What are the precautions for propagating and cultivating Rhoeo discolor?
Rhoeo discolor prefers a warm, humid, well-ventilated environment and is most averse to blazing sun. In summer it should be kept indoors in a spot with scattered light or under the shade of a tree; if exposed to strong direct sunlight, its leaves will become scorched. If the indoor light is too dim, the leaves will also fade. Therefore, apart from needing appropriate shading in summer and autumn, it should receive full sunlight in the other seasons.
It is not cold-tolerant; the optimum growth temperature is 15-25°C, and growth stops below 10°C. If the temperature drops further, the entire plant will wither, but it can sprout again after the temperature rises the following spring. Rhoeo discolor has a certain resistance to drought and dry air, so watering should not be too frequent or too heavy; the potting soil should rather be on the dry side than too wet, and watering should be controlled even more in winter to avoid root rot.
Do not fertilize too much; each year in early spring, a moderate amount of base fertilizer can be applied when repotting. During the peak growing season, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer once every 15-20 days; no fertilization is needed at other times. To keep potted plants short-stemmed and full, promptly prune leggy stems and branches, and repot and change the soil once every two years.
Rohdea japonica (Japanese sacred lily) Rohdea japonica illustrated guide: how to grow Rohdea japonica / how to propagate Rohdea japonica
Rohdea japonica profileRohdea japonica
Rohdea japonica cultivation methods and precautions, an introduction to Rohdea japonica
Rohdea japonica (scientific name: Rohdea japonica) is the only species in the genus Rohdea. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant, also known as yun, qiannian yun, kaikou jian, jiujie lian, dongbudiao, dongbudiao cao, tiebiandan, wumu du, baisha cao, zhanshe jian, and others. It is native to southern China and Japan and is a very popular, excellent ornamental plant. It has a long history of cultivation in China, and its Chinese name "yun" means "a herbaceous plant that likes warmth."
Morphological characteristics of Rohdea japonica
The rhizome is 1.5-2.5 cm thick. Leaves are 3-6 in number, thickly papery, oblong, lanceolate, or oblanceolate, 15-50 cm long and 2.5-7 cm wide, with an acute apex and a slightly narrowed base, green, with the longitudinal veins distinctly raised; the sheath leaves are lanceolate, 5-12 cm long. The scape is shorter than the leaves, 2.5-4 cm long; the spike is 3-4 cm long and 1.2-1.7 cm wide, bearing several dozen densely packed flowers; the bracts are ovate, membranous, shorter than the flowers, 2.5-6 mm long and 2-4 mm wide; the perianth is 4-5 mm long and 6 mm wide, pale yellow, with thick lobes; the anthers are ovate, 1.4-1.5 mm long. The berry is about 8 mm in diameter and red when ripe. The flowering period is May-June, and the fruiting period is September-November.
It is produced in Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Sichuan. It grows in damp places under forests or on grassland, at an altitude of 750-1700 m.
The whole plant has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain. In various places it is often grown in pots for ornamental purposes.
A perennial evergreen herb with no aboveground stem. The rhizome is thick and short, yellowish-white, jointed, with numerous slender fibrous roots growing from the nodes. The leaves grow in a cluster from the rhizome, thick, lanceolate or strap-shaped, 10-25 cm long and 2.5-5.5 cm wide, with margins slightly folded inward and the base gradually narrowing into a petiole-like form; the upper surface is dark green and the lower surface pale green, with several straight parallel veins, the midrib being thicker. [1] In spring and summer, scapes grow from the leaf cluster, 10-20 cm long; the flowers are numerous, clustered at the top in a short spike; the perianth has 6 segments, pale greenish-white, ovate to triangular, with a pointed tip and broad base, the lower part fused into a disc shape; there are 6 stamens, sessile, with oblong anthers; the ovary is spherical, the style short, and the stigma 3-lobed. The berry is spherical, orange-red, and contains 1 seed.
Variety classification of Rohdea japonica: Dieffenbachia
[Alias] Dumb cane.
[Scientific name] Dieffenbachia maculata
[Family and genus] Araceae, Dieffenbachia.
[Morphology] A perennial evergreen herb. The stem is thick and fleshy, and the plant can reach 1 m tall. The leaves are large and glossy, borne on the upper part of the stem, elliptic-ovate or broadly lanceolate, with a gradually pointed apex and entire margins, 20-50 cm long and 5-15 cm wide; both surfaces of the leaf are dark green, inlaid with dense, irregular spots, streaks, and patches of white, milky white, pale yellow, and other colors. Common horticultural varieties include 'Tropic Snow' (Da Wang Dai Fen Ye), 'Camille' (Bai Yu Dai Fen Ye), 'Summer White' (Shu Bai Dai Fen Ye), and others.
[Habits] Native to tropical America. It prefers high temperature, high humidity, and a semi-shaded or shaded environment. It is not cold-tolerant, averse to strong direct light, and requires loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam.
[Propagation] Mainly by cuttings. In spring, from April to May, cut off the small plantlets growing from the base of the plant, let the wound dry slightly, or dip the wound in plant ash, then insert into plain sand. Be careful to shade and keep moist; roots will form in about 1 month and it can then be potted up.
[Cultivation] For potting, use 2 parts leaf mold, 1 part garden soil, and 1 part river sand plus a small amount of decomposed base fertilizer as the growing medium. During the growing season, to keep the potting soil moist, water more frequently, preferring wet over dry, and also mist the leaves. In autumn, control moisture, alternating between dry and wet; in winter, keep the potting soil dry. During the growing period, fertilize generally once a month; at ordinary times, prevent direct sunlight and provide shade. Repot once each spring. The wintering temperature must not be lower than 10°C.
[Uses] Potted ornamental. Suitable for decorating the living room or study.
Decorative application: small potted plants can be placed on a desk or windowsill for viewing. Medium-sized potted plants are suitable for the living room, placed beside the sofa as decoration, filling the room with green vitality.
Light: tolerant of partial shade, averse to overly intense sunlight, but too dim light will also cause the leaves to fade.
Water: likes moisture; water more during the growing season from March to August. In summer, sprinkle water frequently to increase environmental humidity.
Temperature: likes high temperature and is not cold-tolerant; the optimum growth temperature is 20-30°C. The minimum wintering temperature is above 12°C. Once frozen, the leaves turn yellow and wilt and the terminal bud dies.
Fertilizer: during the growing season, apply nitrogen fertilizer monthly to promote rapid growth; from March to August, apply fertilizer solution once every two weeks. Reduce fertilization after autumn.
Soil: requires loose, fertile, well-drained soil.
[Propagation]: by cuttings. Can be done in spring and summer. Take 10-15 cm long young shoots and insert them into a yellow sand medium; they will root in 20-30 days. Afterwards, repot into a new pot according to the size of the plant.
Ornithogalum caudatum (pregnant onion)
[Brief introduction] Ornithogalum caudatum is native to southern Africa. It likes sunlight and also tolerates partial shade; it is cold-tolerant. In summer it fears direct sunlight and likes a humid environment. After heavy frost in winter, the leaf cluster still remains verdant. The bulb has a summer dormancy habit, has strong reproductive capacity, and a high propagation coefficient.
[Propagation] Commonly propagated by bulb division and sowing. For natural bulb division, dig up the bulbs in August-September and plant them graded by size; after one planting, divide the bulbs again several years later when the bulbs become crowded. For propagation by sowing, seedlings need 3-4 years of cultivation before they can flower.
[Cultivation] It grows vigorously and tolerates extensive management. Fertilize once every half month; the soil should be loose, moist, and well-drained. After flowering, remove the spent flower stems, and it will bloom more abundantly the following year. The bulb storage temperature is 25°C, and it needs dry, ventilated conditions.
[Pests and diseases] Among diseases, mosaic disease is harmful; the virus is spread by aphids and can be controlled by spraying with a 2.5% derris extract solution diluted 800 times.
[Uses] Ornithogalum caudatum flowers from mid-April to early May; the flowers come in white, orange, and double-flowered types. In spring, the star-shaped white flowers sparkle, elegant and simple; it is an excellent material for natural-style gardens and rock gardens, and is also suitable for cut flowers and potted ornamentals.
Aglaonema modestum (Chinese evergreen)
Also called Aglaonema. Aglaonema modestum is a perennial herb of the Araceae family, with a plant height of 60-70 cm; the stem is erect and unbranched, with obvious nodes.
The leaves are alternate, with long petioles that broaden at the base into a sheath; the leaves are green, long-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate. It flowers in autumn, with inflorescences borne in the leaf axils, shorter than the petioles.
