Plants suitable for florarium

Plants suitable for florariumWhen the decoration is completed, and the necessary equipment for the florarium is installed, you need to decide what to plant in your plant terrarium. And for this you need to have an idea of ​​the range of crops that can be grown in artificially created tropical conditions.

What small moisture-loving plants are suitable for florariums is described in detail in this article.

Aroids

The Aroid family is one of the largest among monocotyledonous plants: it includes about 105 genera and more than 3000 species. Aroids grow, as a rule, in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. They are also present in regions with a temperate climate, some even enter the subarctic zones, but the generic and species diversity in these regions is insignificant. In our country, plants of this family are represented by the Far Eastern arizema, marsh calamus, and whitefly.

The life forms of aroids are bog and aquatic plants: hydrophytes and aerohydrophytes. Hydrophytes include Cryptocorynes, Lagenandras, Anubias.

Tuberous aroids, depending on the dormant period, are divided into two groups:

  1. With long and deep rest – caladiums, sauromatums;
  2. With short-term and poorly expressed rest – alocasia, zantedeschia.

There is also another life form in aroids, to which a small part of the species belongs: epiphytes. These plants grow and develop their entire life on trees, never coming into contact with the soil. The most typical representatives of epiphytes are lianas, which are subdivided into corn-growing and creeping.

The classic inflorescence of aroids is an ear located in the axil of an inflorescence leaf (bedspread). The main thing in assessing the decorativeness of flowers is just the bedspread. The fruit of aroids is a berry, edible, juicy, in most species with a pleasant aroma.

Plants from the Aroid family, suitable for growing in the florarium, include: alocasia, anthurium, aglaonema, dieffenbachia, kulcasia, syngonium, philodendron, homomene, orchid, epipremnum.

Alocasia

The word Alocasia (Alocasia) consists of the prefix “a”, which corresponds to the Russian union “not”, and the anagram of the word Colocasia – a close genus from the same family.

Plants suitable for florarium

This plant is represented in nature by a relatively small number of species, only about seventy. Alocasia grows in the tropics of Asia, on the island of New Guinea and on the Malay archipelago.

Amateurs attribute alocasia to plants that are very difficult to grow in artificial conditions. One of its “disadvantages” is that the plant sometimes grows up to five meters, and the leaves reach a square meter in area (Alocasia macrorhiza). Its other “drawback” is that alocasia is very sensitive to dry air in apartments, therefore it is suitable only for growing in a florarium. In direct contact with this flower, care must be taken, as its juice is poisonous.

Plants suitable for florarium

Mostly amateurs have a hybrid form of alocasia, which is called “Amazonian alocasia”, or “African mask”. In fact, this is the Asanderiana garden species, exported from the Philippines, and it has nothing to do with plants from the Amazon or from Africa. This species can be identified by the elongated arrow-shaped leaves, which are green with a dark metallic sheen. Leaves are decorated with whitish veins with edging along the edges. With good care, the length of the leaf reaches 35-40 cm, the width is 15 cm.

Alocasia is sun-loving, therefore, it should be placed in the florarium in the brightest corners. The temperature for successful growth and flowering should be at least 20 ° C in summer and at least 18 ° C in winter. In summer, the plant is watered abundantly, constantly monitoring so that the soil does not dry out. But at the same time, it is advisable not to overmoisten it: this can have a detrimental effect on some especially capricious species.

Fertilizers (ordinary complex mineral dressings for indoor plants) are applied every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer, and once a month in winter.

Young alocasia are transplanted annually, and adults – once every two years. The soil should be nutritious, consisting of one part of leafy soil, one part of coniferous (pine), one part of peat and 1/2 part of sand. For copper-red and Amazonian alocasia, add coniferous bark – pine or spruce.

Reproduction is carried out when transplanting in the spring – by dividing the rhizome, by offspring or eyes, which are cut from a herbaceous trunk with pulp. The eyes are rooted in the soil at high air humidity. The surface of the slices is treated with charcoal.

