Epipremnum is a genus of perennial lianas belonging to the Araceae family. According to different data, it numbers from eight to thirty-three species.
The whole problem is that Epipremnum and Scindanpus are two close genera and often representatives of one genus are called by the name of the other and vice versa, and many scientists do not know how to classify this or that plant. But in general, this does not pose any difficulties for gardeners, since caring for representatives of both genera is practically the same.
Varieties and types
The most famous and popular type is or Aureum This is a very long vine that can reach a length of over two meters and looks good on the wall. Its foliage is similar to philodendron, but has a more pleasant color and is also covered with yellowish spots.
Popular varieties in cultivation:
- Marble Queen ,
- Golden Queen ,
The plant has a slightly angular shoot, on which warty growths gradually form. The foliage is round, oblong, leathery, petiolate, covered with whitish spots. It has a variety with wider foliage, also covered with small spots.
This is a relatively short vine with solid, rounded foliage placed on fairly large petioles.
A long vine with unequal leaves growing on short petioles. As the foliage ages, holes appear in the foliage and it may become split.
A varietal form with a removed leaf, rounded but pointed upward, placed on a long petiole. Large white roots grow from the nodes.
Epipremnum care at home
This plant is easy to grow even for an amateur gardener. Epipremnum grows quickly - up to 45 cm per year, and can grow over 4 meters.
Like other aroids, epipremnum needs good lighting, however, it must be protected from direct sunlight, which can cause burns. If there is not enough light, the foliage will fade and become shredded.
In summer, no special temperature regime is required, but in general it is desirable that the air temperature does not exceed 25°C. In winter, it is advisable to lower the temperature, but do not allow the thermometer to drop below 12°C.
Scindapsus is a similar plant that is quite difficult to distinguish. It is grown without much hassle when caring at home, but observing a few nuances. You can find all the necessary recommendations in this article.
Watering epipremnum
Air humidity is not important for this crop. It does not need spraying and can easily tolerate winter air dried by radiators.
During the period of active growth, watering is carried out approximately once every 5 days. The water should be warm and settled. In winter, watering should be done a maximum of once every week and a half. In the intervals between watering procedures, the top layer of soil should dry out a little.
During the growing season, liquid mineral fertilizer should be applied once a month, diluting it twice as much as indicated in the instructions.
Soil for epipremnums
Epipremnum is not particularly demanding on the substrate, and transplants for an adult plant are carried out once every three years. Young individuals are transplanted annually in mid-spring.
You can make your own soil mixture. To do this, take turf and leaf soil, as well as perlite in a ratio of 1 to 3 to 1. It is imperative that the pot has holes.
Is Epipremnum poisonous or not?
At home, this plant practically does not bloom, and in general, the flowering of this vine does not have any particular decorative value.
You should not touch the foliage and shoots again, and also do not wash your hands after transplanting procedures and the like, since aroids are poisonous and can cause irritation and swelling.
Also note that this crop needs support; it does not tolerate drafts and smoke well. In spring the shoots can be pruned.
Epipremnum has a pleasant bonus - it purifies the air, being one of the best plants suitable for this purpose.
Epipremnum propagation by cuttings
Epipremnum propagation is possible using cuttings that have at least 2 leaves.
The material produces roots well even if it is simply placed in water, but rooting is mainly carried out in peat mixed with moss. Rooting temperature is about 21°C.
Diseases and pests
Among the problems that arise when growing this plant are: yellowing of foliage And the appearance of rot , which slow down growth and ultimately lead to plant death . The reason for this is excess moisture in the soil.
- For lack of nutrients height creepers can slow down a lot .
- Darkening of leaf edges most often indicates that the air temperature is too low.
Among the pests there are aphid And scale insect , and spider mite .
Aphid It settles on the foliage like black clouds and feeds on its juices. When this pest appears, they resort to washing with soapy water or spraying citrus peels with infusion.
Shchitovka It covers the plant with brown growths, which are very difficult to separate, so spraying with insecticides, as a rule, does not have much effect - you have to soak a cloth in the preparation and remove the pest manually.
Spider mite also feeds on juices and leads to drying of the foliage and stem. It leaves behind thin cobwebs. To cope with this insect, the plant is washed with a warm shower, and if this does not help, they resort to insecticidal preparations.
