Growing houseplants have become one of the best activity for the people. Due to the Covid-19, people are more concerned about natural things. The plant is one of the best nature to get into. Seeing them growing brings happiness and encouragement in people’s lives. 

Are you searching for the same plant and eager to learn how to propagate money plant? Then, there you go. 

Having the houseplants like the Chinese Money plant also known as Pilea Peperomioides brings inevitable happiness into your lives.

Let’s learn how to care Pilea peperomioides and propagate these money plant so that they provide satisfactory results.

Introductions

Pilea peperomioides are a common and popular houseplant. Most people love and get attracted to this plant because of its attractive coin-shaped foliage. It is a perennial flower plant that falls under the nettle family (Urticaceae) native to Southern China. 

Care Guide 

Most people don’t know that this plant is surprisingly very easy to care for. Pilea Pepermioides is a small houseplant that grows about 12-inch height. The color of the leaves is dark green and leathery with lighter green undersides. 

Pilea Pepermioides need bright medium light, regular watering and little compost addition fertilizer which are explained in detail below. They are easy to propagate and their healthy ones will produce many offshoots that can be separated easily and propagated further too.

So, once you have this plant, you can sell the offshoots or can gift them to closed ones. Its another way of gaining benefit from this plant as its name suggests. 

Requirements

1. Light: It prefers bright light for its proper propagation and development although they can even thrive in low to medium light (indirect light). To make your plant more symmetrical you could rotate the pot regularly in the direction of bright indirect sunlight. Always select the location of the plant with full indirect sunlight. But, be careful not to keep them in harsh, direct sun that may burn the delicate leaves. 

2. Soil: Money plant needs rich well-drained soil. For healthy plants that grow large number of offshoots you could mix your soil with compost manure or coir-peat prepared at your home so that it generate the results as expected. It is needed to maintain pH value between  6.0-7.0 for the best growth and development of this plant. 

3. Water: This plant is an evergreen perennial plant so, it requires a medium amount of water. Keep them neither dry nor too watery which could be checked by dipping finger in your pot. The leaves of this plant will begin to droop if it’s kept dry and plants may die out if it is over-watered. In addition to it, filtered or distilled water to prevent the leaves from browning or from getting the pores as it is very sensitive.

4. Temperature and Humidity: They can be adjusted in a fine temperature and humidity. Avoid them in dry conditions. They prefer and grows best in 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit with around 50% humidity. 

5. Fertilizer: Apply a weak liquid fertilizer or all purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer every two weeks for the best results. It must be done in conjunction with the watering to avoid the burning of the leaves and the roots of the plants. Nitrogen deficit is common in this plant so you can also use little amount of nitrogen or amino-acid fertilizer.

Potting guides

Pilea Pepermioides is a fast-growing plant that filled the pots with roots and offshoots. Always repotting in the early spring or in the summer months is recommended to refresh the soil. 

If you want to earn money or want to gift someone, remove the offshoots time and again, and upgrade the pot. 

While buying a pot for a Chinese money plant, remember to have a proper drainage hole. Plants get more adjusted to plastic, ceramic, and terracotta pots so you could choose one of them. 

If you have chosen a terracotta pot, make sure you must water more than others because terracotta pots absorb water from the soil.

 Pilea Pepermioides Propagation (How to propagate money plant?)

As its names suggest, it’s a sharing plant. Once it is grown healthier, it will grow offshoots. These offshoots grow up from the root system. The offshoots can be cut off and transfer to another pot for another money pant. 

Once the offshoots are raised a couple of inches, then it is safe to separate them from the mother plant. If you want to make it with a fuller, bushier look, then it’s okay to keep those offshoots on the mother plant. 

Separation process

If you wish to separate an offshoot from the roots of the plant then-

1. Gently dig around in the soil to expose the roots of the offshoots.

2. Cut the main root i.e. appropriately an inch with a clean knife or pruning shears.

3. Separate the cutting into moist soil in a separate container pot.

4. Keep the soil moist while planting the new plant until the new plant established a new root system. 

5. Do regularly watering and follow the fertilization schedule. 

Common Pests and Diseases

These money plants are not prone to any particular pests or diseases. But, when it is grown indoors, it is common to have different common houseplant pests. Always keep away from mealybugs, spider mites, scale, fungus gnats by spraying fungicides available in your nearby places. 

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the benefits people get from the money plant?

Money plants are natural air purifiers. It absorbs and neutralized the harmful radiation of electronic gadgets. People can separate the offshoots and can sell them to others, a gift to others. 

2. Why money plant is known as the money plant?

There is no specific reason for calling a money plant. But, it is believed that this plant brings luck and prosperity to the house, and you will never be short of money. 

3. Where do Chinese Money plants available?

People also can buy money plant online and offline. If people prefer to buy online then, visit –  Amazon, Floweraura, Garden Goods Direct.

I hope this article brings a sweet smile on a face to bring this Chinese Money plant to houses/offices. Let us encourage one another to take the advantage of this plant and spread the joy and fragrance in our lives.

Stay tuned for more inspiring articles. Don’t forget to give feedback and suggestions in the comment section below.

