In a room environment, selaginella usually feels a lack of moisture, so it is better to grow them in florariums, teplichkas, bottle cages or closed flower shop windows. Selaginella is used as epiphytes or plants that densely cover the soil.
The most common in the room cultivation of Selaginella Martens (Latin S. martensii). It is characterized by an erect stalk, reaches 30 cm in height, develops air roots, has leaves of light green color. A variety of watsoniana has silvery tips of stems.
Representatives of the species.
Celaginella lepidoptera (Latin Selaginella lepidophylla (Hook. & Grev.) Spring). Its synonym is Lycopodium lepidophyllum Hook. & Grev. In addition, other names are known: "Jericho rose", anastatika (Latin Anastatica hyerochunticd), as well as asteriskus (Latin Astericus pygmaeus). The species is common in South and North America. This rosette plant, whose leaves are twisted in dry weather and form a kind of ball. At the first rain they are straightened again. As part of the cell selaginella juice, a lot of oils are scaly, they do not allow the plant to dry completely. Often on sale you can find dead specimens. Surprisingly, they still retain the ability to curl up and open. However, such a plant can not be brought back to life. Selaginella is considered to be the most resistant species of the family, which normally grows in room conditions.
Selaginella Martensa (Latin Selaginella martensii Spring). The synonymous name is Selaginella martensii f. albolineata (T. Moore) Alston. The species is common in South and North America. This plant has erect stem, about 30 cm tall, has air roots. Leaves are light green in color. A variety of watsoniana has silvery tips of stems.
Care rules.
Illumination. Indoor plants of Selaginella like scattered light, are not tolerant of direct sunlight. The optimal place for their placement are the windows of the western or eastern direction, they normally grow on the northern side. On the southern windows of the Selaginella should be placed at a distance from the window, you need to create it diffuse light with a translucent fabric or paper. Selaginella is shadow-endowed.
Temperature regime. In summer, some types are quite acceptable room temperature. In winter, it is necessary to shorten the temperature to 12 ° C for a short time, it normally transfers the content at 14-17 ° C. Selaginella Kraussa and beznokovaya are adapted to low temperatures. Heat-loving species of selaginelles need temperatures above 20 ° C all year round.
Watering. Watering plants of Selaginella should be abundant throughout the year, as the upper layer of the substrate dries up. In any case, do not allow the drying of the soil, it should be moderately moist at all times. Watering is recommended through a pallet, so the soil itself regulates the amount of moisture required. Water should be defended, it should be room temperature, soft.
Air humidity. The plant requires high humidity, a minimum level of 60%. At the same time, the higher the air humidity index, the better ventilation of the room should be. The pot should be used with a pallet filled with moist peat, expanded clay, moss or pebbles.
Top dressing. In spring and summer, these houseplants should be fertilized once a month, using a diluted fertilizer in a ratio of 1: 3. In the cold season, one should feed once every 1.5 months, more diluted fertilizer (1: 4). When applying top dressing, loosen the earth so that it becomes breathable.
Transfer. It is recommended to transplant the grown plants every two years in the spring-autumn period. Selaginella have a shallow root system, so transplant it should be in shallow dishes. The soil must be slightly acidic with a pH of 5-6. In its composition: peat and turf land in equal proportions with the addition of parts of sphagnum moss. Good drainage is necessary.
Reproduction. Selaginella - plants that reproduce vegetatively by dividing the roots during transplantation. Species with creeping shoots take root independently. Selaginellas Krauss and Martens are also propagated by cuttings in conditions of high air humidity. They are well established, because plants quickly form air roots on the shoots.
Difficulties of care.
- If the selaginella dries up the tips of the stems, it means that the room has low humidity. Such symptoms can appear and with a minimum permissible rate of 60%. At still lower humidity, the plant may die. Note that constantly moist substrate can not improve the condition of Selaginella, but only worsen it.
- If the plant is kept in a closed container and begins to rot, then the container has poor ventilation and too high air humidity.
- Remember that Selaginella does not tolerate drafts.
- If the leaves become dark and begin to die, then the plant is kept at too high a temperature.
- If the stems are stretched, and the leaves turn pale, then selaginella feels a lack of lighting.
- If the leaves of the plant become soft and sluggish, the reason is the lack of air access to the root system.
- If the Selaginella grows very slowly, it means that she feels a shortage of nutrients. It is necessary to feed the plant.
- Pests are rare.