Aglaonema

  Family. Araceae.

Origin. Aglaonema is an ornamental houseplant of the aroid family, grows in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.

Description. The name "aglaonema" comes from the Greek aglaos (bright) and nema (carving). The genus includes 21 species of perennial herbaceous plants, ranging in height from 15 to 70 cm, depending on the species and variety, with a thick, shortened, fleshy, erect stem up to 1 m in height. The bare stem bears traces of fallen leaves and is almost invisible in young plants. Often there are small tubercles on the stem - these are the rudiments of aerial roots. Plants that are quite common in indoor culture. 

The leaves are leathery, juicy, dense, spear-shaped, large - about 20 cm long, located at the top of the stem on long petioles. They attract with a variety of patterns and various shades of green, sometimes with spots.

Aglaonema blooms luxuriantly, but the flowers are inconspicuous, collected in an inflorescence - a spadix, from which small fruits may appear - berries of orange, red or even white color. Each ear can remain open and attractive for up to 2 weeks. To prevent plants from wasting energy on flowering, buds are often pinched as soon as they appear. The fruits are poisonous! 

Height. In a pot it grows to 80-90 cm in height and 50 cm in width. The growth rate varies greatly between varieties, and the final size of the plants will depend on the characteristics of the variety and the growing conditions.

Propagation of indoor plants

Throughout its life, the plant produces lateral shoots and basal suckers, which are used for vegetative propagation in spring or summer.

1. Cuttings of aglaonema are best done in a special heated container, in vermiculite.
2. Often cuttings take root even in a simple glass of water. You can even plant stems that have taken root and do not have leaves - they will begin to grow from the awakened lateral buds and will produce additional shoots from the buds that are located underground.
3. Such stem cuttings should be placed horizontally, lightly sprinkled with moist soil - this will make the plant more lush, because leaves and roots will appear in each dormant bud.
4. The successful completion of the rooting process will be indicated by the appearance of signs of new growth - young shoots.

Many varieties of aglaonema are propagated by seeds and air layering. Seeds germinate in 25 - 30 days. For propagation, only freshly collected seeds are used.

Large adult specimens are propagated by division, which is carried out in the spring, during transplantation. The bushes are divided in such a way that each part ultimately receives its own, well-developed root system and green ground part.

When does bloom?

In indoor culture, usually flowering aglaonema is a rarity; the flowering period is February - November.

The onset of flowering in indoor plants of this type indicates good care and health of the plant. 

Aglaonema - home care

Soil

Well-drained, loose, moisture-permeable soil made from leaf humus, coarse sand, peat, heather soil.

The substrate should have good drainage and easily allow both moisture and air to pass through to the plant's root system.

Watering 

Young potted plants will especially appreciate abundant watering during warm periods. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced, but without allowing the earthen clod to dry out.

The flower suffers from excessive watering and stagnation of water in the pot.

Drain excess water from the pan within a few minutes after watering.

Water only with warm, soft water; the frequency will depend on the temperature and the degree of illumination. 

Growing, how to prune 

Aglaonema is quite capricious and often does not forgive violations of agricultural practices.

The plant does not tolerate low temperatures well and does not like cold drafts - the tips of its leaves curl.

During the winter months, yellow leaves appear at the base - these should be cut off.

Tall varieties may require support to grow.

Plants will appreciate periodic bathing in the shower during the warmer months.

To prevent the bushes from wasting energy on forming flowers, the emerging buds are removed immediately. Pruning is carried out only with a sharp and sterile tool.

In the summer months, you can take the flower out into the fresh air, placing it in a place where it will be protected from direct sun, strong gusts of wind and rain.

Lighting

Green-leaved varieties are shade-tolerant and suitable for poorly lit rooms; they can get burned when exposed to direct sunlight. When grown indoors, variegated varieties, especially red ones, need more sunlight than green ones. If aglaonema lacks sunlight, use artificial illumination with fluorescent lamps.

Fertilizer of aglaonema

Flowers in pots have a limited feeding area and need regular feeding.

In summer, we feed every 2 weeks with flower fertilizers with a minimum amount of lime; in winter, we do not feed.

Temperature

House aglaonema grow well at room temperature, during the period of intensive growth - 20 - 25 ° C. The minimum temperature in winter is  not less than 15°C, although for a short time it can withstand a drop of up to 10°C.

The flower comes from tropical latitudes; it does not require a winter dormancy period, although it is welcome.

The plant does not like sudden changes in temperature and intense summer heat (more than 26 ° C). 

Air humidity

Likes regularly ventilated rooms, however, without cold drafts.

Aglaonema prefers high air humidity and regular spraying with soft water, but it tolerates dry air only for a short time.

A flower pot can be placed in a tray with wet pebbles or sphagnum moss; a room humidifier or a decorative fountain can also be used to increase humidity. 

Diseases and pests

• Gray rot appears due to too cold conditions.
• The plant does not tolerate tobacco smoke - it causes yellowing of the foliage.
• Aglaonema leaves turn yellow at home due to improper watering and insufficient lighting.
• The plant rots when overwatered, especially in the autumn and winter months, and also in case of insufficient drainage. Such specimens are transplanted into a new substrate, and during transplantation they carefully examine the roots and cut off old and rotten roots with a sharp knife.
• Leaf blades dry out and their edges become brown and brittle when there is insufficient air humidity.
• Leaf spotting.
• Foliage curls and leaf edges turn brown if the plant is exposed to drafts or kept in too cold a room.
• Aglaonema becomes loose and elongated, and the leaves lose their bright colors in insufficient light.
• Harmful insects - scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites and aphids if not kept properly.