Its leaves are broad and glossy, evergreen in all four seasons, and especially shade-tolerant. They can be cut to make foliage bonsai arrangements or as flower arrangement backing, decorating the environment, and can also be used in pots to accent halls and rooms.
Chinese Rohdea japonica
Chinese Rohdea japonica, famous since ancient and modern times, is verdant and evergreen through the four seasons, and its orange-red berries do not fall in winter. It is regarded among the people as a symbol of good fortune and wishes fulfilled, and is widely cultivated in both the north and south. In the north it is grown in pots and can be displayed indoors for ornament in all four seasons.
Rohdea japonica is a perennial herbaceous flower of the genus Rohdea in the Liliaceae family. It has a short, thick rhizome underground, and the leaves grow in a cluster from the top of the rhizome, strap-shaped or oblanceolate. The scape is relatively short, emerging from the leaf cluster, with a terminal spike; the small flowers are white and densely packed, and the berries are spherical and orange-red. The flowering period is June to July. Potted plants in the north rarely bear fruit and are grown mainly for their foliage.
The genus Rohdea is native to China, with only this one species. Its varieties include golden-edged Rohdea japonica, silver-edged Rohdea japonica, and Dieffenbachia, as well as large-leaved, fine-leaved, and dwarf cultivars. Also commonly cultivated is Aglaonema modestum, alias bamboo-node Rohdea, a perennial herbaceous flower of the Araceae family, native to South China, Southwest China, and from India to Malaysia. It shares the name "Rohdea" but belongs to a different family and genus. Its varieties include the four queens: Gold, Silver, Jade, and Beauty. Their leaf colors are inlaid like gold and jade, brilliantly variegated, and all rank among today's outstanding indoor ornamental foliage plants.
Rohdea japonica and Aglaonema modestum are both potted plants. They require a humus-rich, loose, fertile, slightly acidic growing medium; they like high temperature and high humidity and are not tolerant of severe cold, and must not go below 5°C in winter. They like shade and are averse to strong direct light; in winter they can be placed in a sunny spot, and in summer they should be shaded. They are averse to being soaked by rainwater. Chinese Rohdea japonica is mainly propagated by division. Aglaonema modestum is mainly propagated by cuttings, preferably carried out in March or from September to October. Aglaonema modestum can also have 8 cm long stem sections cut and soaked in clear water until roots emerge before planting, or be grown in water in a glass vessel to enjoy the leaves and roots; it remains unfading for a long time. If you want the leaf color to be deep green, apply a mixed solution of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate once or twice in spring and autumn.
Rohdea japonica and Aglaonema modestum should be repotted and have their soil changed once every two to three years in early spring. After repotting, place them in a warm, humid, shaded spot, and frequently mist the leaves and the surrounding environment to keep them moist. In the Beijing area, they can be placed outdoors under a shade frame after mid-May, and brought indoors in early October, placed in a spot with fresh air and no smoke or dust pollution.
Rhoeo discolor
Rhoeo discolor alias: oyster plant, purple Rhoeo, purple brocade orchid; Commelinaceae
The genus Rhoeo discolor is native to Mexico and the West Indies
It is an evergreen perennial herbaceous plant. The leaves are lanceolate, green on the upper surface with stripes of varying shades, and purplish-red on the underside, also with stripes of varying shades of purplish-red (see photo). The stems and leaves are somewhat succulent. The flowering period is August-October, and it readily sets seed. The small flowers are white; because the flowers grow inside two purplish-red, mussel-shaped large bracts, resembling a mussel shell spitting out a pearl, it is also called "mussel flower."
Its leaves are differently colored on each side, verdant and varied, and the plant form is moderate and graceful. The red bracts contain many jade-white small flowers, creating an obvious color contrast, strange and interesting, presenting the scene of a mussel shell spitting out pearls, which is very rare and never tiresome to look at.
Rhoeo discolor prefers a semi-shaded, humid environment and likes fertile, loose sandy loam. It is relatively drought-tolerant, fears blazing sun, and is afraid of cold; growth stops at 10°C, so it is best to keep it above 10°C for wintering.
It has good shade tolerance and also a fairly strong ability to adapt to dry climates, thus making it an excellent foliage plant for indoor cultivation in both northern and southern China. It can be placed long-term in a bright living room; if the room is rather dark, it is best to replace it about every 20 days.
Its propagation is mainly by sowing; the tiny seeds can be sown as soon as they are collected, and seedlings emerge in half a month. When the seedlings are 3-5 cm tall they can be transplanted. It can also be propagated by cuttings, carried out in spring and autumn. Cut off the leafy top portion and insert it into sandy soil, place it in the shade, and do not overwater; roots form in about 20 days, and when new leaves grow it can be returned to normal management. The remaining old stem can still send out new shoots again.
Dieffenbachia seguine (zebra leaf Dieffenbachia)
Dieffenbachia seguine, also called giant Dieffenbachia and dumb cane, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Araceae family. Its stem is cylindrical and fleshy, and the stem often bears white ring marks, which are the traces left after the leaves fall. The leaves of Dieffenbachia seguine are long-elliptic, with irregular white or goose-yellow spots and streaks scattered on both sides of the green midrib, appearing especially graceful and elegant, like the stripes on a zebra, hence the name zebra leaf Dieffenbachia.
Native to Colombia, it likes damp heat; the growing temperature should be controlled at 25°C to 30°C, and the winter room temperature should be maintained at 15°C, with a minimum of 10°C. Dieffenbachia seguine is suitable for indoor cultivation. When cultivating it, a water tray can be placed under the pot, with water in the tray, so that moisture can continuously pass through the small holes in the bottom of the pot to keep the potting soil moist.
Common varieties include:
1. Golden-edged Rohdea japonica (var. marginata).
2. Silver-edged Rohdea japonica (Var. variegata).
There are also other varieties such as large-leaved, fine-leaved, dwarf, and those with yellow-white markings; Japan and Taiwan, China have more of them.
Distribution range of Rohdea japonica
Rohdea japonica is native to China and Japan. It is fairly widely distributed in China, found in East China, Central China, and the Southwest; the main producing areas include Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, and other places.
Ecological habits of Rohdea japonica
It likes to grow in damp places under forests or in grassland.
It likes a semi-shaded, warm, humid, well-ventilated environment; it is not drought-tolerant and slightly cold-tolerant; it is averse to direct sunlight and to waterlogging.
It can be cultivated in ordinary garden soil, but the best is a slightly acidic sandy loam rich in [2] humus, loose, and with good water permeability.
Propagation methods of Rohdea japonica
Both sowing and division propagation are possible.
The berries of Rohdea japonica ripen in December. Once ripe, they can be sown as soon as they are collected into potting soil mixed with equal parts fine sand and leaf mold. Cover the pot with glass or tie on plastic film to maintain the potting soil's moisture, temperature, and light. If the temperature is controlled at 20°C, they will germinate in 20-30 days. When the seedlings grow to 3-4 leaves, they can be divided and potted.
(1) Division method: The division method: Rohdea japonica has strong sprouting ability from its underground stem. In spring and autumn, use a sharp knife to cut off the newly sprouted buds at the rhizome together with some lateral roots, coat the wound with plant ash, plant into a pot, water lightly, place in the shade, and after 1-2 days water thoroughly. Alternatively, turn the entire plant out of the pot, and depending on the size of the plant, use a sharp tool to divide it into several parts; after the wounds dry for a day or are coated with plant ash, pot them up and manage as described above.
(2) Sowing method: Sowing is generally carried out from March to April. Sow into a flower pot filled with growing medium, water, then temporarily place in the shade, keep moist, and under conditions of 25-30°C, they will germinate in about 25 days.
Cultivation techniques of Rohdea japonica: cultivation management
For potting Rohdea japonica, it is best to use sandy loam rich in humus as the growing medium. A soil pH of 6-6.5 for Rohdea japonica can fully bring out the soil nutrients, effectively promoting Rohdea japonica to flower and fruit. Repot regularly once a year; when repotting, remove decayed dead leaves and rhizomes, and use an acidic soil with potassium fertilizer as the growing soil. After planting, place Rohdea japonica in a cool place for a few days so it can recover its vitality.
Cultivation method of Rohdea japonica: keep it warm, humid, and semi-shaded. It grows vigorously in summer and needs to be placed in a shaded spot to avoid strong light, otherwise the leaf tips are prone to drying and the margins to scorching, affecting the ornamental effect. Therefore, after being brought out of the room in early spring, it should be placed under a shaded trellis or eaves or in a shaded spot on a balcony. Rohdea japonica is a fleshy-rooted plant; waterlogging easily causes it to suffer from excess water, and too much watering easily causes root rot. But the air must be kept humid; if the air is dry, leaf-tip drying and other undesirable phenomena also easily occur. In summer, water should be sprinkled on the ground around the flower pot every morning and evening to create a humid microclimate. Also be careful to guard against heavy rain; especially during the flowering period it must not be rained on, and it should be placed in a shaded, dry, ventilated place free from rain.
