Care for spathiphyllum: how to water this flower?
An unusual form of inflorescence causes an incorruptible interest in the spathiphyllum plant. This flower can turn into a cozy place, even the most unsightly room. At the same time, the plant is not capricious in care, but it has its own nuances.
They concern watering, for each culture a certain need for moisture is important. The vital processes of spathiphyllum directly depend on the quality of hydration. This and other important factors of care for this beautiful plant can be found in this article.
The importance of watering
A key role in the rational care of a flower belongs to watering. The plant belongs to tropical varieties, prefers moist soil, but can not stand the stagnation of liquid in a flowerpot. It is important to water the plant evenly.
In addition to the moist earth, spathiphyllum loves humid indoor air and spraying. It does not fit if you put a tray with moistened moss or sand next to the pot. At different stages of vegetation, a certain need for moisture. Especially watering control is needed when changing seasons.
How often to spend at different times of the year?
Spathiphyllum should be watered all year round. During flowering, abundant watering is needed, at other times moderate. But the main thing is not to let the soil dry out. The subtleties of watering the plant, depending on the season, are as follows:
- In the spring-summer period, the plant should be moistened daily or 1 time in 2 days.
- Watering depends on the condition of the soil in the pot.
- If the soil is moist, do not moisten the flower.
- In the autumn-winter period, the volume of fluid consumed sharply decreases. This is due to the state of rest in which the plant is located (we talked more about caring for spathiphyllum in the winter here).
- In cold weather, the frequency of watering is 2-3 times a week. Again, you need to pay attention to the dryness of the soil.
- It is recommended to arrange a flower bath days. Water it in the shower, moisturizing and washing off the dust from the leaves. After this procedure, do not water for two days.
- During flowering, usually in summer, the plant needs additional nutrition. You need to feed 2-3 times a month.
- In warm times, you should regularly spray the leaves.
- In winter, the number of fertilizers is reduced to 1 time in 30-45 days.
How to irrigate a flower Women's happiness?
For high-quality irrigation of spathiphyllum, you must first prepare the water. Water from the tap will not work, it has increased rigidity. In such water, a large number of salts, the deposition of which subsequently negatively affects the condition of the plant. A white coating appears on the leaves, the surface of the soil, the soil is salted, as a result, it becomes dense, and there is not enough air permeability. Thus, it is important to monitor the quality of the fluid used.
Before use, you need to filter the water or resort to simple boiling. As a result, the water will become softer, and at the same time get rid of chlorine, impurities. Purification of tap water is done in this way: dissolve half a kilogram of peat in 5 liters of water, after which the water becomes soft and slightly acidified.
It’s still good to water the plant with settled water with the addition of lemon juice or citric acid. Also, special tablets are used to soften the water, which can be purchased at flower shops.
Water for humidification should be taken warm with a temperature of 30-40 ° C or room temperature.Periodicity
The frequency of humidification of a houseplant, that is, how many times a week to water, as already mentioned, depends on the state of the soil in the pot. The first signs that spathiphyllum requires hydration are the crust on the upper layer of the earth, as well as drooping leaves. In such a situation, be sure to water the plant, and if possible, spray the foliage.
The frequency of watering corresponds to the temperature in the room. At high temperatures - water more often, if the room is cool, then humidification is minimized. On average, moisten a flower every two days.
Another factor on which the frequency of irrigation depends is the size and material of the pot. When using a clay, porous flowerpot, moisten normally, and if plastic, watering is reduced. Size also matters, the larger the pot, the less often it is watered, because there is a reserve. From a small flowerpot, the plant drinks all the liquid faster, more often perform hydration.
Step-by-step instruction
Be sure to prepare water before starting watering, by settling, filtering. Also monitor its temperature.
- Analyze the soil. According to the rules, when the soil is wet, watering is not necessary, if the surface is dry, then it's time.
- Pour the prepared liquid into a watering can with a long nose.
- Carefully water the flower, it is desirable that the water does not fall on the leaves. If the foliage or flowers are still wet, the moisture should be removed with a dry cloth.
- When the soil has darkened, then watering is finished.
- The excess liquid is drained from the pan, which is located under the flower pot.
- To saturate the soil with oxygen, be sure to loosen the top layer. A depth of 1 cm will be enough.
How not to do?
A big problem when caring for spathiphyllum is overflow. Excessive moisture in the pot can be detrimental to the plant. Excess moisture may indicate poor drainage.
What else is considered improper watering:
- Stick to certain days or dates, not taking into account the condition of the earth.
- Moisturize the flower with cold, icy water.
- Frequent watering in conditions of low room temperature.
- Wait until the soil is completely dry.
- Lack of watering for more than 5 days is critical for spathiphyllum.
The consequences of incorrect actions
With waterlogging
A common cause of death of indoor plants is the soil gulf. Therefore, moisturize spathiphyllum should be in moderation. With excessive moisture, the roots cannot breathe, and the process of decay begins.
Important! Excess water can lead to mold, the development of fungal diseases.External signs of waterlogging of the soil:
- the stalk becomes soft;
- mold appears on the ground;
- the plant fades;
- the leaves turn black, dark spots appear on them.
If this happened with the flower, it should be transplanted urgently. Remove the rotten parts of the plant, disinfect the sections. Still sick spathiphyllum should be treated with a fungicide solution.
With insufficient watering
Dry soil is also not the best option. Lack of life-giving moisture negatively affects the appearance, flowering, foliage growth. The plant begins to gradually dry out, and returning it to its previous state is not so simple.
Symptoms of a lack of fluid: yellow tips and sluggish leaves that turn yellow over time dry out. The first thing to do in such a situation is to arrange a warm shower. To moisten the soil, moisten the foliage.
When using low-quality water
Another consequence of improper watering is yellow tips on the leaves and the appearance of white spots. This phenomenon is associated with low-quality water. Moistening with hard water with a high salt content can cause similar symptoms. Actions to eliminate the disease:
- Rinse the roots under running water.
- Get rid of white plaque leaves.
- Refresh soil and transplant a flower.
- Subsequently, use purified water.
Home Care
This houseplant is not demanding, but needs competent care.
- The flower feels great in partial shade or in the shade. But if the flowers have become smaller, then there is little light. Avoid direct sunlight.
- The optimum temperature of the room in which the plant is located is + 20-24 ° С, during the cold season + 18 ° С.
- Exclude the presence of drafts.
- Humidity spathiphyllum prefers increased, approximately 60-70%.
- Spraying is preferably done 2-3 times a day.
- Spatiphyllum transplantation is advised to perform every 3-4 years.
- Soil for a houseplant is chosen special, suitable for this particular species.
What kind of fertilizing can I add?
For the full development of one watering is not enough. It is also important to add extra nutrients. During flowering, the number of fertilizers for spathiphyllum should be 2-3 per month. It is advisable to use organomineral fertilizers, with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus. In the process of vegetation, it is better to use nitrogen minerals. When the flower is at rest, it should be fed no more than 1 time per month.
Mineral preparations must be applied exclusively to wet roots and after the main watering, otherwise burns to the root system are possible.In this way, Knowing all the features of watering and the required parameters in the room, you can grow a wonderful spathiphyllum. Which will delight all households with an interesting look and original flowering. It will also bring exclusively positive emotions and attributed magical qualities to the house.