How to grow Aglaonema modestum (Chinese evergreen) in water at home?
Aglaonema modestum loves a warm, humid environment, is strongly shade-tolerant, dislikes dryness, fears direct strong light, and is slightly cold-tolerant; it can overwinter safely as long as the indoor temperature in winter stays above 5°C. For home cultivation, it will grow vigorously simply placed in a spot indoors with bright indirect light. To avoid soiling the tabletop or floor with water and fertilizer during pot cultivation
Aglaonema modestum loves a warm, humid environment, is strongly shade-tolerant, dislikes dryness, fears direct strong light, and is slightly cold-tolerant; it can overwinter safely as long as the indoor temperature in winter stays above 5°C. For home cultivation, it will grow vigorously simply placed in a spot indoors with bright indirect light. To avoid soiling the tabletop or floor with water and fertilizer during pot cultivation, you can grow it in water in a bottle. (How to grow Aglaonema modestum)
First, obtain an Aglaonema modestum plant by dividing it from the pot (with or without roots), wash it clean, let it dry for a moment, and put the plant into a bottle. Then tilt the container and slowly pour clean water along the wall until it reaches 3-5 cm above the base of the plant, place it in a bright spot indoors, change the water once every two days, and after 4 consecutive times gradually reduce the frequency of water changes, finally reaching once a month (if the plant has no roots, change the water once every 2 days until roots form). When growing in water in a bottle, pay attention to the following points:
(1) The plant grown in water must be vigorous, free of pests and diseases, and have intact leaves.
(2) The plant (especially a plant with roots) must be washed clean with water before being planted in water.
(3) Change the water promptly according to the temperature and water quality to keep the water clean, so that the stem of the plant always stays 3-5 cm below the water surface.
(4) If the placement spot is dim, after a period of time it should be moved to a spot with ample light for a few days of care, then moved back to its original position.
Aglaonema modestum Schott ex Engl Aglaonema modestum illustrated guide: how to grow Aglaonema modestum / how to propagate Aglaonema modestum
Aglaonema modestum profileAglaonema modestum Schott ex Engl
How to grow Aglaonema modestum and points to note Introduction to Aglaonema modestum
Aglaonema modestum, also known as Chinese evergreen, Philippine evergreen, and Cantonese evergreen, is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Aglaonema in the Araceae family. It is native to India, Malaysia, and China, with a small distribution in the Philippines as well. It loves a warm, humid environment, is shade-tolerant, fears direct sunlight, and is not cold-tolerant; the winter overwintering temperature must not be lower than 12°C.
Aglaonema modestum is a perennial herb; the stem is erect and unbranched; the leaf shape varies, from lanceolate and long elliptic to ovate, on both sides of the midrib. The leaf surface has colored markings along both sides of the veins, the veins are pale red, the leaf color is deep green, it is monoecious with unisexual flowers, a spadix inflorescence, and a pale green spathe. The Aglaonema modestum plant is not tall, is strongly shade-tolerant, and is evergreen all year round, making it an excellent indoor foliage plant.
Morphological characteristics of Aglaonema modestum
Aglaonema modestum is a perennial herb, with an erect, unbranched stem; the leaf shape varies, from lanceolate and long elliptic to ovate, on both sides of the midrib. The stem is erect and unbranched. The plant is about 30-50 cm tall, the leaves are lanceolate or long elliptic, and the leaf surface varies with the variety, leathery and thick, often inlaid with different silver or white markings, and mature plants can flower. The plant is not tall, is strongly shade-tolerant, and is evergreen all year round, making it an excellent indoor foliage plant. The two sides of the midrib are often unequal in size, and the leaf color is dark green, scattered with gray, milky white or yellow.
Aglaonema modestum has a relatively short rhizome, with fibrous roots at the nodes, and leaves clustered at the base, broadly oblanceolate, hard and glossy. It flowers in April-May, with a terminal spicate inflorescence, the flowers small and dense, white tinged with green, and the berries spherical, turning from green to red, and not falling through the winter. Because the leaves of Aglaonema modestum are broad and verdant and the berries are bright red and round, it is very beautiful, and has always been a flower used for both foliage and fruit.