In case of violation of the temperature and watering regime, the plant begins to stem rot, the tips of the leaves turn brown. Alocasia turn yellow when irrigated with hard or chlorinated water, as well as when there is a lack of nutrients or when there is excess nitrogen in the soil. With a lack of light in winter, the leaves of alocasia become small, expressionless.

Alocasia Venti (Alocasia Wentii)

Plants suitable for florarium

This is a large plant, up to one and a half meters high or more. The leaf blades reach a length of 5-6 cm, a width of 4-5 cm, sit on rather fleshy petioles. The color of young leaves is olive, the rest is gray-green with a metallic shade. The reverse side of the leaf is dark red.

The plant is unpretentious, it can grow in partial shade. However, with good lighting it becomes more elegant.

For planting, a nutritious, loose soil is needed, which promotes rapid growth and formation of daughter tubers.

Alocasia copper-red (Alocasia sirgea)

Plants suitable for florarium

This is one of the most spectacular alocasia, but, unfortunately, it is rarely found in our growers. It grows on the limestone rocks of the island of Borneo, which must be remembered when compiling the soil mixture, that is, the soil should in no case have an acidic reaction.

Alocasia copper-red is a small light-loving plant about 50 cm high. Creeping rhizome, 1-1,5 cm thick. The leaf plate is glossy, up to 30 cm long. With good care, it blooms regularly.

Alocasia (Alocasia amazonisa x Wentii)

Plants suitable for florarium

It is a hybrid of two alocasia: Amazonian and Venti. A small plant, not exceeding one meter in height, is very convenient to keep in a florarium. Propagated by daughter nodules. This is a rather unpretentious species that requires moderate lighting.

Anthurium

Anthuriums are common throughout tropical and subtropical America (South Andes and Central Cordillera) at altitudes up to 3400 meters above sea level. Many high-altitude antariums are epiphytes. In the lower zone, at heights from one hundred to three hundred meters, a group of savanna species grows.

Plants suitable for florarium

The genus of anthuriums includes about five hundred species. All of them are herbaceous plants with a thick short stem and internodes. Some species have stems that crawl or climb; the rarest species is tree-like.

The leaves are of various shapes and dissection – from whole to complexly dissected. The cover of the inflorescence is most often green, but there are types of anatriums in which it has a red, purple or pink color. The flowers are arranged in a series of spirals closely pressed together on a cylindrical ear; their shape is either square or diamond-shaped. The flowers are bisexual. Antarium fruits are berries, juicy and fleshy. Seeds are flat-convex, fleshy endosperm.

The plant is light-loving. The optimum temperature for keeping should not be lower than 18 ° C with high humidity.

Anthurium is watered moderately, but sprayed abundantly. When spraying, water should not fall on the flowers: this forms spots that spoil the appearance of the plant. Anthuriums are watered only with soft water at room temperature.

When planting plants, use loose, moisture and air permeable soil. It can be compiled from a ready-made substrate with the addition of peat, coniferous bark and charcoal. Planting pots can be used in different textures, but plastic or glass is better than ceramic.

During planting, it is advisable to wrap the stem of the plant with sphagnum.

Anthuriums are propagated by seeds, apical stem cuttings or by separating shoots with roots.

The seeds are planted after harvesting for 3-5 days. To get seeds, you need to artificially pollinate the flower with a brush. Or you can knock one ear against another.

Anthurium is considered a “male” flower, that is, it symbolizes male happiness, freedom, fire, passion, courage, which gives a reason to present this flower to a man who loves indoor flowers (provided that he does not have such a flower).

Plants suitable for florarium

Anthurium lustrous (Anthurium lucidum Kunth). The homeland of this species is Brazil. Plant with a thick stem, epiphyte. Above, the leaves are dark green, shiny; bottom-pale green, oblong or oblong-ovoid; at the base, heart-shaped; at the very top – short, pointed. The peduncle is thin, 20-30 cm long. The cover is lanceolate, green; as it blooms, it folds back and turns brown. The ear is cylindrical, about 10 cm long, and rests on a short stalk.

