How to grow potted Aspidistra? An introduction to the latest care methods

Aspidistra is also known as spider's egg, bamboo leaf tray, nine-dragon tray, etc. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Aspidistra in the Liliaceae family, with a nearly cylindrical rhizome. It is mainly distributed in the southern provinces and regions of China, as well as Hainan Island, Taiwan Island, China, and is suitable for placement and arrangement in homes and offices. It can be enjoyed on its own or arranged together with other flowering plants. Now let's take a look at how to grow potted Aspidistra well!

Cultivated varieties of Aspidistra

1. Spotted leaf: Spotted-leaf Aspidistra is also known as sprinkled-gold spider's egg, spotted-leaf spider's egg, star-spotted spider's egg, etc. It is a cultivated variety of Aspidistra, with milky white or light yellow spots on the green leaf surface.

2. Gold line: Gold-line Aspidistra is also known as gold-striped spider's egg, white-striped spider's egg, etc. It is a cultivated variety of Aspidistra, with light yellow longitudinal line stripes on the green leaf surface.

Propagation methods for Aspidistra

1. Division time: For propagation of Aspidistra by division, division can be carried out in spring when the temperature rises and before new buds have sprouted, combined with repotting. It is generally carried out in early spring (February, March) after the soil has thawed.

2. Division method: Take the mother plant out of the flower pot, shake off excess potting soil, separate the tangled root system as much as possible, and cut it open with a sharp knife into two or more plants. Each divided plant must have a considerable root system, and its leaves should be properly pruned so that each clump has 3 to 5 leaves, which helps it survive.

3. Potting and disinfection: Soak the divided small plants in a 1500-fold chlorothalonil solution for five minutes, then take them out and let them dry, and they can be potted. Alternatively, immediately after potting, use chlorothalonil to drench the roots.

4. Division management: After Aspidistra is divided and potted, drench the roots or water thoroughly once. Because the root system has been greatly damaged, its water absorption capacity is very weak, and it takes about 3 to 4 weeks to recover and sprout new roots. Therefore, within 3 to 4 weeks after division, watering should be controlled to avoid root rot. But the transpiration of its leaves is not affected. In order to maintain the water balance of the leaves, the leaf surface needs to be misted 1 to 3 times a day. Do not apply fertilizer during this period. After division, also be careful of overly strong sunlight; it is best to place it in a shade shed for care.

How to grow potted Aspidistra?

1. Soil: Aspidistra is tolerant of poor soil and does not have high requirements for soil quality, but it is best to use a well-ventilated, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil. When potting, use a shallow pot, and the soil can be a mixed soil of peat soil, crushed brick, perlite, charcoal, etc.

2. Temperature: Aspidistra mainly prefers a warm environment. Keep the temperature between 7 and 30°C. During high summer temperatures, move it to a ventilated, semi-shaded place or one sheltered by a shade shed. In winter, the temperature must not be lower than 0°C, generally 0 to 3°C.

3. Light: Aspidistra is shade-tolerant, and in a dark environment it can maintain its posture for a long time, but it is best to regularly receive sunlight to promote the development and growth of its new buds. During the growth period of new leaves, try not to place it in a dark place. In summer, do not expose it to strong sunlight; observe the condition of yellow leaves and deal with them promptly. In winter, it should be moved indoors and given appropriate warmth.

4. Watering: Aspidistra should usually be watered with clean water. During the vigorous growth period, provide enough water, keep it fully moist, and spray the leaf surface appropriately to promote sprouting. After late autumn, frequent watering is no longer needed. In winter, spray a little warm water on the leaves to clean them and maintain a good posture.

5. Fertilizing: During spring and summer, apply liquid fertilizer 1 to 2 times a month on average. No fertilizing is needed in winter. For scorching caused by excessive drought, apply diluted liquid fertilizer 1 to 2 times a month to make the leaves beautiful. Spotted-leaf varieties need a small amount of fertilizer to prevent the spots from gradually disappearing.

Pest and disease control for Aspidistra

1. Anthracnose

[Symptoms] Disease spots on Aspidistra leaves mostly occur on the leaf margins or leaf surface. The spots are nearly round, grayish white to grayish brown, with the outer edge yellow-brown or red-brown, and black small granules arranged in rings appear later. In addition to the leaves, the petioles and stems are also infected, producing elongated spots. The pathogen overwinters in the soil or in diseased leaf tissue. It spreads through airflow or splashing water, causing primary infection and reinfection. In the south, there are 2 to 3 disease peaks each year, while in the north there is only 1 disease peak. Continuous rain and high rainfall lead to severe disease.

[Control] ① Promptly cut off and burn diseased leaves when found to reduce the source of infection. ② Before the rainy season arrives, spray 50% Shibaike or Shibaogong wettable powder at 1000-fold solution, or 25% Tanteling wettable powder at 500-fold solution. Once every 10 days, for 3 to 4 treatments. ③ When necessary, spray 0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate or Shuangxiao microelement fertilizer at 300-fold solution, which helps enhance disease resistance.

2. Gray mold

[Symptoms] It often occurs on leaf margins. Water-soaked spots begin to appear from the leaf margins. When humidity is high, the spots expand very quickly, causing irregular withering at the leaf margins, and generally no gray mold layer is seen. But after continuous overcast rain, with high humidity and long duration, sparse gray mold can grow. The gray mold pathogen lives saprophytically as mycelium in diseased residues, continuously producing conidia for reinfection. Sclerotia survive for a long time, and when suitable conditions are encountered, they grow hyphae and directly invade or spread through rain splash or with diseased residues, water flow, farm tools, etc. Under conditions of high humidity and a temperature of around 20°C, the disease is prone to becoming epidemic.

[Control] ① Careful maintenance. Choose a moist, well-drained, semi-shaded environment for planting. Aspidistra is a shade-tolerant plant, and the light should not be too strong, otherwise it will cause leaf yellowing or disease. Excessive watering, especially in winter, will cause root rot and can also cause leaf yellowing. ② If scattered diseased plants are found, spray 65% Jameiling wettable powder at 1000-fold solution, or 50% SukeLing wettable powder at 1500-fold solution, 50% Puhaiyin wettable powder, or 50% Nongliling wettable powder at 1000-fold solution. ③ For Aspidistra maintained in a shed or greenhouse, measures can be taken to increase the nighttime temperature in the shed, increase ventilation time during the day, and reduce the humidity in the shed and the duration of fog formation, thereby achieving disease control.

3. Leaf spot

[Symptoms] Leaf spot is also called black spot, brown spot, etc. First, black spots appear in the middle of the leaf, then the leaf color turns yellow and it falls off. The cause is mostly a stuffy, unventilated, and humid environment.

[Control] Pay attention to improving environmental conditions. When the disease first occurs, remove the affected leaves and burn them. Spray 1% Bordeaux mixture for control, once every 7 days, for a total of 4 to 5 sprays throughout the growing period, or spray 50% carbendazim at 1000-fold solution for control.

4. Scale insects

[Symptoms] It is likely to occur in summer when ventilation is poor, mainly harming the stems and leaves of Aspidistra.

[Control] When placed for a long time, ensure ventilation and light transmission to reduce the incidence rate. If scale insect damage is found, promptly apply aldicarb to the roots. Generally, for a flower pot with a diameter of 20 cm, apply 3-5 grams of domestic 5% aldicarb per pot, and water promptly after burying and applying. Results can be seen after 1 week.