What is the latest method for growing spider plant seeds?
Spider plant is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Chlorophytum in the Liliaceae family. It likes a warm, moist, semi-shaded environment, has strong adaptability, is relatively drought-tolerant but not cold-tolerant, and is not demanding about soil. Its optimum growing temperature is 15-25°C, and its overwintering temperature is 0°C. It can be propagated by cuttings, division, sowing and other methods. Let's take a look below at how to grow spider plant seeds!
How to grow spider plant seeds?
Spider plant seeds can be sown every year in March, but because the seeds are not large, the soil covering them after sowing should not be thick, generally 0.5 cm is enough. At a temperature of 15°C, spider plant seeds can sprout in about 2 weeks. After the seedlings take shape, transplant them for growing on. It is worth noting that when varieties with leaf variegation are propagated from seed, their offspring revert to all-green varieties.
Potting medium for spider plant
1. Medium: Spider plant has strong adaptability to various soils and is very easy to cultivate. Usually, fertile sandy loam, humus soil, peat soil or fine sandy soil with a small amount of base fertilizer can be used as potting soil.
2. Container: Spider plant can be planted in almost any flower pot, but white porcelain flower pots or plastic flower pots are preferred. A pot height of about 15-20 cm pairs with spider plant to appear especially fresh and elegant.
How to grow spider plant
1. Light: Spider plant likes a semi-shaded environment and is very sensitive to light. When exposed to direct sunlight in summer and autumn, its leaves will turn yellow and withered, and the whole plant may even die. In winter, because the sunlight is not strong, spider plant can be given some direct sunlight as appropriate.
2. Temperature: Spider plant likes a warm and humid climate and cannot tolerate severe cold or intense heat. Its optimum growing temperature is 15-25°C, and the winter room temperature must not be lower than 5°C. In hot periods, avoid direct strong light; in cold and cool periods, it should be given more sunlight.
3. Watering: Spider plant likes water and has relatively strong drought resistance. During the peak growth period from March to September, its water demand is relatively high, so it should be watered and misted frequently to keep the potting soil completely moist. During the winter dormant period, water again after the surface of the potting soil is dry to a depth of about 1 cm.
4. Fertilizing: Spider plant is a relatively fertilizer-tolerant plant. Insufficient fertilizer and water can easily cause the tips to scorch and the plant to age, with leaves turning yellow and losing ornamental value. For spider plants that have begun to produce plantlets, apply a nitrogen fertilizer once every half month. Well-growing spider plants can also go without fertilizer.
5. Repotting: Spider plant should be repotted once every year in March. If the pot is relatively deep and the base fertilizer is sufficient, it can be repotted once every two years. When repotting, knock the plant out of the pot, cut off dead and rotten roots and excess roots, replace with new growing medium and apply sufficient base fertilizer.
6. Pests and diseases: Spider plant generally is not prone to pests and diseases. Problems that occur are usually root rot caused by waterlogged potting soil and poor ventilation, which should be controlled in time by spraying. Dense clumps with poor ventilation are susceptible to scale insect damage, so prevention should be the main approach.
7. Pruning: Spider plant should have yellow leaves cut off at any time. It can be repotted once every year in March, cutting off old roots, rotten roots and excess fibrous roots. In early to mid-May, some old leaves of spider plant can be cut off, which will encourage it to sprout more new leaves and small spider plants.