During the growing period, apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once about every 20 days; in early summer, when growth is more vigorous, apply a Rohdea japonica liquid fertilizer once about every 10 days, and a small amount of 0.5% ammonium sulfate can be added to the topdressing; this can promote better growth, with dark green and glossy leaf color. In the peak flowering months of June-July, apply a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution once about every 15 days to promote flower bud differentiation and facilitate better flowering and fruiting (around the Start of Summer, several of the old outer leaves of mature plants should be cut off to facilitate the sprouting of new buds and new leaves and the emergence of scapes).
In winter, Rohdea japonica needs to be moved indoors to overwinter, placed in a sunny, well-ventilated spot, with the temperature maintained at 6-18°C. If the room temperature is too high, it easily causes the leaves to grow leggy, consuming large amounts of nutrients, so that growth is weakened the following year and normal flowering and fruiting are affected. If Rohdea japonica shows yellowed, scorched leaf tips in winter, or even the whole plant withering, this 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 suitable. In addition, the leaves also need to be sprayed and washed with warm water once a week to prevent the leaves from being polluted by smoke and dust, so as to keep the stems and leaves fresh green and verdant through the four seasons.
Key cultivation points
The growing environment should be kept warm, humid, and semi-shaded. In summer, it is best placed indoors about 80 cm from a south-facing windowsill or in a shaded spot outdoors, avoiding strong direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves are easily scorched. In addition to watering adequately, water should be sprinkled on the ground around the flower pot every morning and evening to create a humid microclimate. Pay attention to moisture control. After being brought indoors in winter, the room temperature must not be lower than 12°C. If the room temperature is too low, it easily causes the plant to suffer cold, drop its leaves, and die.
Precautions
1. Planting: plant in spring or repot and change the soil. It has no strict requirements for soil, but fears waterlogging; when grown in the ground or in pots, it is averse to hard clay and alkaline soil. For potting, generally use a mixed soil of leaf mold plus sand. In the south it can be potted or grown in the open; in the north it needs greenhouse cultivation. Change the soil once a year, repot once every 2 years, and replenish with new fertile soil.
2. Light and temperature: Rohdea japonica likes a semi-shaded environment and fears direct sun in summer. For greenhouse cultivation, shade more than 60% in spring, summer, and autumn, and 40% in winter. Too strong light easily causes sunscald, and too weak light makes it hard to flower and fruit. The suitable growth temperature is 15-18°C. In winter it goes dormant and is brought into the greenhouse, placed in a sunny spot, with the temperature maintained above 10°C and the minimum temperature not lower than 5°C. In the Yangtze River basin it can overwinter in the open; although the leaves suffer frost damage, new leaves can still sprout again the following year.
3. Watering and fertilizing: during the growing season, apply liquid fertilizer once every 10-15 days. In summer, strengthen ventilation, prevent heat and lower the temperature, and supply water adequately, frequently keeping the potting soil moist and the surrounding air humid. In summer, water 1-2 times a day. In winter, reduce watering and stop fertilizing.
4. Shaping and pruning: to maintain a good plant shape and improve ornamental value, as the plant grows, the yellow leaves, remnant leaves, and some old leaves at the lower part of the plant should be pruned promptly. When grown in pots at home, a soft cloth dipped in beer can be used to wipe the leaves, which both removes dust and adds nutrients to the leaves, making them bright green and clean.
Cultivation of Ornithogalum (eyebrow-brush Rohdea)
According to differences in growth cycle or plant form, the distribution varies, and the cultivation methods also differ somewhat. The bulb-shaped bulbs grow on or in the ground, oval or spherical; the leaves are thick and fleshy, evergreen, alternately arranged on both sides from the base, with a beautiful luster on the surface, tongue-shaped; the flowers are solitary, with small pedicels, and numerous stamens with yellow anthers at the tips. Because Japanese people think they closely resemble the brushes used by ancient Japanese ladies-in-waiting to brush away excess white powder clinging to the eyebrows, they call it eyebrow-brush. The spherical red berries and seeds resemble those of Clivia, and are fleshy.
The eyebrow-brush Rohdea is strong in both heat tolerance and cold tolerance, with a minimum of about 5°C, though evergreen varieties are best kept above 8°C so that the leaves retain beautiful ornamental value. It is robust in constitution and free of pests and diseases, but attention should be paid to damage by spider mites; if any are seen, a little insecticide can be sprayed.
Cultivation is quite easy. It is averse to strong direct light; in summer it needs to be placed in a ventilated spot with half-day shade for cultivation. It can be placed indoors, but attention must be paid to adequate light to prevent the leaves from growing leggy and affecting growth. It has good drought tolerance and is averse to high humidity; if the soil is too wet, it easily causes the bulb to rot. During the growing period, water thoroughly after the surface soil dries, and once a month apply Hyponex No. 2 or diluted Hyponex liquid as a water drench; however, as the dormancy period approaches, gradually reduce the frequency and amount of watering. During dormancy, watering can be stopped, though evergreen varieties can still be given a little water during dormancy to maintain the verdant green of the leaves.
Repotting can be carried out at the end of the dormancy period or the early part of the growing period; summer-dormant types can be repotted around July, and winter-dormant types around April. Use well-drained soil; small-grained akadama soil mixed with Daechubot growing medium can be used. When planting, let about half of the bulb be exposed above the soil, planting it shallowly in the pot.
Generally, it can be propagated by dividing bulbs or by sowing. The bulbs can be divided about once every 3-5 years, which is a quite simple and easy method. Alternatively, after the flowers fade, the mature fleshy seeds inside the spherical berries can be taken and sown; however, the germination rate of the seeds decreases as storage time lengthens, and they do not keep well, so they need to be sown as soon as possible. For the eyebrow-brush Rohdea, from seed germination to flowering takes at least 3-4 years, truly a long wait!
The eyebrow-brush Rohdea is easy to cultivate and robust in constitution. Ordinarily its fresh green leaves can be enjoyed as a foliage plant, and when it flowers you can also appreciate its peculiar blooms. It is quite suitable for beginners at growing succulents to cultivate.
Care knowledge: Aglaonema modestum
An evergreen herbaceous plant of the Araceae family and the genus Aglaonema, also called Aglaonema. The stem is erect, 40 cm to 50 cm tall. The leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate, with a blunt base and a gradually pointed apex. The inflorescence emerges from the lower sheath, and the spathe is small and green.
It is native to Southwest and South China, and is also distributed from India to Malaysia. It likes a warm, humid, and sparsely shaded environment. For potting, a loose, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained slightly acidic soil is best. It is not cold-tolerant; the wintering temperature is 5°C to 8°C. The leaves need frequent misting, and the potting soil should be kept moist at all times. It is mainly propagated by cuttings, which root very easily at 25°C, and can also be propagated by division.
Aglaonema modestum is very well adapted to indoor environments. It can be grown in pots or in a vase, where it can keep growing and remain unfading for a long time. Common famous varieties include: Aglaonema commutatum 'Java' (Java Aglaonema), with a short stem, branching at the base, ovate leaves, white spots, and white veins. Aglaonema commutatum 'Variegatum' (spotted-leaf Aglaonema), shrub-like, with irregular bright green or grayish-white markings on the leaf surface. Aglaonema commutatum 'Yellow' (yellow-spotted Aglaonema), with a white stem, green streaks, and branching. The leaf surface has irregular yellow-brown markings, and the spathe is greenish-white. These three Aglaonema varieties are not cold-tolerant, and the suitable wintering temperature should not be lower than 18°C.
Dieffenbachia (spotted-leaf Rohdea)
The leaves of Dieffenbachia bear many irregular white or pale yellow spots, with bright tones, and are green through the four seasons.
[Water]: likes moisture. Water more in summer, but avoid waterlogging; frequently mist the leaves. Reduce watering in winter. Must not be rained on during the flowering period.
[Fertilizer]: has low fertilizer requirements. Apply base fertilizer when repotting; generally no fertilization is needed.
[Soil]: highly adaptable, but a loose, well-aerated, slightly acidic loam is most suitable.
[Temperature]: in northern regions it needs indoor wintering; in the Jiangnan region it can overwinter in the open, and above 5°C no frost damage will occur.
[Light]: likes partial shade and is averse to blazing sun. Indoors it should be placed in a ventilated spot with indirect light.