Anthurium Bakeri Hook f.

Plants suitable for florarium

Distributed in Central and South America, from Guatemala to Colombia. It is an epiphyte. Interesting for its compound fruits. Leaves are belt-shaped or linear-lanceolate, from 20 cm to 50 cm long and 3-9 cm wide. The underside of the leaf is covered with red-brown glandular punctures. The inflorescence is shorter than the leaves, erect or drooping. It produces a peduncle 5,5-10 cm long. The cover is oblong-lanceolate, leathery, pale yellow-green, lilac at the edges; the ear is creamy white, 2-11 cm long. The berries are double-seeded, bright red.

Climbing Anthurium (Anthurium scandens Engl.)

Plants suitable for florarium

It grows in southern Mexico, the Antilles, Brazil and Colombia, at an altitude of 2700 meters above sea level. Semi-epiphyte with a stem up to one meter long. Numerous roots are located along the entire length of the stem. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate, dense, leathery, up to 13 cm long, 2-3 cm wide.The lower part is covered with dark dots. The peduncle is shorter than the leaves, from 1,5 to 6,5 cm, light green. Bedspread of the same color, from 8 to 16 cm long, 4 cm wide. The ear is yellow-green.

Syngonium

Plants suitable for florarium

Syngonium Schott grows in Central and South America, has 33 species of herbaceous vines and semi-epiphytes. In nature, it grows like a liana, with the formation of numerous aerial roots.

Syngoniums are unusual in that their leaves change as they grow older. In young syngoniums, they are sagittal, not dissected, sitting on a straight handle, and very bright. The older the plant, the more the stems that require support are stretched; leaves acquire clearly defined lobes, three- or five-fingered shape. It is possible to maintain the original appearance of the plant (juvenile period) by trimming the stems as they form. Variegated hybrids look spectacular.

Since the plant curls strongly, a branch wrapped in moss or a bamboo stick is placed in the florarium next to it for support. The plant will cling to them and grow.

It should be noted that any part of the anthurium can cause gastrointestinal disturbances; juice on the skin leads to irritation of the epidermis.

When buying, you need to choose syngoniums with bright, without spots, leaves. Pale leaves are evidence that the plant was undernourished in the nursery. Also check if the stem of the flower is tied well to the support, if it is not cramped in the pot.

Syngoniums are sold in pots with a diameter of 12 to 15 cm, and they grow quickly; it is irrational to place them in larger containers in which they can reach a height of up to 150 cm. In some stores, the plants are sold under the name Nepthytis.

Due to the rapid growth of the plant, an immediate transplant is required after purchase.

Syngoniums propagate by cuttings, which give roots either in a container with water or in a greenhouse (the soil temperature should not be lower than 22 ° C). They bloom only in the florarium; flowers are odorless. For a year, the plant can grow up to 30 cm (6-7 leaves). Loves light, but not bright sunlight.

Syngonium varieties with dark leaves can be planted in a darker area. There are several variegated varieties, but smooth greens are easier to grow, which also grow faster.

The maximum summer temperature should be maintained at 24 ° C, winter – at least 15 ° C. It is better to use cool water when watering; feeding is necessary during the growing season every three weeks (21 days), but only at half of the usually recommended fertilizer dose.

When planting, a soil mixture is used, the basis of which is sod land, mixed with a quarter of the volume of peat. Plants are transplanted and pruned every year in the spring, if necessary, transplanted in the spring and early autumn. When pruning syngonium, leave 15-25 cm of the stem above the pot; shoots appear quickly enough.

With good care, the plant lives for a long time.