This vine is familiar to everyone who has the slightest experience with indoor plants. The epipremnum flower grows in almost every apartment and office, entwining itself with everything that comes in its way. Its bright and lush greenery pleases the eye all year round, and the most important thing is that it is so unpretentious that it can grow on its own, however, minimal care for the vine is still needed.
Under natural conditions, the length of this vine can reach 40 meters, but when grown at home, its size is somewhat smaller. With quality care, it can grow up to 18 meters long.
Epipremnum, species
Epipremnum and are two plants so similar that they are almost indistinguishable. One is called the other, and vice versa. There are about 40 species of these plants in nature. 7 varieties of vines are suitable for home cultivation. The most popular of them are listed below. Epipremnum - photos of species, and their brief description:
Epipremnum pinnate is an unpretentious plant with dissected leaves, reaching a length of 10 meters. They are good for decorating balconies, greenhouses and office spaces;
epipremnum in the photo - Epipremnum aureus is a liana with large leaves that are covered with yellow spots and stripes;
Soil requirements
The soil should be slightly acidic and well permeable, with a high level of drainage. It must contain moss and peat. In order for the plant to have enough oxygen, it is necessary to regularly loosen the top layer of soil, but this must be done very carefully so as not to damage the root system.
Epipremnum flower: home care
Caring for a vine at home is so simple that it won’t be difficult.
The rules of care are elementary:
- epipremnum loves diffused lighting. If it does not have enough light, the foliage begins to fade;
- the room temperature in summer should be between +20 -+22, and in winter - not lower than +12 degrees. It is necessary to protect the vine from temperature changes and drafts;
- watering should be moderate, however, the soil in the pot should not dry out;
- If the air in the room is dry, then spraying will be needed. You can place a container of water to make the air more humid;
- Fertilizing is necessary once every 2 weeks with fertilizer for vines.
Video: Epipremnum, reproduction
Photo of the plant
Epipremnum, or scindapsus is one of the most popular varieties of perennial vines, related to branched ampelous forms of vegetation.
The flower has a huge number of varieties, but mainly it is a strongly climbing vine, decorated with rich variegated green leaf blades, which can effectively decorate any interior of an office, apartment, or private home. They belong to the Araceae family.
Under natural conditions, branches can reach up to 38-40 meters in length, which can spread along the ground or be attached to the trunks of various trees. The domestic plant grows up to 4.5 meters. Not fussy about care.
It adds up to 45 cm in height per year. It blooms only in natural conditions from spring to late autumn. Flowers in the form of a cob with a veil are not of particular value, so the plant has more of an ornamental value. The homeland of Epipremnum is the tropics of Southeast Asia, the Slomon Islands and the Malay Archipelago, as well as Indonesia.
See also how to grow and.
| They have a high development rate - they add up to 45 cm per year. | |
| Does not bloom at home. | |
| The plant is easy to grow. Suitable for a beginner. |
| Perennial. |
Beneficial features
Photo of epipremnum in a pot Effectively cleans the air of toxic compounds, and also:
- increase the endurance of the human body;
- have a stimulating effect on intelligence, increasing the intensity of its development;
- have a positive impact on people’s condition, both on the psycho-emotional and physical level.
Growing epipremnum will fill your home with good spirits, optimistic mood and enthusiasm.
Epipremnum aureus. Photo Features of growing at home. Briefly
| Temperature | It is better to grow Epipremnum at home at 18-24ºС in the summer season, and in winter not lower than 13ºС. |
| Air humidity | Relatively high. Although the plant is drought tolerant, regular misting and foliar treatments will ensure optimal development and growth. |
| Lighting | Feels great in diffused light, but can also adapt to partial shade. |
| Watering | Warm water once every 5 days in summer, and in winter no more than once a week. |
| Priming | A soil mixture consisting of sand, peat, humus and leaf soil in a ratio of 1/2:1:1:1. |
| Feeding and fertilizer | From spring to autumn, feed with liquid organic fertilizer for indoor plants once every 2-3 weeks. In winter it does not need fertilizer. |
| Transplantation of epipremnum | The young plant should be replanted annually in early April, then every 2 years. |
| Reproduction | Propagation should be by apical or stem cuttings with 2 leaf blades. For rooting, you can use a container with water, or a mixture of peat and moss. |
| Features of cultivation | Reacts painfully to drafts and combustion products. Needs support. Pruning is best done in the spring, cutting branches to half their length. |
Caring for epipremnum at home. Details
Caring for epipremnum at home is very simple. The main thing is to provide diffuse lighting, choose a suitable pot and soil, ensure optimal air temperature, apply timely fertilizing, water and not touch the plant during its dormant period.
