Polypodium (centipede) family. This is a genus of pronounced epiphytes growing high on tree trunks in the rainforest, and it is also found in the temperate zone. Homeland - South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea. In total, there are more than 15 species.
Platycerium platycerium has a short rhizome, from which bearded roots and two types of leaves depart. The first - basal, not spore-bearing, serve to protect the roots from drying out, in most species they are wide, like saucers, like umbrellas cover aerial roots. In addition, infertile wai are nutrient collectors for ferns. They are trapped in rotten leaves, moss, dead insects, etc. Over time, all this rots and forms the nutrient medium that provides the ferns with the necessary minerals. The second type of leaves is spore-bearing, usually forming a kind of rosette of spreading leaves.
Some species of Platicerium grow in separate specimens. Other species form colonies when several bushes form on one long rhizome, in which case many plants occupy a fairly wide area, forming a dense green carpet on tree trunks. Such colonies are also formed from spore germination, they crumble and are carried by the wind to the nearest trees, under favorable conditions, spores germinate in heat and moisture, forming dense thickets. All species of the genus Platicerium differ somewhat in the type of photosynthesis and the need for high humidity, this is due to the fact that in nature they occupy different niches in the tiers of the rainforest.
Two species are grown as a domestic plant: Platycerium magnificent Platycerium superbum and Platycerium bifurcate Platycerium bifurcatum. Both species grow high in trees or in crevices of rocks, only the bicilliform platycerium often forms curtains, groups, and the platycerium is a magnificent more solitary plant. Both have a high need for fresh air access, do not tolerate smoke, air pollution, high air temperature at humidity below 60%. Under favorable conditions, bushes are formed with a leaf span of 60 to 100 cm. They require block cultivation in hanging baskets.
Platicerium - Care and Cultivation
Temperature: Platicerium is a rather heat-loving fern - a process of intensive growth at a temperature of 18-25 ° C, in winter it is optimal 15-16 ° C. Does not tolerate cold drafts. Although in nature the platicerium tolerates more stringent conditions - a decrease in temperature to + 5 ° C, there is no need for an ordinary florist to risk a rather rare plant.
Lighting: If your bathroom has a window that gives enough light, then the platicerium will decorate it with dignity. This fern is placed in a semi-shady place, in diffused light, more precisely, protection from the sun is necessary from 11 to 17 hours. In winter, lighting should be the better the higher the temperature in the room.
Watering: Platicerium requires not so much abundant watering as high humidity. It is better to water by immersion, lowering the basket or block with the plant into a container of water - the roots should not dry out too much, the immersion should not drag on for more than 10 minutes. Water for irrigation is only soft, at room temperature, if necessary, it should be boiled or softened with means for preparing aquarium water. The frequency of watering depends on the temperature - the hotter, the more often.
Air humidity: Platicerium requires high humidity - about 70-80%. This is the most important factor that can be regulated either by a humidifier or by placing a block with the plant over a very wide tray with wet moss-sphagnum. You should not spray the leaves again: firstly, they are covered with small hairs, and water droplets roll off them, and secondly, the humidity of the air during spraying does not increase for a long time and can be considered as a temporary measure: when spraying, use a very small sprayer and do not allow moisture to remain on the leaves in drops.
Feeding: Since nutrients do not crumble from the ceiling with wilted leaves at home, the platicerium must be periodically fed. Especially if the plant grows on a block with almost no substrate. The best option is to add orchid fertilizer to the water for irrigation. You can spray with a nutrient solution of the same fertilizer on a sheet, spreading it according to the instructions for non-root dressing.
Transplantation: This plant needs soil, or rather a substrate consisting of coarse-fibrous peat or leafy earth, as well as pieces of pine bark and sphagnum moss. If the platicerium does not rest on a piece of bark, then it is advisable to add deciduous tree rot taken from the forest to the soil. All fractions for planting must be sterilized in the oven (at 200 degrees for at least 30 minutes). You can fix the platicerium on a large piece of pine bark or a block of cork, cover some of the roots with sphagnum moss, and some with coconut fiber. You shouldn't use a lot of moss - it is too moisture-intensive, and roots completely covered with moss-sphagnum can suffer from hypoxia. In nature, the roots of the flatwood are not covered with moss, but with basal leaves, air movement passes under them. It is necessary to fix the platicerium on the block with soft plastic material, for example, with strips of cut capron tights.
Reproduction: Propagated by spores and germ buds developing at the roots. However, only a very skilled flower grower can reproduce this fern.
Growing problems
- The leaves turn yellow, brown spots appear on them - it is too hot, temperatures above 25 ° C require an increase in air humidity. The reason may also be waterlogging of the substrate, too long immersion during irrigation, poor aeration .
- The leaves turn yellow, the plant grows poorly - the humidity in the room is too low, the proximity of the heating system.
- The leaves are faded, translucent, lethargic - too intense sunlight.
- The leaves are pale or dull, the ends turn yellow or brown, the plant does not grow or grows poorly - lack of nutrition, too tight or too large a pot, incorrectly selected substrate.
- Leaves can turn yellow, brown, curl and fall, young leaves wilt and die - at too low a temperature in the room, from exposure to a cold draft, watering with cold water, when watering with hard or chlorinated water.