If you want to plant the best indoor plant –

Gerbera Daisy Plant: Best Indoor Oxygen Plant

Petunia Flower: Planting from Seeds and Care Guide

Beware of: Houseplants Poisonous to Pets and Human with Symptoms and Treatment

References:

Top 16 Poisonous House Plants For Humans And Pets

The Benefits and Dangers of Indoor Plants

Spring, the season of love, comes with varieties of colors to celebrate it. Greenery and beautiful multicolor flowers further add the fabulous essence in natural beauty. The bleeding hearts that blooms on the same season is also one of the most preferable ones especially during spring to make a perfect companion to this romantic season as well as incorporating these flowers into your garden gives an adorning view with very little maintenance.

This article gives you a complete guide to grow and care for bleeding hearts in your garden.

Introduction

Scientific name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Old name: Dicentra spectabilis

Family: Papaveraceae

Common names: Lyre flower, heart flower and the lady in a bath

Bleeding hearts are herbaceous, perennial shade loving, deciduous flowering plants native to northern China and Japan. They could grow up to 1 m in height with attractive flowers blooming in spring and early summer.

This heart-shaped flowers possesses red, pink, or white color as a single dangling pendulous drop in arching horizontal racemes. It has 3 lobed compound leaves and fleshy green or pink stems which make it highly adorable.

Soil Requirements

Bleeding hearts thrive on:

– Loamy or clayey soils.

– Slightly alkaline to neutral pH soil.

–  Fertile and full of humus. Compost can be added before new growth in late winter or early spring for better result.

– Moist and well-drained.

– Watering should be more frequent during summer, while throughout winter main focus should be on preventing waterlogging. Also protect the species from frost and snow.

– Regular watering should be done even during its dormant stage since bulbs will be still alive below the soil surface. But, they may dry up and prevent germination, and on worst case be dead if not watered regularly.

Climate

– They could grow well on partial sun with some shade.

– but they prefer places with moist and cool climates as it requires moist and well-drained soil.

– In places with hot and dry climates shade is of utmost necessity.

Propagation

Propagation of bleeding hearts can be done both by both seeds and bulbs.

1. From seeds:

Erutuon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

– Seed pods can be left on the plant and allowed to burst themselves, which will grow numerous seedlings next season after completing its chilling requirement.

– Alternatively, seeds can be collected and planted fresh during late spring or summer. These seeds will also sprout and produce seedlings after a year.

– This plant take longer period to sprout as it requires chilling treatment or chilling period.

– Otherwise, the most convenient and common planting method with seeds is planting those 12 weeks before the last frost. The dormancy of seeds should be broken down by fulfilling its chilling hours’ requirement by placing the seeds on the refrigerator for about 2 months before sowing. Then the seeds should be first sown indoors and then transplanted outdoors at two leaves stage.

– Special care should be taken to:

• Collect seeds from pods allowing plant to dry completely.
• Sowing of seeds should be done at about an inch depth.

– The drawbacks of using seeds for propagating the bleeding hearts are that they are difficult to germinate and also do not transplant well.

2. From rhizomes/bulbs    :

– It is the easiest method of propagation.

– The rhizome of the old bleeding heart plant is taken and divided.

– The division is made by keeping some eyes/knot like structure or intact seedlings in each divided part. The seedlings could be cut through knife but be aware to have enough of good sized root/rhizomes or bulbs.

– The division can be done during winter when the bulbs are still in dormant condition or during spring when the small seedlings starts to grow from the bulbs but the best preferred time is early spring.

– They should be planted an inch deep with eyes faced upward.

– Distance/spacing between two plants should be 2-3 feet because proper spacing is needed to allow its full growth.

– Deep planting of rhizomes may cause rot, so special care should be taken.

Care

– Bleeding hearts are very easy to grow and care.

– Given a good amount of moisture, they do not want much caring.

– And are also very less attacked or less prone to disease and pests.

– It could tolerate wide range of humidity conditions so don’t worry even if its somehow humid in an planting areas.

– They can be left on their own, and they will not fail your garden’s beauty during spring and summer.

– But its better if you could fill granular fertilizers around plant base every spring.

– Adorable beautiful heart bleeding flowers will enhance your mood and make you feel completely refreshed.

– However, once their foliage starts to fall out and they go to their dormancy sleep, a noticeable empty gap can be seen in the garden landscape.

– Pruning can be done every summer once plant dye back.

– To compensate for the condition, you can plant bleeding hearts with other plants like a fern which grows later in spring.

Varieties

There are several varieties of bleeding heart with different characters:

Alba: White flowers; requires overwintering.

Gold Heart: Pink flowers; requires overwintering but can be delayed with adequate care given.

Valentine: Red flowers; requires overwintering.

Fringed bleeding heart varieties: Does not require overwintering.

Toxicity

– Due to the presence of alkaloids in the plant body, some people may experience allergies after coming in contact with the plant. Wearing gloves and other protection during handling is recommended.

– Any part of the plant, if ingested, may cause stomach ache.

– It may be fairly dangerous to small children and pets as its poisonous if ingested. So should be kept away from them.

Integration of bleeding heart flowers on the garden and watching them bloom in spring just after the gloomy winter will always be soothing to your eyes. The easiest maintenance of these flowers makes them more lovable. Thus, you can plant them and almost forget till next spring. So why not give it a try planting these in your garden as well. Happy  Gardening and hope you will practice it!!

