Dieffenbachia is an indoor evergreena plant of the Araceae family, which has a strong trunk and expressive leaves. In total, this genus currently includes about forty species. Dieffenbachia is native to the tropics of America, and it received its name in honor of the famous German botanist Joseph Dieffenbach. Depending on the species of dieffenbachia, the color of its leaves may differ. They can be white or green, have spots, stripes or a thin border and many other forms. If you keep the plant in the right conditions and properly care for it, it can please you with flowers that look like cobs wrapped in a white and green "blanket". Indoor dieffenbachias can reach two meters, again, depending on the specific variety. This plant is extremely sensitive to external sources - it is very important to create the necessary conditions for active growth. Generally speaking, dieffenbachia needs frequent watering and spraying, it does not tolerate drafts and significant temperature changes. When purchasing a flower, pay attention to such a nuance as the toxicity of the juice, which can not only irritate the skin, but also cause temporary dumbness if it gets into the mouth. The healing properties of the plant are also known. Dieffenbachia is often purchased for manufacturing plants, because it perfectly cleans the air of such heavy toxins as benzene, xylene and formaldehyde. Dieffenbachia copes well with other harmful substances. By the way, dracaena has the same properties. In general, indoor plants themselves allow you to create a special, natural atmosphere in the room.
The basic rules for the care of the Dyrenbenbach
- Room lighting
Dieffenbachia does not tolerate direct sunlight.This is why the plant cannot be grown in bright sunlight. Those species that have variegated bright leaves need more diffused light than species with regular green leaves. In case of insufficient light, dieffenbachia leaves can lose their special decorativeness and expressiveness. Dark green varieties will feel great in the corner of the room, in the depths, but, at the same time, the presence of artificial lighting is necessary.
- Temperature conditions
At the beginning it was already said that the plant is nottolerates drafts and temperature fluctuations. In spring and summer, dieffenbachia should be kept at a temperature of 21-25 degrees. In winter, the optimal regime will be 18-20 degrees. Be sure to pay attention to such nuances, otherwise negative consequences for the plant are possible.
- Watering
Use soft, infused water for watering.day. In autumn and winter, dieffenbachia should be watered two days after the top layer of soil dries. From March to August, abundant, good watering is necessary. But try not to flood the plant - maintain an optimal balance. If the soil experiences excess moisture, dieffenbachia will shed its leaves.
- Humidity
Spray indoor dieffenbachias regularly,Wash the leaves weekly. You can also give the plant a "summer shower". To do this, cover the soil in the pot with perforated cellophane film and water it from a watering can. If the dieffenbachia is not large enough to give it such a shower, then simply wipe the leaves with a soft cloth.
- Proper feeding
Active growth of the plant is observed inspring-summer season. This is when you need to fertilize dieffenbachia three times a month, using half the volume of a specific fertilizer. It is worth choosing those fertilizers that contain lime. When fertilizing the plant with organic matter, do not forget that varieties with white leaves can turn green due to excess nitrogen. Especially if the dieffenbachia does not receive enough light. In general, it is better to feed such species with mineral substances approximately once every three weeks.
- Falling leaves
As the plant grows, it becomes bare and begins toactively shed lower leaves. For this reason, Duffenbachia needs to be rejuvenated, for which the top of the plant is cut off (2 cm below the node). After cutting, it is necessary to wash off the milky juice and wipe it with a napkin and lightly powder it with crushed coal. This will allow the plant to acquire young leaves.
- Transfer
When is it necessary to replant dieffenbachia?When the pot is tightly filled with roots. It is best to replant from February to May. If the dieffenbachia grows rapidly, then you will have to do a summer transplant. In this case, transshipment is recommended without touching the earthen lump. Both transplantation and transshipment require a larger pot and a new drainage layer. The soil must necessarily pass air and moisture. If water is tightly retained in the substrate, then sooner or later the roots will die. In addition, the plant will be exposed to infection, as a result of which the leaves will be covered with painful spots. It is better to use a slightly acidic substrate, to which you can add ground coal (wood). Pour expanded clay on the bottom of the new pot - this will allow excess moisture not to linger in the soil layer.
- Virulence
We have already said that dieffenbachia is poisonousmilky juice. It causes rashes, severe irritation, swelling of glands, tongue, and this is not the entire list of possible reactions. Work with the plant very carefully. When replanting or propagating it, use rubber gloves. After working, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
Difficulties in growing dienenbachia
Any indoor plants during the growing period canface a number of problems. Dieffenbachia is no exception. Of course, if the proper conditions are not met, it can get sick, which will manifest itself in a deterioration in appearance. For example, if you do not water the dieffenbachia regularly, it can shed its lower leaves. The second reason may be the wrong size of the pot. If you observe that the tips of the plant leaves are drying out, then it is more difficult to identify the cause. This can be due to temperature changes, as well as insufficient air humidity, poor drainage or frequent drafts. Spraying the dieffenbachia in the dark can also be the cause. Avoid this to prevent the foliage from drying out. Has the color of the leaves become dull? Perhaps the plant lacks light or some microelements, phosphorus or potassium. This can also be affected by excess nitrogen in the substrate, which was mentioned earlier. If the leaves themselves grow small and lose their original shape, then reduce the amount of alkali in the substrate - then the dieffenbachia will acquire its original appearance. Another problem is stem rot, which manifests itself in the loss of color and elasticity. This can be caused by low temperatures or acidification of the soil. At the onset of the disease, simply cut out the rotting part and rub the damaged area with charcoal. If this is not possible, then cut off the top and root it, and what is left of the dieffenbachia will have to be thrown away.