The root system is well developed, with an underground rhizome that can sprout and produce divisions; the leaves are lanceolate, long elliptic or ovate, the leaf stalk base is sheath-like, the two sides of the midrib are often unequal in size, the plant is mostly upright, the leaf surface has colored markings along both sides of the veins, the veins are pale red, the leaf color is deep green, it is monoecious with unisexual flowers, a spadix inflorescence, and a pale green spathe.
Ecological habits of Aglaonema modestum
Aglaonema modestum prefers a semi-shaded, warm, humid, well-ventilated environment; it dislikes direct sunlight and waterlogging. It can be grown in ordinary garden soil, but sandy loam rich in humus, loose and with good water permeability is best.
Aglaonema modestum prefers a warm, humid environment and grows well in semi-shade; it can overwinter as long as the temperature is kept above 5°C in winter. It is not strict about soil, and is very convenient to grow at home. It likes a warm climate but has poor cold tolerance; the winter temperature must not be lower than 13°C, it dislikes exposure to the sun, is heat-tolerant, and is not cold-tolerant. It is drought-tolerant, and the optimum growth temperature is 20-30°C. It is not strict about the substrate; generally domestic peat is enough for planting.
Cultivation techniques for Aglaonema modestum: light and watering
Aglaonema modestum loves a shady, humid environment and fears direct sunlight, so it can be kept year-round in a shaded spot; even short exposure to the sun will turn the leaf surface white and then yellow and withered. The optimum growth temperature is 20-28°C, it is not cold-tolerant, and in winter it needs to be kept above 8°C. If the temperature is too low, it is prone to cold damage. Once the leaves drop, it will die. In the hot summer season, water once each morning and evening, and also spray water on the surrounding ground to raise air humidity. In spring and autumn, watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet; in winter, watering should be controlled, for if the potting soil is too wet at this time, the leaves easily turn yellow and root rot is caused. During the growth period, the potting soil must not be too dry, otherwise the lack of water easily makes the leaves wilt, yellow and drop. In spring and autumn, apply a liquid fertilizer rich in nitrogen and potassium once every 15-20 days, and in midsummer, fertilizing should generally be stopped.
Soil, temperature and humidity
Aglaonema modestum likes a loose, fertile, well-drained growing substrate and is not salt-alkali tolerant. The potting soil can be mixed with leaf mold, garden soil and a small amount of river sand. Generally, repot once every 1-2 years. Mother plants grown for many years often become prostrate with a poor shape, and should be re-propagated by cuttings to renew them. Division and cuttings are commonly used. The rooting temperature for cuttings is 25-30°C, with a relative humidity of about 80% maintained, and rooting takes about 1 month. The potting soil is a mix of 3 parts leaf mold, 1 part loam, and 1 part coarse sand, with an appropriate amount of base fertilizer added. During the growth period, keep the potting soil moist and the air humidity high, so that the air humidity is not lower than 40%; in summer, pay attention to shading, and apply a dilute acidic fertilizer solution once every 2 weeks; in winter, the temperature in the greenhouse should not be lower than 10°C. Repot once every spring depending on the size of the plant.
Light management
Aglaonema likes a bright, well-ventilated environment; in spring, control the light at 15000LX-20000Lx; in summer, because the temperature is higher with high temperature and high humidity, shading and ventilation should be strengthened, and light controlled at 8000-****Lx is ideal; in autumn and winter, when the temperature is lower, control the light at 20000-30000Lx or full sun. If the light is too strong, the leaves will turn yellow-green, and too much shading will cause excessive spindly growth and lodging, affecting the ornamental effect.
Temperature management
Aglaonema likes high temperatures and is not cold-tolerant; the optimum growth temperature is 25-30°C. The minimum overwintering temperature is above 12°C. Once frostbitten, the leaves turn yellow and wilt and the terminal bud dies. Winter care requires heating equipment; if there is no heating facility, a double-layer insulation facility can be used. In winter, when the temperature drops to 22-24°C in the afternoon, the shed should be sealed promptly (generally the north side of the shed should be sealed, and some space can be appropriately left on the south side to facilitate air flow inside the shed and prevent excessive humidity in the shed). If a simple shed is used for planting in summer, the film should be removed on sunny days, with 1 layer of 75% density shade net covering the top of the shed, and another layer of 50% shade net can be added inside the shed, which can provide ventilation and cooling. However, in continuous rainy days, the film must be covered to prevent excessive rainwater from causing the substrate in the pot to be waterlogged for a long time and causing root rot and stem rot. In summer, shading and ventilation can be strengthened, and at the same time, a distant multi-span shed should not be used; instead, an independent single-roof shed should be used.
