Sansevieria

The genus Sansevieria includes approximately 70 species, of which only a few are cultivated. These plants are native to Central Africa, with a characteristic underground rhizome that develops close to the surface of the soil. From it grow hard, more or less long, depending on the species, leaves, and it is in them that the main decorative attraction of the plant lies. After all, summer flowering is the formation of a yellowish-white fragrant, but nondescript ear, which lasts on the plant for quite a long time. On the fleshy leaves there is a beautiful pattern, along the edge - often with streaks. Some representatives of the leaves are long and erect, while others are collected in a low rosette. The rosette-forming species, Sansevieria scabrifolia, is best suited to low-light conditions. The wintering sansevieria is erect (s. hiberica) with stiff leaves covered with characteristic wide stripes with a red tint. Of all the species, Sansevieria trifoliata (S. trifasciata) of South African origin is most often grown, with a rosette or erect, with dark green leaves in a transverse grayish-white stripe. A variety of sansevierium Hanii - S.t. var. hahnii-compact, with short, almost triangular, dark green transverse lighter green or yellowish stripes. There are forms of 'Silver Haniyah' with silvery-white stripes and spots, and 'Golden Haniyah' with yellow longitudinal stripes along the edges.

The genus Sansevieria includes approximately 70 species, of which only a few are cultivated. These plants are native to Central Africa, with a characteristic underground rhizome that develops close to the surface of the soil. From it grow hard, more or less long, depending on the species, leaves, and it is in them that the main decorative attraction of the plant lies. After all, summer flowering is the formation of a yellowish-white fragrant, but nondescript ear, which lasts on the plant for quite a long time. On the fleshy leaves there is a beautiful pattern, along the edge - often with streaks. Some representatives of the leaves are long and erect, while others are collected in a low rosette.

The rosette-forming species, Sansevieria scabrifolia, is best suited to low-light conditions.

The wintering sansevieria is erect (s. hiberica) with stiff leaves covered with characteristic wide stripes with a red tint.

Of all the species, Sansevieria trifoliata (S. trifasciata) of South African origin is most often grown, with a rosette or erect, with dark green leaves in a transverse grayish-white stripe.

A variety of sansevierium Hanii - S.t. var. hahnii-compact, with short, almost triangular, dark green transverse lighter green or yellowish stripes.

There are forms of 'Silver Haniyah' with silvery-white stripes and spots, and 'Golden Haniyah' with yellow longitudinal stripes along the edges.

Cultivation

Among indoor plants, sansevieria is one of the most unpretentious when growing. Moreover, it is very well suited for hydroponics. At home, it is cultivated in pots, and in the summer months it is put on a balcony or terrace in partial shade. From May to September, it is recommended to add a liquid complex fertilizer to the irrigation water once a month. Take care not to break off the tips of the leaves, with damaged ends they stop growing.

Among indoor plants, sansevieria is one of the most unpretentious when growing. Moreover, it is very well suited for hydroponics. At home, it is cultivated in pots, and in the summer months it is put on a balcony or terrace in partial shade.

From May to September, it is recommended to add a liquid complex fertilizer to the irrigation water once a month. Take care not to break off the tips of the leaves, with damaged ends they stop growing.

Location

These plants prefer a sunlit place, but they also develop in partial shade.

Temperature

In winter, the temperature should be 18-20 °C, in short periods, the sansevieria can withstand even 8-10 °C . This is one of the few plants that can be placed near heating devices. In summer, it can tolerate heat even at 30 °C.

Watering

Make sure that the soil in the pot does not dry out, but do not overdo it with watering, as this can cause rotting of the roots. Avoid spraying with water, because Sansevieria prefers low humidity.

Transplant

Transplanting into a new pot is rarely required for sansevieria. This operation is carried out preferably in spring, only when the rhizome and roots completely fill the space available to them. Take a pot slightly larger than the previous one and use the opportunity to divide the rhizome. Soil with a pH of 6-7 should be as compacted and fertile as possible, sometimes mixed with sand to improve drainage. For specimens with erect leaves, it is recommended to use heavy pots so that the plant does not accidentally turn over.

Transplanting into a new pot is rarely required for sansevieria. This operation is carried out preferably in spring, only when the rhizome and roots completely fill the space available to them. Take a pot slightly larger than the previous one and use the opportunity to divide the rhizome.

Soil with a pH of 6-7 should be as compacted and fertile as possible, sometimes mixed with sand to improve drainage. For specimens with erect leaves, it is recommended to use heavy pots so that the plant does not accidentally turn over.

Care

The leaves are cleaned with a damp cloth; the use of lustrating solutions is not recommended.

Reproduction

The advantage of sansevieria lies in the simplicity of reproduction. The most common method is using leaf cuttings. The leaf is cut into parts of 7-10 cm, allowed to dry for two days, and then planted half the length in a soil of peat and sand in equal parts, where they are very easily rooted at a temperature of approximately 20 °C. In this way, you can not propagate the variety Sansevieria tri-striped Laurensa, whose green leaves are bordered by yellow stripes. If you plant a fragment of the main green fabric to take root, you will only get a whole green one from the leaf cuttings. plant. Therefore, the reproduction of this plant requires the division of the rhizome. Naturally, each part of the rhizome must have at least one leaf rosette and a fragment of the root system. The surface of the cut is disinfected with sulfur before planting the parts separately.

Diseases

Overheating can cause spotting along the edges of the leaves in the variety Sansevieria trifoliata Laurensa. If the soil is too waterlogged, the leaves begin to rot, especially young ones. In this case, it is necessary to cut off the affected leaves, let them dry and use them as leaf cuttings. Sometimes rotting is a consequence of bacterial and fungal diseases. Affected plants should be discarded. From pests sometimes appear mealybug or other coccidaceae. They are disposed of with a damp cloth or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, then the plant is treated with the appropriate insecticide.

Overheating can cause spotting along the edges of the leaves in the variety Sansevieria trifoliata Laurensa. If the soil is too waterlogged, the leaves begin to rot, especially young ones. In this case, it is necessary to cut off the affected leaves, let them dry and use them as leaf cuttings. Sometimes rotting is a consequence of bacterial and fungal diseases. Affected plants should be discarded.

From pests sometimes appear mealybug or other coccidaceae. They are disposed of with a damp cloth or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, then the plant is treated with the appropriate insecticide.

Acquisition

Choose plants with beautiful glossy leaves, on which there are no signs of lesions, especially at the base of the leaf plate.