Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' is probably one of the best known varieties of the Aglaonema variable (Aglaonema commutatum) species. It has very nice leaves with silver discoloration. It is a potted flower that is quite easy to grow if you meet a few basic requirements. See whataglaonema care looks likeand what to watch out for when growing it at home !.
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen'
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' - features
Aglaonema variable(Aglaonema commutatum) is a plant of the Araceae family, native to tropical Southeast Asia.As potted flowers in our apartments, numerous cultivars of the variable aglaonema are cultivated, usually with a bushy habit and not growing higher than 80 cm. These plants are valued for their ornamental leaves - large, oval, elongated with light spots, similar to the leaves of difenbachia.
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen'has green leaves only at the edges and along the main veins, the remaining parts of the leaves are silvery white or cream. They can be up to 15 cm long. In older plants, the lower leaves may fall, and as a result, a stalk-like stem will begin to appear at the base of the plant.
It is also worth knowing that this plant can bloom, which usually takes place in summer or autumn.Aglaonema flowersare quite inconspicuous, they grow on a short stem ending with a leafy sheath. Such a structure of flowers is characteristic of all plants of the picture family.
Attention!All parts of the plant are highly poisonous.Be especially careful of the sap from damaged parts of the plant and very poisonous berries that may appear after flowering. That is why all work on the care of aglaonema is best done with gloves and not growing it if there are small children at home.
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' - care
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen'grows well in diffused light. The room should be bright, but not direct sunlight. I have seen an aglaonema placed on a window sill many times, but it is a bad idea, its leaves are then yellowed. In moderate light the plant gains its fullness of color. It also copes with relatively high shade, which is a characteristic feature of all aglaonema plants.
Aglaonema loves warmth. The optimalair temperature for aglaomenain summer is 20-24 ° C. In winter, the temperature should be slightly lower, i.e. 18-22 ° C. It should never drop below 15 ° C.A cold draft will very quickly damage the aglaonema leaves, which is manifested in their browning. This is often seen on new plants, bought in cold weather. Such leaves need to be cut quickly.
Inaglaonema careit is very important that the plant is properly watered. In summerwater the aglaonemetwice a week, in winter once, sometimes even less when we notice that its leaves turn yellow. For watering, only use decayed soft water.
During the growing season (from spring to autumn), add the recommended dose of soluble fertilizer to the watering water every two weeks. Foraglaonema fertilizationa special fertilizer for green plants, low in calcium, will be perfect. This is because aglaonema needs a very acidic soil, with a pH of only 4.0-4.5. Therefore, it must not be applied with calcium fertilizers that increase the pH of the soil.
When it happens thataglaonema leaves dry out , it means that the air humidity is too low.If the leaves are sagging, it is because of a cold draft or too compact soil that does not let water into the roots. You should then make holes in the ground with a stick and then pour the water, then try to loosen the soil or simply replant the plant.
Usually any lack of coloration is caused by too little nutrients, then of course you should start fertilizing.Yellowing of the lower leaves of the aglaonema , the so-called chlorosis, is usually associated with too high pH of the soil (then the plant cannot absorb the nutrients contained in the substrate) or too abundant watering.
Ifaglaonema leaves turn yellow and fall , and from the underside of the leaves along their veins you can see something that looks like tiny fluff of wool, a sign that the aglaoneme has been attacked by mealybugs, quite common pests of houseplants. After noticing them, the aglaonem should be sprayed with Provado Plus AE, preferably spraying 2-3 times at intervals of two weeks. Put the insecticidal sticks in the ground.
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen'grows best in a fairly small pot so that the roots don't have too much space. We exaggerate when the plant clearly no longer fits into the pot or when we see that the soil is gray, loose, which indicates the sterilization of the substrate. This usually happens every two years. We transplant to light, humus soil. It is best if it is compost soil, acid peat and gravel, mixed in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.If we follow these rules, aglaonema will repay us with a beautiful appearance. Within two years, they can grow from small plants into beautiful he althy specimens: -)
Natalia Oniszczuk