Care points
Dieffenbachia (spotted dumb cane) leaves have many irregular white or pale yellow spots, with bright tones and year-round green. Its cultivation points are: warmth, humidity and semi-shade. In summer, potted plants are best placed indoors about 80 cm from a south-facing windowsill or in a shaded spot outdoors, avoiding direct strong sunlight, otherwise the leaves are easily scorched. This affects the ornamental effect. Therefore, after being brought out in early spring, it should be placed under a shaded trellis or under the eaves or in a shaded spot on the balcony, and care should be taken to prevent rain.
As for watering, in addition to keeping the potting soil moist in summer, watering should not be too frequent in spring and autumn, and watering should be controlled in winter.
Aglaonema has fleshy roots, so it fears waterlogging most; if watered too much, it easily rots the roots. But the air must be kept humid, for if the air is dry, undesirable phenomena such as dry leaf tips also easily occur. In spring and autumn, apply a decomposed cake fertilizer solution once every 3-4 weeks, which can make the plant grow vigorously and the leaves green. In addition, around the Beginning of Summer, several old leaves on the outer edge of the mature plant should be cut off to facilitate the sprouting of new buds and new leaves and the emergence of flower stalks. In addition to sufficient watering, water should be sprinkled on the ground around the flowerpot every morning and evening to help create a humid microclimate. During the growth period, watering must not be excessive; when the surface of the potting soil turns white, that is the right time to water. Apply a liquid fertilizer once every half month. After being brought indoors in winter in the north, the room temperature must not be lower than 12°C. If the temperature is too low, it easily causes cold damage, leaf drop and death. In winter, spray-wash the leaf surface with warm water once a week to prevent the leaves from being contaminated by smoke and dust, so as to keep the stems and leaves fresh and beautiful.
Aglaonema modestum is very shade-tolerant and grows in bright indirect light. Spots such as the north side of a building and under trees are very suitable; in spring and autumn it can see sunlight in the morning and evening, and in summer direct sunlight must be avoided, for otherwise the leaves easily turn yellow due to strong light. During the growth period, the soil must be kept constantly moist; in summer, water should also be sprayed twice a day to increase humidity and lower temperature and to wash dust off the leaf surface. From May to October, apply a cake fertilizer solution once every half month, which can keep the leaf surface green and glossy. If grown in water, simply put a small amount of long-acting flower fertilizer tablets or compound fertilizer into the container and it will grow very well.
Home care
During the growth period, the water supply must be sufficient; in midsummer, spray the leaf surface every morning and evening; in winter, when the growth of stems and leaves slows down, water should be controlled and the potting soil should not be too wet. In southern regions, it is often cared for in semi-shade in summer. From May to October, during the period of vigorous stem and leaf growth, fertilize once every half month. When brought indoors in winter, if the leaves turn yellow, apply 1 additional diluted nitrogen fertilizer. Mother plants grown for many years often become prostrate with a poor shape, and should be re-propagated by cuttings to renew them.
How to grow Aglaonema modestum: potting
When potting a small seedling, first place a 2-2 cm thick layer of coarse-grained substrate or ceramsite at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, sprinkle a layer of fully decomposed organic fertilizer on top as base fertilizer, about 1-2 cm thick, then cover with a layer of substrate about 1-2 cm thick, and then place the plant in, so as to separate the fertilizer from the roots and avoid burning the roots.