Bloom
Like other representatives of the Araceae family, it has a not very attractive inflorescence in the form of a spadix with a spathe, about 6 cm long.
Scindapsus begins to bloom from spring to autumn, but only in natural conditions. At home, this plant is used only as a wild foliage plant.
Temperature
Homemade epipremnum must be kept in the summer season at a temperature of 18 to 25 0 C, and in winter the air temperature should not fall below 14 0 C, since lower temperatures can have a detrimental effect on the flower.
Spraying
During the hot summer months, the plant must be sprayed daily. Water procedures will not become unnecessary even with the onset of the heating season.
Lighting
Shade-tolerant plant epipremnum indoors does not tolerate intense heat and direct sunlight. The most favorable lighting for a flower will be its location on an eastern or western window.
But do not forget that growing a flower on northern windows, as well as in rooms with minimal lighting, can lead to a deterioration in appearance. The leaves will fade, the shoots will become too long and not very beautiful. The variegated specks on the leaves may disappear completely.
Therefore, it is best to provide diffuse consecration and then the plant will delight with its excellent appearance and the beauty of its exotic leaves.
Watering
You should not water the plant too often. The soil in the pot should have time to dry out the top 1/3 between each watering.
Otherwise, the risk of root rot may increase significantly, especially if the flower is planted in a moisture-absorbing heavy soil structure.
Pot
There must be holes at the bottom, which is necessary to ensure the release of excess water during watering and saturation of the root system with oxygen.
Priming
The soil for an exotic plant must be breathable and moisture-permeable. For planting, you can also use universal flower soil. A mixture of one part humus, peat, turf soil and half part coarse sand is also perfect. It is recommended to lay a layer of turf at the bottom of the container.
Feeding and fertilizer
If you provide additional lighting in winter, then apply universal liquid fertilizer in half the dose throughout the year once every 3 weeks. In the absence of additional lighting, it is necessary to fertilize the plant only from spring to autumn. In winter, the flower does not need feeding.
Transplantation of epipremnum
Epipremnum should be replanted once every 2-3 years, preferably in the spring if the plant is already quite mature. Young tropical flowers need to be replanted annually, although you can simply replace the topsoil instead. You can plant 3-4 shoots in one container.
Trimming
Rest period
There is no clearly defined period of rest. However, its intensive development and growth occurs from the beginning of March to the end of October; it is during this period that the flower needs timely feeding.
After the air temperature reaches 14-15 degrees, the plant begins to perceive this as a period of rest and the growth process slows down several times.
Growing epipremnum from seeds
Like any decorative flower, epipremnum is quite difficult to grow from seeds, so this method is used in the most extreme cases. To grow this amazing flower from seed, you must first stock up on loose soil and a pot with a hole in the bottom.
After completing the sowing procedure, you need to water them and place the pot in a room with an air temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. After 2.5-3 weeks, the first shoots should appear, and as they grow, they can be planted in separate containers.
Propagation of Epipremnum by cuttings
Epipremnum propagation is carried out mainly by apical cuttings, which must have at least 2 leaf blades. You can also propagate this beauty by dividing the shoot into parts, provided that each part has at least one leaf, from the axil of which new shoots will subsequently develop.
Cuttings can easily be rooted in any container with soil, the temperature of which should be at least 22 degrees. The rooting process of cuttings takes place over 2-2.5 weeks.
Rooted flowers can be planted in permanent pots and the apical cuttings can be pinched once to stimulate the branching process. The size of the cutting, the more time it will take to form a developed climbing plant.
Diseases and pests
Epipremnum is a very resistant plant, but inappropriate care and the appearance of pests can negatively affect the external condition of the plant.
May be subject to the following problems:
- If leaves turn yellow epipremnuma , then this indicates nutrient depletion of the soil.
- Brown spots on leaves are a sign of excess moisture in the soil and growing in heavy soil composition. It is recommended to spray the plant more often and move it away from the heating device. If possible, change the composition of the soil.