Did you like the article? Please include your feedback and suggestions in the comment section below.

References

https://www.gardendesign.com/flowers/bleeding-heart.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamprocapnos

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/293049/Lamprocapnos-spectabilis/Details

Gardening is costly and time-consuming work. It requires regular watering, pruning, providing fertilizers, insecticides, and sometimes even maintaining temperatures if the plant is not a local variant. And you might not even feel content after doing this. Permaculture gardening allows you to have a self-regulating garden with minimum effort. It does need a bit of research and understanding of the surroundings, though.

Let’s learn about Permaculture Gardening, its principles, and how to practice it yourself from this article.

What is Permaculture?

In nature, you don’t have to plant seeds or add fertilizers or add insecticides. The environment is self-sustained with the climate, animals, and insects in such a way that they can all live together. Permaculture follows this principle where you create a garden where the garden takes care of itself rather than you taking care of it.

Bill Mollison, in his book, defines Permaculture as “a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labour; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single product system.”

Permaculture allows you to have the garden like any other but with less effort. This can be done in rural or urban areas, small backyards or balconies, or even indoors. You can plant vegetables, herbs, or ornamental plants to add beauty to the garden.

Image by hardworkinghippy in Flickr

Benefits of Permaculture Garden

Permaculture garden have following benefits:

Saves grocery money

Increase Greenery around the house

It doesn’t need much effort

Fresh and Healthy air

Helps in maintaining local biodiversity

Principles of Permaculture Gardening

There is no clear definition to define any garden as a Permaculture garden. It is mostly an environment-friendly and cost-effective practice. David Holmgren, in his book, has defined 12 principles for Permaculture which are as follows:

1. Observe and Interact

Observing where you are, what the climate is like, what wildlife, vegetation grows here, what type of soil is available, and how much water is available.

2. Catch and Store Energy

Energy doesn’t just mean electricity. Stored water acts as potential stored energy. The biomass also acts as an energy and nutrients for the soil. You can also convert wind and sunlight to electricity. It would be best if you captured every chance of storing energy.

3. Obtain a Yield

Always select crops with greater yield rather than ornamental plants as you want to be self-sustained. The yield doesn’t need to be food. It can be woods, fueling materials, honey, anything that can give some value.

4. Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback

This principle directs us to check our consumption and emissions. If you make some mistake, learn from it and don’t repeat the same things again. You cannot get everything right on the first try. With many trials and errors, you should learn and improve the garden.

5. Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services

Renewable resources are those resources that replenish with time. You should use renewable resources over non-renewable resources. This could mean adding vegetation at the bottom of the hill so that all the water and nutrients from the top could flow towards it as nutrients from the soil are also renewable.

6. Produce no Waste

You might be thinking that it is impossible as waste is inevitable. But a waste for one is a resource for others. Learn to recycle, reuse and compost. Repair and repurpose old and broken tools.

7. Design from Patterns to Details

The climate, topography, watershed, and ecology have certain patterns. Observe those patterns to design the garden.

8. Integrate rather than Segregate

Create more relations between the parts of your ecosystem. Don’t just group similar things together. You can get more productive when things work together and help each other rather than keeping them separate.

9. Use Small & Slow Solutions

Don’t only think about the immediate future—plan for years ahead. People usually don’t plant trees because they take a long time to grow, but they can help the ecosystem for hundreds of years if planted now.

10. Use and Value Diversity

Ecosystems are diverse, and so are Permaculture gardens. It can be semi-aquatic or on lakes. It can also have animals like grazers. Grazers take care of fast-growing grass and shrubs and also provide manure.

11. Use Edges & Value the Marginal

Use the edges of the garden to interact with the surroundings and get more productive. Things that need much care and attention can be put in edges, whereas ecosystems that do not need much attention can be in the center.

12. Creatively Use and Respond to Change

Be Creative. Use, reuse and recycle at every possible place. If some parts of the plan do not work well, change it according to the recent environment.

How to design a Permaculture Farm

To design a permaculture farm, follow the following steps:

1. Understand the surrounding

Before starting, you should select a place where you want to start the garden. Remember that you don’t need large outdoor space and can do this at the smallest places like rooftops and balconies.

If you have set up your mind about where you want to start the garden. The next step is observing the surrounding, how much sun it gets, how much water it gets, the soil, the creatures in the soil, etc.

Permaculture gardening needs a lot of planning and preparations, as well as knowledge of local species. You can also ask these questions to the nurseries around.

2. Selecting plants

While selecting plants, you must select plants that go together well. Some plants might be poisonous to others, while some might not give other plants a chance to grow.

You can select plants that grow alternatively as one grows in summer and the other in winter. Some characteristics of Permaculture Plants are:

• Need low maintenance and short duration
• Regional variants
• From legume family (to provide nitrogen to soil)
• Have deep roots
• Produce lots of foliage

Read about  10 fastest growing plants to include in your Permaculture garden.

3. Layering

All plants are of different sizes; some grow large and create a roof, while some other are small and grow in the shades. Also, some are medium size and grow wide, while some grow on the branches and stems of other plants. You can layer these plants to create an ecosystem.

4. Composting without Disturbing the soil

Please do not use chemical fertilizer as it might kill the microbes and insects in the soil. The microbes can decompose old leaves, while earthworms can help to make the soil porous. Animal manure and kitchen scrap are popular composting choices.