Substrate for potting
You can choose one of the following: vegetable garden soil: cinder = 3:1; or garden soil: medium-coarse river sand: sawdust (mushroom residue) = 4:1:2; or one of paddy soil, pond mud, and leaf mold. Or peat + perlite + ceramsite = 2 parts + 2 parts + 1 part; vegetable garden soil + cinder = 3 parts + 1 part; peat + cinder + ceramsite = 2 parts + 2 parts + 1 part; sawdust + vermiculite + medium-coarse river sand = 2 parts + 2 parts + 1 part. After potting, water thoroughly once, and place it in a shaded environment for care.
Humidity management
It likes a humid climate environment and requires the relative air humidity of the growing environment to be 60-75%.
Temperature management
The optimum growth temperature is 18°C-30°C; it dislikes cold and frost, and the overwintering temperature needs to be kept above 10°C. When the winter temperature drops below 4°C, it enters a dormant state, and if the ambient temperature approaches 0°C, it will die from frost damage.
In summer
1. Strengthen air convection, so that the heat inside it can be dissipated;
2. Place it in semi-shade, or give it 50% shade;
3. Give it appropriate misting, 2-3 times a day.
In winter
1. Move it indoors to a bright spot for care;
2. Outdoors, you can wrap it with film to overwinter, but every two days at the warmer noon time the film must be uncovered to let it breathe;
Light management
It fears direct strong light and needs to be kept in semi-shade for care, or given 70% shade. If kept indoors for care, place it in a bright spot as much as possible, and every one or two months move it outdoors to a semi-shaded or shaded spot for a month of care, so that it can accumulate nutrients and recover its growth.
Fertilizer and water management
It has high requirements for fertilizer and water, but it fears random fertilizing, applying concentrated fertilizer and one-sided application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; the fertilizing (watering) principle of "apply dilute fertilizer frequently, small amounts with more frequent applications, and complete nutrition" should be followed:
Spring, summer and autumn
These two seasons are its peak growth seasons, and fertilizer and water management follows the cycle of "Hua Bao" - "Hua Bao" - clear water - "Hua Bao" - "Hua Bao" - clear water (at the very least, ensure two "Hua Bao" applications per week), with an interval of about: 1-4 days for outdoor care, shorter intervals on sunny days or during high temperatures, longer intervals or no watering on rainy days or during low temperatures; 2-6 days for indoor care, shorter intervals on sunny days or during high temperatures, longer intervals or no watering on rainy days or during low temperatures. Watering time should be arranged as much as possible in the morning when the temperature is lower.
In summer, water in the morning or evening when the temperature is low, and also mist the plant frequently.
In winter, during the winter dormant period, the main work is to control fertilizer and water well; fertilizer and water management follows the cycle of "Hua Bao" - clear water - clear water - "Hua Bao" - clear water - clear water, with an interval of about 7-10 days, shorter intervals on sunny days or during high temperatures, longer intervals or no watering on rainy days or during low temperatures. Watering time should be arranged as much as possible at noon on sunny days when the temperature is higher.
Aglaonema modestum can also be grown hydroponically. Cut a stem segment and insert it into water; after it roots, continue to grow it in a water bottle, or take the potted plant out of the pot, wash the soil off the roots, and then soak it in a transparent glass vase, changing the water once every 2-3 days, and changing to a nutrient solution once every 10 days. You can also use monopotassium phosphate and ammonium sulfate, 1/2 each, diluted with 1000-1500 times water before use.
For potted Aglaonema, sandy loam rich in humus should be used as the culture soil. A soil pH of 6-6.5 is more conducive to giving full play to the effectiveness of nutrients and is suitable for the plant to flower and fruit. Repot once every year in March-April or October-November. When repotting, remove the aged rhizomes and lingering dead leaves, and plant with a fertilized acidic culture soil. After potting, place it in a shaded spot for a few days. The cultivation points of Aglaonema are: warmth, humidity and semi-shade. In summer, when growth is vigorous, it needs to be placed in a shaded spot to avoid strong light, otherwise it easily causes dry leaf tips and scorched edges, affecting the ornamental effect. Aglaonema has fleshy roots and fears waterlogging most; therefore, it must not be watered too much, otherwise it easily causes root rot. Just water an appropriate amount normally so that the potting soil is watered only when dry; it is better to keep it on the dry side than too wet. In addition to keeping the potting soil moist in summer, watering should not be too frequent in spring and autumn. In summer, water should also be sprinkled on the ground around the flowerpot every morning and evening to create a humid microclimate. Attention should also be paid to preventing heavy rain from drenching it.