- If the tips of the leaves curl, this may indicate that the soil and air are too dry; it is necessary to water the flower generously and spray the leaf blades with warm water.
- Black edges of leaves- evidence of sunburn.
- Pale and small leaves begin to appear when the lighting level is insufficient. The flower needs to be moved to a bright room, and the problem will disappear.
- If the stem stretched out then this also indicates a lack of light.
- If the leaves are turning pale, then this may be a consequence of excessive light. In this case, you need to move the flower pot away from the window.
Brown tips on epipremnum leaves may appear if the plant begins to freeze or the soil is overly wet. In addition to the problems listed, pests such as scale insects, mealybugs, aphids and spider mites may appear on the plant. It's not difficult to get rid of them.
First you need to remove them mechanically, and then treat them with a fungicidal agent.
Types of home epipremnum with photos and names
It is a climbing vine decorated with marbled leaf plates with a yellow-green color and very long shoots. The stems grow up to 2 meters in length. Almost never blooms. Varieties: Aureum and Marble Quint.
It is one of the most popular varieties of decorative flowers. A distinctive feature is the dark green leathery leaves, decorated with various spots and stripes of golden color. The vine stems eventually reach 6 meters. Varieties: Golden Pothos, Pearl and Jade, N Joy and Marble Queen.
This is a vine that grows up to 15 meters in length. The surface of the stem on a young plant is smooth, but as its age increases, numerous growths begin to form. The leaf blades are ovoid in shape, elongated by 12-15 cm in length and 6-7 cm in width. The most famous varieties: Argyraeus and Exotica.
At home, "Epipremnum", which is also called "Scindapsus", can reach four and a half meters in length, adding from thirty to forty-six centimeters per year. It is characterized by the presence of shiny heart-shaped green leaves, on which spots of different shapes can be located.
The leaves are evenly distributed along the stem or scattered at the bottom of the stem and clustered on the remainder of the stem. The long petioles are equipped with subtle longitudinal hollows.
Reference! The primary inflorescence is usually located in the axil of the leaves.
It can be single or consist of a collection of inflorescences. The flowers are naked and dioecious, but they appear very rarely in indoor conditions.
The Epipremnum flower has a fibrous root system. Its monopoidal stems are equipped with many aerial roots, which over time begin to become lignified. Under favorable conditions, they can develop into a separate root system.
Photo
The photo shows the plant "Epipremnum" (Scindapsus):
Home care
According to most flower growers, the Scindapsus liana is a completely unpretentious plant, so caring for it at home does not have pronounced nuances.
Is it possible to keep Epipremnum at home?
There is a popular superstition according to which Epipremnum is a muzhigon plant.
If it grows up in the house of a young girl, she will never get married, and if it is purchased by a married woman, her husband will soon leave her. To believe popular rumor or not is a personal matter for everyone.
Well, if we approach this issue from a scientific point of view, we must not forget that Epipremnum, like most other vines, is poisonous. Therefore, it is not advisable to keep it in houses where small children or pets live.
Trimming
Epipremnum can easily do without pruning, but if you want to give it a beautiful shape, carry out this procedure in the spring. Shoots can be cut to half their length.
Watering
This type of vine requires moderate watering, for which you should use settled water at room temperature. During the spring-summer period, water Epipremnum once every four to five days, and in winter, reduce the frequency of watering to once every seven to eight days. Water as the top layer of soil dries out.
Important! Abundant watering and stagnant moisture contribute to rotting of the plant roots and the appearance of brown spots on the leaves.
Landing
"Epipremnum" will feel best in slightly acidic soil. There are three ways to prepare a substrate for it:
- One part turf soil, one part peat soil, one part humus soil and half a part sand;
- Three parts leaf soil, one part turf soil and one part perlite or coarse sand;
- Two parts peat, two parts leaf soil, one part pine bark and one part turf soil with sand or sphagnum.
Attention! To plant "Scindapsus", you should take a pot with a hole at the bottom, at the bottom of which you need to place drainage.
Transfer
Important! If you notice that the leaves of your vine are drooping, this may mean that the root system has filled the entire volume of the pot.
In this case, you need to transplant the plant into a larger pot with fresh soil. Young plants should be replanted every spring; mature “Epipremnums” can be replanted once every two to three years.
Growing from seeds
Like most others, Epipremnum is quite difficult to grow from seeds, so this method is used very rarely.
