There are few plants on Earth, surrounded by so many will, beliefs and prejudices, like spathiphyllum. Among the names of the flower - "lily of the world", "white sail", "flower-cover" ...
Did you know? Spathiphyllum was first found in the jungles of Ecuador and Colombia and described by Gustav Wallis, a plant collector from Germany, in the 1870s. One of the species is named after the researcher (Wallis did not return from the expedition).
People of the Pacific are often referred to as "female flower", "female happiness" and believe that it can help:
- for an unmarried girl to find the betrothed;
- childless - to give birth to an heir;
- spouses - to achieve harmony and satisfaction in marriage.
In South America, the period of Indian mating rituals was at the beginning of the flowering of this flower.
Spathiphyllum: origin, description and species
Homeland of spathiphyllum - perennial evergreen herbaceous plant - marshy shores of rivers and lakes of tropical forests of South and Central America, Southeast Asia. The main types of spathiphyllum are common in Brazil, Colombia, Guiana, Trinidad, Venezuela, the Philippines.
The flower gets its name from the Greek words: "Spata" and "phillum" ("veil" and "leaf"). The inflorescence of a plant is a small white spadix (consists of small flowers) and a white bract, covering it like a spathe (after the flower has faded, it will turn green). Height - 30 - 60 cm.
"Woman's happiness", usually blooms in spring (some species - the second time - in the autumn-winter). Inflorescences keep 1,5 months.
Important! Spathiphyllum does not tolerate drafts and bright sun.
The leaves are large, lance-like, emerald green, with a glossy shine. In spathiphyllum, the stem is almost absent, and the leaves grow immediately from the ground. Inflorescence has a pleasant smell.
Flower care is uncomplicated, spathiphyllum is unpretentious:
- tolerates penumbra and scattered rays of the sun;
- comfortable temperature in the summer - + 22-23, in the winter - not below + 16 ° C;
- propagated by cuttings (apical) or division of rhizomes;
- prefers slightly acidic soil;
- in the summer, he likes abundant watering and spraying, in the winter - moderate.
Important! When flowering need to ensure that water does not fall on the inflorescence
In total in the world there are 45 species of the genus Spathiphyllum. Flower "Female happiness" (as indoor culture) includes only some species. Thanks to the selection work, many new hybrid ornamental varieties have appeared (Mauna Loa, Adagio, Figaro, Kroshka, Alpha, Quatro, etc.). They are hardier and bloom year-round.
Wallis's Spathiphyllum is the most domestic flower
The plant is ideal for growing in a room (there are dwarf varieties of spathiphyllum).The height of the Spathiphyllum of Wallis is 20-30 cm. The leaves (4-6 cm wide, 15-24 cm long) are lanceolate, dark green. The white cob is small (from 3 to 4 cm), the white blanket is three times longer than the cob. Blossoming is plentiful and long (from spring to autumn).
Did you know? Spathiphyllum has a beneficial effect on the environment: eliminates harmful substances from the air (formaldehydes, carbon dioxide, benzene, xylene, etc.), releases oxygen, destroys mold, harmful bacteria, reduces colonies of microorganisms.
Cannular spathiphyllum: on a windowsill from Thailand
This is not a very big spathiphyllum. His homeland - the island of Trinidad (in Thailand, this species grows only as indoor culture). The dark green ellipse-like leaves (25-40 cm long, 8-16 cm wide) of the cannolic leaf spathiphyllum resemble canna leaves. The smooth yellow-green cob (5-10 cm) on the peduncle (up to 20 cm) has a strong pleasant smell. The veil (length from 10 to 22 cm, width 3-7 cm) is white on top, green below - 2 times longer than the cob.
Fruits rarely. It does not occur often.
The most compact and attractive Spathiphyllum "Chopin"
Spathiphyllum "Chopin" - a hybrid variety. The small size of the spathiphyllum (height not higher than 35 cm), compactness and decorativeness made it very popular among florist-lovers. The leaves are bright green and shiny. The cover has an elongated shape and a greenish tint. Flowering time - from March to September (blooms 6-10 weeks).
Did you know? During the growing season (March - September) it is possible to feed the flower with fertilizers without lime ("Azalic", etc.).
Spathiphyllum "Sensation" - the largest of its kind
Spathiphyllum "Sensation" bred in Holland. Height - 1.5 m. Large dark green ribbed leaves (length - 70-90 cm, width - 30-40 cm). The length of the inflorescences with a snow-white wide oval cover can reach up to 50 cm. The plant tolerates darkening better than other varieties of spathiphyllum. Watering should be carried out with soft water.
Important! Signs of lack of light - the leaf is drawn out, becomes dark green, flowering stops
Spathiphyllum "Domino" - the most interesting view
It is a decorative low variety with variegated leaf color (leaves are dense, white strokes on a green background). Inflorescence of greenish or white-yellow cob and white bedspread. More light-requiring. In the evenings, the strong aroma disappears.
Domino sizes are medium (height - 50 - 60 cm, leaf length - 25 cm, width - 10 cm. Flowering - from March to September (about 6-8 weeks).
Spathiphyllum "Picasso" - an unusual newcomer
This new variety is also bred in Holland (based on a Wallis spathiphyllum). Should have replaced Dominoes. But to press "Domino" he failed - requires more bright lighting (without direct sunlight).
This variety is distinguished by a high decorative effect: green and white stripes randomly alternate on leaves. It is necessary to remove wilted inflorescences in time so that new ones appear faster.
Spathiphyllum is blooming - the name speaks for itself
Plant height - up to 50 cm. The leaves are light green (length 13-20 cm, width 6-9 cm) have a wavy edge. Peduncles - up to 25 cm. The cover is white (length 4-8 cm, width 1.5-3 cm). Cob length - 2.5-5 cm. Abundant bloom - all year round. Cut flowers can be kept in water for up to 3 months.
Important! Spathiphyllum is moderately poisonous: calcium oxalate can lead to burning after contact with mucous membranes and in the respiratory tract, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.In the article, you met a variety of types of "female happiness." We hope that a beautiful flower will bring to your home not