Read more on vermi-composting. 

5. Sustainable Watering System

Use minimum amount of water for irrigation. You can direct the wastewater and water collected on the rooftop to the garden. You can build the garden itself in a place where the water automatically gets collected from the surrounding. Proper leveling and directing are required so that the water doesn’t stay put in the same place.

Interesting Facts

1. Permaculture is a combination of “permanent  + culture” or “permanent + agriculture”.

2. Permaculture started way back in the 1970s by a teacher and a student named David Holmgren and Bill Mollison.

3. Permaculture started in Australia and later spread throughout the world in the 1990s.

4. Permaculture doesn’t just apply to people’s gardens or farms.

Thank you for visiting the page. I hope you learned something new and had lots of fun. Don’t forget to give feedback and suggestions in the comment section below.

Also, learn to make your own greenhouse. Click Here.

Lucky Bamboo plants, as a gift, is one of the best good luck that we ever got in our own life. People say that lucky bamboo plants bring good luck and fortune to those who own them. You can plant this plant in our offices, houses, anywhere you like.

It is one of the best and most popular houseplants. This plant creates a good positive vibe and feels like a well-reputed environment. The Lucky Bamboo plant is not real bamboo, but it is a tropical plant known as Dracaena sanderiana.

Introduction

Lucky Bamboo plants are originated from Africa, but now, we can see the majority of these plants are now shipped from Taiwan or China, where the professional growers braid, twist, and curl their stalks into a mass of shapes. 

Feng Shui, known as a bamboo plant, is a part of the eastern practice. It is an important element of Feng Shui and is well known to bring good luck. This plant is also said to remove the negative energy.

How to care for Lucky Bamboo Plant?

There are different growing conditions your bamboo needs.

1. It requires proper light, potting media, temperature, potting media, and fertilizer to be healthy. Lucky bamboo plants are found in different shapes.

2. Create shapes by yourself, but it takes a lot of time and patience.

3. Keep your plant in an open and bright place.

The bamboo luck plant is known as a good luck plant. The number of stalks derives it in different ways. For example, three stalks in a bamboo plant are said to bring health and happiness, whereas eight stalks define development and prosperity.

If you are thinking of buying lucky bamboo plants, it will be best to buy a small new one. After buying, nurture it as it slowly grows to new bigger heights. You can purchase Lucky bamboo plants in a variety of eye-catching shapes and swirls.

 Lucky Bamboo Care Guide

Our quick process to guide the luck bamboo plant is given below.

Follow:-

1. Carefully remove the packaging and add the rocks to the container to act as an anchor.

2. Keep your bamboo in indirect sunlight.

3. Fill the container with enough water to cover the roots.

4. Remove the yellow leaves of the bamboo plant.

5. Also, use a liquid houseplant fertilizer range of 65-95°F (18–35°C).

6. Cut the stalks and the dry leaves with a knife.

7. Water your plant regularly.

Avoid:-  Avoid clutter, dirt, dust, and anything negative nearby the plant.

Growing Requirements for Lucky Bamboo 

If we provide sunlight and pure water, then the lucky bamboo plant can survive for about a decade. However, the following are the ideal requirements for growing a lucky bamboo plant.

Soil: Lucky Bamboo plants can be grown in well-drained, rich potting soil. The soil for lucky bamboo must be kept moist but not soaking. It can thrive well when the plant is housed in pebbles or simply in a vase filled with water.

Light: Lucky bamboo plants require bright filtered sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight as it scorches the leaves. If the plant began to stretch or the green fades, then we should provide them more lightly.

Water: When it comes to water, it requires bottled or distilled water or tap water to allow the chlorine to evaporate. The healthy lucky bamboo roots are red in color, so do not be alarmed in a glass vase if you see red roots. If you are growing the lucky bamboo plant in a water vase, change the water weekly to avoid diseases.

Fertilizer: Provide a single drop of liquid fertilizer each month that will be plenty for most lucky bamboo arrangements, and the plants that grow in water will need to feed every month.

Pot: Use the ceramic pot or plant in the tall glass vase from where no leaves or shallow bowls come inside. The pot must be wider than the deeper. Choose a container about 2 inches larger in diameter than the bamboo plant and add pebbles and stone.

Shaping the Lucky Bamboo plant

The most popular shapes of bamboo plants are spiral and braid. People who grow lucky bamboo plants twist their structure in Spiral or Braid.

1. Spiral Lucky Bamboo Plant

Following are the steps to create a spiral bamboo plant

1. At first, cut one side out of a cardboard box.

2. Keep the plant inside the box.

3. Now, set the box, so its open side will face a light source.

4. Care for the plant in a normal way and will continue to lean towards the sunlight.

5. Keep rotating the plants to help the plant to continue to grow in the sunlight.

6. Also, if it leans slightly, do not stop to rotate. Keep rotating the plant, and when they spin in the same direction, it will ultimately become a spiral.

2. Braid Lucky Bamboo Plant

Following are the instruction to create a braid bamboo plant-

1. Firstly, choose a container with three potted stalks (the stalks should be half to one inch thick and planted about two inches apart from each other in a row).