But if you still decide to try to grow this beauty from seeds, you will need containers with loose soil.
After sowing, water the seeds and place them in a room where the air temperature is between twenty and twenty-five degrees. In about three weeks you will see the first shoots, which as they grow older you can plant in separate pots.
Reproduction at home
There are such methods of propagation of Epipremnum:
- By layering;
- By cuttings;
- Dividing the escape into parts.
First way consists of placing a pot filled with soil next to an adult plant, bending one or more shoot nodes to it, covering them with soil and pressing them with a pin.
Attention! Once aerial roots have taken root in the new pot, trim the stems and add some soil to the pot to strengthen the seedlings.
To propagate vines by cuttings you will need shoots equipped with two or three leaves. They need to be rooted in a peat-sand mixture and kept at a temperature of twenty-two to twenty-five degrees above zero, without neglecting regular spraying. Full rooting of the cuttings will occur after a couple of weeks.
To split the escape into parts, each part of it must be equipped with at least one leaf. A new shoot will grow from its bosom.
Temperature
"Epipremnum" refers to heat-loving plants. In the summer, it is advisable to keep it at a temperature of twenty to twenty-five degrees Celsius, and in winter the temperature should not be allowed to drop below fifteen degrees.
Important! The plant really does not like drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Lighting
This representative of the flora does not have any special lighting requirements. It can be located either in the shaded depths of the room or on a sunlit window sill.
However, direct sunlight is extremely undesirable for Scindapsus, so it should be placed at a distance of fifty centimeters to two meters from the window.
Epipremnums are a genus of densely branching perennial vines that belong to the large Araceae family (lat. Araceae). At the moment, there are about 30 varieties, but each of them has whole or dissected leaves, like feathers, that sit on an elongated petiole. The surface of the vines is leathery and smooth, and the color of individual species can vary greatly. The plant blooms only in its natural habitat; it has not yet been possible to achieve the appearance of inflorescences at home.
General description of epipremnum
The genus got its name from the Greek word, which means “on the trunk,” hinting at the semi-epiphytic lifestyle of the epipremnum. There are many names that ordinary people have given to the plant. For example, on the American continent it sounds like the Golden Pothos. In Great Britain it was given the name Devil's Ivy. In botany, the scientific name in Latin is Epipremnum aureum. In addition, instead of the term epipremnum, you can sometimes hear scindapsus - also a very common second name for the genus.
At the moment, this is the most unpretentious hanging plant, which looks very impressive, but does not force the grower to create specific conditions of humidity, light, etc. In this regard, epipremnum has become widespread in landscaping residential buildings and offices, and its dense leaves with The glossy surface and beautiful variegated coloring pleasantly delight today with their decorative appearance.
Basic requirements for growing epipremnum
As already mentioned, epipremnum is a fairly unpretentious plant that develops quickly if placed in warm rooms, making sure that the air is not too dry, and feeding it periodically. The location for this kind of vines can be chosen quite varied, since they climb well on pillars, walls or staircase railings, and can also grow like all hanging plants. In the latter case, they are hung in a pot, allowing the branches to hang down. A very popular method has become growing epipremnum on a vertical pipe covered with moss, which retains moisture for a long time, transferring it to the aerial root system.
Scindapsus has become an ideal plant for those people who would like to landscape their apartment or office, but at the same time do not have the time or proper experience to care for it. In addition, beautiful vines with variegated colors can be grown in any room without thinking about the light source or its intensity; accordingly, epipremnum can decorate a bedroom or, for example, a study with its presence.
At the same time, it is quite easy to regulate the appearance and size of the plant. If you don’t want it to grow too much, then you can force the scindapsus to stretch upward. At the same time, hanging it in a pot on a hook in the wall or placing it on a shelf, the vines can stretch down to 3-5 m in length. In the latter case, you only need to periodically unravel them so that a tight, chaotic tangle does not form.
Useful facts about epipremnum
Scindapsus is given great importance in the East, where it is believed that this plant can intensively accumulate vital energy Qi, then distributing it to places that need it, replenishing the imbalance.
