Selaginella

The genus Selaginella (Selaginella) includes more than 700 species of plants, externally similar to ferns and mosses. Most species are evergreen, with creeping or rising branched shoots, with soft leaves of various shapes, giving the plant a fluffy appearance. The color of the leaves varies from light to dark green or with a thin yellow pattern, they can be glossy or matte. Let's name the most common types. Selaginella kraussiana (Selaginella kraussiana) is native to South Africa, up to 30 cm tall, with glossy green leaves. Selaginella lepidophylla (S. lepidophylla), known in Europe as the "resurrection plant" or "Jericho rose", comes from arid regions. Its shoots with a length of 5-10 cm at low humidity curl bizarrely, forming a kind of ball, but after watering the plant takes on its former appearance. Selaginella Martens (S. martensii), native to Mexico, is the most ornamental species. The fan-shaped leaves are dark green in color, the shoots reach a length of 15-30 cm. There are variegated varieties with white ('Yori') and yellow spots ('Watson').

The genus Selaginella (Selaginella) includes more than 700 species of plants, externally similar to ferns and mosses. Most species are evergreen, with creeping or rising branched shoots, with soft leaves of various shapes, giving the plant a fluffy appearance. The color of the leaves varies from light to dark green or with a thin yellow pattern, they can be glossy or matte. Let's name the most common types.

Selaginella kraussiana (Selaginella kraussiana) is native to South Africa, up to 30 cm tall, with glossy green leaves.

Selaginella lepidophylla (S. lepidophylla), known in Europe as the "resurrection plant" or "Jericho rose", comes from arid regions.

Its shoots with a length of 5-10 cm at low humidity curl bizarrely, forming a kind of ball, but after watering the plant takes on its former appearance.

Selaginella Martens (S. martensii), native to Mexico, is the most ornamental species. The fan-shaped leaves are dark green in color, the shoots reach a length of 15-30 cm. There are variegated varieties with white ('Yori') and yellow spots ('Watson').

Cultivation

Species of selaginella of tropical origin, such as Selaginella lepidoptera, are grown in pots or plates with a diameter of 8-14 cm, and species native to temperate zones (Selaginella flat, S. plana) are grown in open ground or pots placed in protected shady areas of the garden. However, it is recommended to place them indoors during the winter period. Selaginella can be successfully used in compositions with ferns, small palms and some other plants. Top dressing with complex fertilizer is carried out in the period from April to September in the amount of 10 g per bucket of water, once every 2 weeks.

Location

Regardless of the zone of origin, selaginella grows well in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight.

Temperature

The optimal temperature level varies significantly depending on the place of origin of the species: 15-21 °C for tropical and subtropical selaginella (most of them); 10-13 °C for selaginella native to temperate regions (for example, S. apoda); 5-7 °C for species from northern regions.

Watering

Most selaginella, with the exception of species originating from arid areas (Selaginella scaly), grow better in moist soil and need frequent watering.

Transplant

Transplanting into a new container is usually carried out in spring or late summer once every 2 years or annually, if the roots of the plant completely fill the pot. The soil is peat with an acidic pH (5-5. 5).

Care

Dry or damaged leaves must be removed, but be careful: do not cut off shriveled leaves that are beginning to turn brown. Their appearance only indicates a lack of water.

Reproduction

Selaginella species are propagated by "seeding" spores from sporangia located on the underside of leaves onto the peat surface in a box, and before germination, they are covered with a piece of plastic film. This method is used infrequently even among professionals, because these plants are much easier to propagate vegetatively, by dividing the bush. In the spring, when transplanting into a new pot, separate sections of the rhizome with a length of approximately 5 cm, it is possible with shoots, and plant in 10-centimeter pots with peat, 5-6 in each pot. The soil should be well soaked and constantly maintained in a moist state. For one week it is better to cover the pots with cellophane and install them in a room with a temperature of 20 °C. Plant growth is usually fast. A month later, shoots appear.

Diseases

Problems with selaginella occur when recommended environmental conditions are not met. Increased illumination causes discoloration of the foliage; low humidity slows down the growth of shoots and browns the leaves, they curl and dry. Sometimes aphids attack; in this case, treatment is carried out with one of the insecticidal preparations.

Acquisition

When buying, choose compact plants, preferably with good branching, not damaged at the base of the shoots and healthy glossy foliage.