2. Now, prune the base of the three stalks.

3. Then, braid the stalks by taking the right stalk over the middle one brings the middle one to the right. Then, take the left stalk and cross it over the stalk that stalks out to the left of the middle one.

4. Continue to braid until four to five inches are left at the top of the stalks.

5. Care for the plant normally, and then see the plant growing and braiding.

Symbolism of the Lucky Bamboo 

According to Chinese tradition, the lucky bamboo plant is related to the five different elements. It contains earth, wood, water, fire, and metal.

The number of stalks has a big and effective meaning for a particular bamboo plant. Following are the different meanings according to the stalks.

1. One stalk: It represents unity and an unobstructed flow of energy.

2. Two stalks: It represents good luck in love, i.e., a great gift for a partner.

3. Three stalks: It represents continued growth, birth, and the family.

4. Four stalks: It represents death. You can also avoid this stalk because it is considered a rude gift.

5. Five stalks: It represents good wealth, longevity, happiness, luck, and prosperity.

6. Six stalks: It represents wealth through the opportunity and the luck for the business.

7. Seven stalks: It represents health and personal growth.

8. Eight stalks: It represents many blessings and infinite energy.

9. Nine stalks: It represents success and gratitude.

You will never find a lucky bamboo plant with four stalks because four stalks represent “death.” Therefore, it will be taken as a rude gift or a plant.

– People often tie the stalks with a ribbon to hold them together as an extra symbol for good fortune.

– Keep the bamboo plant in the east direction, the lucky bamboo plant attracts good health for the whole family, and when it is directed towards the southeast, it attracts money and wealth.

How to propagate Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo can be propagated by following easy steps:

1. Take a healthy parent stalk i.e. with more than two bamboo segments with an offshoot.

2. Then, clip the offshoot from where it attaches to the parent plant stalk.

3. Now, eliminate the bottom layer of the leaves to produce a new independent stalk.

 FAQs on Lucky Bamboo 

I hope that you will surely have a question regarding this plant. Following are the frequently asked questions.

1. How long do bamboo plants live?

A bamboo plant grown in water has a lifespan of about 1 to 2 years. However, if you want a longer lifespan, then transfer your bamboo plant to soil where it can live for many years.

2. Is it bad luck to buy your bamboo plant?

No, the Lucky Bamboo plant is considered as the token of love even if you purchase it for yourself.

3. Why does the Lucky Bamboo plant turn yellow?

There are two reasons to turn yellow: too much fertilizer, chlorine, or fluoride in the water, and too much sun.

4. What kind of climate is required for the lucky Bamboo plant?

The lucky bamboo plant is an indoor plant that favors low and indirect light. It requires a little light to grow and should not be kept in the dark place. For all the growing processes, water should be changed every ten minutes to promote good health.

5. What kind of fertilizer do you use on the Lucky bamboo plant?

Lucky Bamboo plant does not require fertilizer. It can survive for years with only clean water. However, you can add a little fertilizer for quick growth.

Most of the lucky bamboo plants’ fertilizers are NPK with trace elements. They are common in the ratio of 2-2-2, i.e., they have a balanced ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). 

6. Is Lucky Bamboo toxic?

Lucky Bamboo is not toxic to humans, however, they are toxic to cats and dogs. If it is consumed by pets symptoms like incoordination, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drooling and dilated pupils can be seen.

6. Name some fertilizers that can be used in the Lucky Bamboo plant?

Some of the best fertilizer names are-

• Miracle-Gro
• Jack’s Classic All Purpose
• Dyna-Grow Plant
• Green Plant Food Lucky Bamboo
• Lewis Bamboo- Biochar Fertilizer

These are the best fertilizers. Also, buy these fertilizers from Amazon.com online.

Finally, the Lucky Bamboo plant is one of the best indoor tropical plants that anyone can plant easily. I hope you enjoy reading our article; leave a comment for feedback. We will be back soon with our new interesting article.

If you want a plant with many special features, then click the link- Gerbera Daisy. 

References

https://www.proflowers.com/blog/lucky-bamboo-care

https://www.fnp.com/article/interesting-facts-about-lucky-bamboo-plant

https://www.thespruce.com/growing-lucky-bamboo-1902994

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo

https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Lucky-Bamboo

The astonishing beauty of indoor plants have been major attraction for many of the people around the globe. They make our living room, stair, balcony, and roofs look more attractive and beautiful. If you are in dilemma on which species could be best may be you should definitely try out Jade plant.

Let’s explore all the facts on how to plant, grow and care for this unbelievable beauty (Jade Plant) and decorate our room with this spring blooming beauty.

What is a Jade plant?

Jade are the succulent plants also known as the Lucky plant, monkey plant or a money tree belongs to Crassulaceae family. This species are popular in the eastern cape province of South Africa as an indoor or house plant.

People usually praise its juicy leaves and small white or pink flowers. The mesmerizing small pretty tree looks of this species make it more favorable for plant lovers. This is also easy to maintain as it requires very less amount of water.

Scientific name: Crassula ovata

How to plant jade plant in a good manner?

If we plant any species in a proper manner then it will definitely provide you with an excellent result. The proper way to plant the jade plant in a good manner is as follows:

– If you want to plant this beautiful plant, you need a moderate depth and a few wide diameter planter.

– Sandy soil with good drainage capacity is preferred as waterlogging might lead to root rot as well as random leaf fall.