Experts specializing in Feng Shui claim that the energy of the epipremnum has a positive effect on the results of social and professional affairs, and also helps advance the career ladder. Among the miraculous properties that are also attributed to representatives of scindapsus are: stimulating intellectual development, increasing endurance, pragmatism and organizational skills. It is believed that in rooms where epipremnum grows, optimism, cheerfulness and enthusiasm will reign. According to Eastern experts, the plant has a positive effect on a person’s mental and physical health, but it should be grown in spacious rooms.
According to the observations of Western scientists, growing vines allows you to clean the air of residential premises from dust and various harmful fumes.
Types of epipremnum
- Golden (in Latin: Epipremnum aureum). The second official name is “Golden Scindapsus”. This is one of the most common ornamental species, which has beautiful leathery leaves with a variegated golden-yellow scattering of stripes and spots on a dark green background. Their sizes in adult plants are up to 60 cm in length and up to 30–40 in width. The leaf pattern of individual varieties may differ significantly. For example, golden pothos have almost entirely a yellowish-golden hue, while the marble queen variety has a silvery-white base color.
- Considering the golden appearance of epipremnum, one cannot fail to mention the variety Pearls and jade (in Latin, the full name of Epipremnum aureum “Pearls and Jade”). This variety was bred from the Marble Queen by American flower growers. Its distinctive feature is its compact dimensions, which are unusual for other decorative representatives of the genus Epipremnum. In a mature plant, the leaf size reaches 8 cm in length and 5 cm in width. The color is spotted, consisting of green, white and gray-green shades. It’s almost impossible to find two leaves of the same color on one plant, but this is by no means a minus, on the contrary, the vines of the Pearl and Jade varieties look very original. Moreover, the leaves themselves are not smooth, like most other epipremnums, but have a bumpy surface. The stem of the plant is predominantly green with white longitudinal stripes. The petioles are long and almost equal to the leaves that are attached to them. This variety has gained particular popularity not only for its spectacular appearance, but also for its unpretentiousness to growing conditions. The only thing the plant urgently needs is sufficient illumination, without which its attractive appearance may fade.
- The next type is called forest (in Latin E. silvaticum Alderw.). This is easily explained, because its homeland is the swampy forests of Sumatra and Indonesia. The plant is a long (up to 6 meters) vine of a very graceful shape. The individual leaves have an oval-lanceolate structure and a beautiful glossy surface of an emerald hue. Leaf dimensions: up to 15–20 cm in length and 5–6 cm in width. An interesting decorative look is obtained due to small internodes.
- Cirrus (in Latin: Epipremnum pinnatum). This species lives in India and China, and due to its size it has earned the title of the largest vine in the entire Araceae family. In places of natural growth it stretches 35–40 meters in length! Under artificial conditions, growth is not so intense and some representatives of cultivated plants demonstrate a vine length of no more than 10 meters. The leaves have a beautiful deep dark green hue, and in mature epipremnums their shape becomes pinnately dissected, which is how the species gets its name. When grown in residential premises, the plant is completely unpretentious to the conditions, develops at an average speed and does not reach gigantic sizes.
- Painted epipremnum (Latin: Scindapsus pictus)- a type of angular tall vine that grows up to 15 m. Young plants have a smooth stem, but as they mature, warts form on it, the size and number of which grow every year. The leaves sit on short petioles and are ovoid in shape. Their length is 12–15 cm and width 6–7 cm. The most widespread are two varieties - argyraeus and exotica. The first of them has a distinctive feature of shortened leaves, which at the same time retain the width characteristic of the species and demonstrate a deep green color with regular silver spots. The exotica variety has a characteristic leaf pattern with oblong gray strokes and wide silvery spots.
Epipremnum care
- Lighting. The epipremnum genus usually does not require good lighting for cultivation and the plants develop well even in shaded areas. But it should be borne in mind that the choice of very dark areas causes a slowdown in the natural processes of photosynthesis in the leaves, which leads to the cessation of their development and the loss of a beautiful rich green hue. At the same time, placing vines in places where direct sunlight penetrates has a negative effect on the condition of the plants. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the color of the leaves becomes pale gray, they begin to dry out and fall off. When choosing a place to grow scindapsus, it is best to focus on areas that are located within 1-2 meters from windows that provide a lot of light. The issue of lighting is especially acute for variegated varieties, which instantly react to uncomfortable conditions, losing their beautiful color.
