Dieffenbachia

The genus Dieffenbachia includes approximately 30 species of perennial evergreen herbaceous plants. Most cultivated hybrids have decorative leaves; the plants are very unpretentious when cultivated at home. Most species are characterized by the presence of toxic milky juice, which irritates the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals. Therefore, all care operations should be carried out with gloves and make sure that the juice does not get into the eyes. One of the first species to gain popularity was Dieffenbachia amoenaa, from which the varieties 'Tropical White' and 'Tropical Yellow' were derived, more compact and spotted than the original species. But from dieffenbachia painted (D. maculata), many varieties and forms with small leaves are derived, which are widely used in compositions with other indoor plants.

The genus Dieffenbachia includes approximately 30 species of perennial evergreen herbaceous plants. Most cultivated hybrids have decorative leaves; the plants are very unpretentious when cultivated at home. Most species are characterized by the presence of toxic milky juice, which irritates the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals. Therefore, all care operations should be carried out with gloves and make sure that the juice does not get into the eyes.

One of the first species to gain popularity was Dieffenbachia amoenaa, from which the varieties 'Tropical White' and 'Tropical Yellow' were derived, more compact and spotted than the original species.

But from dieffenbachia painted (D. maculata), many varieties and forms with small leaves are derived, which are widely used in compositions with other indoor plants.

Cultivation

Types and varieties of dieffenbachia are grown only at home, in pots of different sizes (they can be from 14 to 30-40 cm in diameter) - depending on the development of the specimen. Cultivation is simple, and dieffenbachia can live in the house for several years. In the period from March to September, liquid fertilizer is added to the irrigation water once every 10 days. In the rest of the year, the frequency of watering is reduced to several times a month.

Location

At home, dieffenbachia of any kind is placed in a well-lit place in winter and spring, and in a slightly shaded place in summer. If the plant is placed in the shade, the variegation of the leaves will decrease. But it is not necessary that the plant comes under direct sunlight to avoid yellowing of the leaves, and in more serious cases - burns.

Temperature

The temperature should never fall below 12-13 °C. At temperatures below 8 °CC the plant loses its lowest leaves. The maximum temperature that it can tolerate can be even higher than 28-30 °C, but then it is necessary to maintain a high level of humidity (70-80%). The optimal temperature is 18-22 °C.

Watering

In summer, irrigation is intensive (2-3 times a week), in spring and autumn it should be reduced and limited in winter. It is recommended to water this plant by collecting water in a tray to avoid wetting the leaves and stems. Ideally, the air humidity should be 70-80%. If the humidity drops, the leaves curl into a tube.

Transplant

This operation is performed in the spring, using a pot 2 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. When the plant reaches a certain size, it is removed from the pot and some of the old earth in the same pot is replaced with a fresh, slightly acidic earth mixture of turf, peat soil and sand or other draining materials. After all, the stems and roots of Dieffenbachia easily rot, so it is so important that the soil and pot are well drained.

Care

Dieffenbachia do not require special care. Sometimes it is necessary to remove yellowed leaves and clean the leaves from dust with a damp cloth. Plants are extremely durable and unpretentious.

Reproduction

Reproduction is carried out in the spring by cuttings, layering, root offspring and stem segments. Cuttings are planted in peat and sand soil and lightly sprayed with leaves. Layering - press horizontally to the ground a part of the stem that has at least two internodes, slightly moisten the soil. Segments of the stem after drying (1-2 days) are laid out in sand or sphagnum. If the stem grows too long, then the top of the Dieffenbachia is cut off and rooted in water, and the remaining shortened part of the stem gives new lateral shoots.