– Another way is using potting mix in combination with additional perlite to improve drainage. A 2:1 ratio of potting mix to perlite is considered as best.

– Alternatively, you can use a pre-made succulent or cacti potting mix to plant it in a healthy environment.

How to propagate or grow the jade plants easily?

As a plant lover you might be curious on how to propagate the jade plant in your home and ensure better health. But, don’t worry it is easy to produce the jade plant. You can propagate your jade plant by following ways:

Method of clippings (From cutting of stem or leaf):

– Take a healthy parent Jade plant with good stem or leaf.

– Then remember to cut the stem or leaf in such a way so that cut should be 2-3 inches.

– After that, you must keep those stem or leaf in warm place for many days.

– A few days later you will find the callus over the wound of the leaves or stem.

– If you see the callus remember that the roots are ready to grow. 

– Then, place them on the soil with good drainage capacity, which must be moist but not too much wet as it might cause root rot.

– Cover the wounded area with little soil and put the pot in a bright areas (indirect sun) but not in direct sunlight.

– Do not water it till you start observing the roots growing of the new plant.

– After then you can see Jade growing with green tips. If not, don’t worry keep caring and testing the roots of the plant. Once you find the roots then you can water them gently as the plant require. Then the plant starts growing with green tips.  

– Keep watering when you feel soil is dry but remember not to do overwatering.

– Remember not to plant it wet as it might cause root rot.

Now we are going to learn how to care for the jade plants?

– It is necessary to care the indoor plants to make it healthy. If the indoor plants are affected by any disorders then you need to be aware of those situations.

– Firstly the overwatering is strictly prohibited to this plant. If you do overwatering then the roots of the plant will rot which makes plants weak or might lead to death.

– Do not use splash water from the height to the direct root of the plant as it will open the soil and lead to fungal and viral infections.

– Sometime you might observe some yellow spots in the plant with pale leaves then understand that it is the sign of low water. So, make sure you water the plant.

– If the leaves look wet and swell then it may have too much water. So keep the pot dry sometimes to save the roots. 

– It’s better to check dryness of soil every 5 days just by pinching soil with finger.

– Jade plants need few hours of direct sunlight i.e. only about 3-4 hours.

– But after that remember to keep this plant in a bright place where direct sunlight does not hit the plant. The suitable temperature for jade plants is room temperature but it can withstand a minimum of 12 degree centigrade.

– Beside these; for making the plant healthy one can use organic fertilizers or fertilizers made from cacti succulents.

Benefits of the Jade plants

Let’s learn about the benefits of this beautiful plant:

a) The lucky plant:- The Jade plant is known as the symbol of luck in Asian countries. Asian people believe if we keep this evergreen long living plants indoors it brings prosperity and fortune to life and provides positive energy to us. 

b) Humidity increasing property:- The lack of humidity can cause dry skin, allergies, cold flu, flaky lips, an itchy throat, and many more. Thus, this species come with multiple benefits. Researchers say that it can produce humidity of about 20-60 percent which is best for rooms.

c) Indoor air quality:- Nowadays we use paints, polishes, and glue which produces harmful organic compounds inside the room, which can be prevented by the Jade plants. It is also best for removing the toluene and acetone. This can prevent you from confusion, exhaustion, insomnia, and other diseases. It also purify air and absorbs carbon dioxide at night.

d) Easy to care:- The Jade plant is popular as the easiest caring indoor plant. You just have to save it from direct sunlight for many hours and low temperature. This species require less watering and fertilizing. So, its easier to care on watering and fertilization purpose too. But remember to have soil with good drainage quality.

e) Medicinal purpose:- It is also the plant that we can use for medicinal purposes. Chinese peoples claim that they use it as a diabetics remedy. It is also used to treat wounds, stomach upset, and warts.

f) Decorative purposes: It adds astonishing beauty to your rooms and house. The beautiful green, glossy and oval-shaped leaves make it perfect. The pink or white flowers of this beautiful plant really pulls the attraction of every people. 

Types of jade plant:-

1. Common Jade plant

2. Silver Jade plant

3. Variegated Jade

4. Crassula Arborescenes

5. Crasulla argentea gollum

6. Crassula Ovata Botany Bay

7. Crassula Ovata Hobbit

Facts about the jade plant:-

1. It is the very popular indoor plant which can adopt the warm and dry condition easily.

2. It is originated from the Cape province of South Africa.

3. It is mostly used in Chinese traditional medicine purpose to treat dry skin disease and diabetics.

4. It is a long-living plant that looks like a small tree due to its steam.

5. It absorbs the organic compounds in the air and also carbon dioxide at night.

6. One of the amazing facts is that it can retain water in the thick branches and stem.

7. It is an evergreen plant that gives extra beauty to the rooms and surroundings of the room.

Problems that jade plant can face with solutions:-

Insects and Bugs:

– The most common problem of the Jade plant is an insect problem and mealy bugs. 

Symptoms: White and cottony appearance (mealybugs), yellowing of leaves, and deformation of the plant during growth. 

Solutions: The simple method to eliminate this problem is killing the insects with cotton cud or brush. Likewise, it can be eliminated by gently wiping leaves and steam with a cotton swab with alcohol. 