The wreckers of the diffenbahia and the fight against them
Despite the fact that dieffenbachia is poisonousjuice, it does not help it fight all the many pests that attack it, in particular, scale insects and mites. Periodically, the plant is infected with aphids. Spider mites - red spider - usually appear on the bottom of the leaves. It envelops the foliage in cobwebs. You can get rid of it by washing the foliage or spraying it, using water in combination with tobacco infusion and green soap. You can use ground sulfur, which you need to dust the underside of the leaves. Sometimes you can use ready-made insecticides. This applies to the fight against both mites and scale insects. Aphids have different colors. They can be black, green, and gray. Aphids, like mites, like to live on the underside of foliage, feeding on the juice of the plant. As a result, you will begin to observe the drying out of the leaves and their gradual curling. These insects reproduce rapidly, so it is best to destroy them using ready-made preparations. If you use ready-made insecticides, then carefully follow all the requirements specified by the manufacturer on the packaging of the product. Try not to exceed or reduce the required doses of specific substances. The same applies to the mixtures and solutions you have prepared. And in no case do not forget to protect the soil with polyethylene while caring for the plant.
Varieties of Diffenbachia
The most popular type in Russia is considered to beSpotted Dieffenbachia, the leaves of which are oval in shape, and their length can sometimes reach 60 centimeters. The color is green with specks, there are also light-colored spots, often white - it all depends on the specific flower. The shape of the spots can be different - they can merge into a large spot or be small and scattered throughout the leaf. Another type is Amoena. It has dark-colored leaves, on which nature has applied a marble pattern, located, as a rule, in the direction of the lateral veins. An example of a species is Tropic Snow, distinguished by a huge number of stripes and strokes on the foliage. There are many subspecies of Amoena, and they are all beautiful and special in their own way. Bausei is a powerful hybrid. It can reach 90 centimeters in height. It has yellow-green leaves with dots on a dark green background. Bausei leaves are usually 20-30 centimeters long. One of the most popular subspecies of the plant, which has some special features of care and maintenance. Diffenbachia Bowmannii stands out among other species in that its leaves can grow up to 75 centimeters in length! The foliage is cream or white in color. The specks can be both dark and light. Many forms of this dieffenbachia have pronounced white variegation, which looks very beautiful! Please note: during the flowering of the plant, dieffenbachia flowers need additional care, which depends on the specific species or variety of a particular plant.
Methods of reproduction of diffenbachia
Indoor flowers and plants can reproducein various ways. In the case of dieffenbachia, there are several main methods. For example, by apical stem cuttings or by air layering. Dieffenbachia usually reproduces from a cutting in the spring and summer. The process is impossible without phytohormones. You will need wet sand. This type of soil will be the most ideal for rooting cuttings. Using a mini-greenhouse will allow you to get the desired result faster. From May to September, dieffenbachia actively reproduces by air layering. Here, an old plant is used, where the stem is already bare. A small cut (5 mm) is made on it, just below the leaf. Now take a wet match, which is dipped in a special hormonal powder created specifically for cuttings. This match must be inserted into the fresh cut so that it cannot close. Wrap the place of layering with wet moss, and then tie it with raffia. Cover it all with a film on top. In a couple of months, you will begin to notice roots breaking through the moss. When the roots get stronger, you can cut off the petiole. It is better to do this below the roots, and then transplant into a pot. After the air cuttings have separated, the remainder of the stem is divided into cuttings, cutting it into equal parts, each of which should have a dense place where there used to be a leaf. This place is the bud. This is where the dormant buds are hidden for now. The stem cuttings need to be well sprinkled with charcoal and left to dry for a day. Pre-prepared cuttings are placed vertically in the substrate, be sure to observe the direction of growth. You can also lay out the cuttings horizontally, deepening them only halfway. After watering, these cuttings need to be covered with a polyethylene bag or a regular jar. Do not forget to ventilate the room twice a day. The rooting process will occur at a temperature of up to 25 degrees. If the temperature is below 22 degrees, it would not be superfluous to use a heated greenhouse. Actually, these are the basic rules for caring for dieffenbachia. Taking into account everything that was said above, you can grow a real miracle at home. Dieffenbachia is a plant that not only impresses with its appearance, but also has a positive effect on health. As they say, two in one! The choice of varieties and types of dieffenbachia is amazing, so do not doubt that from this variety you will choose a plant for your apartment. It is only important to create all the vital conditions for it.