For cuttings, the tops of the stems 13-15 cm long are used. The base of the cuttings is sprinkled with hormonal powder for rooting and placed in a greenhouse or in a pot. Cover the pot with a shank on top with a container (half-liter glass jar, cut off with a plastic bottle). When rooting, the temperature should not drop below 18 ° C.

Companions for this plant can be philodendrons, aralia, ivy and plants close to them.

Syngonium Wendlandii Schott

Plants suitable for florarium

The homeland of this tropical guest is Costa Rica. The plant has a green stem. The leaf blades are dark green, velvety; petioles of adult leaves are 10-32 cm long, the main vein is sometimes silvery. Adult leaves are tripartite: middle segment (leaflet) 8-10 cm long, 2-8 cm wide; lateral segments 7-15 cm long, 3-6 cm wide. Does not bloom in culture.

Syngonium auritum Schott

Plants suitable for florarium

Homeland – Antilles. This species is a liana with a green or bluish stem, the diameter of which is 1,5-2 cm. The petioles of adult leaves are 15 to 48 cm long, the leaf plate is tripartite, occasionally quintuple, shiny and smooth, dark green in color. Shares close (merging). The central segment has an oblong-ovoid or elliptical shape, grows in length from 6 to 21 cm, in width – from 3 to 11 cm; the lateral segments are auricular. In culture, it rarely blooms. The inflorescence, consisting of 1-3 flowers, is located in the leaf axil. The bedspread is from 4 to 8,5 cm long, the peduncle is from 7 to 13 cm. The bedspread is dark green outside, light green inside, there is a bronze-red spot on the base. The ear is shorter than the cover, but not much.

Epipremnum

Plants suitable for florarium

The British call Scindapsus “Devil’s ivy”, the Americans call it “the golden lotus”. For a botanist, this is epipremnum: Epipremnum aigeitis.

The homeland of the scindapsus is the humid tropics of Asia. This is a liana with aerial roots, with a heart-shaped leathery leaf plate of green color (it can be mottled with golden patterns). Well suited for decorating the interior of an apartment or office, since it is shade-tolerant enough, with artificial lighting it can be kept even in the darkest corners of the room. But since syndapsus grow better with regular spraying, then, like all tropical plants, it is better to keep them in the florarium. You can place them at the back wall, tying them to a trellis stretched along the wall. Over time, you will end up with a wall of solid greenery.

It multiplies easily. Roots are formed only at the nodes, lateral shoots are laid in the same place. For reproduction, it is better to take apical cuttings. The rest of the shoot is cut into leafy cuttings, into 2-3 parts. The stalk is planted in a moistened grafting mixture and covered with a glass jar: a greenhouse is obtained. Rooting requires warmth and good humidity, so the greenhouse is placed in a warm place with diffused lighting.

The soil for planting scindapsus should be slightly acidic. No lime components are added to the substrate for this plant. Recommended mixture: peat – 2 parts, leafy ground – 2 parts, turf soil – 1 part, sphagnum – 1 part, chopped bark – 1 part. Bark and sphagnum can be replaced with ordinary sand.

This plant does not have a dormant period. Top dressing is carried out once every 2-3 weeks in spring, summer and autumn, and once a month in winter, while the fertilizer concentration should be half as much as in the rest of the year.

The older the scindapsus, the less leaves it has on the lower part of the stem. Over time, this area is completely bare, and then the plant must be grown again. This can be done in 2-3 years using the apical cutting.

The lump of soil under the plant should always be moist, but not excessively: from excess water, the leaves of the scindapsus turn yellow and the stem rot.

Caladium

Plants suitable for florarium

The name of the plant Caladium comes from the Malay word keladi, which means “a plant with edible leaves.” It was originally grown as a vegetable crop. First described and brought to Europe by the French botanist Etienne Pierre Ventenin in 1800.

Caladium has 16 species. It grows along the banks of water bodies and in shady places, flooded with water during the rainy season, in tropical regions of Asia and America. It is now especially widespread in America.

