How to water Zamioculcas correctly so as not to destroy it

The dollar tree (scientifically called “zamioculcas”) has gained popularity relatively recently and has become a wonderful decoration for many home and office interiors. Zamioculcas is very unpretentious in care, which is incredibly pleasing to a beginner in the gardening topic, so let's figure out how to properly replant the plant
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How to determine whether Zamioculcas needs a transplant?

We all understand perfectly well that replanting is always stressful for a plant, so it is important to be able to determine whether it is as necessary in practice as it may seem.

• The dollar tree, in principle, grows very slowly, so there is no need to subject it to unnecessary tests. Zamioculcas should be replanted for the first time immediately after purchase - the soil used by sellers rarely contains useful minerals and serves only as a temporary refuge for the flower. In fact, it is a transport substrate unsuitable for life.
• It is customary to replant a young plant (and this is approximately the first 3-5 years) once a year, according to the development of its root system. For an adult flower, the pot is changed approximately once every three years.
• If you see that the roots of the dollar tree have filled the entire volume of the pot and have begun to grow a moisture-storing tuber, this is a sign that a transplant is necessary. Overgrown roots can often deform the pot, but this is completely extreme.

Problems during cultivation

Due to incorrect landing, some difficulties may arise:

• Loss of leaf turgor. Yellowed and flabby leaves appear from excessive watering. The flower's turgor is lost due to rotting of the root system. At the first symptoms of deterioration, watering should be reduced. If the situation does not improve, the plant needs to be replanted in dry soil. Another reason is an unsuitable potty. The flower does not need to be placed in a large container immediately. Soil that is not developed by roots will quickly turn sour and become a breeding ground for rot.
• The need to transplant to another soil. When the soil does not allow air to pass through well and retains moisture, the flower dies. Therefore, if the substrate has become compacted, it is necessary to transplant the plant into light soil.

Transplantation after purchase: are there any special features?

New climate, watering conditions and even lighting - all this can leave an imprint on the plant.
That is why you should not rush into replanting after purchase - give the zamioculcas a couple of weeks to acclimatize. The most important thing is not to forget about him when immersed in everyday worries, because an African friend will not survive in a store container.

As mentioned above, most often Zamioculcas is transported to Russia from other countries. To do this, it is planted not in soil fertilized with minerals, but in special containers filled with a special substrate. There are no nutrients in it, and therefore there can be no development.

Attention! The Dollar Tree is pleasing to the eye at any age. It lives for a relatively long time (5-10 years), so they often buy it when it is already an adult. And the most important fear when buying a flowering plant is the fear of losing all its beauty. We’ll disappoint you right away: if you risk replanting Zamioculcas during the flowering period, it will definitely drop its flowers. Such stress will not pass painlessly for him, and he will try to adapt.

Useful properties of Zamioculcas

Zamioculcas is the flower that gave rise to signs. People believe that he attracts women's happiness. If you place a bush in the house where a girl lives, she will get married and find family happiness. The plant is also called the dollar tree and is considered a symbol of material well-being.

Particular luck awaits those whose zamioculcas has bloomed: a rare event foreshadows the imminent acquisition of happiness and financial success. The signs will work if the plant is given as a gift by a happy married woman or a successful businessman. If a flower is poorly cared for, it will not bring good luck.

Which pot should you choose?

Choosing a flowerpot is an important issue, because the comfort of the plant and the development of its root system depend on it. If the time has come for replanting, then do not take sudden steps, but buy a pot that is only a couple of centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one.

Keep in mind! A flowerpot that is too large will slow down the growth of leaves and the entire surface part of the zamioculcas, because the ground part of the flower begins to develop only after the root system has grown and the entire volume of the substrate has been mastered.

The tree is very picky about the shape of the pot.
The ideal option would be a wide flowerpot with a narrowed lower part.
The flowerpot should have holes at the bottom through which excess liquid can escape during watering.

It is impossible to give clear advice regarding the material, because there are always risks.

Plastic containers are easily transformed by the influence of roots, and clay flowerpots can limit development and lead to the death of the tree. When choosing the lesser evil, stop, of course, on plastic - it can be easily cut and replaced. It won't be that easy to deal with ceramics.

