Asparagus in home decor - African stamina (37 photos)

Asparagus is a perennial plant of the asparagus family, whose homeland is the countries of Asia, Africa and South America. In nature, the stems can reach about 20 meters, but cultivated asparagus has branches 1 to 2 meters long. The plant is in demand on all continents for growing at home, in the garden, offices, in children's institutions and hospitals, as well as in greenhouses; twigs are used by florists as part of bouquets, because after trimming the greens do not fade for a long time, retains its attractiveness.

The ground portion of the asparagus is somewhat similar to a fern. There are no leaves in their usual form, they are very similar to the needles that come out of the scales. It is the latter that are the leaves, and the needles are shoots similar to fern vaya. Outwardly, the plant seems to be a thorny shrub, but in fact, the leaves are quite soft and gentle to the touch. The root system is developed and strong. Asparagus begins to bloom at home only after five years, then berries (quite poisonous) appear.

Home care for asparagus

Growing asparagus at home is a simple process. Initially, you need to determine the type of growth, since the stems grow quite long.

If the flower pot is installed on the floor, window sill, etc., then a place is chosen so that there is enough surface around the plant to grow.

If the pot is suspended, then the branches need reliable support.

Accommodation

Since most plant species do not tolerate direct sunlight, asparagus is grown on a northeast or northwest window. You can place the plant on the eastern and western windows, but here you need to cover the glass with tulle. If the room is south, then the pot is exposed at some distance from the window. In winter, the flower is transported closer to the light, away from heating radiators.

In the early spring or immediately after purchase, it is not recommended to expose the indoor plant to asparagus to intense light, to withstand it for several days in an dark place, gradually adapting to the brightness of the light.

Temperature mode

In summer, the air temperature in the room where the asparagus is located should not rise more than +25 degrees, in winter - fall below +12 degrees. Excessive heat, like coolness, is poorly tolerated by the plant - foliage can crumble. At high temperatures, increase air humidity and spray the plant daily.

Watering

In the autumn-winter period, asparagus is irrigated two days after drying of the top layer of the earth. In spring and summer, during the period of active vegetation, the soil is watered immediately after drying of the upper layer. It is recommended to perform lower watering, that is, pour water into the pan, the roots themselves will draw moisture.

Transfer

Until the onset of five years of age, the question of how to transplant a plant does not arise.But in subsequent years, care includes an annual transplant, then this event is held once in 2-3 years. Each next transplant uses a pot slightly larger than the previous one, which will allow the roots to grow. Previously, the root system is slightly trimmed.

A hole is made in the bottom of the new tank to drain excess water. A 2 cm layer of expanded clay is poured to the very bottom of the pot, then a substrate, which consists of 2 parts of humus and the same amount of coarse river sand, 1 part of leafy soil. The plant is watered and fed in two weeks.

Reproduction of asparagus

At home, the asparagus flower propagates in three ways:

• Division. During the transplant, the root system is divided into several parts, each of which is planted in a separate pot. Previously, the roots are slightly cut.
• Cuttings. Propagation by cuttings is carried out in early spring. To do this, shoots are cut 10 cm long and take root in a container with river sand, which is covered with a film after watering, which reduces the evaporation of moisture. The container is placed in a bright place at an air temperature in the range from +20 to +22 degrees. Every day, the space under the film is ventilated, the sand is moistened. After a month, rooting occurs, and the asparagus is transplanted to a permanent place.
• Propagation by seed. If artificial pollination of flowers was carried out, then the fruits are tied, from which seeds are obtained. Sowing is carried out in January-March in the soil, consisting of sand and peat in equal proportions. The soil is carefully watered, the seeds are laid out on the surface, the container is covered with a film and exposed in a bright place. If condensation forms, the film opens slightly for ventilation. The temperature in the room is from +20 to +22 degrees. After a month, the first shoots appear, after they reach a length of 10 cm, a dive is carried out. In June, plants are transplanted to a permanent place.

Top dressing

Since the indoor asparagus flower does not have a dormant period, the plant is fed all year round, but in spring and summer fertilizers are applied every week, in the fall - once every 14 days, in the winter - once a month. Ready-made mineral fertilizers (in liquid form), as well as organic in small concentrations (mullein, etc.) are used for top dressing.

Asparagus diseases and possible pests

If the care is not carried out correctly, then the houseplant begins to hurt, showing the following symptoms:

• asparagus turns yellow and crumbles, the stems become drooping and sluggish - the cause of this condition may be a lack or a complete lack of fertilizer, excessively high temperature and dry air, poor watering;
• loss of color brightness and too elongated shoots indicate a lack of light;
• heavily darkened needles indicate the need for more frequent watering;
• brown spots on the stems are a burn from direct sunlight;
• if the bush is drooping, then this happens due to decay or drying out of the roots;
• after pruning, the asparagus stops growing - the shortened stems will no longer grow in length, but after a while new shoots will appear.

Asparaguses are susceptible to attacks from aphids, spider mites, thrips, scale insects, mealy worms. The plant does not tolerate treatment with insect killers (insecticides). Therefore, it is recommended that its owner regularly inspect the bush to detect pests at an early stage of settlement - this will allow them to cope without the use of chemicals.

Types of Asparagus for Home Growing

There are several most popular types of asparagus for indoor breeding, each of which has its own differences and requires special care.

Cirrus Asparagus

Openwork plant with thin elegant delicate pale green needles and highly branched flowering stems.This species requires a special soil: light, acidic, consisting of peat, turf and leafy soil, sand in equal proportions. Propagated by asparagus division of rhizomes, prone to rapid proliferation. Drying of the soil is excluded, since the plant can die quickly.

Asparagus Sprenger (bushy)

The plant variety differs in that it blooms twice a year with small white flowers, after which bright red poisonous berries form. Asparagus loves direct sunlight, begins to lose colors in shaded rooms, shoots are drawn out. Cropping of this species is not carried out. During the growing season, home care includes mandatory fertilizing with mineral fertilizers twice a month.

Asparagus Meyer

The extraordinary beauty of panicle-stalks resembling candles will captivate gardeners. Twigs grow more than 1.5 m long, do not tolerate pruning, and the decorative bush is lost. Asparagus is quite reconciled with short-term drought in a pot. The destruction of pests is possible only with the help of folk remedies.

Crescent Asparagus

A native of the African continent in nature produces vines up to 15 m long, but indoor asparagus differs from other species in long stems (up to 5 m). During flowering, small flowers gather in clusters, have a pleasant aroma. This sort of asparagus is grown mainly in botanical gardens and greenhouses, unpretentious in care, but requires frequent moistening of foliage and regular watering.

Useful properties of asparagus

The plant is able to purify indoor air from harmful bacteria and microorganisms, heavy metals, volatile substances.

They use asparagus-based products (tinctures, decoctions) in complex therapy in the treatment of stomach ulcers, epilepsy, tachycardia and arrhythmias, hypertension, rheumatism, liver diseases and dermatological problems, gout, and others, and prevents the formation of stones in the bladder. Therapeutic properties of asparagus: it has a vasodilating, sedative, blood purifying, diuretic, analgesic effect.

Some varieties of asparagus are edible and are considered a delicacy. Young shoots of asparagus are consumed raw, but good in stewed, fried and canned form.

If all the conditions for taking care of asparagus are met, then the plant will delight owners for more than 20 years.