This plant has attracted attention for its unusually bright and varied leaf color. The leaves are quite large: 30 cm long and 15-17 cm wide; have a sagittal shape, located on strong bare petioles. Nondescript and very small branches form a cob. In culture, it rarely blooms.

It grows quickly, despite the fact that it is quite demanding for care, it can die without proper care. Artificially bred hybrid varieties are less problematic.

Unfortunately, Caladium does not please with its beauty for long. Its delightful leaves, with which many indoor plants cannot compete, dry up and fall off by autumn: the plant begins a dormant period. At the end of September, watering is carried out less often, and by the time the leaves die off, they stop altogether. As soon as the substrate dries up, the caladium is removed to rest, which lasts 5-8 months (this corresponds to the natural time of the dry season).

Tuberous rhizomes are stored in sand or in the same substrate in which Caladium grew. The storage area should be dry, well-ventilated and located as far away from radiators as possible. Storage temperature – not lower than 15 ° С. The tubers are not watered at this time, but they are examined as often as possible. If the tubers begin to shrivel, the substrate needs to be slightly moistened. If signs of decay appear, the affected areas are cut with a sharp knife to healthy tissue. The knife is pre-disinfected. Slices are sprinkled with crushed charcoal or powdered fungicide (foundation, benlate, etc.). After about a day, the tuber is placed in dry sand. If most of the tuber has been affected, do not despair: even small pieces of it can germinate.

As soon as a growth bud, the so-called “eye”, has appeared, the plant is planted, after dividing the tuber. Sprinkle the slices with crushed coal and wither slightly. Caladium is cultivated in the same way as its “baby”. Do not water until sprouts appear; as soon as the sprouts appear, they begin to water moderately; after the appearance of the first leaf, the plant needs abundant watering.

Caladium is planted in soil consisting of one part of semi-rotten leaves, one part of leaf humus, one part of neutral peat and 1/2 part of coarse sand. Instead of peat, you can take sphagnum, bark of coniferous trees, perlite. Before laying the soil, drainage is done.

In order for large leaves to form, a deep planting is necessary. Shallow landing contributes to the formation of additional growth points, as well as “children”. In this case, the leaves will be smaller. “Children”, separated from the maternal tuber, are grown separately, in small pots or bowls.

The plant is placed in a light, but slightly shaded corner of the florarium. The temperature for successful growth is maintained at 22-28 ° C, with a constant high humidity. Water should not get on the leaves, so spraying is carried out over the plant, otherwise brown spots will appear on the leaves.

Top dressing is done with organic or complex mineral fertilizers once every two weeks. Fertilizers are finished at the end of August.

Unfortunately, caladiums are very painful for transplanting, because of this, they should not be disturbed during the growing season. As the earth lump is entwined with roots, you can make a transshipment (1-2 times per summer).

There are many decorative caladiums. The most famous of them are as follows:

Plants suitable for florarium

Garden Caladium (C. hortulanum Birdsey) – with sparkling white leaves and dark green veins.

Plants suitable for florarium

Seagull – with green leaves and white veins.

Plants suitable for florarium

Pink Blush – with dark pink or dark red with green leaves.

Plants suitable for florarium

John Pul – with red-green leaves.

Plants suitable for florarium

Caladium Humboldt (C. Humboldtii Schott) – with small leaves covered with white dots.

Plants suitable for florarium

Painted caladium (C. picturatum C. Koch et Bouche) – with long green leaves and prominent white veins.

Spathiphyllum

The list of flowers that are suitable for the florarium includes a plant called spathiphyllum – its photo and description are presented below.

In Russia, spathiphyllum (Shathiphyllum) is often called the “White Sail” – because of the unusual shaped flowers that really look like a small sail. The homeland of spathiphyllum is the tropics of Central and South America.

Plants suitable for florarium

Spathiphyllum is a perennial evergreen herb. It has no main stem, the leaves grow from the root. In natural conditions, it blooms quickly, indoor species (there are 25 of them) bloom from one to one and a half months. Flowering time is spring. The most famous of the indoor species are Wallis’ abundantly flowering and spathiphyllum.

