Nolina flower is a succulent plant that belongs to the Agave family. It got its name in honor of the famous French botanist and gardener. Thanks to its unusual shape and easy care at home, this flower, or rather, a small tree, is popular among amateur flower growers.
Unusual indoor palm takes root well, does not cause much trouble to the owners: this tropical perennial plant is one of the most unpretentious.
Description
Under natural conditions, nolina is widespread in Mexico, where it grows up to 10 meters in height. In indoor floriculture, the plant rarely exceeds 1.5 meters. At the base, the straight stem of the flower expands, taking on the shape of a jug. The trunk of the plant has the ability to accumulate moisture. Thanks to this, nolina received a second name - a bottle tree. The long and narrow leaves of the flower at the top are collected in a lush rosette. This thick bun gave rise to another name - a horse's tail.
The surface of the sheet is hard, resilient, with well-marked grooves. Young leaves grow from the center of the green tuft. bloomingnolina can only be seen in natural conditions. White-yellow flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences with a strong and pleasant aroma. Unfortunately, at home, the plant does not bloom. After pollination of flowers, seed pods are formed on the plant, in which rounded flat seeds of dark color are located.
Nolina has a strong brown or gray trunk structure. The bark is rough, covered with cracks. Under it is a moist green pulp. The extended part of the trunk is called the caudex. Above it is a narrower trunk, sometimes there are several of them, and each of them is crowned with a bunch of dense green foliage.
The plant is shrouded in legends, omens and superstitions. It is believed that at home nolina maintains peace and harmony in the family, relieves rage and anger.
The genus of these tropical plants consists of 30 species. However, in indoor floriculture, only one is grown - a bent nolina. Home care is not burdensome even for beginner gardeners. The main thing is to follow the simple rules of plant maintenance.
In many floriculture publications you can see a photo of a nolina flower. Home care mostly comes down to proper lighting and regular watering.
Transfer
This is the first procedure that should be carried out after purchasing a plant in a flower shop. The soil and the shipping pot are not suitable for keeping nolina indoors. plant potshould be shallow, wide, with a diameter larger than the trunk by about 5 cm. Its thickened part should remain on the surface, and the rest in the soil. Only the root system is placed in the substrate. It is necessary to spread the roots evenly throughout the pot.
Basic Transplant Requirements:
- The procedure is carried out in early spring.
- An adult plant is transplanted no more than once every three years.
- The need for a transplant can be determined by the growth of nolina: if it has slowed down, then the plant needs a transplant.
- Another sign is roots appearing in the drainage holes.
After transplanting, the plant is not watered for about 7 days. If nolina is transplanted due to her illness, then watering begins after 10 days.
Soil
The composition of the substrate should include leafy soil, peat and sand. It is advisable to add a little humus to the mixture. Plant growth is activated by adding sod land. As a soil, you can use a ready-made mixture for cacti. When transplanting, pay attention to the drainage layer. It is necessary to prevent stagnant water.
Nolina: home care, photo
Despite the fact that the plant is undemanding to the conditions of detention, nolina care should be regular. Otherwise, the plant will die - the leaves will begin to dry, the caudex will rot, the plant will stop growing. Nolina care (we posted a photo in this article) involves compliance with certain requirements for watering, lighting, maintaining temperature,fertilizer, humidity.
With frequent watering and insufficient lighting, the plant forms a dense and lush crown. With rare watering and good lighting, the trunk at the base expands, acquiring the shape of a bottle, and the crown begins to resemble a palm tree.
Lighting
The plant feels best on the southeast windows. Despite the fact that the plant loves heat, direct sunlight should be avoided. In winter, it is better to rearrange the tree in partial shade, but it must be a window sill: in this case, the plant receives the necessary amount of light even in the cold season. If there is not enough natural light in your room, you will have to use artificial light. A table lamp is suitable for this.
Temperature
The peculiarity of caring for nolina during active growth is that the plant needs to adapt to room temperature. In summer, it can be taken out into the street (loggia, balcony) because it loves warmth. If in winter the temperature is above +18 ° C, the plant will continue to grow actively. If it drops to +12 ° C, then the tree must be prepared for this in advance. Lower the temperature in the house gradually.
