Nephrolepis
Nephrolepis belongs to the family of (Nephrolepidaceae).
In nature, this plant is found in tropical and subtropical regions. At room conditions often grown two kinds: Nephrolepis serdtselistny (N. cordifolia) and elevated Nephrolepis (N. exaltata).
Due to the fact that in Nephrolepis long flowing leaves, forming beautiful waterfalls, it can be used as a basket plant.
Plant care
Lighting. Nephrolepis need to provide a bright diffused light, but you can not avoid exposure to direct rays on the leaves. Therefore it is best Nephrolepis grows on the western and eastern windows, where the direct rays of the weak and fall to plant a couple of hours a day. On the south side is necessary to put the plant away from the windows, or hang on the window lace curtains, so they scatter light. Winter light the plant can not miss, so you may need fluorescent lights. These lamps can be replaced by natural light completely, if you keep the plant under them for 16 hours a day.
Temperature. Summer and spring Nephrolepis provide content at a temperature of about 22 °C, and if the room temperature rises above 25 °C, it is necessary to increase the mandatory humidity. In winter, the temperature was lowered to 16 °C - this is the best option. If the temperature drops further to 3-4 °C, it is necessary to reduce the number of watering. In summer the plant should stand on a balcony or terrace, but avoid contact with sediments on Nephrolepis and place it in the draft.
Watering. In watering Nephrolepis main golden mean - the substrate must not dry out, but stagnant water in the soil is very harmful to the plant. Therefore, in the summer and spring watered after the topsoil dries - should touch the ground with his finger. In winter, watering a couple of days after the soil surface dries. If you bring the earthen room until dry fronds (leaves large) fern can dry, so to watering should be taken seriously.
Humidity. For Nephrolepis necessary to ensure high humidity. For this fit, two methods that combine desirable. Firstly, it should be sprayed at least once a day, particularly if the ambient temperature is high. Optimally - to spray in the morning and evening. Water take to defend or boiled. Secondly, it is desirable to pot fern containers placed on wet or expanded clay pebbles, but so that the pot was lowered into the water. There is a third option, which should periodically resort - a summer shower. Do not forget to cover the substrate package, so that the water does not leak into the pot.
Fertilizing. It is important to know what to feed Nephrolepis need only spring and summer, ie during the period of active growth. Absolutely can not make fertilizer from the middle to the end of autumn and winter - can lead to serious illness. Fertilizers are often, but not concentrated - weekly, but a quarter part of the concentrations indicated on the package. Nephrolepis suitable fertilizer for decorative foliage plants.
Transplantation. Nephrolepis up to 3 years of age are transplanted each year, and then - every 2-3 years, if necessary, in a pot slightly larger. Transplanted plants in the spring. Pot take shallow and wide as the root system at the surface of ferns. At the bottom of the pot is poured pebbles or expanded clay to provide care of excess water because acidification or long-term soil moisture leads to disease Nephrolepis. Constitute a soil mixture of peat, sand and ground sheet (1:1:4). Can be shifted in equal parts peat moss, and pine land greenhouse and add 1 gram of bone meal per 200 g of substrate. Adding to the substrate charcoal increase plant resistance to root rot. When planting Nephrolepis should be left neck rhizome above the soil. Once moved to a new plant pot during the first two weeks, copiously must wet the substrate.
Reproduction. Nephrolepis produces not only the fronds, but also shoots, leaves, which can take root and get a new plant. Escape or more shoots pressed by a piece of wire to the substrate in another pot (4 h. of leaf, 1 hr. peat and sand). The soil is maintained at all times in the wet state and after will begin to appear on new leaves entrenched escape, his carefully separated and planted in a separate pot. When the plant is well established, then take care of it as for adult plants.
Another possible rozmnozhat division - divide the rhizome Nephrolepis when transplanting plants in early spring. Share best big bush, which at least a dozen points of growth. Otherwise, the plant may die. Nephrolepis planted in individual pots, cover with a plastic bag and put in a bright warm place. The package is removed from time to time, winding plant, moisten the soil and sprayed leaves. It will be some time before the plant goes back into growth, you need to be patient.
Pests. The plant may be affected beetle, mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites and, especially in the dry air in the room.
Possible difficulties
- dry and fall leaves (fronds) Nephrolepis. Too dry air in the room, growing in rooms with central heating and spraying without additional container with water near the pots. Also, low humidity contributes to the defeat of spider mites;
- spots on the leaves - can occur if the plant stands on the south window in direct sunlight - it burns;
- nephrolepis sick, weakened. This happens if the fertilizer will continue to make the arrival of autumn and during the winter. In autumn and winter do not make fertilizers;
- do not rub the leaves of wax. Leaves Nephrolepis can not beeswax or any other means to provide leaves of the plant shine;
- nephrolepis grows poorly - the reason may be in the soil, more precisely in the wrong part of it. It should be light and moisture should not linger in the soil, because it interferes with the normal development of the root system.