[Propagation]: by division. In early spring, divide the sprouting plantlets and plant them together with their roots; they survive easily. Sowing is also possible, but generally not used. Division can be carried out together with repotting, generally repotting once a year, dividing the clustered plant into several clumps for separate cultivation, and dividing once every 3 years.
Rhoeo discolor
Rhoeo discolor is also called purple brocade orchid. It is an evergreen perennial herb of the Commelinaceae family, with broad lanceolate leaves arranged in a ring on a short stem; the upper leaf surface is smooth and dark green, and the leaf underside is dark purple; the flowers are axillary, with white flowers enclosed by two mussel-shell-like purple bracts, and white long hairs on the filaments. It is a common indoor foliage plant.
This plant is native to Mexico and the West Indies. It likes a warm, humid climate and is suitable for growing in an environment with a temperature of 15-25°C. It likes light and also tolerates shade, fears blazing sun, and requires fertile soil with good water retention.
For Rhoeo discolor, the potting soil is best made of 2 parts pond mud and 1 part peat mixed together. Because it is highly adaptable and its management is relatively extensive, apart from needing shade or placement in a semi-shaded spot from May to October, it should be given sufficient light at other times; watering should prefer wet over dry, but it must not be excessively moist or waterlogged, otherwise over time the roots will rot; when the weather is dry, mist frequently to keep the growing environment at a relatively high air humidity. Fertilization should not be excessive; applying cake fertilizer water 1-2 times is enough. In winter, place it in a humid spot indoors, keep it at around 6-10°C, and keep the soil slightly moist; do not let it be too wet.
Rhoeo discolor is mostly propagated by division, and can also be propagated by cuttings and sowing. Division is usually carried out in spring together with repotting; the method is to cut the dense mother plant apart at the gaps with a sharp knife to divide it. Cuttings can be done at any time during the growing season; the method is to cut off 7-10 cm of the stem tip, remove the lower leaves, insert into sand, keep moist, and roots will form in about 2 weeks. Sowing is often done in pots in April; after emergence the seedlings grow rapidly. When the seedlings are about an inch long, they should be transplanted promptly, and by autumn of that year they can grow into full plants.
Dieffenbachia seguine (zebra leaf Dieffenbachia)
Dieffenbachia seguine is native to Colombia. It likes a warm, humid climate; the optimum growth temperature is 25°C to 30°C, and the winter indoor temperature should also be maintained at around 15°C, with a minimum of 10°C. For potting soil, a mix of 7 parts leaf mold, 3 parts loam, and 1 part sand can be used. Dieffenbachia seguine likes a semi-shaded environment and is averse to direct sunlight; it can be grown indoors all year round. It is tolerant of water and moisture; a water tray can be placed under the pot with water in it, so that water continuously seeps through the small holes in the bottom of the pot to moisten the potting soil. In winter, watering should be moderated; the lower the temperature, the more attention should be paid to watering less. In winter some leaves may turn yellow and drop, but as long as they are not frost-damaged, new leaves can still emerge the following spring. If it is placed indoors for the winter and grows weakly with a tendency to become leggy, it can be placed outdoors in a semi-shaded spot for a period during the growing season, and moved back indoors after its vitality recovers. Fertilization can be carried out during the growing season, depending on the growth vigor, once or twice a month, applying more decomposed liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer to promote a verdant leaf color, but nitrogen fertilizer should not be used too much.
Its "flower" is the typical spathe-and-spadix inflorescence of the Araceae family. It rarely or never sets seed, so it is difficult to propagate by seed. Propagation is basically asexual, with the main methods being tissue culture and cuttings. Tissue culture propagation has a high success rate and low cost, but requires certain equipment and conditions. The cutting method is to cut the old stem into 10-15 cm segments in spring, insert them obliquely into sandy soil, keep moist, and transplant into pots after they root and grow leaves. Alternatively, during the peak growing season, cut the stem into small segments with one or two nodes, about five or six cm long, let them dry for a few days until the cut surface is dry, then plant them directly in a pot, keep moist, and they will quickly send out roots and leaves. You can also cut leafy stem segments and insert them into a transparent glass water bottle, fixing them with white rice stone used for architectural decoration, and in about half a month you can see them grow pure white, jade-like fibrous roots, so you can enjoy both the leaves and the roots. Because its sap is toxic, be careful during handling not to let it touch the skin, mouth, or eyes. There are more than 30 varieties in the same genus as Dieffenbachia seguine, which also have certain ornamental value, but this species is the largest; its leaves are thick and hard, with elegant, beautiful markings and luster, and the plant is tall with a thick stem, making it an ideal indoor ornamental specimen.
Other types
Its key cultivation points are: warm, humid, and semi-shaded. In summer, potted plants are best placed indoors about 80 cm from a south-facing windowsill or in a shaded spot outdoors, avoiding strong direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves are easily scorched. In addition to watering adequately, water should be sprinkled on the ground around the flower pot every morning and evening to help create a humid microclimate. During the growing period, do not water too much; when the surface of the potting soil turns white, that is the right time to water. Apply liquid fertilizer once every half month.
In the north, after being brought indoors in winter, 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 and 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.
Management
For potting Rohdea japonica, it is best to use sandy loam rich in humus as the growing medium. A soil pH of 6-6.5 is relatively favorable for fully bringing out the effectiveness of nutrients and is suitable for the plant to flower and fruit. Repot once a year in March-April or October-November. When repotting, remove the aged rhizomes and persistent dead leaves, and plant with a fertilized acidic growing soil. After potting, place in the shade for a few days. The key cultivation points of Rohdea japonica are: warm, humid, and semi-shaded. It grows vigorously in summer and needs to be placed in a shaded spot to avoid strong light, otherwise the leaf tips are prone to drying and the margins to scorching, affecting the ornamental effect. Rohdea japonica has fleshy roots and most fears waterlogging; therefore, it must not be watered too much, otherwise root rot is easily caused. Ordinarily, just water the potting soil with an appropriate amount of water; do not water until the potting soil is dry, and rather let it be on the dry side than too wet. Apart from keeping the potting soil moist in summer, watering in spring and autumn should not be too frequent. In summer, water should also be sprinkled on the ground around the flower pot every morning and evening to create a humid microclimate. Also be careful to guard against heavy rain. [3]
During the growing period, apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once about every 20 days; in early summer, when growth is more vigorous, apply liquid fertilizer once about every 10 days, and a small amount of 0.5% ammonium sulfate can be added to the topdressing; this can promote better growth, with dark green and glossy leaf color. In the peak flowering months of June-July, apply a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution once about every 15 days to promote flower bud differentiation and facilitate better flowering and fruiting. During the flowering period it must not be rained on, and it should be placed in a shaded, dry, ventilated place free from rain.
In winter, Rohdea japonica needs to be moved indoors to overwinter, placed in a sunny, well-ventilated spot, with the temperature maintained at 6-18°C, to prevent the room temperature from being too high and causing the plant to consume nutrients excessively.
Results
The fruit of the Rohdea japonica (Japanese sacred lily) is often difficult to set. How can it be made to bear fruit?
① Do not water too frequently; do not water until the potting soil is dry. Better to keep it on the dry side than too wet.
② Do not let it get rained on while flowering; place it in a cool, ventilated spot sheltered from rain.
③ Do not fertilize too much; applying a single winter fertilizer each year is enough.
④ There must be an environment that allows snails to carry pollen.
If the above four points can be met, fruit can generally be expected. It flowers from May to June, and the fruit ripens from September to October. Under normal conditions, the fruit does not drop off through the winter.
Leaves
The Rohdea japonica likes warm, humid and semi-shaded environments, and dislikes direct strong light in summer. The key to growing it well is to avoid direct strong light in summer when the weather is hot and sunlight is intense. Otherwise, the leaf tips easily dry out and the edges scorch, or the leaves even turn yellow and withered, spoiling the ornamental effect.
Therefore, after it is brought outdoors in early spring, it should be placed under a shaded trellis or eaves, or in a shaded spot on a balcony, and care should be taken to protect it from rain. As for watering, besides keeping the potting soil moist in summer, watering in spring and autumn should not be too frequent, and watering should be controlled in winter. The Rohdea japonica has fleshy roots, so it fears waterlogging most of all; if watered too much, the roots easily rot. However, the air must be kept humid; if the air is dry, leaf-tip drying and other undesirable symptoms easily occur.
In spring and autumn, apply decomposed cake fertilizer water once every 3-4 weeks, which keeps the plant growing vigorously and the leaves green. In addition, around the start of summer (Lixia), several old outer leaves of mature plants should be cut off to encourage the sprouting of new shoots and new leaves and the emergence of flower stalks.
Cold damage
When the winter temperature drops below 5°C, Dieffenbachia (spotted dumb cane) is highly susceptible to cold damage, and if not managed promptly it can die. So what measures should be taken after cold damage occurs?