Irrigation
Perhaps you have seen in magazines on indoor floriculture a photo of a nolina flower, the care of which is not difficult, but has some features. This applies in particular to irrigation. In the warm season, the plant is watered abundantly. There are several watering methods, but experienced flower growers prefer the lower one - through the pallet. Periodically you canimmerse the pot in which the flower grows in water. Wait a few minutes for the soil to soak and allow excess water to drain.
The soil needs to dry well between waterings. The interval is usually 4-6 days. The next watering is carried out after the earthen ball dries completely. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum (no more than once a week). The number of water procedures may be different, since it depends on the air temperature: if it is high (above +25 °C), the summer regime is maintained, at low (+15 °C) watering is stopped completely.
You need to spray the leaves regularly. They can be wiped with a damp cloth. This is especially true if the air in the apartment is dry. To do this, you must use settled water.
Reproduction
Experienced flower growers recommend that beginners purchase a bottle tree in a specialized store. Nolina care involves plant propagation - sooner or later this will have to be done. In room conditions, the tree propagates in two ways - side cuttings and seeds. More simple and convenient - the first. Although, it must be admitted that both methods take a lot of time.
Seed propagation
Nolina grows from seeds for quite a long time. Having bought a bag in the store, you first need to sort out the seeds. Defective, dried, rotten immediately discard. To reveal them, soak all the seeds for a day in warm water. Floating grains are unsuitable for planting. Then the selected seeds should be soaked for a day or two in a growth stimulator. For this, the preparations "Epin", "Zircon" are suitable.
These products have the following benefits:
- increase resistance to diseases and pests;
- accelerate the rooting process;
- improve plant characteristics;
- simplify adaptation to external conditions.
Sown seeds in a pre-prepared substrate of sand and peat in a ratio of 1:1.
By the time of sowing, it must be moistened. The seeds are laid out on the surface of the substrate at a distance of about three centimeters from each other, and sprinkled on top with a thin layer of earth. Some flower growers advise covering the pot with glass or film. It should be replaced when condensation appears on it. This is usually done once a week.
Then put the seed pot in a warm and bright place. The optimum temperature is +25 °C. Lighting is required at night. Daylight hours for nolina must be at least 12 hours.
Propagation by shoots
This method is much simpler, although it has one peculiarity: nolina rarely sprouts in indoor floriculture. But if a process has appeared that can be separated, then this method can be used.
Preparation
Carefully cut the stem as close to the base of the stem as possible. Immediately lubricate the cut with a solution of manganese or sprinkle with crushed activated carbon. Dry the shoots for at least five hours. The bottom layer of leaves must be cut off. You can leave only 3-4 top leaves.
Landing
The planting container is filled with a mixture of peat, sand and vermiculite, slightly moistened. Make a small hole in the center and plant a shoot. Lightly compact the soil around it.
Care
Cover the seedling with a liter glass jar and place the plant in a warm and bright place. The temperature in the room where the plant is located must be at least +25 ° C until the nolina takes root. When 3-4 leaves appear on the top of the process, as well as along its length, the jar can be removed.
Using this method, you can use the Zircon stimulator during growth. When the leaves appear, care is carried out as usual, as for an adult plant.
Diseases of room nolina
The plant is quite resistant to diseases and pests. If they occur, then the reason for this is improper care of the plant. This can be corrected by adjusting nolina's containment conditions:
- Excessive moisture leads to root rot. The plant informs the owner about this with drying leaves. Let the soil dry well.
- If the air in the room is too dry, you will see that the leaves of the plant have turned black and deformed. Spray the flower and wipe the top with a wet sponge.
- With a lack of lighting, the plant loses its decorative effect.
- To the development of the fungus is a heavy soil that retains moisture. In this case, the plant can be helped by replacing the substrate with a more moisture-permeable one, treating nolina with fungicides.
Pests
Whenlow humidity and high temperature, the plant infects the spider mite. It is enough to adjust the microclimate, and treat the tree with insecticides. The appearance of scale insects and thrips is evidenced by yellowing and deformed leaves. They should be wiped with soapy water and sprayed with karbofos.
Reviews of flower growers
We have presented you a description, a photo of nolina. Home care, according to the owners, is simple, although certain rules must be followed. Keep an eye on the humidity of the air, to which the plant is very sensitive. Carefully monitor the condition of the leaves: they will tell you what exactly needs to be adjusted in the content of the tree.