This dwarf plant from an assortment of crops suitable for the florarium loves semi-shady or shady, but warm enough places with high air humidity. Winter temperatures should not drop below 16 ° C. Watering the plant prefers moderate. It is fed every two weeks with any common houseplant fertilizer. Reproduction is carried out by dividing the bush. Transplanted annually.

Plants suitable for florarium

Wallis Spathiphyllum (Shathiphyllum Wallisii). Quite a large plant, reaching 50 cm in height. Inflorescence is an ear up to 4 cm long at the base; it is located on a leg, up to half grows together with the veil.

This plant can also be recommended for keeping in the paludarium.

Plants suitable for florarium

Spathiphyllum profusely blooming (Spathiphyllum floribundum “Domino”). The most spectacular of all types of spathiphyllum.

In the wild, common in the rainforests of Colombia. The plant reaches a height of 50-60 cm. The leaves have an original variegated color.

When kept in a florarium, spathiphyllum abundantly flowering requires moderate, or better, bright illumination with diffused rays. Propagated by dividing the bush.

Like Wallis’s spathiphyllum, this species can be kept in the papudarium.

Orchid

It’s hard to believe, but Europe got acquainted with the orchid (Orchidea) back in the XNUMXth century BC. First of all, people were interested in orchids for their medicinal properties.

Modern taxonomy assigns 25000 species to the orchid family. The vast majority of orchids that grow in nature are completely unnoticed by people, because not all of them are extraordinarily beautiful and attractive.

Plants suitable for florarium

This plant can be called an ideal crop for the home. Orchids do not require compliance with all the growing conditions that they have in their habitats, and the variety of genera and species makes it possible to pick flowers with almost any conditions of maintenance and collect a magnificent collection of them. These plants can be kept not only in the florarium, but also in the paludarium, with tropical amphibians.

Orchids are absolute record holders for the flowering period. For example, papiopedilum flowers last for 2-3 months, and some phalaenopsis bloom continuously throughout the year.

The shade tolerance of these plants makes it possible to place them in the darkest corner of the florarium or paludarium composition, without fear that they will not bloom. Scindapsus and philodendrons can be their neighbors: most orchids are epiphytes, and in nature they often live with them on the same tree. This feature is important to consider when compiling substrates for orchids.

Before buying substrates, it is worth consulting what is the life form of a given plant in nature. So, for epiphytes, a mixture of equal parts of bark, charcoal, fern and sphagnum roots is suitable. This substrate composition is recommended for mesh pots.

Sphagnum makes it possible to retain moisture longer, while giving it away faster than other components. Its appearance clearly shows when to water.

If orchids are planted in ordinary pots with drainage holes from below and air access through the walls is impossible, then such a container is filled with a mixture of charcoal and ground bark, and sphagnum is placed on top. It is advisable to make drainage holes in such a pot from the sides.

When planting orchids in sphagnum without adding any components, care must be taken not to overdry the plant and not flood it. However, using soil with several components is optimal for orchids.

The bulk of indoor orchids are hybrids; there are many hundreds of them. Hybrids differ from their wild counterparts in larger flowers, abundant flowering and smaller size of the plant itself. A special group of such plants is polyploid orchids. They were bred in laboratory conditions and have a set of chromosomes twice as large as that of an ordinary plant; sometimes there are many more than two sets of chromosomes. The flowers of polyploids are also much larger (2-3 times) than those of a natural plant.

If the first experience in keeping and breeding orchids turned out to be positive, you still do not need to collect all types of orchids that can be found in stores. It is better to turn to experienced collectors who will help you professionally approach collecting plants so that the hobby does not become thoughtless, and the apartment does not turn into a jungle that can limit your living space.

