Zamioculcas, the most common lesions are:

• spider mite. The green inside of the leaves is affected. A whitish coating appears. For the fight using special insecticides ("Actellik", "Fitoverm", "Neoron", "Actofit") or spraying tobacco infusion (proportion 1:10);
• scabbard. This is a parasite that multiplies rapidly, their colonies are visually noticeable. To combat, you can use a soap-tobacco solution (proportions 1:10), to which a small dose of purified kerosene is added. After processing, it is better to fix the result with insecticides (“Aktara”, “Aktellik”, “Bankol”, “Mospilan” are suitable);
• aphids. The insect settles on the bottom of the leaf and feeds on its juices. As a result, it dries and curls. An immediate response is required as the insect multiplies rapidly. To combat use specialized tools ("Actellik", "Fitoverm", "Bona Forte").

Useful Care Tips

In order for exotic Zamioculcas to remain healthy, green and delight you with its growth, it is worth listening to such useful tips:

1. For irrigation always use exceptionally soft, settled water.
2. It is preferable to put the pot in a bright place. The western and eastern directions of windows are most suitable for placing a flower.
3. From April to August (during the vegetative period) there is a need for feeding.
4. Large leaves of an adult plant will need support in the future, otherwise they will fall over.
5. Do not forget to periodically wipe and spray. Leaves.
6. In winter, the flower will need more light, so the pot should be moved closer to the window. With a lack of lighting, the color of the leaves is lost towards their clarification.
7. Zamioculcas should not be exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves may get burned.
8. A young plant is transplanted every year, later — once every 2 years. Adult bushes can develop without transplanting for 5 years.

Based on the fact that Zamiokulkas is able to give prosperity to the house where it is located, then choose a convenient method for growing young seedlings for yourself and follow the simple tips for their care.