During the growth period, apply a decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 20 days or so; in early summer, when growth is more vigorous, apply a liquid fertilizer once every 10 days or so, and a small amount of 0.5% ammonium sulfate can be added to the topdressing, which can promote better growth and make the leaf color deep green and glossy. In the peak flowering period of June-July, apply a 0.2% monopotassium phosphate aqueous solution once every 15 days or so to promote flower bud differentiation, so as to better flower and fruit. During the flowering period, it must not be drenched by rain, and should be placed in a shaded, dry, ventilated place free from rain.
Winter
Aglaonema needs to be moved indoors for the winter, placed in a sunny, well-ventilated spot, with the temperature kept at 6-18°C. If the room temperature is too high, it easily causes excessive spindly growth of the leaves, consuming a large amount of nutrients, so that the growth is weak the next year, affecting normal flowering and fruiting. If Aglaonema shows yellowed and scorched leaf tips in winter, or even the whole plant withers, it is mainly caused by the roots being unable to absorb water, affecting growth. Therefore, in winter, the air must also be kept humid and the potting soil slightly moist; generally, watering 1-2 times a week is appropriate. In addition, the leaves also need to be spray-washed with warm water once a week to prevent the leaves from being contaminated by smoke and dust, so as to keep the stems and leaves fresh green and verdant all year round.
Propagation methods of Aglaonema modestum
Aglaonema modestum is propagated by cuttings, which root very easily; it can also be divided, and can also be propagated by sowing.
Cutting propagation
Water it with room-temperature (soft) water; water more in spring and summer, less in autumn and winter. From March to August, apply a dilute (low-dose) fertilizer once every two weeks. Keep the potting soil warm and try to provide indirect humidity; but do not mist too much, lest leaf spot disease occur. Young plants are repotted every year with general-purpose potting soil, while mature plants depend on the situation.
Cutting substrate
It is the nutrient soil or river sand, peat soil and other materials used for cuttings. Home cuttings are limited by conditions and it is difficult to obtain an ideal cutting substrate; it is recommended to use the ready-mixed and sterilized cutting substrate provided by this site; medium-coarse river sand can also be used, but it must be rinsed with clean water several times before use. Sea sand and river sand from saline-alkali areas must not be used, as they are not suitable for the growth of flowers and plants.
Selection of cutting branches
The branches used for cuttings are called cuttings. Cut the stem into segments 5-8 cm long, each with more than three leaf nodes; the top shoot can also be used as a cutting.
Management after cutting
Temperature
The optimum temperature for rooting of cuttings is 18°C-25°C; below 18°C, the cuttings root with difficulty and slowly; above 25°C, the cut of the cutting is easily infected by pathogens and rots, and the higher the temperature, the greater the proportion of rotting. When low temperature is encountered after cutting, the main measure for keeping warm is to wrap the flowerpot or container used for cuttings with film; when the temperature is too high after cutting, the main measure for cooling is to shade the cuttings, shading 50-80% of the sunlight, and at the same time mist the cuttings 3-5 times a day; the higher the temperature on sunny days, the more frequent the misting, and on rainy days with lower temperature and higher humidity, mist less or not at all.
Humidity
After cutting, the relative air humidity must be kept at 75-85%. Humidity can be increased by misting the cuttings, 1-3 times a day; the higher the temperature on sunny days, the more frequent the misting, and the lower the temperature on rainy days, the less frequent the misting or none at all. However, excessive misting makes the cuttings easily infected by pathogens and rot, because many kinds of pathogens exist in water.
Light
Cutting propagation cannot do without sunlight, but the stronger the light, the higher the temperature inside the cuttings, the more vigorous the transpiration of the cuttings, and the more water consumed, which is not conducive to the survival of the cuttings. Therefore, after cutting, 50-80% of the sunlight must be shaded out.
Division method
It is generally carried out in February-March in conjunction with repotting; divide the clustered plant into several plants with roots and plant them separately. It can also be divided and planted in other seasons. After division, it can be divided again after three years.
