Arrowroot (praying grass). Arrowroot - perennial herbaceous plant with feedforward or creeping shoots and tuberous roots. Plants named in honor of the Venetian physician Barthalomew Arrowroot (XVI century). Marantovyh family has about 400 species of plants, which belong to 30 genera. Homeland Marant - swamp forests of Central and South America.
Spectacular coloring of leaves, which are allocated on a flat background of brightly colored veins and blemishes. The general background of the leaves varies from almost white to dark green, almost black. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, oblong-elliptical, oval-round shape.
In addition, the leaves Marant have the ability to change its direction: leaf blades under favorable conditions, are arranged almost horizontally, and with a lack of light or when other adverse factors rise up and put together. Because of such features of arrowroot called "praying grass." There is another popular name - "10 Commandments." One of the species on the leaves Marant has 10 spots, and therefore the inhabitants of England are trying in every home to have a flower.
Popular varieties belong to the species Marant belozhilkovoy arrowroot (M. leuconura). The most popular varieties:
- M.kerhoveana - leaves are bluish-green with tёmno- or brownish-green irregular spots along the midrib. The flowers are small and white, 2-3 in the inflorescences.
- M.erythroneura - lower and spreading. Velvety crimson leaves from the bottom, top - dark green, to the periphery of the lighter, with a greenish-yellow area of ​​irregular shape along the central portion and with a bright crimson veins. The flowers are light purple.
Location.
Marantovye - shade-tolerant plants that grow well in diffuse light. Can not tolerate direct sunlight during the spring and summer months. The size and color of leaves depend on whether successfully protected the plant from the sun. If the light is very bright, the leaves lose their color, and also reduced the leaf blade. To arrowroot leaves were large and bright, need partial shade, high humidity, large (but moderate) pot and very rich soil.
High.
Marantovye thermophilic pretty - in a cold room will not grow. From October to February, during the rest period, the optimum temperature is content Marant 16-18 degrees; In no case the temperature should not fall below 10 degrees. Summer optimum temperature 22-24 degrees; overheating is dangerous for these "capricious."
Watering and humidity.
Watering arrowroot with a soft water at room temperature, containing a minimum of lime (winter - in moderation - in summer abundantly). The soil should be constantly moist, but do not allow the excess water in the pot. Humidity around Marant should be high. The plant should be frequently and finely sprayed to avoid stains on the leaves. Potted plants can be put in trays with sphagnum peat or wet - in this case, all the ways to increase the humidity of the air is good.
Fertilizing.
In the summer time - once every two weeks in the winter - once a month in the substrate arrowroot make a weak solution of mineral and organic fertilizers.
Transplantation.
Spring arrowroot transplanted on average two years later, take the pot a little more than the previous. The plant is cut and dried withered leaves, young shoots to grow better. For planting Marant use shallow crockery; they need to arrange good drainage. Earth mixture: turf ground, ground sheet, humus and sand; this mixture can be added pieces of charcoal. Lime in the soil arrowroot not tolerate.
Reproduction.
In February and March, divide plants grown in two parts, taking care not to damage the roots, then these delёnki plant in fertile soil. From May to September, with long shoots arrowroot can take cuttings 8-10 cm long with two or three leaves. It is desirable that the escape was the place where the leaf is attached to the stem; crop need to escape just below the attachment of the sheet and place the cutting in water. After the appearance of the roots can safely be planted rooted cuttings of arrowroot into the ground.
Hazards and control measures.
If the ends of the leaves turn brown arrowroot and dry, and the plant grows slowly, the reasons can be as dry air (if you just need more spray the plant) and the defeat of the red spider mites, which occurs most often in the arrowroot. With heavy infestation of mites can be seen on the plant superfine spider web, there is a premature leaf fall. Dead leaves arrowroot to remove, if necessary, spray the leaves derrisom, fitoverm, aktellikom.
Another enemy marantovyh - mealybug, which is localized mostly on the leaf stalks, and with strong affection and leaves. Mealybug wash off with soap and water (20 g of soap per 1 liter of water). Scarred by scale insects plant 2-3 times with an interval of 5-10 days sprayed aktellikom (2ml / l). With an excess or lack of nutrients ends arrowroot leaves turn yellow-brown. When there is insufficient irrigation arrowroot leaves curl up and covered with spots. At high humidity and low temperatures the stems arrowroot become sluggish and decaying.
Defoliation arrowroot possible with dry air in the room, as well as excessive watering.
When you see the leaves arrowroot small reddish-brown spots the affected leaves should be removed and the plant sprinkle fundazol suspension (2 g / l).
It's interesting.
Arrowroot protects us from colds, from diseases associated to hypothermia, because the Sun and Mars have given arrowroot hot temper, warming the human body. And in the United arrowroot Mercury, Mars and the Sun give her the opportunity to absorb the energy of aggression. If the flurry of activity of households leads to quarrels constantly tense atmosphere in the house - arrowroot plant, it will prevent the negative energy of the conflict, creating space for each person the corridor, protecting people from fighting and quarreling.
The presence of arrowroot in the house calms households, but calms them in the evening hours - is associated with the property Marant raise their leaves in the evening. Although the leaves of arrowroot and lives frisky Mercury, but at night the moon governs and leaves idle. This plant is good to have for those who have insomnia at night.
United in leaves Maranta tricolor Sun, Mars and Mercury gave the plant the ability to transform into a more interesting lesson communication, learning, commercial activities. Thanks arrowroot person becomes more sociable. Give your friends the beautiful arrowroot - and let their life becomes a little more interesting and enjoyable.
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