Plant characteristics

Zamioculcas is completely unpretentious and easy to care for. Difficulties may arise with the transplant, but if you know about all the nuances, it will not be as scary as it seems.

The annual growth of a dollar tree is only a couple of centimeters, and the height of an adult plant does not exceed 1 m. This slow-growing crop belongs to the succulent family with a very developed and voluminous root system. The roots develop quickly and fill the entire pot in a short time. The plant needs timely transplantation.

The plant's homeland is Eastern Africa, so Zamioculcas can easily live in arid and sunny conditions, and adapts to any climate.

Interesting features include the leaf of the plant. It is believed that small leaves grow along the entire length of the shoot; in fact, it is a complex pinnate leaf growing from the base on a massive petiole.

Flowering zamioculcas has an external resemblance to an ear of corn and is pale green in color.

When growing a dollar tree, you need to carefully monitor the lower part of the plant, it accumulates moisture and is responsible for its vital functions. An indoor flower at home can grow successfully for about 10 years, after which it will have to be replaced.

Interesting! Zamioculcas is a plant that poses a danger to human life. When growing it at home, you need to make sure that none of the parts get into the animal’s esophagus; for the same reason, it must be kept away from children. The highest concentration of poison is in the juice, so it should not be allowed to come into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes.

Choosing soil

There is no particular dilemma with the soil.
In its natural environment, zamioculcas grows on mountain plateaus, so experts have found that the dollar tree feels best in the lightest and loosest soil , where air easily penetrates.

Such soil provides the roots with moisture and, equally important, oxygen.

When choosing soil, pay attention to its components. It will be great if the soil is well nourished initially, but otherwise you can make your own mixture of sand, leaf (or turf) soil, and peat. Humus will bring considerable benefits - with it the plant will grow more actively.

There is no need to mix the soil yourself. You can always buy ready-made soil mixtures, choosing those designed for cacti or succulents. However, experienced gardeners advise adding expanded clay or perlite to purchased soil - with it the flower will grow more actively.

Soil and drainage

How to transplant zamioculcas correctly? First of all, you need to select nutritious, loose soil. It is independently composed of the following components:

• turf land - 3 parts;
• leaf soil - 2;
• peat – 1;
• humus – 1;
• coarse sand - 1.

The finished mixture needs to be mixed and a little crushed charcoal added. You can buy special soil designed for cacti and succulents, and also add some coarse sand and perlite to it. This allows you to improve the moisture and air permeability of the substrate. Before pouring soil into the pot, place a layer of drainage at least 5 cm thick at the bottom. For this, small pebbles or expanded clay are used.

How to replant at home?

Timely transplantation of a dollar tree is the key to its health and beauty. We have already learned how to determine the need to change the flowerpot, and now let's reveal the rest of the secrets of success and look at the process step by step.

1. Specialists give Zamioculcas transplantation a completely different name - transshipment. This is the name of the optimal method with which you will not damage either the root or leaf systems.
2. To transfer it, you need to either cut the container or carefully break it (if the flowerpot is clay). It is best to place the zamioculcas itself in the root solution while preparing a new pot.
3. Prepare the drainage: pour expanded clay onto the bottom of the flowerpot, filling about three centimeters of the volume. The rest remains with the soil, but there is no need to pour it out right away. Cover the drain with a thin layer and place the dollar tree on it.
4. The final step is to transfer the remaining soil into the pot - fill the entire space with soil and compact it a little. There is no need to water the flower - Zamioculcas does not like excess moisture.

Process Details

Preparatory work for transplantation

There are several reasons for an unscheduled plant transplant; in other cases, it is better to stick to the planned schedule, which coincides with the spring period.

Interesting! The roots of the dollar tree consist of many branches and tubers that adapt well to the new container and substrate in the spring, this gives it the opportunity to quickly grow green mass.