Sowing method
Sowing is generally carried out in March-April. Sow in a flowerpot filled with culture soil, water it, then temporarily place it in a shaded spot, keep it moist, and under the condition of 25-30°C, it will germinate in about 25 days. During the growth period, the water supply must be sufficient; in midsummer, spray the leaf surface every morning and evening; in winter, when the growth of stems and leaves slows down, water should be controlled and the potting soil should not be too wet. In southern regions, it is often placed in semi-shade for care in summer. From May to October, during the period of vigorous stem and leaf growth, fertilize once every half month. When brought indoors in winter, if the leaves turn yellow, apply 1 additional diluted nitrogen fertilizer. Mother plants grown for many years often become prostrate with a poor shape, and should be re-propagated by cuttings to renew them.
Pest and disease control of Aglaonema modestum
During the growth period, Aglaonema modestum is easily harmed by leaf spot, anthracnose, scale insects, brown soft scale and so on.
Leaf spot
This disease occurs on the leaves of Aglaonema modestum, and is prone to occur in weather with high humidity. The lesion is at first a small brown spot, with a water-soaked faded green margin, and expands in concentric rings, round to oval, with a brown edge and grayish white inside. Later, blackish-brown mold spots appear in the center of the lesion, becoming a blackish-brown mold layer under moist conditions.
The method for preventing and controlling this disease is to promptly remove diseased and residual leaves; both in the early and late stages of the disease, spray with 0.5%-1% Bordeaux mixture (or 50% carbendazim 1000-fold solution). Use 800-fold mancozeb for control, once a week, 3-4 consecutive times is enough.
Anthracnose
This disease also occurs on the leaves of Aglaonema modestum, and in severe cases can spread to the leaf stalks. The lesion is at first a water-soaked small yellow spot, and after expanding is oval to irregular brown or yellow-brown, slightly showing concentric rings; later the lesions join into one piece and become dry and withered, and produce small black dots arranged in concentric rings. This disease is mainly due to poor ventilation, and the occurrence of the disease is favored when there is damage by scale insects.
The method for preventing and controlling this disease is to strengthen care and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; in the early stage of the disease, spray with 0.3%-0.5% equal-amount Bordeaux mixture (or 60% zineb 800-900-fold solution, or 70% thiophanate 1500-fold solution). In the early stage of the disease, use 1000-fold chlorothalonil for control, once a week, 3-4 consecutive times is enough.
Brown soft scale
This insect has complex feeding habits and can harm many plants, and Aglaonema modestum is one of the flowers harmed by it. When the brown soft scale harms plants, it generally gathers on the leaf surface or on tender leaves, piercing and sucking the plant sap, and at the same time excreting a sticky liquid; its excrement easily causes sooty mold fungi to multiply in large numbers, making the stems and leaves turn black, affecting the plant's photosynthesis, causing weak growth and yellowing and withering of leaves, and impairing the ornamental value. In severe occurrences, the branches and stems are covered with insect bodies, causing the plant to yellow and wither and affecting growth.
Control methods
① If there are few affected plants, or not many insects, generally scraping off the insect bodies with a bamboo strip or the like is enough;
② During the nymph hatching period, spray with 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000-fold solution (or 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000-fold solution), and you can also spray 5% phosmet emulsifiable concentrate 1000-fold solution to kill them.
Cold damage
It mainly occurs on old leaves; the old leaves turn yellow and are accompanied by water-soaked spots.
Green spots
The spadix inflorescences are often clustered several together, and the spathe is pale green, yellow-green or yellow; the fruit is an oval berry, orange-red or red when ripe, with one seed. It is mainly used for indoor pot planting or planting in cool places in courtyards. It is robust by nature, and when potted in various media such as peat soil, tree fern chips, foamed and calcined stone, etc., it grows well. The cultivation site should be shaded, and it dislikes direct strong sunlight; about 50-60% sunlight is ideal for growth. It likes a high-temperature environment with high air humidity, and the optimum growth temperature is about 20-28°C. It can be propagated by division or cuttings, and spring to autumn is the suitable period. In winter, when a cold snap hits and the temperature is below 13°C, the potted plant should be moved to a warm, sheltered place to prevent cold damage.
