How to plant spider plant seeds? Detailed introduction to the sowing method
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Chlorophytum in the family Liliaceae. It likes a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment, has strong adaptability, is relatively drought-tolerant but not cold-tolerant, and is not demanding about soil. Its optimal growth 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 plant spider plant seeds!
How to plant spider plant seeds?
Spider plant seeds can be sown in March every year, 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 by seed, their offspring revert to all-green varieties.
The planting substrate for spider plant
1. Substrate: 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 preferable, with a pot height of about 15-20 cm, which pairs with spider plant to appear quite 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, since the sunlight is not strong, spider plant can be given some direct sunlight appropriately.
2. Temperature: Spider plant likes a warm and humid climate and is not tolerant of severe cold or extreme heat. Its optimal growth temperature is 15-25°C, and the winter room temperature must not be lower than 5°C. During hot periods, avoid direct strong light, while during cold 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, it needs a large amount of water, so it should be watered and misted frequently to keep the potting soil completely moist. During the winter dormant period, water again after the soil about 1 cm below the surface has dried.
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 grow small plantlets, apply a nitrogen fertilizer once every half month. Well-growing spider plants can also do without fertilizing.
5. Repotting: Spider plant should be repotted once every 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 root systems, replace with new growing soil and apply sufficient base fertilizer.
6. Pests and diseases: Spider plant generally is not prone to pests and diseases. When problems occur, they are usually root rot caused by water accumulation in the potting soil and poor ventilation, which should be controlled by timely spraying. Dense plant clumps and poor ventilation make it susceptible to scale insects, 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 March, cutting off old roots, rotten roots and excess fibrous roots. In early to mid-May, some old leaves of the spider plant can be cut off, which will encourage it to sprout more new leaves and small spider plant plantlets.