Scindapsus

Common indoor plant Scindapsus aureus (Scindapsus aureus) is also known as Epipremnum aureus or under the common name "Pothos" (Pothos). This is a climbing vine with aerial roots growing out of the nodes. It originates from the Solomon Islands. The genus Scindapsus has about 20 species in total. The length of young oval and pointed leaves of Scindapsus is about 10 cm, they are colored bright green and covered with yellow spots. The heart-shaped leaves of adult plants become large, and the length of the stems can reach several meters. Potos-long known and a widely cultivated plant at home, thanks to its decorative and unpretentious nature (resistant to dry room air, shade tolerance). Among the most popular varieties are 'Golden Queen' with almost entirely yellow leaves, 'Marble Queen' and 'Painted' with leaves in white spots. Specimens with leaves covered with white spots gradually lose the intensity of the pattern over time.

Cultivation

Golden Scindapsus can only be grown indoors. Especially suitable is a hanging basket, a planter for an ampel plant, or a pot with support tubes wrapped in moss or synthetic material, for which shoots cling and climb with aerial roots. In years when the plant is not transplanted, in the period from May to September, it should be fed once a month with diluted liquid fertilizer.

Golden Scindapsus can only be grown indoors. Especially suitable is a hanging basket, a planter for an ampel plant, or a pot with support tubes wrapped in moss or synthetic material, for which shoots cling and climb with aerial roots.

In years when the plant is not transplanted, in the period from May to September, it should be fed once a month with diluted liquid fertilizer.

Location

If the light is weak, the decorative pattern on the leaves may fade (they turn completely green). It is recommended to avoid too bright lighting and direct sunlight. The view's advantages are that it doesn't require much light.

Temperature

If you reduce watering to a minimum, pothos tolerates a decrease in temperature in winter, even to 13-14 °C. The optimum temperature is 18-20 °C.

Watering

In the summer months, water very abundantly, and in winter, when the plant is "half asleep", forming thin stems and small leaves, watering is reduced. If the plant is provided with supports for better development, they need to be constantly wetted; low humidity usually worsens the variegation of the leaves.

Transplant

If you want to have large plants, you should transplant them into a new container every 2-3 years, in April.

Care

To remove dust from the leaves, use a damp cloth. So that the plant does not stretch excessively, you can shorten the shoots by half from May to July. It is recommended to cut off weak shoots in early spring.

Reproduction

Reproduction is easily carried out by cuttings. Usually use parts of the stem with a leaf. The best breeding season is May-July. Cuttings are planted in small pots or cellular containers filled with soil (leaf, turf, peat, sand), at a temperature of 20-24 °C. Plants can also be propagated in layers by placing a pot filled with soil next to the parent plant, sprinkling one or more branch nodes with soil and pressing it with a hairpin. When the aerial roots are well rooted in the new container, the stems can be cut off and a small amount of earth added, slightly strengthening the shoots with it.

Reproduction is easily carried out by cuttings. Usually use parts of the stem with a leaf. The best breeding season is May-July. Cuttings are planted in small pots or cellular containers filled with soil (leaf, turf, peat, sand), at a temperature of 20-24 °C.

Plants can also be propagated in layers by placing a pot filled with soil next to the parent plant, sprinkling one or more branch nodes with soil and pressing it with a hairpin. When the aerial roots are well rooted in the new container, the stems can be cut off and a small amount of earth added, slightly strengthening the shoots with it.

Diseases

Scindapsus, epipremnum, or pothos, is susceptible to numerous fungal diseases, as well as damage by bacteria and pests. It is recommended to avoid inappropriate environmental conditions, such as excessive watering, top dressing, excessive salt content in irrigation water, or lack of nutrients. Excessive lighting or placement in direct sunlight can cause brown spots to appear on the leaves. Drafts with a simultaneous sharp decrease in temperature lead to yellowing of the lower leaves. Excessive fertilization and an overabundance of nitrogen lead to the disappearance of the pattern from the leaves and excessive lengthening of the stems.

Acquisition

Choose a well-formed plant with many shoots and variegated leaves. All plants that cling to moss-covered tubes or grow in hanging baskets should be checked to ensure that there is no suspicious rot on the bases of the stems. The edges of the leaf plates should not be dry, which happens from an excessive amount of salt in irrigation water. The leaves should not have spots and specks that appear when infected with fungal diseases.