Diseases

Dieffenbachia is a plant that is sensitive to rotting of the root neck and roots, which first leads to wilting of the leaves, and then to the death of the plant. For this reason, it is necessary to avoid conditions that are ideal for the spread of this infection, namely, to ensure proper watering. Some bacterial diseases can also cause the base of the stem to soften. They are almost impossible to cure with chemicals. As a result of damage by parasitic fungi, black spots with a yellowish border appear on the leaves. In this case, air humidity and watering are sharply reduced, after that, the plant is treated with an appropriate fungicidal preparation. The gradual yellowing of the foliage and the appearance of burns can be associated with an excess of light - both diffused and direct - or with the cold - the plant is moved to a suitable environment. Infestation by aphids and mites, thrips and worms causes weakening of the plant and extensive yellowing of the leaves. These pests are eliminated by treatment with appropriate medications.

Acquisition

Choose compact plants with short internodes (it is unacceptable if the internodes are elongated and the nodes are not pronounced), check that there are no watery spots on the stems (this is a symptom of bacteriosis), and yellow spots or borders on the leaves.

Other types and varieties Among the varieties of Dieffenbachia maculata, the most famous are the following: 'Nelly' with small leaves, 'Camilla' and 'Compact', as well as a variety with larger leaves - 'Faultlessness'. In addition, there are numerous more or less compact varieties with various extensive spots on the leaves. In addition to the two best-known species, Dieffenbachia deleterata (D. amoena) and dieffenbachia spotted (D. maculata), from which all the popular cultivated varieties and varieties are obtained, deserves attention and dieffenbachia seguine (D. seguine), which grows to a height of 3 m. The length of its green leaves covered with white spots, reaches 40 cm. As for the numerous if there are many different shapes and varieties, then their origin is sometimes impossible to establish. An example is the Exotica variety, a very compact plant with ovate-pointed leaves covered with an elegant creamy-white pattern. Another variety - 'Mazaya', on the contrary, is the result of interspecific crosses; among these species, only Dieffenbachia spotted can be identified. 'Mazai' has ovate-pointed leaves, evenly colored green with a clearly defined white central vein. The following varieties are also obtained from the type of Dieffenbachia charming. 'Tropical Mariana' - a plant with a height of 70 to 150 cm, the central part of the oblong leaves has a light -yellow color, and the edges are dark green. Tropical snow' is characterized by large oval dark green leaves with pointed ends, the central part of the leaf plate - with lighter green and white spots. 'Tropical star' - a plant with elongated oval light -yellow leaves with a dark green border and the same spots; 'Starry nights' with oval-pointed light green leaves with a dark green border. with a darker pattern and white veins and spots.

Other types and varieties

Among the varieties of Dieffenbachia maculata, the most famous are the following: 'Nelly' with small leaves, 'Camilla' and 'Compact', as well as a variety with larger leaves - 'Faultlessness'. In addition, there are numerous more or less compact varieties with various extensive spots on the leaves. In addition to the two best-known species, Dieffenbachia deleterata (D. amoena) and dieffenbachia spotted (D. maculata), from which all the popular cultivated varieties and varieties are obtained, deserves attention and dieffenbachia seguine (D. seguine), which grows to a height of 3 m. The length of its green leaves covered with white spots, reaches 40 cm. As for the numerous if there are many different shapes and varieties, then their origin is sometimes impossible to establish. An example is the Exotica variety, a very compact plant with ovate-pointed leaves covered with an elegant creamy-white pattern. Another variety - 'Mazaya', on the contrary, is the result of interspecific crosses; among these species, only Dieffenbachia spotted can be identified. 'Mazai' has ovate-pointed leaves, evenly colored green with a clearly defined white central vein.

The following varieties are also obtained from the type of Dieffenbachia charming. 'Tropical Mariana' - a plant with a height of 70 to 150 cm, the central part of the oblong leaves has a light -yellow color, and the edges are dark green. Tropical snow' is characterized by large oval dark green leaves with pointed ends, the central part of the leaf plate - with lighter green and white spots. 'Tropical star' - a plant with elongated oval light -yellow leaves with a dark green border and the same spots; 'Starry nights' with oval-pointed light green leaves with a dark green border. with a darker pattern and white veins and spots.