[Very slight cold damage]: The leaf surface loses its proper luster, and the leaves droop as if dehydrated. At this point, move the Dieffenbachia to a warmer place so it gradually returns to normal. Note that the temperature must not rise abruptly after the damage, to avoid the leaves wilting.
[Mild cold damage]: Besides drooping, the leaves develop scalded-looking cold-damage patches. To treat, cut away the cold-damaged patches on the leaves and move the plant to a warm place.
[Moderate cold damage]: Most of the leaves show cold patches, and the leaf stalks develop water-soaked patches and lose their green color. At this point, cut off the leaves together with the stalks, smear the wounds with plant ash or coal ash, then place it in a warm spot and control watering appropriately so it slowly returns to normal.
[Severe cold damage]: The young shoots and new leaves lose their green color and show water-soaked patches, and the underground root system is chilled and rots. The remedy is to dig up the plant promptly, cut off the underground portion, and cut away the damaged branches and stems; after smearing the wounds with plant ash, store it in moist plain sand and take cuttings after spring begins. If severe cold damage occurs and the whole plant shows diseased patches, then the hope of saving it is very slim, and replacing the plant should be considered.
Pest and disease control for Rohdea japonica
During the growing period, Rohdea japonica is susceptible to leaf spot, anthracnose, scale insects, brown soft scale and other problems.
(1) Leaf spot. This disease occurs on the leaves of Rohdea japonica, and is prone to occur in humid weather. The lesions first appear as small brown spots, with a water-soaked, faded-green margin, expanding in concentric rings, round to oval, with brown edges and a grayish-white interior. Later, dark brown mold spots appear in the center of the lesions, becoming a dark brown mold layer under humid conditions. The method to control this disease is to promptly remove diseased and dead leaves; both in the early and late stages of the disease, spray with 0.5%-1% Bordeaux mixture (or 50% carbendazim 1000x solution).
(2) Anthracnose. This disease also occurs on the leaves of Rohdea japonica, and in severe cases can spread to the leaf stalks. The lesions initially appear as small water-soaked yellow spots, and after expanding become oval to irregular brown or yellowish-brown, slightly showing concentric rings; later the lesions join together into a dry, withered appearance and produce small black dots arranged in concentric rings. This disease is mainly caused by poor ventilation, and the presence of scale insect damage favors its occurrence. The method to control this disease is to strengthen cultivation and increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer; in the early stage of the disease, spray with 0.3%-0.5% equal-amount Bordeaux mixture (or 60% zineb 800-900x solution, or 70% thiophanate 1500x solution).
(3) Brown soft scale. This insect has complex feeding habits and can harm many plants, and Rohdea japonica is one of the flowers it damages. When the brown soft scale harms plants, it generally gathers in groups on the leaf surface or tender leaves, piercing and sucking the plant's sap, and at the same time excreting a sticky liquid; its excrement easily causes sooty mold fungi to proliferate, turning the stems and leaves black, affecting the plant's photosynthesis, causing weak growth and yellowed leaves, and spoiling the ornamental effect. In severe outbreaks, the branches and stems are covered with the insects, causing the plant to turn yellow and wither and affecting its growth.
Control methods: ① If there are few affected plants or few insects, simply scrape off the insects with a bamboo strip or similar; ② During the nymph hatching period, spray with 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000x solution (or 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000x solution), and you can also spray 5% phosmet emulsifiable concentrate 1000x solution to kill them.
[Distribution] Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other places.
[Symptoms] At the early stage of the leaf disease, water-soaked small spots appear on the underside of the leaves; after 2-3 days the lesions become slightly sunken, as small brown spots the size of a needle tip, round or irregular, then gradually expanding into dark brown or reddish-brown round or irregular lesions 1.5-3.0 mm in diameter, with slight concentric rings on the lesions and a faded zone around the margins. Many spots can occur on a single leaf, especially on the older lower leaves, where the spots are more numerous. The expanding lesions gradually join together, and the veins and leaf stalks also turn brown, causing most of the leaf to die; the stem symptom is called black rot, with the vascular bundles of the diseased stems and branches turning brown to black; at this point the leaves on the stems wither, showing angular necrosis symptoms, after which the bacteria invade the pith and cortex, leaving only a few leaf clusters at the tips of the branches, and the entire stem turns black, shrinks and rots. When cuttings are affected, they cannot root, and slowly rot from the base upward, with the leaves withering and showing angular necrosis.
[Pathogen] The pathogen is a bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii of the class Eubacteria, order Eubacteriales, genus Xanthomonas, with a rounded, rod-shaped form and a single polar flagellum. The optimum temperature for growth and development is 25-27°C, the minimum is 1°C, and the lethal temperature is 51-51.5°C.
[Disease pattern] The bacteria can spread via cuttings, contact, and splashing water droplets, and seeds may carry the bacteria and spread it; the bacteria can survive for 3 months in moist soil; the disease is more severe when greenhouse cultivation is too dense and growth is rapid, when the lower old leaves of the plant are diseased, and when the weather is warm and humid; high nitrogen, high phosphorus and low calcium favor the disease, while high potassium, low phosphorus and high calcium suppress the symptoms. Different species and varieties of Pelargonium differ in disease resistance; among Pelargonium varieties, Pelargonium grandiflorum is highly resistant, Pelargonium graveolens is moderately resistant, and Pelargonium peltatum is highly susceptible. Some plants of the Geraniaceae are asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria.
[Control methods]
(1) Horticultural control: Keep the plants well ventilated and exposed to light, and avoid excessively high humidity; do not spray water directly on the plants, to avoid spreading disease through splashing droplets; do not select cuttings from diseased plants; remove all diseased leaves and branches, and avoid contaminating leaves with bacteria-carrying soil. Diseased soil must be handled in a centralized way, and when necessary the soil and flower pots should be sterilized. The bacteria can survive in the soil of propagation beds, so avoid splashing diseased soil onto healthy plants. Spray 1% Bordeaux mixture once every 10-15 days for prevention.
(2) Chemical control: Spray agricultural streptomycin 1000 units, or try 14% copper ammonium complex 300x solution, or 50% xiaojunling 1000x solution.
(3) Thoroughly remove all diseased plants and diseased debris. Soak and disinfect flower pots, planting benches and tools with 10% bleaching powder solution, disinfect the soil with 2% formalin solution, or replace it with new soil. Use disease-free seedlings.
(4) Before and after the disease occurs, spray 1% Bordeaux mixture or (500-1000) x 0.000001 agricultural streptomycin, several times in succession.
Medicinal dietary or medicinal value of Rohdea japonica
The medical information and health dietary information on Huhua.com 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 staff, and the treatment of any disease should follow a doctor's advice.
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Medicinal value
Rohdea japonica is the plant Rohdea japonica of the genus Rohdea in the family Liliaceae, used medicinally with its rhizome or whole plant. Rohdea japonica is also known as Zhan She Jian, Dong Bu Diao Cao, Tie Bian Dan and Jiu Jie Lian. Rohdea japonica has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and strengthening the heart and promoting diuresis. Rohdea japonica is used to prevent and treat diphtheria, myocarditis caused by diphtheria, sore throat, bacillary dysentery, and heart failure due to rheumatic heart disease.
Medicinal name: Rohdea japonica
Aliases: Zhan She Jian, Dong Bu Diao Cao, Tie Bian Dan, Jiu Jie Lian.
Meridian tropism: Bitter, slightly sweet, cold. Slightly toxic.
Effects: Clears heat and detoxifies, strengthens the heart and promotes diuresis.
Indications: Used to prevent and treat diphtheria, myocarditis caused by diphtheria, sore throat, bacillary dysentery, and heart failure due to rheumatic heart disease; for external use, treats traumatic injuries, venomous snake bites, burns and scalds, mastitis, and carbuncles and boils.
Dosage: Rhizome 15-25 g; leaves 5-10 g; for external use, an appropriate amount, mashed to extract the juice and applied to the affected area, or mashed and applied to the affected area.
Source: Rohdea japonica is the plant Rohdea japonica of the genus Rohdea in the family Liliaceae, used medicinally with its rhizome or whole plant. The rhizome is dug up in autumn, washed, the fibrous roots removed, and used fresh or sliced and dried in the sun. The whole plant is used fresh and can be collected in all four seasons.
Source morphology: Perennial evergreen herb. Rhizome short and thick. Leaves basal, broadly strap-shaped, thickly leathery. In spring and summer, a dense spike forms on the scape; the perianth is united, spherical-bell-shaped, with six lobes, rather inconspicuous, fleshy, pale yellow or brown; six stamens; ovary spherical, stigma three-lobed. Berry spherical, orange-red when ripe. Produced in China and Japan; commonly cultivated in southwestern, central and eastern China.
