How to deal with the blossoming of the Aspidistra elatior?
Main content introduction: This article provides an introduction on how to deal with the blossoming of Aspidistra elatior and some clever tips for its maintenance, including detailed information as follows:
The Aspidistra elatior, also known as the "little house jade," features a dainty and compact plant form with tender and lush green leaves, making it an ideal choice for placing on tables or countertops. The branches of Aspidistra elatior can grow quite long, but to maintain a round, full, and compact plant shape, it is necessary to pinch the top growth. Whenever the branches become too long, you can immediately pinch off the top. There is no time restriction on this, and it can be done at any time, even during the hot summer.
What aspects should be considered when pinching the top of Aspidistra elatior in the summer?
Firstly, it is recommended to use a sharp blade. Of course, pinching with your fingers or cutting with scissors is also possible, but the branches cut with a blade have a cleaner cut, which makes them easier to root when used for propagation.
Secondly, do not use unclean tools for pinching the top of Aspidistra elatior. Pinching will inevitably cause wounds, which can easily become infected with bacteria, leading to rotting of the branches and leaves. Although the chances of this happening are relatively small, one should maintain a rigorous scientific attitude and take care of each plant seriously. Therefore, clean and even disinfected tools should be used to pinch the top of Aspidistra elatior.
The operation of disinfecting tools is super simple and can be done even in an ordinary household. You can place the cutting edge of the tool over the flame of a lighter and roast it for a while to achieve good disinfection. After the tool cools down, you can pinch the top of Aspidistra elatior. Alternatively, you can dip the tool in boiling water for a few minutes, and it will be ready to use after it dries and cools.
Thirdly, do not spray water on Aspidistra elatior within a few hours or half a day after pinching the top. We all know that Aspidistra elatior is a plant that loves water and humidity. In dry summer weather, to prevent the leaves from drying and curling, it is often necessary to spray water on its branches and leaves with a spray bottle. After pinching the top of Aspidistra elatior, it is best not to spray water until the wound is completely dry to prevent water from soaking the wound and causing rot.
Fourthly, after pinching the top of Aspidistra elatior, it is advisable to maintain good air ventilation to allow the wound to dry and contract quickly.
How to pinch the top of Aspidistra elatior after it blooms?
Aspidistra elatior is prone to blooming, but its flowers are not outstanding and can consume a lot of nutrients, so it is advisable to cut off the flower spike. If the branches of Aspidistra elatior bloom when they are not very long, you can simply cut off the flowers or even cut off a couple of leaves along with them. If the branches are very long, you can operate according to the specific plant shape, cutting off the longer branches to ensure that the new branches that grow later can form a more full plant shape.
Can the branches pruned from the base of Aspidistra elatior be used for propagation?
Of course, they can be propagated, and Aspidistra elatior is easy to propagate and root. Even a single leaf of Aspidistra elatior can easily root when planted in soil and produce new buds, although the growth of new branches from leaf propagation is slower compared to branch propagation. The branches of Aspidistra elatior can be propagated in water or soil, whichever is more convenient!
How to deal with the blossoming of Aspidistra elatior?
Does the preference of Aspidistra elatior for shade mean it doesn't need sunlight?
Of course not. Aspidistra elatior prefers semi-shade and can tolerate shade, but if it is kept in a dim environment for a long time, its growth will deteriorate. As shown in the picture below, not only do the leaves turn yellow, but the branches become thin and long, the distance between leaves increases, and the plant shape becomes messy and unattractive.
Aspidistra elatior, like other plants such as吊兰 (Dracaena fragrans) and绿萝 (Epipremnum aureum), prefers semi-shade and can tolerate shade but also needs bright diffused light. Only in comfortable, non-damaging sunlight can it grow well. Especially for varieties of Aspidistra elatior with red borders, if there is insufficient light, the red borders will gradually disappear, affecting their appearance.
The detailed explanation provided by the Green Plant Enthusiast website on how to deal with the blossoming of Aspidistra elatior and the clever tips for its maintenance is for reference and suggestion only.