Variety classification of Aglaonema modestum
The common important ornamental varieties of Aglaonema are: golden-edge Aglaonema (leaves with yellow edges); silver-edge Aglaonema (leaves with white edges). In addition, there are also variants such as spotted leaf, large leaf, fine leaf, and dwarf. The common ornamental species in the same genus are:
Aglaonema crispum(A.crispum)
The plant height is generally 50-80 cm. The leaves are densely borne at the base of the stem, leathery, long ovate, 10-18 cm long and about 5-6 cm wide, green, glossy, with grayish-white markings on the leaf surface. The leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate, the spathe is small, green, often rolled up at the lower part and open at the upper part. The flowers are unisexual. The emerald green leaf surface is adorned with patterns such as silver-green bands, dots, spots and halos. The inflorescence is borne between the leaf axils at the stem tip, composed of a spadix and a spathe, and the berry is red.
Aglaonema modestum(A.modestum)
The plant is 40-60 cm tall. The leaves are elliptic-ovate, alternate, glossy, with long leaf stalks, sheath-like below the middle. The berry is bright red.
Aglaonema javanicum(A.costatum)
The stem is very short, branching at the base; the leaves are ovate-cordate, 12-22 cm long and 7-11 cm wide, thick, dark green, glossy, with white stellate spots on the leaf surface. The midrib is thick and white, and the inflorescence is large and projecting forward.
Aglaonema pictum(A.pictum)
The stem is short and much branched, 70-80 cm tall; the leaves are long elliptic, slightly thin, 10-20 cm long and 5 cm wide, dark green, glossy, with large gray-green variegation. The leaf stalk is 3-5 cm long, with a short sheath, and the flower stem is 2-5 cm long. A perennial evergreen herb of the Araceae family. The stem is erect, and the plant height is generally below 90 cm. The leaves are elliptic to ovate, dark green, appearing silver or white under high light. The leaf stalk is sheathed, the inflorescence is composed of a spadix and a spathe, with male flowers above and female flowers below, and a berry. It flowers in late summer and early autumn.
It is produced in southwestern and southern China, and from India to Malaysia. It is also distributed in China. It prefers a high-temperature, humid environment, with a growth temperature of 25-30°C and a relative humidity of 70%-90%. It is strongly shade-tolerant and dislikes direct strong light. It requires loose, fertile, well-drained slightly acidic soil.
It is native to China and Japan. The main producing areas in China are Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and other places, and it likes to grow in damp places under forests or in grasslands.
Distribution area of Aglaonema modestum
Aglaonema modestum belongs to the Araceae family and is native to tropical Asia, being most widespread in Malaysia and the Philippine region.
In China, Aglaonema modestum is mainly distributed in southern China and southeastern Yunnan, and in Nanhai County of Guangdong and the Nanhai District of Foshan, Guangdong.
Aglaonema modestum grows in dense forests at an altitude of 500-1700 m, and is distributed in warm, humid environments and slightly acidic soil; it is shade-tolerant, fears direct strong light, is not cold-tolerant, and the winter temperature must not be lower than 12°C.
Dietary or medicinal value of Aglaonema modestum
The medical information and health dietary information on Hudong Flower Network is for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health problem should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and the treatment of any disease should follow the doctor's advice.
Ultimate flower-protecting task: to love yourself, start from reality and strictly follow the doctor's advice. For illness, do not be careless, do not delay, do not give up hope, face it bravely, warm the silent world with love, and care for the flower field in your heart with your heart.
Medicinal value
Nature and flavor, meridians entered: pungent, slightly bitter, cold. Slightly toxic.
Functions and indications: clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Used for dog bites, snake bites, sore throat, urethritis, enteritis, and cough due to lung heat. For external use, treats carbuncles, sores and swellings, and rectal prolapse in children.
Usage and dosage: fresh herb 0.5 to 1 liang; for external use, an appropriate amount, crush the fresh herb and apply to the affected area. (For rectal prolapse in children, grind it into powder, apply and then push it back up, or decoct in water for external washing.)
Supplementary formulas:
(1) For sore throat: crush the fresh rhizome of Guangdong Evergreen and squeeze out the juice, three to five qian, add a little cold boiled water and gargle.
