Ornamental asparagus can have many different orientations. Compact, climbing or high - the choice is huge. Here you can find out how the culture turns out from the location to the propagation and the wintering.
Location
The location should be bright but not too bright. Morning sun and evening sun are ideal. This means that places facing east and west are suitable as locations. However, blazing midday sun should be avoided. Because the plants react to this by shedding leaves or yellowing the false leaves. But shade is also unfavorable. If the plant is too dark, the loss of foliage must also be expected. In addition, the following criteria are decisive when choosing the location:
- high humidity
- Protection against drafts
- Avoid temperatures below 13 ° C
Note: Experience has shown that the bathroom and kitchen are particularly suitable for indoor plants. However, they can also be grown outdoors in summer. On the south side, however, they should be covered.
Substrate
Which substrate is used depends in part on the particular type of decorative asparagus. In general, however, the following requirements should be met:
- permeable
- wet
- humus
- moderately nutritious
Plant soil with the addition of coconut fibers or house plant soil are therefore very suitable.
to water
The earth should always
be slightly damp. This is especially true for the growing season from spring to late summer. Because if the root ball or the substrate dries out, the plant reacts with balding.When pouring, there are also a few points to watch out for. These include, among others:
- Avoid waterlogging
- submerged watering is ideal
- Water should be at room temperature
- use soft water
It is best to put the entire pot in a bucket of water and wait until no more air bubbles rise from the earth. Then the water should be able to drain away.
Suitable sources for the water are:
- stale tap water
- filtered water
- Rainwater
- untreated water from aquariums and ponds
- soft tap water
It is a good idea to bring the water to room temperature before pouring. This can be achieved, for example, by standing the water bucket or a watering can in the relevant room for several hours.
Hints: A coaster is better than a planter. This allows any water that escapes to evaporate better. In addition, a drainage layer should be introduced.
Fertilize
This is where the ornamental asparagus shows up
particularly easy to care for. From spring to late autumn, fertilizer is given every two weeks. Green plant fertilizer is suitable. This should be administered in liquid form with the irrigation water.This prevents chemical burns on the roots as the nutrients are distributed more evenly in the substrate.
Blending
A regular cut of the ornamental asparagus is not necessary but possible. Potential reasons for this include:
- kinked shoots
- Infestation with pests
- Diseases
- Discoloration
- Baldness
In these cases, the shoots are cut off just above the ground. Even if a complete radical cut has to be made, the plant usually grows back again. The prerequisite, however, is that it is otherwise healthy. It is also important that you proceed correctly.
A cutting tool that meets the following criteria is crucial for this:
- clean blades
- sharp edges
- quick drying
Sharpened scissors with disinfected blades are ideal. In addition, the measure should be carried out in such a way that the cut surfaces can dry off in a short time.
Overwinter
Wintering the ornamental asparagus is comparatively easy. Ideal are:
- sufficient humidity
- bright location
- do not let it dry out
- Temperatures between 10 and 13 ° C
Note: During the winter, the plant can also face south, as the solar radiation is then not so intense. In the spring after wintering, however, the blazing midday sun should be avoided again.
Diseases, pests and care mistakes
The main problems with ornamental asparagus relate to incorrect maintenance and the resulting rot and mold. Diseases and pests, on the other hand, rarely occur. However, more common are:
Leaf loss
A plant of this variety tends to shed leaves when
it is not kept sufficiently moist, too dark or too light. Balding is therefore often due to a wrong location or to mistakes in watering.Mould
The plants are very sensitive to waterlogging. Rotting and mold are the possible consequences. This can cause significant damage to the roots and lead to the death of the plant. A rescue is possible if
the condition is recognized and treated at an early stage. This requires the removal of the entire substrate and the infected parts of the plant.
Discoloration
Yellow or brown discolouration is usually due to dryness or too much sunlight. A change of location is therefore advisable.
Reproduction of ornamental asparagus
In springtime, you can multiply your ornamental asparagus by dividing the tubers with a sharp knife. Then you put these in pots with commercially available potting soil and lightly water them. The same procedure is advisable if the space in the previous pot is no longer sufficient. Further care corresponds to that of the older plants.
Ornamental asparagus can also be propagated using seeds. There is a comprehensive guide on this subject here: Propagate ornamental asparagus properly.
sorts
Ornamental asparagus can be found in numerous varieties and cultivated forms. However, the following are particularly popular in Europe:
- Asparagus densiflorus
- Asparagus setaceus obsolete also known as Asparagus plumosus
- Asparagus sprengeri
They differ mainly in their appearance. Asparagus densiflorus is the umbrella term for the Sprengeri and Meyeri varieties. Asparagus sprengeri is extremely robust and can develop hanging shoots up to one meter long. It is therefore ideal for culture in a traffic light.
Asparagus setaceus is also known as Asparagus plumosus and Fern asparagus. It is reminiscent of a fern and also proves to be resilient.
