Chlorophytum crested – the houseplant known in the people as "spider". Have given the name for way of reproduction: on long mustache there is small bush, and mustache as paws at spider, can be much. The plant is suitable for gardening of the apartment, winter garden or office.
The chlorophytum crested was delivered from South Africa where it grew on trunks of trees in the damp jungle. In the 19th century the plant began to be applied as room. And then it has become clear that it can purify air and even to neutralize harmful impurity.
The hygrophilous flower, however to room conditions adapts well. If to place near it humidifier of air, leaves will become more, and blossoming will become more for a long time.
Description
The chlorophytum in the apartment grows to 60 cm in height, its fleshy roots go to the earth on 10 cm, leaves reach 50 cm in length. At the same time they very narrow – up to 30 mm. During blossoming there is long, branched inflorescence on the end bent down. It reaches 1 meter in height, grows in each cluster from 1 to 6 buds located along stalk at identical distance from each other. By the end of inflorescence the clusters decrease in sizes. But blossoming chlorophytum it is possible to see seldom because the first flowers usually fall down.
Flowers of plant of white or green color, stand on pedicel, have three- or six-vein leaves with small kapyushonchik. Seeds appear in the capsule on stalk.
On tips of inflorescences sprouts and when the long stalk inclines are located, they concern the earth. After that near parental plant new appear. Sprout, however, can be cut off, put in water, and it quickly will give roots.
The chlorophytum purifies air from hazardous substances, in particular – from formaldehyde therefore in energy efficient houses such flower is useful. It is better if it stands on kitchen where in 24 hours will be able to destroy up to 80% of harmful microorganisms for 2 sq.m around itself. In the nursery the chlorophytum is even more necessary.
Being hygrophilous, the plant keeps moisture and allocates in the surrounding atmosphere. And if when watering to add activated carbon to water, then the level of moistening of air from flower will be doubled. For people with pulmonary diseases this quality of chlorophytum is very useful.
Features of cultivation and leaving
The plant is well adapted for the external environment and it is considered unpretentious in leaving. However, under bright sun the earth will be overdried, and leaves will begin to fade, and at strong shadowing they will lack ultraviolet, and they will lose brightness. Sunlight is necessary to chlorophytum 2 hours a day, in the summer the flower can be taken out on air.
Optimum temperature for height from +12 to +25 degrees, in the summer for maintenance of humidity it is necessary to spray plant 2-3 times a day with water. It will be necessary to watch in the winter that the flower was in heat because if temperature falls lower than +10 degrees, it will begin to perish.
The special type of the soil is not required to chlorophytum, and soft, light neutral soil will be suitable option. Earth substrate can be made independently, having mixed humus, the sheet earth, the turf and sand in proportion 2:2:2:1. The pot is necessary wide as flower roots strongly expand. The bottom of pot should be laid out drenazhy of beaten brick or pebble.
The chlorophytum needs abundant watering, at least 2-3 times a week. However in winter time the amount of waters can be reduced. If tips of leaves became brownish, so to plant or there is not enough water, or there is too much it.
From May to August at chlorophytum growth period, and at this time it needs fertilizers. Complex types will approach, with large number of ""children"" such measure is necessary for plants.
Special cutting is not necessary to flower, but it is possible to remove dry leaves the esthetic purposes. It is necessary to cut off them only from outer side of sockets, otherwise the plant can be damaged.
Time in 2-3 years chlorophytum is required to be replaced as the root system expands quickly, and there is not enough place in pot. In the course of change the big bush should be separated knife, it is abundant to water the soil and to put in new, larger pot.