Details:

1. When choosing a pot, you need to focus on the volume of the roots, and the previous container may be 2-3 cm smaller than the next one.
2. More than the size of the pot, attention must be paid to the material from which it is made. The root system of Zamioculcas is so powerful that it can damage the container, which is made of high-quality plastic or fragile ceramics or glass.
3. It is better to opt for clay pots with thick walls. In addition to its strength, such a pot allows air to penetrate inside and water not to stagnate.
4. After purchasing the necessary containers for planting, it is better to familiarize yourself with the video instructions for transplanting, which will help you see all the nuances.
5. You need to remove the zamioculcas from the old pot very carefully, trying not to damage the roots. The presence of a drainage layer in the pot makes it easier to change the container.
6. A young dollar tree is replanted in a transshipment manner, without disturbing the earthen ball and annually increasing the new pot by several centimeters.
7. An adult flower can be replanted after 2-3 years or as needed; the older it is, the slower it begins to grow.

Interesting! During the process, you may find that the bush has split into several parts; in this case, it can be replanted after washing the roots.

Soil composition

Zamioculcas will not grow in clay soil, which retains moisture and prevents air circulation.

When choosing store-bought soil, you need to give preference to compositions for succulents, but in addition to them, purchase brick chips, fine drainage or vermiculite. If you prepare it yourself, you can mix in equal proportions: peat, leaf and turf soil, coarse sand.

Adding charcoal will ensure the absorption of excess moisture and prevent the formation of fungal diseases.

Important! Preparation of the required soil composition must be accompanied by disinfection of all ingredients. The soil can be treated at high temperatures or by freezing.

Zamioculcas planting scheme

The easiest way is transshipment, in which case the plant experiences the slightest stress and almost immediately continues to grow.

For an adult plant, a more thorough procedure is necessary, which does not involve cleaning the root system from old particles of the substrate.

If the zamioculcas consists of several parts, it can be divided and planted in different pots.

Planting is carried out according to the following scheme:

• to drain excess liquid, a drainage layer of expanded clay is placed on the bottom of the pot;
• the soil for replanting should cover the drainage layer so that the roots do not come into contact with it;
• The roots of the plant must be positioned so that their apical part is on the surface; after the soil dries, it is slightly compacted;
• The top layer of soil can be covered with expanded clay or other mulching material, which will help maintain soil moisture.

Correct and timely replanting can be the key to successful cultivation of zamioculcas, the care of which will be reduced to minimal requirements.

Actions after transplant

To better adapt to a new pot and soil, Zamioculcas will need proper care. It consists in creating the necessary humidity and preventive examinations for the possible presence of diseases.

After replanting, the indoor plant should be left in the shade and warmth for some time, and a little later, moved to a permanent place.

The zamioculcas bush develops well both in illuminated space and in the shade. Shaded conditions can stunt its growth, so they are more suitable for an adult specimen. If in the summer the dollar tree is in a sunny place and receives direct rays, it is better to come up with some kind of shelter.

The African plant loves warmth, so it feels good at a temperature of 25-30 degrees. In winter, it is possible to drop to +15 degrees, no less.

The flower is accustomed to an arid climate, which allows the grower not to worry about indoor humidity.

The plant will not need spraying, but its glossy leaves need to be wiped from time to time with a damp cloth to remove dust. Once a month you can make artificial rain from a warm shower.

An indoor flower, like a succulent, accumulates moisture, so zamioculcas should be watered abundantly, but only when most of the soil has dried. In winter, soil moisture is reduced by 2 times. Excessive watering in cold weather can lead to rot on the roots and yellowing of the foliage.

Important! If waterlogging has caused root disease, the soil must be completely dried and only then watering should be resumed in the correct mode. Lack of watering for a long time can lead to leaves falling, but this situation can be solved by gradually adding water.

If Zamioculcas has lost all its leaves, it will recover; for this you need to resume watering, increasing it as needed.

After 2 weeks from the moment of transplantation, the first feeding of the indoor flower is carried out, then this procedure is possible every 14 days using complex fertilizers. With the onset of the autumn-winter period, feeding stops until spring.

Care after transplant

Caring for Zamioculcas is very easy for one reason: it does not like special attention. The place for it should be chosen in accordance with the lighting: diffused light is required, which is most often found on a windowsill on the western or eastern side, but the plant does not tolerate direct sunlight and can get burned. If you decide to place the pot on the south side, shading is necessary.