Transplantation of aglaonema

Replant as necessary - about once every three years, since the plant grows rather slowly.

Don't use a pot that's too big—aglaonema grows best when its root system is cramped.

Try not to disturb the root system again and use transshipment along with a lump of earth.

When transplanted, adult plants that form a trunk are placed horizontally - at the same time, dormant buds wake up on the stem and each of them forms its own leaves. As a result of this procedure, you can get a chic, lush plant. 

Planting in fresh soil is carried out in the spring, when the plant wakes up and demonstrates its readiness to develop.

Purpose

A beautiful evergreen ornamental plant, quite unpretentious for home maintenance, develops well in a light, warm and humid closed flowerbed on the window.

Note

Do not keep this plant in houses where there are children and animals, as its juice and berries are poisonous.

After 3-4 years, the bush begins to lose its lower leaves, exposes the lower part of the shoots and becomes untidy - it needs to be renewed. Replace it with a young specimen, cutting and rooting the top.

Aglaonema grows best in a tropical "flower window" with constant temperature and humidity.

These decorative leafy bushes are able to purify the indoor air from many harmful impurities - for example, formaldehyde and benzene. 

From time to time you can notice small transparent droplets on the leaves - the plant seems to be “crying”. There is nothing wrong with this - it’s just that at this time the flower is kept in high air humidity or the weather outside is cloudy and rainy.

Hydroponics

Aglaonema is grown effectively hydroponically. 

Types of aglaonema:

Aglaonema commutatum

  One of the most common species of this genus. An evergreen herbaceous perennial of small height - about 50 - 60 cm. The leaves are variegated, striped, thick, spear-shaped, shiny, the main tone is dark green, have an attractive silver marking along the main vein, the length of the leaf blade ranges from 10 to 30 cm, width - from 4 to 10 cm. The leaves are located on short, erect, sometimes branched, glossy green stems, reaching two meters in height for several years. This aglaonema blooms rarely, the peduncles are tall - up to 20 cm, the flowers are axillary with a pale green veil, collected in an inflorescence - a spadix, usually appear at the end of summer - until the beginning of autumn. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, reminiscent of small greenish-white callas.

The fruit is a yellow oval berry that changes color to bright red, less than 1 cm in length, which gives the plant additional decorativeness. The plant resembles Dieffenbachia in appearance and is used as an ornamental foliage plant. An easy-to-care plant that prefers loose, rich soil and plenty of watering. Varieties of aglaonema changeable differ in the color of their leaves; it is worth remembering that the more pronounced the variegation, the more the plant needs light. 

Aglaonema roebelenii

An evergreen perennial, about 1 m high. The stems are densely covered with long, elliptical, hard, leathery leaves with silver-gray veins and dark green edges on short petioles. The length of the leaves ranges from 20 to 30 cm, the width is between 8 and 13 cm. It is grown mainly in greenhouses and winter gardens due to its large size for its variegated leaves. The flowers are relatively long, greenish and not particularly noticeable. They attract more attention when they turn into red berries. Aglaonema curly requires warm conditions throughout the year and diffused light or partial shade; it does not tolerate direct sunlight. 

Aglaonema Maria

 An evergreen ornamental foliage plant with oblong dark green leaves covered with light green transverse stripes. It is resistant to low light levels. It successfully tolerates short droughts and is successfully grown under artificial lighting. 

Aglaonema Silver Bay

     A large plant - a bush reaches 1 m in height. The large leaves of this plant are distinguished by a light green or silver-gray base tone and a darker edging of the leaf blades. This plant tolerates a wide range of temperature conditions and grows well under artificial light. Aglaonema Silver Bay tolerates both short droughts and floods. 

Aglaonema Crete

       This variety is also called “red aglaonema” because of the distinctive color of the leaves - they have a salmon or pink edge and spots of the same color scattered on the leaf blades. The underside of the leaf blades is also painted pink. A very stylish, elegant plant. Aglaonema Crete does not like bright lighting. 

Aglaonema pictum

A spectacular ornamental, slow-growing subtropical houseplant. This variety has large, glossy, narrowly oval leaves. The leaf blades are dark green with lighter green and almost white spots, reminiscent of camouflage. With age, these flowers form strong stems covered with light brown bark. Even adult specimens remain compact and often do not exceed a height of 30 cm. 

Aglaonema pseudobracteatum

Narrow-leaved aglaonema with dark green, glossy, pointed leaves on long, relatively thin petioles. The surface of the leaf blades is abundantly covered with light green and white spots, and the central vein is highlighted in green. 

Aglaonema costatum

Slow-growing, large-leaved bushes up to 60 cm high with oblong, pointed leaves up to 20 cm long. Leaf blades are emerald green or very dark, almost black, the central leaf vein is highlighted in a lighter shade. 

Aglaonema marantifolium

Perennial evergreens with oblong-elliptical glossy leaves on long, thin petioles. The leaf blades are dark green, with small light green and transverse stripes. Plants are tall and can reach a height of 60 cm. 

Aglaonema modestum

These plants are considered one of the most useful in the house - they are able to effectively cleanse the polluted atmosphere of many harmful impurities. In addition to its benefits, this plant surprises with its attractive appearance - it has broadly lanceolate, glossy, entire leaves, colored dark green. Variegated varieties are distinguished by the presence of light green and white spots and stripes. 

Aglaonema nitidum

Decorative foliage perennial, which, unlike its brighter counterparts, can develop well in partial shade. The leaves retain their color even in very low light; the plant looks good when grown under fluorescent or phytolamps. 

This variety has large, oblong-oval leaves on long petioles. With age, these flowers form a strong trunk. The flowers are small, collected in cobs, surrounded by orange covers.