The sap of Rohdea japonica is toxic, generally most toxic in the stem tissue fluid. If the sticky liquid gets on the hands or skin, it can cause an allergic reaction, with patches or a very itchy sensation, and scratching without noticing makes it itch more. Note that Rohdea japonica includes species of Dieffenbachia and Aglaonema, and the toxicity of these two varieties is different. If taken internally as a Chinese medicine, about 1 hour after an overdose there appear symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, headache and dizziness, salivation and loss of appetite, blurred vision and fatigue; in more severe cases there appear abdominal pain and diarrhea, a sense of pressure in the precordial region, numbness of the limbs, coldness of the extremities, pallor, blurred vision, slow heartbeat and lowered blood pressure; in severe cases the patient is restless, has convulsions, coma and dilated pupils, and various arrhythmias may occur, such as premature ventricular beats, atrioventricular block, atrial or ventricular tachycardia, atrioventricular dissociation, atrial fibrillation, or sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block and junctional rhythm, etc.
Rescue method: For the rescue method and precautions, refer to digitalis.
A potassium salt therapeutic diagnostic test can also be done: add 15-25 ml of 10% potassium chloride solution to 500 ml of 5% glucose solution, and under close observation of the heart, complete the intravenous drip within 2 hours. If the arrhythmia improves, it suggests poisoning by cardiac glycoside-containing drugs.
In addition, Chinese herbal medicine detoxification is as follows:
1. Ginseng 9 g, Ophiopogon 9 g, Schisandra 6 g, decocted twice in water, combined, and taken in 2 doses.
2. Strong tea with an appropriate amount of white sugar, drunk frequently.
3. Licorice 15 g, mung bean 30 g, decocted in water and taken in 2 doses.
Toxicity
The sap of Rohdea japonica is toxic, generally most toxic in the stem tissue fluid. If the sticky liquid gets on the hands or skin, it can cause an allergic reaction, with patches or a very itchy sensation, and scratching without noticing makes it itch more. Note that Rohdea japonica includes species of Dieffenbachia and Aglaonema, and the toxicity of these two varieties is different. If taken internally as a Chinese medicine, about 1 hour after an overdose there appear symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, headache and dizziness, salivation and loss of appetite, blurred vision and fatigue; in more severe cases there appear abdominal pain and diarrhea, a sense of pressure in the precordial region, numbness of the limbs, coldness of the extremities, pallor, blurred vision, slow heartbeat and lowered blood pressure; in severe cases the patient is restless, has convulsions, coma and dilated pupils, and various arrhythmias may occur, such as premature ventricular beats, atrioventricular block, atrial or ventricular tachycardia, atrioventricular dissociation, atrial fibrillation, or sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block and junctional rhythm, etc.
Rescue method: For the rescue method and precautions, refer to digitalis.
A potassium salt therapeutic diagnostic test can also be done: add 15-25 ml of 10% potassium chloride solution to 500 ml of 5% glucose solution, and under close observation of the heart, complete the intravenous drip within 2 hours. If the arrhythmia improves, it suggests poisoning by cardiac glycoside-containing drugs.
In addition, Chinese herbal medicine detoxification is as follows:
1. Ginseng 9 g, Ophiopogon 9 g, Schisandra 6 g, decocted twice in water, combined, and taken in 2 doses.
2. Licorice 15 g, mung bean 30 g, decocted in water and taken in 2 doses.
3. Strong tea with an appropriate amount of white sugar, drunk frequently.
Landscape uses of Rohdea japonica
Because Rohdea japonica has broad, deep-green leaves and round, vivid red berries, it is very beautiful and has always been a flower valued both for its foliage and its fruit.
Its leaf form is elegant and graceful, and it is often placed on the long tables of studies and halls, or beneath long scrolls of calligraphy and painting; in autumn and winter, paired with red berries, it adds even more color.
[Other uses] The rhizome and leaves can be used medicinally; see below for details.
[Brief cultivation history and culture] It has a long history of cultivation in China, and because its name and fruit color (red) are auspicious, it has through the ages often served as a symbol of wealth, good fortune, peace and longevity, and is deeply loved by people.
The Qing dynasty work Huajing (Flower Mirror) records: "People use its flourishing or decline to foretell good or ill fortune; when building a house or moving residence, when sending betrothal gifts or managing a pond, when a child is first born, for all happy occasions it is always used."
The flower language of Rohdea japonica
The flower language of Rohdea japonica: health, longevity.
Rohdea japonica is suitable for accenting living rooms and studies. Decorative uses: small potted young plants can be placed on a desk or windowsill for viewing. Medium potted plants can be placed in a corner of the living room or beside a sofa as decoration, filling the room with natural vitality. It is renowned for its unique air-purifying ability: it can remove nicotine and formaldehyde. The higher the concentration of pollutants in the air, the more it can exert its purifying ability!
The cultural background of Rohdea japonica
1. Huajing: Rohdea japonica, also called yun. Broad leaves growing in clusters, dark green, not withering in winter or summer. Many households in the Wu region plant it, using its flourishing or decline to foretell good or ill fortune. When building a house or moving residence, when sending betrothal gifts or managing a grave, when a child is first born, for all happy occasions it is always used, as an auspicious phrase; as for marriage gifts, even if the living plant is not taken, people will cut and make silk or gauze in its likeness to substitute for it. Together with auspicious grass, scallion and pine, the four are arranged side by side in a pot, which is also a conventional practice. Planting method: at the two equinoxes of spring and autumn, divide and plant in pots, and place in a shaded spot. It is commonly said: the fourteenth day of the fourth month is the birthday of the gods; the old leaves should be trimmed off and thrown onto the main road for people to tread on, so that the new leaves will grow abundantly. It likes being banked with rich soil, and is watered with cold tea.
2. Gangmu Shiyi: In Zhejiang, weddings often use it to accompany gift boxes, taking it for being evergreen in all four seasons, with the meaning of eternal youth. {Note}: The medicinal Rohdea japonica also includes the congeneric plant Rohdea japonica (Thunb.) Roth var. variegata Hort., which is mostly cultivated.
Film-related
As a film dealing with noir and violence, Leon: The Professional has drawn both praise and controversy since its release. Amid the noir and violent subject matter and scenes, this pot of Rohdea japonica (Aglaonema 'Silver Queen') plays an important role in diluting the violence and making the visuals and even the content harmonious.
It is not hard to see that even as Leon wanders everywhere and lives as a fugitive, he takes this Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' with him, and always likes to put it on the balcony after dawn and bring it back in after dusk. He treats the Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' as his best friend, carefully watering it and wiping the dust off its leaves, which more subtly expresses the other, serious side of Leon as a killer - that he is not lacking in love. And this better balances the two elements of violence and love.
At the end, the female protagonist Mathilda takes Leon's pot of Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' out of the pot and plants it in a place that looks warm and sunny, where people live in harmony. When Mathilda plants the flower, she does not shed tears, and does not fully express the grief of losing Leon. She only says to herself, toward Leon's plant: I think we'll be okay here... Accompanied by positive emotions, this once again pushes the film to a moving climax.
The role and uses of Rohdea japonica, feng shui effects
Rohdea japonica can remove harmful substances such as nicotine and formaldehyde. Growing Rohdea japonica creates a perfect living space for the home environment. From the perspective of feng shui, growing Rohdea japonica can keep people healthy and full of energy, far from illness and disaster, and make the family happy and auspicious and the couple loving and harmonious. To make good use of the feng shui effect of Rohdea japonica, note that placing it in the bedroom helps the owner establish a feng shui home and benefits the development of the couple's relationship. Generally speaking, people born in the Year of the Rabbit and the Year of the Tiger are suited to growing woody plants, and Rohdea japonica is the best choice.
Rohdea japonica pictures
Rohdea japonica
Rohdea japonica likes semi-shade, warm, humid, well-ventilated environments; it is not drought-tolerant and is slightly cold-tolerant; it dislikes direct sunlight and waterlogging.
Rohdea japonica (scientific name: Rohdea japonica) is the only species in the genus Rohdea. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant, also known as yun, qian nian yun, kai hou jian, jiu jie lian, dong bu diao, dong bu diao cao, tie bian dan, wu mu du, bai sha cao, zhan she jian, etc. It is native to southern China and Japan, and is a very popular and excellent ornamental plant with a long history of cultivation in China.