(2) For diphtheria: 1. Fresh leaves of Guangdong Evergreen, two to five qian. Crush and decoct in water for oral use. 2. Fresh rhizome of Guangdong Evergreen, one liang. Crush, add one liang of vinegar, squeeze out the juice, add a little cold boiled water and gargle.
(3) For vomiting of blood: Guangdong Evergreen, one liang five qian, red dates, seven pieces. Decoct in water for oral use.
(4) For carbuncle swelling: an appropriate amount of fresh rhizome of Guangdong Evergreen, a little brown sugar. Crush and apply to the affected area. (Formulas (1) and following are from "Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine".) (5) For bites by rabid dogs: fresh Evergreen, four liang, white sugar, four liang. Crush and squeeze out the juice, mix with white sugar and boiled water, and take orally. ("Luchuan Materia Medica")
Toxic parts
The whole plant.
Poisoning symptoms
Accidental ingestion of the stems and leaves causes symptoms such as inflammation of the mouth and tongue, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Harvesting and storage
Rhizome: harvest after autumn, use fresh or slice and dry in the sun. Stems and leaves: harvest in late summer, use fresh or cut into sections and dry in the sun.
The role and uses of Guangdong Evergreen: home decoration
Guangdong Evergreen has broad, glossy leaves that stay emerald green all year round and is especially shade-tolerant. Besides being potted to adorn halls and rooms, its leaves can also be cut for use as foliage in flower arrangements or to decorate outdoor environments. Common species in the same genus include Silver Queen Chinese Evergreen.
Air purification
Guangdong Evergreen is a common type of plant that purifies pollutants, and it has a very good purifying effect on indoor formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Commonly grown cultivars: Java Chinese Evergreen, Spotted Chinese Evergreen, Silver Queen Chinese Evergreen, White Ribbon Chinese Evergreen, etc.
Cultural background of Guangdong Evergreen: various authors' discussions
1. "Luchuan Materia Medica": reduces inflammation, promotes urination. Treats asthma, scalds and burns, and bites by rabid dogs.
2. Guangzhou Army "Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicine": clears heat and cools the blood, reduces swelling and draws out toxins, relieves pain. Treats snake bites, sore throat, rectal prolapse in children, and boils, sores and swellings.
Origin of the name
Guangdong Evergreen has dense, glossy leaves and stays green all year round, so it is called "winter-everlasting herb". Because it is widely distributed in the Guangzhou area, it is called Guangdong Evergreen or Yue Evergreen.
Guangdong Evergreen as a national flower or city flower
Guangdong Evergreen is the city herb of Nanhai County, Guangdong, and Nanhai District, Foshan.
The flower language of Guangdong Evergreen
The flower language of Guangdong Evergreen: good fortune and auspiciousness, eternal youth.
Guangdong Evergreen has dense, glossy leaves and stays green all year round, so it is called "winter-everlasting herb", and thus it symbolizes unchanging youth.
Pictures of Guangdong Evergreen
How should Guangdong Evergreen be grown without soil
For household soilless cultivation of Guangdong Evergreen, the liquid culture method should be used. This method has features such as being clean and elegant, and it is also relatively easy to manage. The container can be a wide-mouthed bottle or a glass jar. For the water, use tap water that has been left standing for several days, add a few milliliters of general nutrient solution, and simply soak the roots of the Guangdong Evergreen in the water. In summer, the water in the hydroponic setup is best changed once a week, and in winter once a month is enough. Avoid exposure to the sun in summer, and in winter place it in a sunny room to prevent cold damage.How to grow Guangdong Evergreen in water: (1) Plant selection. Choose a plant that is robust, with unbroken leaves, no insect holes, and well-developed roots that are not compacted. (2) Cleaning. Rinse the branches, leaves, and roots clean with clear water. (3) Culture water. Place the plant in a container, fill with clean water, with the water level submerging the roots, and change the water once every 3-5 days. (4) Light. Place it in a spot indoors with good lighting (diffused light), and frequently change the position receiving light. (5) Overwintering. Cover the plant with a plastic film bag and place it in a sunny spot indoors to overwinter safely.