From the point of view of Feng Shui, zamioculcos should be placed in the southeastern sector, where it activates the energy of wealth.

It is not necessary to water often; water is required only after the soil dries. The flower loves warmth and dryness! With excessive watering or lack of sunlight, the money tree may get sick - and this will have a hard time.

Reference! Your plant needs feeding from time to time; the younger the plant, the more often it is needed.
In the first year, experts advise feeding zamioculcas once every two weeks, later - once a year (late spring or summer). Mixtures for succulents are always suitable as fertilizer.

How to move a large mature plant?

Replanting large trees requires two people . You can first tie the leaves together so that the plant does not fall apart.

Most often, large plants grow all over the pot and need to be removed from there very carefully.

The plant freed from the pot needs to be inspected, excess tubers removed, be sure to provide support for the leaves in the new pot, and only then begin planting the zamioculcus.

How to plant a flower?

Zamioculcas can be propagated using feathers or leaves.
It often happens that a leaf that has fallen on its own already has a formed tuber - and this is real luck.

All that remains is to plant it in the soil and wait for the root system to form. The process does not depend on the person in any way and, strictly speaking, does not require anything.

If there is no fallen leaf with a tuber, then separate it from the bush, dry it a little (4 days), and then plant it in sandy soil. The process will speed up if you choose the largest sheet possible. It will not be difficult to care for it, the main thing is watering.

How the dollar tree blooms

According to superstitions, it is believed that if a flower blooms, it is a sign of material well-being, an addition to the family will appear, or a move to a new home will take place.

The dollar tree flower in appearance resembles an ear of corn, no more than 9 cm long, cream or yellow in color. If you look closely, you will notice that the “cob” consists of many small flowers. At first glance, the flowering is not easy to notice, since it is hidden by a blanket of light green leaves.

Watering rules

Just because your money tree isn't growing doesn't mean you need to water it more often!
The biggest mistake of beginners is that they flood the zamioculcas, and for an “African” this is much worse than drought.

It only needs water after it has completely absorbed what is already there, so always wait for the soil to dry completely. As for the quantity, there should be enough liquid so that it saturates the entire depth of the soil.

Yellow leaves: what's the problem?

Who said yellow leaves are a problem?
Be aware: it is too early to conclude that the plant is sick. Zamioculcas grows slowly, and some of its leaves manage to age, turn yellow and fall off.

New shoots will definitely appear in their place, and you can only worry if this does not happen. Leaves may turn yellow due to:

• Drafts;
• Sudden temperature changes;
• Low amount of moisture;
• Pests.

Determine the cause and eliminate it as soon as possible. A healthy plant will delight you with its foliage all year round if you take care of it in a timely manner!

Pests and diseases

It happens that the dollar tree loses its healthy appearance and fades. This phenomenon can be caused by various pests and diseases.

Parasites

Parasites may attack the plant if it has already begun to wither. Most often, diseased leaves are affected by aphids. You can get rid of it only if you use special antiparasitic agents.

If you notice that the leaves of the dollar tree have turned pale and deformed, inspect the plant and immediately begin fighting the parasite.

Insects

It happens that the leaves of the dollar tree come under the influence of scale insects or mites. If you notice that dark spots and cobwebs have appeared on the surface of the plant, and the leaves have begun to fade, most likely an insect has settled in the flower. Immediately after discovering the problem, wipe all stems and leaves with a sponge soaked in soapy water. To destroy the larvae, treat the dollar tree with tobacco spray and rinse with water after 30 minutes. Specialized substances will help in complex fight.

Wilting foliage

Most often, such problems arise due to improper care of zamioculcas. Try changing the location of the plant, water or fertilizing.

How to restore a dollar tree

If you notice that the plant is starting to rot, try to bring it back to life as follows.

• Remove the flower from the soil and wash the root tubers in a light solution of potassium permanganate.
• Remove rotten roots.
• Sprinkle the remaining rhizome with crushed activated carbon tablets for a couple of hours.
• Also rinse the pot with potassium permanganate solution.
• Dry the plant outdoors for several days.
• Replant the dollar tree back in its pot.

After all the manipulations, Zamioculcas will recover. To avoid such mistakes in the future, try to properly care for the flower in the future.