But be careful not to get it confused with fungus or mildew and use chemicals for that as it might be fatal to plants.

I hope this article helps you to learn all the facts about planting, growing, and caring for Jade plants along with their benefits, probable problems and their solutions on it. I recommend you all to put this beautiful indoor plants inside your home and office because they are beneficial for your health and mood.

Happy reading and Keep learning & supporting us. To know more about agricultural facts, plants, and everything about plants you can visit our site learnagro.

This succulent plant not only provides aesthetical beauty to your landscape but also come with other multiple benefits which encourage many plant lovers to have this agave species indoor as well as outdoor.

Let’s try to explore on how to grow agave, choose among different varieties of agave, their planting techniques, benefits, fun facts and how to care them properly?

Introduction

Agave, the native species of Mexico and the arid and semiarid region of Carribean, belongs to the family Asparagaceae / Agavaceae.  These are succulents with a rosette growth habit that will left you astonishing. They grows well in Mediterranean region but also do well in the tropical and subtropical region.

It has become more popular among gardeners in the water-guzzling landscapes as they enhances the aesthetic value by its dramatic foliage and subtle color. These perennial drought-tolerant species have large leaves with tapering spiny tips.

Preferred Zone: It thrives best in the USDA 8-10 growing zones where a seasonal dry period occurs.

Why grow the Agave plant?

– Attractive leaf symmetry;

– Drought tolerant and can grow for months without water;

– Easy care and management;

– One of the best option among perennial patio plant

– Also considered fire retardants.

Some uses and facts about the Agave plant

1. It is used in making liquor-Tequilla and pulpue (bee-like drink).

2. It can be used for making ropes.

3. Biofuel.

4. It can be used as sweet alternatives as it is 1.5 times sweeter than sugar.

5. Agave plants are grown in the garden for their beautiful foliage.

6. It belongs to the family Lilly despite resembling its morphology with cactus.

7. As many species have spiny leaves, make sure to leave some walking space around them.

8. For growing in a container or as indoor or in a garden small agave species are better suited.

9. Planting with ornamental grasses soften the rough edges and further enhances aesthetical beauty of the landscapes.

Planting technique

Agave can be grown by using various methods. Some of the common methods are:

a) By seed

Most of the agave species flower between 3 – 50 years of age. Therefore, the fruit develops from the pollinated flower. No special seed treatment is required. But, germination requires warmer temperature so summer planting gives the best result. Selection of seed species depend upon where (indoor or outdoor) you intend to plant.

Source: (Rodriguez et al., 2019)

The seed will start germinating after 1-2 weeks of sowing. Once the plant establish themselves, you can transplant it onto another suitable area. Transplanting time might differs from species to species. For example:

a) A. attenuata– 4 months

b) A. victoriae-reginae– 18 months

Transplant the seedlings in the pots and leave them for about 4-8 month in the greenhouse. After that hardening, off in shade should be done for 1 month before planting outdoor. It will give the best result.

b) By Pups or sucker

It is a widely used method in naturally clustering species of Agave such as in arborescent agaves such as A. attenuata. The suckering of young plants i.e.  aroused from the mother plant are called pups which is used particularly in this sort of propagation. 

In this technique, first, separate the pups from the mother plant by cutting with a sharp knife. But be careful not to do the harm to the mother plant while extracting pups. After then, check the presence of roots on each pups as only rooted pups are likely to grow, survive and do good. Immediately after cutting the pups, plant it in well-drained soil. 

c) By Rhizome cutting

It can also be done in some clustering type of agave. Cutted- rhizome with at-least one dormant bud are preferred as it provides best result.  But be careful to plant these rhizomes in well-drained soil and cover it with perlite. In 4-6 months the plants from the rhizome will be ready to transplant to another suitable media indoor as well as outdoor.

d) By  Bulbils

Small plantlets produced from the axils of exhausted flowers are called bulbils. This method have been found to do best in A. vilmoriniana, A. desmetiana A. atrovirens etc.

e) By Coring

It is also a commonly used method of propagation.

Steps:

– First, make a wound by cutting the central growing portion of the plant to prevent further growth and promote the development of new shoots.

– Spring season preferable.

– After 5-6 month, a new plant will arise from the damaged portion which develop roots in about a year.

f) By Micropropagation or tissue culture

It is becoming a popular technique of agave propagation due to ease and healthy planting production. Tissue culture in laboratory is more quick with better production and now has been commercialized in a large scale around the globe.

Planting care and climatic requirements

a) Soil Preparation

Prepare the soil by mixing sand or perlite (3 sand: 1.5 Perlite). For improving well-drained condition you can use peat moss or cocopeat too. Well-drained sandy soil is the ideal condition for agave but could grow also on soil ranging from rocky to loamy type with good drainage.

b) Planting time

Transplant them in the spring or before the rainy season. This will give your plant plenty of time to gain the maximum size. But be aware that while planting, rosette should not be covered otherwise plant will rot.

c) Sun exposure

They are sun-loving plant. So, make sure to plant in the area where bright sunlight comes. They even can tolerate scorching sunlight without showing any burning effect. 

d) Temperature

They could survive in cold temperature after establishing as well as hot one but grows best in warmer and low humid condition. The optimum temperature for its proper growth is 20-28 °C. Below 20°C plant growth retards while below 10°C plants could not survive.