Morphological characteristics
Perennial evergreen herb, with no above-ground stem. Rhizome thick and short, yellow-white, jointed, with many slender fibrous roots growing from the nodes. Leaves clustered from the rhizome, thick, lanceolate or strap-shaped, 10-25 cm long and 2.5-5.5 cm wide, with margins slightly folded inward, the base gradually narrowing into a leaf-stalk-like form, dark green above and pale green below, with several straight parallel veins, the midrib rather thick. In spring and summer, a scape grows from the leaf cluster, 10-20 cm long; the flowers are numerous, clustered at the top and arranged in a short spike; the perianth has 6 segments, pale greenish-white, ovate to triangular, with a pointed tip and broad base, united below into a disc shape; 6 stamens, sessile, anthers oblong; ovary spherical, style short, stigma three-lobed. Berry spherical, orange-red; containing 1 seed.
Common varieties include:
1. Golden-edged Rohdea japonica (var. marginata).
2. Silver-edged Rohdea japonica (Var. variegata).
There are also other varieties such as large-leaved, fine-leaved, dwarf, and those with yellow-white markings, with more in Japan and Taiwan, China. Origin
Rohdea japonica is native to China and Japan. It is widely distributed in China, found in East China, Central China and the Southwest, with the main producing areas in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and other places.
Rohdea japonica likes to grow in moist spots under forests or in grasslands.
It can be cultivated in general garden soil, but the best is slightly acidic sandy loam rich in humus, loose and with good water permeability.
Habitat
It grows in moist areas of forests and grassy slopes at altitudes of 700-1700 m. It is naturally distributed in Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Sichuan and Zhejiang in China, as well as Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku in Japan.
Medicinal use
Rohdea japonica contains rhodexin (Rhodexin A, B, C, D), which has cardiotonic and diuretic effects, but it is toxic, and taking an overdose can endanger life, so it must be used with caution.
Rohdea japonica can also be used as a heat-clearing Chinese medicinal herb. In Bencao Xinbian it is recorded that using the rhizome and leaves of Rohdea japonica as medicine can have the effects of strengthening the heart and promoting diuresis, clearing heat and detoxifying, and cooling blood and stopping bleeding; its medicinal nature is bitter, sweet, cold, and slightly toxic. It can be used to prevent and treat diphtheria, myocarditis caused by diphtheria, sore throat, and difficult urination and other diseases. [7][8] However, Rohdea japonica is somewhat toxic and produces a digitalis glycoside-like effect, so the dosage must be noted when using it.
Cultivation of Rohdea japonica
Rohdea japonica likes warmth and moisture, tolerates waterlogging and likes semi-shade, is not drought-tolerant, likes semi-shade, is not tolerant of scorching sun, has average cold tolerance, and likes slightly fertile weakly acidic soil, though it can also grow in neutral and weakly alkaline soil, so only a little fertilizer is needed.
Rohdea japonica can be propagated by division or sowing. Division is best done in spring and autumn. If sowing, sow seed without fruit flesh into the soil in March-April, keep the soil moist, at a suitable temperature of 20-30°C, and it will sprout after about 30 days. Rohdea japonica is easy to cultivate and has strong adaptability; with a little fertilizer, attention to shade, attention to ventilation, and attention in winter to keeping the ambient temperature above 0°C, it will grow well. Cultivated varieties
Japanese people also love to cultivate Rohdea japonica, and in Japan there is even an association of Rohdea japonica enthusiasts, the Japan Omoto Association (おもと). There are many cultivated varieties of Rohdea japonica; in Japan alone, there are more than 1000 cultivated varieties registered with the Japan Omoto Association. The following are some of the cultivated varieties, most bred in Japan: [10][11][12]
Golden-edged Rohdea japonicaRohdea japonica var. marginata: Leaves emerald green, with white marginal lines.
Silver-edged Rohdea japonicaRohdea japonica var. variegata: Leaves white-green, with broad dark green marginal lines.
Large-leaved Rohdea japonicaRohdea japonica var. latifolia: Also known as "Satsuma Rohdea japonica"; leaf stalks thick, leaves can reach 50 cm long.
Miyako(Miyako no shiro): The plant is relatively tall, the leaves are thick and upright, dark blue-green, with white marginal lines.
Akebono: The leaf stalks are very thick, and the leaves have tiger-stripe patterns, with the patterns smoothly transitioning to the green around them; this appearance is called "akebono tiger".
Godai-shu: The leaf margins have a ring of white and yellow marginal lines, with a yellow band pattern in the middle.
Daikan: Has marginal lines, with white patterns on the green leaves.
Fine-leaved Rohdea japonica: The leaves are small, but relatively thick.
Negishi Matsu(Negishi no matsu): The leaves are slightly curved, with fine white and green thread-like stripes interwoven on them, and dark green marginal lines.
Fuji Snow(Fuji no yuki): The leaves are relatively upright, with a large number of fairly orderly white patches on the front, or mostly white with green patches.
Fuji Map(Fuji no zu): The leaves are relatively upright, white, with rather messy green spots and stripes on them, like a map.
Rizhao Xing: Leaves upright, with white margins; white and green bands run through the entire leaf, neatly arranged. The spotted variety is called "Earth Treasure."
Lion Rohdea: Leaves smooth and very long, curling inward along the entire leaf. This rohdea is characterized by a highly curled root system.
Jade Lion: White margins, leaves curling inward, leaf surface gently wavy, like the mane of a stone lion. The variegated variety is called "Jade Lion's Tiger."
Crane Dance(Crane Dance): The leaf surface has yellow and white banded markings running through the entire leaf, with band-like and linear raised midribs; leaves are relatively wide with sharp tips.
Striped Armor Rohdea: Leaves large and long, with many fine stripes in the center.
Snow Stream Brocade(Snow Stream Brocade): Leaves relatively soft, white, with green margins, and linear raised midribs on the underside.
Gauze Rohdea: Leaves small and thick, with a woolly texture on the leaf surface.
Rich Nation Hall: Leaves short, sharp-tipped, with broad white margins, and linear raised midribs on the underside.
Abundant Harvest Joy(Abundant Harvest Joy): Leaves relatively short, upright, with linear raised midribs on the underside; sometimes the leaves are narrow sword-shaped.
Dumb Cane
[Alias] Spotted Dumb Cane.
[Scientific name] Dieffenbachia maculata
[Family and genus] Araceae, Dieffenbachia.
[Morphology] Perennial evergreen herb. Stems thick and robust, mostly fleshy, plant height can reach 1 m. Leaves large and glossy, borne on the upper part of the stem, elliptic-ovate or broadly lanceolate, apex acuminate, entire, 20-50 cm long, 5-15 cm wide; both surfaces of the leaf are dark green, interspersed with dense, irregular spots, streaks and patches in white, milky white, pale yellow and other colors. Common horticultural varieties include Dieffenbachia 'Tropic Snow', Dieffenbachia 'Camille', Dieffenbachia 'Summer White' and others.
[Habits] Native to tropical America. Prefers high temperature, high humidity, and semi-shade or shaded environments. Not cold-tolerant, intolerant of direct strong light; requires loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam.
[Propagation] Mainly by cuttings. In spring, from April to May, cut off the small offsets produced at the base of the plant, let the wounds dry slightly, or dip the wounds in plant ash and insert them into plain sand; pay attention to shading and moisture retention. Roots can form and the plants can be potted up in about 1 month.
[Cultivation] For potting, use a growing medium of 2 parts leaf mold, 1 part garden soil, 1 part river sand plus a small amount of decomposed base fertilizer. During the growing season, to keep the potting soil moist, water more frequently; it is better to keep it wet than dry, and also mist the leaves. In autumn, control watering, alternating between dry and wet; in winter, keep the potting soil dry. During the growing period, fertilize generally once a month; at ordinary times, prevent direct sunlight and provide shade. Repot once every spring. The overwintering temperature in winter must not be lower than 10°C.
[Uses] Potted ornamental. Suitable for decorating living rooms and studies.
Decorative application: Young plants in small pots can be placed on desks and windowsills for viewing. Medium-sized potted plants can be placed in living room corners or beside sofas as decoration, filling the room with natural vitality.
Light: Tolerant of semi-shade, intolerant of excessively strong sunlight, but overly dim light can also cause the leaves to fade.
Water: Prefers moisture; during the growing period from March to August, water more. In summer, sprinkle water frequently to increase environmental humidity.
Temperature: Prefers high temperature, not cold-tolerant; the optimum growing temperature is 20-30°C. The minimum overwintering temperature is above 12°C. Once frozen, the leaves turn yellow and wilt, and the terminal buds die.
Fertilizer: During the growing period, apply nitrogen fertilizer monthly to promote rapid growth; from March to August, apply fertilized water once every two weeks. Reduce fertilization after autumn.
Soil: Requires loose, fertile, well-drained soil.