It is strictly forbidden to collect wild orchids on their own in the places where they grow. While on vacation in the country of the tropical zone, do not put yourself at risk: at best, pay a fine, at worst, even end up in jail. The export of orchids of all types is prohibited by an international convention governing the import and export of animals, plants and their parts and derivatives. The customs regulations of the countries that are located in the tropical zone are very strict in relation to smuggling. If you want to buy any orchid, buy it in a specialized nursery: they will issue documents confirming the purchase, and the plant you like will cross the border without any problems.

Orchids are plants that do not have a dormant period. They need high air humidity and uniform watering throughout the year. Water for irrigation should have a pH value of 4,0-5,0, with a minimum amount of calcium and magnesium salts, since when spraying these salts settle on the leaves. Top dressing should be done during the period of active growth, that is, in spring and summer, with liquid mineral fertilizers.

As soon as the orchid has faded, it must be transplanted. Gently turning the pot over, remove the plant from the substrate and remove (cut off) all rotten and rotted roots. The remaining roots are washed in running water, then etched in a benlate or foundazol emulsion (0,1% solution) and treated with acaricide and insecticide. After all procedures, they are planted in a fresh substrate. The soil should be rough, inert and well ventilated.

For orchids, pieces of bark, coarse coal, perlite are added to the soil; you can – pieces of foam. Plants are sprayed with “Orchidistillate” in the morning and evening. Fertilizer is applied only three months after planting, while its concentration should be 50 times less than for ordinary plants. Then it is enough to fertilize the orchids once a month. New roots should form 2-3 weeks after transplanting. The plant should not be “poured”: the substrate should be only slightly damp. Air humidity is more important for orchids.

Philodendron

Plants suitable for florarium

The name of the genus Philodendron comes from the Greek words: phileo – “love”, dendron – “tree”. There are about 500 species of philodendron.

These perennial evergreens are common in the humid tropics of America. Partly they lead an epiphytic way of life (vines), partly they are terrestrial plants.

Philodendrons differ in leaves, which are round, oblong, arrow-shaped, heart-shaped, pointed, deeply notched, monochrome green or variegated. Young leaves have a reddish tint underneath.

The plant is weakly branching, herbaceous, rather shade-tolerant, with a fleshy stem. Attached to the support using adventitious roots (suction cups). In nature, it grows to a height of 200 meters or more. Many species form aerial roots, which should preferably be directed into pots to bring moisture to the upper leaves.

Some species of philodendron juice are poisonous. This must be remembered and children should not be in contact with him.

Plants suitable for florarium

As an indoor flower, the philodendron has been popular since the XNUMXth century, although it rarely blooms and bears fruit at home. In the florarium, both a light and a shaded corner will suit him.

Watering in winter is limited: the substrate should be moist, but not wet. In the summer they water regularly and abundantly, while the water should not stagnate in the sump. The leaves are sprayed regularly.

For reproduction, take apical cuttings or stem fragments, cutting off 1-2 nodes (more is possible). A philodendron, which is not a liana species, is propagated by daughter shoots. Philodendrons reproduce quite easily by seeds. Air layers and rhizome pieces are also suitable for breeding the plant.

In order to get a more decorative specimen, 3-4 pieces of stem cuttings that have already taken root are planted in a pot.

The planting mixture is made up of leafy earth, humus, peat and sand, taken in equal quantities. Top dressing in the summer is done with full fertilizer every two weeks; flowering plants are fed every week. In winter, fertilizers are applied once a month.

Young plants are transplanted every year in spring, old ones – after 2-3 years, but the topsoil and they need to be changed every year.

Climbing Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)

Plants suitable for florarium

This is one of the most popular types of philodendron, because it is shade-tolerant, unpretentious and small in size. The leaves of this ampelous plant are glossy, heart-shaped, rarely reaching ten centimeters in length. The substrate is compost, bark and coarse sand, taken in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. Watering is moderate, but regular, throughout the year.