- Temperature. Epipremnum develops well at normal room temperature, so it does not need to be provided with a special climate regime. But still, we should not forget that the homeland of vines is hot countries, so the plant loves warmth and is afraid of drafts. If possible, then in summer it would be good for him to provide a temperature within 20–25 degrees, and in winter not to allow it to drop below 15.
- Air humidity. Scindapsus does not need additional moisture when grown at home, but only if the temperature does not constantly remain above 22 degrees. Otherwise, it is necessary to periodically spray the aerial roots and leaves, making sure to use only soft water, since using hard water will leave unsightly spots on the leaves.
- Watering. Plants from the genus Epipremnum love moderate watering throughout the year, so the earthen lump is allowed to dry out a little before adding water again. In winter, if the vines grow in rooms where the air temperature is 15–17 degrees, the intensity of watering can be slightly reduced. When a large amount of moisture accumulates in the soil, it begins to protrude in the form of large drops from the back of the leaves. This is a sure sign of an excess of water, indicating that its quantity or frequency of addition needs to be reduced.
- Feeding scindapsus is occasionally carried out only during the period of intensive development, which is observed between April and October. To do this, buy ready-made liquid fertilizer intended for indoor plants and apply it once for 15–20 days. In winter, fertilizing is usually stopped completely, but if the vine grows in a room where it is always very warm, then you can apply fertilizer monthly using a weak concentration - about 2 times less than recommended.
- Replanting and pruning. Epipremnum during its development in the first years of life is usually replanted every spring. When the plant matures, the procedure is repeated only once every 3 years, removing during the procedure those shoots that have grown greatly. For replanting, choose soil with an acidity of about 6 pH and good drainage. You can buy ready-made substrates intended for deciduous ornamental plants for these purposes.
If you want to prepare the soil for planting yourself, then use sand, peat, humus and leaf soil one part at a time. You should not take excessively large pots, otherwise the roots of the plant will not be able to entwine the entire earthen ball, and this usually provokes stagnation of moisture and acidification of the soil. Due to this danger, by the way, you should always provide a good drainage layer.
Scindapsus does not require mandatory pruning, but if you want to give the hunt the most spectacular look, then you can do it.
Reproduction of Epipremnum
Propagation is usually carried out by separating and then planting apical cuttings, cutting the shoots into small pieces of 2-3 leaves. It is also possible to divide them into parts with one leaf, after which a new shoot will begin to form from its axil. The process of rooting cuttings occurs, as a rule, easily and quickly, and they are planted in low trays or separate small (7–9 cm) pots. The soil used for these purposes is of the following composition: take 1 part each of peat, leaf and humus soil, and add half a part of sand and turf soil.
Rooting occurs in 14–17 days. After this, the plant can be pinched once to stimulate branching. By the way, there is a direct connection between the size of the cutting and the speed at which a beautiful branched epipremnum will grow - the longer it is, the faster a branched vine will appear.
After the scindapsus roots have entwined the earthen ball, they are transplanted into separate pots up to 10 centimeters high. Another very common method is to place several rooted cuttings in bowls, as is done with hanging plants.
Diseases and pests of epipremnum
As soon as such alarming symptoms are noticed, you should immediately moisten a sponge or cloth in a soapy solution and thoroughly wipe the leaves and stems, eliminating most of the pests in this mechanical way. After this, the plant is sprayed with chemicals, allowed to stand for 7-10 days, and then the procedure is repeated to destroy the offspring. For these purposes, you can use karbofos or, for example, actellik, but you need to take into account that the latter has extremely high toxicity, so in residential areas it can become a threat not only to insects, but also to people.
Among folk remedies, washing the plant with an infusion of onion and garlic has become especially effective. To prepare it, finely chop 1 tsp. onions and press half a teaspoon of garlic, then pour the mixture into a glass of water and leave for 24 hours.
The most common disease is botrytis. Its first symptoms will be redness of the leaves. The disease is caused by bacteria that actively multiply in conditions of high humidity. Therefore, careless watering is a sure way to cause botrytis. The drug Fitosporin-M is well suited for control; it treats the plant in accordance with the instructions.
Possible difficulties when growing epipremnum
- Yellowing and falling leaves in large quantities - lack of nutrition or excessive lack of light.
- The faded tint usually appears under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, which is carried by direct sunlight.
- The appearance of dark spots, as a rule, occurs against the background of excessively intense watering.
- Drying of the tips of the leaves is a consequence of a long absence of water.
