What are the cultivation methods and precautions for the ZZ plant?
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a very popular indoor foliage plant because of its auspicious name, but many flower lovers know little about how to grow it and are also unaware of the precautions for growing it. Below, the editor will explain the cultivation methods and precautions for the ZZ plant!
Growing Conditions for the ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant originates from the tropical (savanna) climate zone of eastern Africa with relatively low rainfall. It likes a warm, slightly dry, semi-shaded environment with small annual average temperature fluctuations. It is relatively drought-tolerant, but afraid of cold, and avoids strong direct sunlight and exposure. It fears heavy, sticky soil and water accumulation in the pot. If the pot soil has poor aeration, it easily leads to rot of its tubers.
The ZZ plant requires loose, fertile soil that drains well, is rich in organic matter, and is acidic to slightly acidic. It has strong sprouting ability; after cutting off the thick compound leaves, new leaves quickly emerge from the top of its tubers.
Propagation Methods for the ZZ Plant
The propagation methods for the ZZ plant share similarities with other flowers and plants, mainly including division, whole-group cultivation, and cuttings.
1. Division: Division means separating a relatively strong seed-bearing stem of the ZZ plant from the mother plant for propagation, then planting it in soil elsewhere to grow. Division is generally best done in spring, when the survival rate is relatively high.
2. Whole-group cultivation: Whole-group cultivation means propagating ZZ plant seedlings collectively, with unified lighting, fertilizing, and watering, which can increase the number produced.
3. Cuttings: Cuttings means separating a branch of the ZZ plant from the mother plant, placing it in acidic soil or nutrient soil, giving it certain nutrients, and cultivating it in a dark place, and finally waiting for it to take root, which means propagation has succeeded.
Cultivation Methods for the ZZ Plant
1. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for the ZZ plant is 20-32°C. Whether potted or planted in the ground, it requires small annual average temperature fluctuations; for productive cultivation, it is best carried out in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Every summer, when the temperature reaches above 35°C, the plant grows poorly, and measures such as adding black shade netting and spraying water around the environment should be used to lower the temperature, creating a suitable environment with a suitable ambient temperature that is also relatively dry. In winter, it is best to maintain a greenhouse temperature above 10°C. If the room temperature is below 5°C, the plant is easily damaged by cold, which then seriously endangers its survival. In late autumn and early winter, when the temperature drops below 8°C, it should be moved promptly to a well-lit indoor area, and throughout the overwintering period, the temperature should be kept between 8°C and 10°C, which is relatively safe and reliable.
2. Light: The ZZ plant likes light and also has fairly strong shade tolerance, so it should be given an environment with good sunlight but also a certain degree of shade. It avoids strong direct light, and especially should avoid the scorching sun after long rain and sudden clearing in late spring and early summer, as well as the unobstructed strong light baking for 5-6 hours around midday in summer; otherwise, the newly emerged tender leaves are very easily scorched. In productive cultivation, from late spring to mid-autumn, it should be placed under a shade shed with 50-70% shading, but it must not be too dark, otherwise the newly emerged tender leaves will become thin and long, the leaf color will turn yellow and listless, and the spacing between leaflets will be sparse, thus affecting the plant's compactness and beauty. For potted plants moved indoors in winter, supplementary light should be given. Keep the pot soil on the dry side, and the plant can remain disease-free year after year. In addition, the newly emerged pinnate compound leaves do not show obvious phototropism, and the plant shape remains good.
3. Humidity: To care well for a potted ZZ plant, efforts should be made to create an environment that is both moist and on the dry side. In productive cultivation, for plants placed in a greenhouse, when the room temperature reaches above 33°C, the plant should be sprayed with water once a day. Because this plant has strong drought tolerance, it is best to keep the pot soil slightly moist and on the dry side, but occasionally applying too much water and fertilizer will not necessarily cause root rot. In winter, pay attention to spraying water on the leaf surface and the surrounding environment so that the relative air humidity reaches above 50%. After mid-autumn, watering should be reduced, or spraying water should replace watering, to help the newly emerged tender leaves safely pass the winter. In addition, in winter special attention should be paid to the pot soil not being too wet; it is better to keep it on the dry side, otherwise under low-temperature conditions, overly wet pot soil more easily leads to root rot of the plant, or even death of the whole plant.
4. Soil: Due to the special climate conditions of the ZZ plant's place of origin, it has developed strong drought resistance, so the basic requirement for the growing medium is good aeration. The basic requirement for the growing medium is good aeration. The growing medium is mostly a mix of peat, coarse sand or washed coal cinders with a small amount of garden soil, and its pH value should be adjusted to between 6 and 6.5, in a slightly acidic state. Because its tubers are large, its root system is well developed, and its pinnate compound leaves are relatively long, during the growing season its growth should be observed promptly to decide whether to change the pot and soil. Always keep the growing medium well aerated to help create a root environment with good air permeability and drainage. During the plum rain season, check frequently, and if water accumulation in the pot is found, repot and change the soil promptly.
5. Fertilizer: The ZZ plant relatively likes fertilizer. In addition to adding an appropriate amount of decomposed cake fertilizer or multi-element slow-release compound fertilizer to the growing medium, during the growing season a mixed solution of 02.% urea plus 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be applied as a liquid feed 2-3 times a month, or a balanced fertilizer 20-10-20 (20-20-20) can be applied at a concentration of 200-250 ppm in combination with calcium nitrate. After mid-autumn, to help it safely pass the winter, nitrogen fertilizer should be stopped, and 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution should be applied as a top dressing 2-3 times in succession to promote the hardening and filling out of the young leaf axes and newly emerged leaves. After the temperature drops below 15°C, all forms of top dressing should be stopped to avoid fertilizer damage to the roots under low-temperature conditions.
Causes of Root Rot and Treatment Methods
In the process of growing the ZZ plant, failures are mostly caused by root rot. Generally, the cause of ZZ plant root rot is watering-induced root rot. The plant should be promptly taken out of the pot, part of the old soil shaken off, placed in a semi-shaded, cool place to air dry for 1-2 days, and then replanted with new sandy loam soil. Afterward, the pot used should not be too large, and watering should not be too frequent; water when the pot soil is 70% dry, and there must not be a rigid watering interval; water flexibly.
If the root rot is relatively severe, it is best to shake off all the soil, then soak it in a 500-times dilution of potassium permanganate or carbendazim solution for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it once with clean water, then air dry until the root system is dry, and replant it.
Precautions for Growing the ZZ Plant
1. At midday or in late spring and early summer after long rain and sudden clearing, pay attention to sun protection and give the plant appropriate shading.
2. In winter, the pot soil must not be too wet; otherwise under low-temperature conditions it will cause root rot of the plant, so it is better to keep it on the dry side.
3. When the temperature is below 15°C, all forms of fertilizing must be stopped; otherwise under low-temperature conditions the fertilizer will damage the roots and stems.
4. In winter when it is especially cold, pay attention to protecting the plant from the cold. At night, double-layer plastic bags can be put over the plant, and when the temperature rises again, remove the plastic bags.
5. In summer, listen to the weather forecast promptly and prepare early to shade the plant.