e) Water

Proper irrigation should be done in the seedling stage. But once plants establish themselves, you should cut the water supply. As they are desert plants could grow well in dry soil too. However, proper moisture should be maintained during active growth period. The amount of water also depends on soil moisture content, soil type, weather condition and growth stage of plants. Generally watering twice a week is enough in the early growing phase. While in cold weather, 1-2 times in 2 weeks is more than enough.  They cannot tolerate waterlogging conditions. They show yellowing symptoms if over-watered leading to crown rot. So, proper drainage should be maintained.

f) Fertilizer

Although they grow well in undernourished condition than over-fertilizing, additional additional application of fertilizer might be beneficial during summer and late spring. But be aware of over-fertilizing as it leads to flowering and plant die after that. Fertigation (irrigation + water) in a monthly interval gives the best result. In winter, avoid fertilizing.

g) Repotting

Agave rarely needs repotting due to its slow-growing nature. Repotting has to be done in case the plant outgrow the container or pot. In such a scenario, transplant the young plants in a container having 2-3 cm larger diameter during spring with special care. Cover the stem with pebbles rather than covering it with soil or substrate because it will enhance drying and facilitate proper oxygen in the root zone. Also, transplant the plant in shallow depth without burying the neck and rosette of the plant to prevent the plant from rotting.

Thinking of bringing agave plant indoors?

If you do not have gardens for outdoor planting or if you are living in excessive cold areas then you can grow Agave plants indoors too. However, special care should be given while planting this plant indoors. Here are few things to consider before indoor planting of Agave:

1. The indoor-planted Agave requires bright light to preserve its peculiar form so ensure good sunlight.

2. Overwatering is the major problem in the indoor-planted Agave. Watering in a weekly interval is enough.

3. Pot the agaves in a 2:1 mixture of soil and sand.

4. Nutrient may become deficient in container planted Agave. So, fertilize during the spring season with compost tea or manure each year.

Types of Agave plants

Genus Agave contains about 270 species, all hailing from the deserted area near South America. Among a large number of species of agave, here we will mention only a few of them which you might prefer.

1. Century plant (Agave americana)

Century plant (Agave Americana) is also known as Maguey in Mexico. It has attractive bluish-green leaves tapering like saw-toothed spines. Two major varieties are- A. Americana mediopicta and A. Americana marginata. Both these varieties grow quite well in an open setting.

2. Royal Agave/Queen Victoria agave (Agave Victoriae-reginae)

Agave Victoriae-reginae or Royal agave is best suited as a potted or container plant. It is the most beautiful species among the genus Agave. Plants are smaller only about 6 inches taller that can also be grown as a border plant.

Leaves of this species form compact dome shape by curving inwards.  The plant can live up to 20-30 years depending on the agronomic practices, climatic condition, and variety. Flowers of this agave are reddish-purple or creamy in color.

3. Blue Agave or Tequila Agave (Agave azul)

It is also popular species most commonly used in making tequila, a traditional drink of Mexico. It has many elongated and fleshy leaves having bluish tint. The leaves are filled with sap but the outer surface is hard and dull.

4. Sisal (Agave sisalana)

Mexican origin but spread around the tropical and subtropical region too due to the fiber content in leaves. Large rosette arrangement of leaves. Young leaves bear the spine which gradually disappears over time. It is used for Sisal fiber production.  The yellowish-green colored flower immerses from the rosette and the plant dies after flowering.

5. Mountain Agave( A. montana)

It is an evergreen cold-tolerant quite large succulent species i.e. about 4 feet tall having a rosette arrangement of leaves. It can be grown above 2500 m altitude also. Leaves are broad, fleshy, upright having an apple green color. The cinnamon red colored spine on the margin of the leaves makes this plant more attractive.

6. Thread agave (A. filifera)

It thrives well in both containers or the garden. It has wide dark leaves containing white margins and fuzzy white filaments. No special care and management is required.

7. Foxtail Agave (Agave Attenuata) or Dragon Tree

It is a spineless plant i.e. 4-5 feet tall with curved inflorescence. Leaves are soft, pliable, and attractive. It has a greenish-yellow flower which make it perfectly adorable.

8. Octopus Agave (Agave Vilmoriniana)

It is a unique and graceful foliage succulent species having rosette growth. Long slender leaves arc and undulate making it looks like tentacles of an octopus. Toothless leaf margin of this species curls inward.

9. Smooth Agave (Agave Desmettiana)

It is a variegated form of agave species with smooth margins and a sharp terminal spine best suited as a potted plant. They flower only once at 8-10 years. Just after flowering it dies. So grown for leaves decoration rather than flower.

Hope you all are enjoying our blog post and learning from our effort. If you have any question regarding this article (blog post) as well as any suggestion please mention it in comment box below. Keep reading and happy practicing the learning on field.

References

1. https://plantcaretoday.com/types-of-agave-plants.html

2. https://succulentalley.com/varieties-and-types-of-agave-plants/

3. https://www.cactusplaza.com/multiply-agave-plants

4. http://admin.ipps.org/uploads/59_060.pdf

5. https:https://www.plantdelights.com/collections/agave//www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/agave/growing-agave.htm

6. https://www.yates.com.au/plants/succulents/agave/how-to-grow-agave/

7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave