The plant nephrolepis is referred to as ferns, whose dense stems (vayi), covered with small leaves, can reach 80 cm in length.
Houseplant nephrolepis: useful properties
It is believed that the fern is able to take away the energy harmful to humans, to purify the air.
Some gardeners place nephrolepis on the TV, because they believe that it is capable of absorbing radiation.
It helps to increase immunity, so it is recommended to keep it in a room where people with weakened health live.
Nephrolepis: transplant after purchase
Transplantation is best done in spring or at other times if the old pot is already narrow.
The pot for nephrolepis should be selected in a larger size than the previous one. The more spacious it will be in the tank, the faster it will grow, as the space for root growth will be much larger.
Before transplanting nephrolepis into a new pot, it is necessary to prepare the soil. The primer for nephrolepis should consist of greenhouse, coniferous land, peat. Or you can use a mixture of peat, deciduous land and sand. In either case, the drainage layer must first be made. From the old pot, carefully remove the earth clod, trying not to damage the roots.
Further on top of the drainage place an earthen lump with the plant, while slightly moistening the soil. Rhizome on the sides sprinkled with a new substrate. It is important not to pin it with it. Then watering and feeding are carried out.
How to take care of nephrolepsis?
Care for fern nephrolepys at home is simple enough, because the plant is unpretentious and hardy.
It is best to place the plant in the penumbra. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
Ferns are heat-loving plants and nephrolepis is no exception. The optimum ambient temperature for him is 20 degrees. However, in summer, it can tolerate even higher temperatures, even if there is much dry air. It will be useful to take out the plant to be ventilated to fresh air. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 15 degrees. It is important not to allow sudden temperature changes otherwise the plant will suffer.
It is necessary to maintain a sufficiently high level of humidity. Therefore nephrolepis should be sprinkled with soft water. In summer the plant needs abundant watering, in winter it can be watered less often. It is important to monitor the level of water in the pot after irrigation, because the water in it should not stagnate, otherwise the roots will begin to rot and rot will go higher on the leaves themselves.
In the period of active growth nephrolepis should be fed with organic and mineral fertilizers. In winter, top dressing is carried out once every three weeks.
Nephrolepis: Reproduction
The fern reproduces by dividing the bush and shoots.
The division of the rhizome is performed when the first leaves appear on its lateral parts. They are carefully separated and placed in a small pot. In order to successfully take root, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature at the level of 15-18 degrees and ensure abundant watering.
During breeding, a new pot is placed near the old pot with a shoot, preparing an earth mix beforehand. In the soil sprinkled the tip of a young shoot. He forms the vayas and roots in the new pot. After you saw that 3-4 vayi were already unfolding, the young plant can be planted from the mother plant in a separate pot and carried out care as well as adult nephrolepis.
Most varieties of nephrolepis are sterile, so it is preferable to propagate by shoots.
Nephrolepis: diseases and pests
Most problems are caused by a lack of moisture. If the leaves become brown, then watering should be reduced, if yellow and die off - then increase. When you are in the sun, there may be burns on the leaves. If the color becomes faded or nephrolepis slowly grows, then it is necessary to increase the amount of fertilizers.
The fern of nephrolepis is susceptible to attack of the scab . You can cope with it if you wipe the leaves with a soap solution.
Why does nephrolepis dry?
You may notice that leaves begin to fall off in nephrolepis or it dries up. This may be due to inadequate moistening of the soil or air, as well as lack of lighting. Care should be taken to illuminate: do not expose to direct sunlight. It may be necessary to change the location of the plant to provide sufficient and uniform light.
Growing nephrolepys at home is very easy. And since he is a long-liver, he will delight you with his dense greenery for a long time.