Within the wide variety of indoor plants that we have at our disposal, the aspidistra occupies a prominent place due to its great resistance and its ability to thrive in spaces that receive little natural light. Therefore, if you want to have even more copies at home, it is time to know more about the spread of aspidistra.
Let's see how this plant can be reproduced and some tricks that will increase your chances of success when it comes to getting new specimens.
Propagation of aspidistra by dividing rhizomes
The division of rhizomes is the most common and most effective method when it comes to reproducing this plant, and you can carry it out both during spring and summer, when the aspidistra is in the active growth phase.
The tools you need are:
- Gardening gloves.
- Pruning shears or a sharp knife.
- Pots.
- Substrate for indoor plants.
We begin by removing the mother plant from its pot, an operation that must be done with great care so as not to damage it. If you notice that the soil is very compacted and the plant is not easy to pull, loosen the soil around the edges. To do this, insert a knife or some other tool around the edge and then tap the pot lightly. This should be enough to remove the plant from the pot.
Gently shake the soil from the roots and rhizomes until you can clearly see the plant's underground structures. Next, with pruning shears or a knife, cut the rhizomes into sections, making sure that each one of them has at least two sheets and a good amount of roots. This facilitates the establishment of the new plant.
Now plant each rhizome section in its corresponding pot, using fresh substrate. Make sure that the roots are well covered and that the leaves are above ground level. Replant the mother aspidistra, taking advantage to change the soil and add fresh substrate so that it continues developing.
Advantages of propagating aspidistra by dividing rhizomes
This method is the most used because a series of important benefits are derived from it:
- It is fast and efficient, and what you get in return is an exact genetic copy of the mother plant.
- It is a very reliable method that is usually successful and produces healthy and robust plants.
Reproduction of aspidistra through seeds
It is a less common procedure, because it is difficult to find seeds of this plant. To obtain seeds, it is first necessary that the aspidistra bloom, and this is very strange when grown as a houseplant. Nevertheless, You can obtain aspidistra seeds from specialized suppliers.
To plant the seeds, use a light, well-drained substrate. A good option is to mix houseplant soil with a little perlite or sand.
Sow the seeds at a depth of one centimeter, leaving enough distance between them. others so that they do not compete with each other for nutrients or space.
The substrate should be kept moist, but not soggy, and the pot should receive indirect light. As for the temperature, the ideal is for it to remain between 20º and 25º C. If the conditions are optimal, The seeds germinate after several weeks.
When the seedlings are a manageable size and already have true leaves, they can be transplanted into an individual pot.
Advantages and disadvantages of propagating aspidistra by seeds
This reproduction system has its good and bad things:
- Advantage. New genetic variations are obtained, so you do not have aspidistras identical to each other.
- Disadvantages It is a very slow process and good results are not always obtained, because the seeds and seedlings are very susceptible to adverse conditions.
Tricks for successful aspidistra propagation
If you are going to propagate using rhizomes, take note of these tips:
Do the division in the correct season
You can divide the rhizomes at any time of the year, but it is best to do it in spring or summer. At this time the aspidistra is in the active growth phase and this allows the new divisions have enough time to establish itself before the dormant phase arrives.
Use the right tools
Always use sharp and disinfected tools to make cuts. This reduces the risk of infection and achieves more precise and precise cuts. clean that are less harmful to the mother plant.
Choose healthy rhizomes
Select those rhizomes that you see look good, discarding those that show signs of disease or rot. In fact, take advantage of the fact that you have the mother plant from the pot to remove the rhizomes and roots that are damaged.
Treat wounds
After cutting the rhizomes, let the cuttings dry in the open air for a few hours before planting them. This helps prevent infection and allows wounds to heal more quickly. Do this with both the new plants and the mother plant.
Use a suitable substrate
Choose a good quality substrate with good drainage capacity. If you add a little perlite or sand you help prevent waterlogging which can lead to roots rotting.
Water moderately
Be especially careful when watering divisions, because too much water can be fatal for them. The ideal is to keep the substrate slightly moist for the first weeks until the establishment of the plant, but never soak it.
Touch the substrate and, when you notice that the top layer is dry to the touch, then you can proceed to watering.
Find a good location
Place the new plants in a place where they receive bright indirect light, avoiding in any case exposure to intense direct light, since this can cause stress to the plants. newly divided plants and burn their leaves.
Once the plants are established, you can place them in a location where they receive less light (only if you really need it), because they will adapt well to this circumstance.
Use rooting hormones
Although the establishment of new aspidistra plants is simple and quick, you can consider using growth hormones on the cuttings to stimulate growth. root growth and improve success rate.
The propagation of aspidistra is really simple, and with these tricks you will surely soon have your house full of this beautiful plant. Can you tell us your experience?