Propagation: Cuttings. Can be done in spring and summer; take 10-15 cm long young shoots and insert them into yellow sand medium. They root in 20-30 days, after which they can be moved into new pots according to plant size.
Star of Bethlehem
Introduction: Star of Bethlehem is native to southern Africa. It likes sunlight and also tolerates semi-shade; it is cold-tolerant, fears direct sunlight in summer, likes a moist environment, and after heavy frost in winter the leaf clusters still remain verdant. The bulb has a summer dormancy habit; the bulb has strong offset-producing ability and a high propagation coefficient.
Propagation: Commonly propagated by bulb division and sowing. For natural bulb division, dig up the bulbs from August to September, grade them by size and plant them; after one planting, divide the bulbs again after several years when the bulbs become crowded. For propagation by sowing, seedlings need 3-4 years of cultivation before they can bloom.
Cultivation: Grows robustly and tolerates extensive management. Fertilize once every half month; the soil should be loose, moist and well-drained. After flowering, remove the spent flower stalks; flowering will be more abundant the next year. The bulb storage temperature is 25°C, and dry, ventilated conditions are required.
Pests and diseases: Diseases include mosaic virus, which is transmitted by aphids and can be controlled by spraying with 2.5% derris extract at 800 times dilution.
Application: Star of Bethlehem blooms from mid-April to early May; the flowers include white, orange and double-flowered types. In spring, the star-shaped white flowers sparkle, elegant and simple; it is an excellent material for natural-style gardens and rock gardens, and is also suitable for cut flowers and potted ornamental display.
Guangdong Evergreen is also called Chinese Evergreen.
It is a perennial herb of the Araceae family, with a plant height of 60-70 cm; the stem is upright and unbranched, with obvious nodes.
Leaves alternate, with long petioles, the base enlarged into a sheath; leaves green, long lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate. It blooms in autumn; the inflorescence is axillary and shorter than the petiole.
Its leaves are broad and glossy, emerald green in all seasons, and especially shade-tolerant. They can be cut to make foliage bonsai arrangements or as cut-flower backing, decorating the environment, and can also be used in pots to accent rooms.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen, known since ancient and modern times, is emerald green and evergreen in all seasons, and its orange-red abundant fruits do not wither in winter. Among the people it is regarded as a symbol of good fortune and is widely cultivated in both the north and south. In the north, it is potted and can be placed indoors for viewing in all seasons. Evergreen is a perennial herbaceous flower of the genus Rohdea in the Liliaceae family. Underground it has short, thick rhizomes; leaves emerge in clusters from the top of the rhizome, strap-shaped or oblanceolate; the flower scape is relatively short, emerging from the leaf cluster, with a terminal spike; the small flowers are white and densely arranged; the berries are spherical and orange-red; the flowering period is from June to July. In the north, potted plants rarely bear fruit, so they are mainly grown for foliage. The genus Rohdea is native to China, and this is the only species; varieties include golden-margined Rohdea, silver-margined Rohdea, variegated Rohdea, as well as large-leaved, fine-leaved and dwarf cultivars.
Also commonly cultivated is Guangdong Evergreen, alias Bamboo-node Evergreen, a perennial herbaceous flower of the Araceae family, from South China, Southwest China, India to Malaysia. It shares the same name as Evergreen but belongs to a different family and genus. Its varieties include the four queens: Gold, Silver, Jade and Beauty. The leaf colors are inlaid like gold and jade, brilliantly variegated, all among the leaders of today's indoor ornamental foliage flowers. Evergreen and Guangdong Evergreen are potted plants and require a growing medium rich in humus, loose, fertile and slightly acidic. They like high temperature and high humidity, are not tolerant of severe cold, and overwintering must not be below 50°C. They like shade and are intolerant of direct strong light; in winter they can be placed in a sunny spot, and in summer they should be shaded, and they are intolerant of being soaked by rainwater. Chinese Evergreen is mainly propagated by division. Guangdong Evergreen is mainly propagated by cuttings, preferably in March or from September to October. Guangdong Evergreen can also have 8 cm long stem sections cut and soaked in clear water until roots emerge before planting, or grown in glass vessels in water to enjoy the leaves and roots; it remains unfading for a long time. If you want the leaf color to be deep green, in spring and autumn apply a mixed solution of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate once or twice.
Evergreen and Guangdong Evergreen should have their pots turned and soil changed once every two to three years in early spring. After repotting, place them in a warm, humid, shaded place, and frequently spray water on the leaves and surrounding environment to keep them moist. In the Beijing area, after mid-May they can be placed outdoors under a shade shed, and brought indoors in early October, placed in a place with fresh air and no smoke or dust pollution.
Evergreen and Guangdong Evergreen are potted plants and require a growing medium rich in humus, loose, fertile and slightly acidic. They like high temperature and high humidity, are not tolerant of severe cold, and overwintering must not be below 50°C. They like shade and are intolerant of direct strong light; in winter they can be placed in a sunny spot, and in summer they should be shaded, and they are intolerant of being soaked by rainwater.
Chinese Evergreen is mainly propagated by division. Guangdong Evergreen is mainly propagated by cuttings, preferably in March or from September to October. Guangdong Evergreen can also have 8 cm long stem sections cut and soaked in clear water until roots emerge before planting, or grown in glass vessels in water to enjoy the leaves and roots; it remains unfading for a long time. If you want the leaf color to be deep green, in spring and autumn apply a mixed solution of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate once or twice.
Evergreen and Guangdong Evergreen should have their pots turned and soil changed once every two to three years in early spring. After repotting, place them in a warm, high-temperature, shaded place, and frequently spray water on the leaves and surrounding environment to keep them moist. In the Beijing area, after mid-May they can be placed outdoors under a shade shed, and brought indoors in early October, placed in a place with fresh air and no smoke or dust pollution.
Purple-backed Evergreen
Rhoeo discolor Aliases: Boat Lily, Purple Evergreen, Purple Brocade Orchid; Commelinaceae
The genus Rhoeo is native to Mexico and the West Indies
It is an evergreen perennial herbaceous plant. Leaves lanceolate, green on the upper surface with stripes of varying shades, purple-red on the underside, also with stripes of varying shades of purple-red (see figure). Stems and leaves somewhat succulent. The flowering period is from August to October, and it easily sets seed. The small flowers are white; because the flowers grow within two purple-red large bracts shaped like mussel shells, resembling a mussel shell spitting pearls, it is also called "Mussel Flower."
Its leaves have different colors on the two surfaces, emerald-bright and varied; the plant form is moderate and graceful, with many jade-white small flowers contained in the red bracts. The color contrast is distinct, peculiar and interesting, presenting the scene of a mussel shell spitting pearls, which is very rare and never tiresome to view.
Purple-backed Evergreen prefers semi-shaded, moist environments and fertile, loose sandy loam; it is relatively drought-tolerant, fears exposure to the blazing sun, and is afraid of cold. Growth stops at 10°C, so overwintering above 10°C is preferable.
It has good shade tolerance and also a strong ability to adapt to dry climates, thus becoming an excellent foliage plant for indoor cultivation in both northern and southern China. It can be placed for a long time in a bright living room; if the room is relatively dark, it is best to replace it about once every 20 days.
Its propagation is mainly by sowing; the tiny seeds can be sown as soon as they are collected, and seedlings emerge in half a month. When the seedlings are 3-5 cm tall, they can be transplanted. It can also be propagated by cuttings in spring and autumn; cut off the leafy top portion and insert it into sandy soil, place it in the shade, do not overwater, and roots will form in about 20 days; when new leaves grow, transfer to normal management. The remaining old stems can still resprout new branches.
Zebra-leaf Evergreen
Zebra-leaf Evergreen is also called Giant Dumb Cane and Dumb Cane. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Araceae family, with a cylindrical, fleshy stem; the stem often has white ring markings, which are traces left after leaves fall. The leaves of Zebra-leaf Evergreen are long elliptic, and on both sides of the green main vein the leaf surface is scattered with irregular white or goose-yellow spots and stripes, appearing especially elegant and refined, like the stripes on a zebra, hence the name Zebra-leaf Evergreen.
Zebra-leaf Evergreen is native to Colombia and likes a warm, humid climate. The optimum growth temperature is 25°C to 30°C, and the indoor temperature in winter should also be maintained at around 15°C, with a minimum of 10°C. For potting soil, a mix of 7 parts leaf mold, 3 parts loam plus 1 part sand can be used. Zebra-leaf Evergreen prefers a semi-shaded environment and is intolerant of direct sunlight; it can be cultivated indoors all year round. It is tolerant of water and moisture; a water tray can be placed under the pot, with water in the tray, so that water continuously seeps through the small holes at the bottom of the pot to moisten the potting soil.