Plants suitable for florarium

Blushing Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens). An unbranching liana native to the humid mountain forests of Colombia. Leaves are leathery, pointed, at a young age have a reddish-brown color.

This plant is located in the florarium in the brightest place, since light plays an important role in the color of its leaves and stem: the lighter the place, the more intense the red color of the leaves.

This type of philodendron requires a support in the form of a driftwood with moss fixed on it, otherwise it will not grow up, but give side shoots and lose most of its attractiveness.

Philodendron verrucosum

Plants suitable for florarium

It is one of the most beautiful philodendron species. It grows in the mountain forests of Costa Rica and Ecuador. Its decoration is not only large, emerald green, velvety leaves, the inside of which has a reddish tint, but also leaf petioles, densely covered with warty bristles. The size of the leaves is from 35 to 45 cm in length and 25 cm in width.

Philodendron golden black (Philodendron melanochrysum)

Plants suitable for florarium

It is no less beautiful than the previous species. Grows in the Colombian part of the Andes (mountain system). Young leaves are small, reaching 8-10 cm in length. Gradually, each subsequent leaf grows longer. Then leaves appear up to 80-90 cm long; they grow crowded, partially overlapping each other, as a result of which they begin to resemble the shields of ancient warriors who took up a perimeter defense.

Homalomen

Homalomen (Homalomena) is a genus of plants, including up to 150 species, which are distributed in tropical regions of South America and Asia.

Plants suitable for florarium

Homalomena looks like a very common indoor flower in our country – dieffenbachia – but just below it.

Depending on the species, the leaves of homolomena have a different color and shape – elongated, broad-oval or heart-shaped. For example, in Homapomena, squat, they are elongated, in Homalomena reddening – heart-shaped, with a reddish tint, in Homalomena Wallis (Curmeria Wallisii) – wide-oval, olive-green in color, with yellowish-silvery spots. The leaves grow up to 20-25 cm in length, diverging to the sides and forming a rosette with a diameter of 35-40 cm.

Homalomena with its glossy leaves can serve as the basis for compositions in the florarium and the background for beautifully flowering plants such as achimenes, anthurium, saintpaulia.

Due to the highly branched rhizome, the plant grows very quickly throughout the year. It blooms rarely, while the inflorescences are ugly, outwardly resembling a spathiphyllum flower. They should be immediately removed (cut off) after their appearance.

Homalomena is a light-loving plant, but prefers diffused light. Shade tolerates well, although in this case it grows more slowly. Loves warmth, does not tolerate drafts. With good care, it grows for many years.

The soil should be kept moist at all times, but waterlogging leads to yellowing of the lower leaves. The leaves are sprayed with soft warm water, this helps to maintain the brightness of their color.

Top dressing is carried out during the growing season once every 2-3 months, with a complex fertilizer. Homalomena responds very well to organic fertilizers. They bring it to the surface of the soil (you can sprinkle the substrate with a dry mullein). With abundant feeding, the flower grows poorly, giving abundant small foliage.

The plant propagates by dividing the rhizome. The lateral processes are cut at the points of their departure from the main rhizome. In this case, a piece of the cut rhizome must have its own roots. The place of the cut is sprinkled with charcoal, the “kids” are planted in small pots, creating greenhouse conditions. After rooting, slightly grown shoots are transplanted into other containers.

Homalomene is transplanted in spring or summer (and with rapid growth of rhizomes, it can be transplanted at any time). When transplanting, part of the lateral shoots is removed so that the bush is not very thick and the leaves do not shade each other.

The soil for planting should be light, with a high humus content, slightly acidic. The basis of the substrate is peat with the addition of coarse sand. Drainage is arranged at the bottom of the pot.

Here you can see photos of live mini-plants suitable for indoor tropical florarium, a list of which with names and descriptions is presented on this page:

Plants suitable for florarium
Plants suitable for florarium
Plants suitable for florarium
Plants suitable for florarium

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Anna Evans

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