Why Zamioculcas does not grow at home
There are many reasons why a dollar tree does not grow. If Zamioculcas does not produce new shoots from the moment of planting or transplantation, this is one case. The plant grew, increased in size, but suddenly stopped, the leaves began to change color - another case. And their reasons are different. Most often there is only one culprit - the owner who made mistakes in growing.
The plant has a dormant period
Perhaps the reason that the dollar tree does not grow is that Zamioculcas is simply resting in a dormant period - “sleeping.” This period lasts from November to February. At such a time, you need to reduce watering, stop feeding and move to a slightly cooler place, but with a temperature of at least 15 degrees.
During the dormant period, the dollar flower does not produce new shoots. There is no need to do anything, let him rest. Slow development is a feature of this plant. One or two escapes per year (and not in winter) is the norm. Zamioculcas grows from spring to autumn.
Adaptation after transplant
Zamioculcas was recently transplanted and does not seem to be growing. Causes:
- The container is too big for it. The pot should exceed the diameter of the root ball by about 3 cm. The planting depth is such that the roots and tubers are lightly sprinkled with soil. The flower first grows its root mass; at this time, the above-ground part does not grow. Corn behaves the same way – it grows very slowly. A blade of grass stands above the ground for a month (and the roots grow actively, but invisibly for us, at this time), and suddenly it literally “shoots out” - in one or two months it reaches two meters. If there is a lot of earth above the roots, you need to carefully collect the top layer of earth until the root system appears, or carefully, with a lump of earth, transplant the zamioculcas into a smaller pot.
- The flower simply gets used, like an animal, to new conditions of detention - soil, air humidity, lighting level. Science has proven that plants even perceive sounds. It's worth waiting because the dollar tree develops very slowly.
Growing errors
If the first two reasons disappear - the flower was transplanted a long time ago, it is not January - it is worth examining it carefully.
- If you notice that the stems of Zamioculcas have wrinkled or rotted in places, lie horizontally, the leaves have begun to turn yellow and dry out, then most likely the roots and tubers are rotting. The reason is errors with watering; this usually happens to caring housewives who will not leave either their husband hungry or the plant unwatered. Unlike feeding your husband, the principle of watering zamioculcas is completely different; here it is better to underfill than overfill. Depending on the soil, it is worth watering once or twice a month, making sure that the soil is dry. The dollar tree is a succulent (plants that store water). If there is a lack of water, it, like a camel, takes it from its reserves - no problem. But if there is an excess of moisture, the roots rot, this is much worse. The first sign is that the stems droop. By the way, the principle “you can’t overdo it” is also used when feeding this unpretentious plant.
- Zamioculcas has thin stems, it stretches and loses its rich green color. Perhaps there is not enough sunlight - the flower comes from Africa. Move it to where the sun is more often, but do not leave it open to direct rays, cover it with something translucent.
- The tips of the leaves dry out. Probably insufficient air humidity (but not the ground!). It happens in winter, when the radiators are hot. Wipe your pet with a damp, warm cloth or spray with warm water - but don’t get carried away.
- If it’s winter outside and the plant is on the windowsill, check the temperature; it can’t go below plus 15.
- Another mistake - the roots and tubers of the zamioculcas have grown and put pressure (not just grown and rested) on the walls of the pot, they have nowhere to grow, there is not enough land. It needs to be replanted into a slightly larger pot, see rules above. It is better to replant in the spring, once a year (or once every two years).
Plant diseases
Zamioculcas diseases often appear due to pests, such as spider mites, when a white cobweb appears on the stem and leaves. This pest is controlled with soapy water or commercially available insecticides. There are other pests, for example, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs, which need to be combated with special preparations. Why do zamioculcas stems shrink? They shrink due to drafts or because pests damage the roots and tubers of the plant. If the stems wrinkle, you need to remove the zamioculcas from the draft and check its root system. Why does Zamioculcas cry? This plant cries, often due to high humidity. Also, the bush sometimes cries due to inappropriate fertilizers. When a flower cries, you need to stop feeding it and move it to a room with drier air.
Resuscitation methods
How to save zamioculcas with rotten roots, is it possible to save a rotten tuber? Is it possible to revive the dollar tree? Yes, but it will take time.
If rot is detected on the roots or stems of Zamioculcas, it must be removed immediately - cut off the damaged roots, cut off the affected part of the stem and tuber with a sharp knife. After this, immerse the root part of the flower in a solution of some fungicide (HOMA, Fundazol) or rinse in a solution of potassium permanganate, then let it dry, sprinkle the cut areas with ash. If there was rot on the stems, immerse the entire plant in the fungicide solution for 15-20 minutes. Replant only in a new pot and soil, do not water for the first two weeks. When watering, you can use preparations for better survival, for example Kornevin.
When pruning and replanting, keep in mind that the sap of the dollar tree is poisonous. Wear gloves and do not allow juice to come into contact with your body.
Spots appear on leaves and twigs
If spots appear on the leaves of zamioculcas, this indicates a violation of the watering regime, namely an excess of moisture, and also indicates that the temperature is unsuitable. In order for the dark spots on the leaves to disappear, it is necessary to increase the temperature in the room and remove the bush from a draft. In addition, it is necessary to reduce soil moisture, make holes in the pot to drain excess water, and pour drainage material into the bottom of the pot. Sometimes replanting the plant into a new pot helps get rid of dark spots. There are several other reasons why Zamioculcas becomes spotted. Dark spots can appear not only on the leaves, but also on the stem due to pests. One of the most common pests is scale insects. It must be combated with a solution of fungicides. In addition, dark spots on the stem can occur due to sunburn. Although Zamioculcas is a light-loving plant, it should not be in the sun after spraying. Droplets of water, being on the stem and leaves, enhance the light and act like small lenses, which is why small dark spots appear.
How to create the right conditions
When growing zamioculcas, a number of rules must be followed.
- Special soil. The plant comes from rocky places in Africa; oily, fertile soil that retains a lot of moisture is not suitable for it. Buy a mixture for cacti or prepare the mixture yourself - 50% fertile soil (you can buy), 50% sand.
- Container for zamioculcas. The pot must have a drainage hole, and at the bottom there is a layer of expanded clay 2-3 cm thick. The most important thing is the size of the flowerpot. It should be moderately tight, approximately 3 cm greater than the diameter of the clod of earth with roots. It is worth filling the planted flower only to the top of the root system, not higher!
- Proper watering. Remember the rule about “under” and “over”? The principle of watering a dollar tree is better “under” than “over”. Optimally – 1 or 2 times a month. In winter, when the flower is in a dormant period, watering can be slightly reduced. Don’t forget - overwatering causes rot to develop on the roots.
- Feeding. It is better to feed with watering, diluting the fertilizer in water. Complex mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a ratio of 1:1:1. There are many different ones sold in stores, with various beautiful names, but look at the composition - they are approximately the same, only the percentage of these three elements differs. It is better to use liquid fertilizer - it is a little more expensive, but it is easier to dilute in water, and it comes with added microelements. You can find a special one for cacti. In winter, Zamioculcas is not fed. The rule applies to fertilizing, as well as to watering: “under” is better than “over”.
- Choosing a location. You need to immediately choose two location options. For spring, summer and autumn - in the light, but not in direct sunlight. The plant tolerates high temperatures, but not humidity, well. In winter, go on vacation to a cooler place, away from radiators, but not into a draft. The lower limit of permissible temperature is + 15 degrees. The dollar tree does not grow in one place, especially in different seasons: this affects its health.
- Regular transplantation. A young plant is replanted once a year, in the spring, and older than 5 years - once every two years. Transfer to a pot 3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.
As you can see, caring for a dollar tree is done without any difficulties or problems. If you decide to look for articles about the plant on the Internet yourself, keep in mind that many authors get confused and call Zamioculcas not a dollar tree, but a money tree. They are similar, both are succulents (accumulate water), but still they are different species, even in appearance. The money tree or crassula has round leaves that look like coins, while the dollar tree has elongated leaves that look like feathers. Of course, their care is different. Be careful.
How to wake up Zamioculcas and make it grow
Zamioculcas - home care
If the rules have been followed, but the plant refuses to respond to the efforts of the grower, then the question arises of how to fertilize zamioculcas. An increase in the activity of a succulent can be caused by nitrogenous fertilizers, changes in temperature and lighting in the room. Warming and increasing daylight hours should awaken the sleeping flower.
Fertilizers for succulents
How to feed Zamioculcas to grow better
To get a large specimen, it is necessary to carry out regular feeding during the growing season. How can you feed Zamioculcas to grow better: store-bought preparations that are specially made for cacti and succulents. You should not expect the desired result from self-prepared mixtures.
Important! After the arrival of spring days and warming, the substrate needs to be enriched with organic or mineral compounds.
The main problem for inexperienced gardeners is how to fertilize zamioculcas and what care it needs at home. With proper watering, replanting and protection from burns, the plant will feel great in a house or apartment.
Succulents are characterized by slow development; you should not expect them to grow 2-3 cm monthly and produce shoots. They gradually build up green mass; it is impossible to force them to speed up the process. Resuscitation measures are carried out only during prolonged hibernation, the development of diseases or attacks by parasitic insects.
Nitrogen
Zamioculcas is replanted every few years. The container is filled with soil of approximately the following composition: sand, garden soil, forest soil. Charcoal is sometimes added to this mixture.
Usually, the dollar tree has enough nutrients for a long time, because in nature it grows in rocky areas. If the plant does not dry out and regularly produces full-fledged shoots, it does not need to be fed. However, most experts agree that Zamioculcas needs nitrogen.
For feeding, special preparations for succulents are usually used. They are applied to moist soil twice a month, but only during the active growing season. Sometimes the foliar method is also used.
The fertilizer is diluted in a ratio of 1:10 with clean, settled water. The dry plant is sprayed with a spray bottle. When budding and flowering, zamioculcas should not be stimulated using this method.
Caring for Zamioculcas after purchase
You should not replant the dollar tree immediately after purchase.
Wait a few days, let it acclimatize to the new conditions and the new microclimate of your home. A ceramic or clay pot is best suited for planting, since the roots of Zamioculcas are powerful and, when growing, can simply tear the plastic container.
The volume of the pot should not be large, about 3-4 cm larger than the diameter of the root system.
How to correctly place zamioculcas in the interior according to Feng Shui?
According to Feng Shui, similar plants are placed in the wealth zone, which is in the southeast of the house. Choose a bright place and place the flower there. It is believed that this way the apartment will have the “right” energies that will help attract money and prosperity to the house.
Try not to place the flower in direct sunlight, for example, on a windowsill. The plant really doesn’t like this!
To enhance the monetary “increase” that zamioculcas promises you, we recommend placing a $1 bill folded several times under the pot.
In terms of energy, fleshy leaves promise financial well-being at home.
How quickly does a dollar tree grow in the house?
Zamioculcas is a succulent that has a thickened stem and a root system in the form of tubers that can retain moisture. At home, with proper care, the height of the plant stems can reach up to 1 m. But it will take about 3 years to acquire such dimensions. The gardener needs to be patient: in the first year of life, the plant hardly produces only a few leaves , but subsequently it can increase the size of its shoots at an accelerated rate.
Reference! When favorable conditions are created, a dollar tree can please its owner with flowering, throwing out small inflorescences formed in the form of a cob at the base of the leaves.
