Cobtail, Aglaonema—Care and Species

So far, 23 species and numerous breeds are known, which enjoy great popularity worldwide as undemanding indoor plants.

location

Where it is possible to simulate the lighting conditions of tropical forests, the common thread thrives splendidly because it feels so at home.

• Bright location without direct sunlight.
• Mild morning or evening sun is tolerated.
• The minimum temperature during the day is 23° to 25° Celsius.
• Night temperature not below 16° Celsius.

As a tropical plant, the Aglaonema requires higher humidity than is generally the case in living spaces. The experienced hobby gardener provides a remedy here with simple means. A bowl filled with water already causes a significant improvement. Alternatively, he fills the coaster with pebbles and water to counteract the risk of waterlogging. Where lime-free water is available, it is used to spray the houseplant daily.

Substrate

As far as the substrate is concerned, the tropical plant is extremely frugal. It does very well with standard potting soil. However, it is self-defeating to use inferior cheap products because they tend to go moldy within a short time. Investing in high-quality potting soil is usually rewarded with healthy growth combined with a long lifespan. If you like, you can mix the substrate yourself and thus ensure that all the ingredients are known:
Components in equal parts:

• Normal garden soil.
• Fillers such as coconut hum, expanded clay or perlite.
• Well rotted garden compost.

The use of peat as an addition to potting soil is increasingly frowned upon by recreational gardeners. This circumstance is due to the uncontrolled overexploitation of the moors, which can only be stopped when there is no longer any demand for peat. In addition, this filler does not store the irrigation water well and often contains countless fungal spores.

watering and fertilizing

In terms of water and nutrient supply, a cob thread is also not out of line, but once again confirms its undemanding nature.

• Keep the substrate evenly moist.
• The plant tolerates short-term drought better than permanently wet soil.
• Water preferably with lime-free water at room temperature.
• Apply liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks from March to October/November.

If there are no pebbles in the saucer, it is advisable to empty the excess water after 20 minutes at the latest. Watering is only done when the thumb test confirms that the surface of the soil has dried. If the nutrient supply is on the care plan that day, the substrate is first slightly moistened with water before the fertilizer is applied.

hibernate

In the period from December to February, the Aglaonema takes a break to gather fresh strength for the next growing season. Ideally, the hobby gardener should treat it to a cooler spot at 16° to 18° Celsius during this phase. Of course, moving for the winter is not absolutely necessary. The reduction of the amount of irrigation water, on the other hand, is more likely. On the other hand, the root ball must not dry out completely. At this point, the care instructions reveal the only aspect that requires a little finesse. In order to avoid this circumstance, knowledgeable hobby gardeners decide to maintain the cob thread in hydroponics.

repot

Since the ornamental leaf plant shows sluggish growth, repotting is only necessary every 2 to 3 years. At the latest when the roots push their way up through the substrate, it is time to relocate the common thread into a larger flower pot. Spring is the best time for this measure.

• Unpot the plant and carefully remove the old substrate.
• The new bucket is only slightly larger than the previous one.
• A drainage made of grit, perlite or potsherds is created at the bottom of the pot.
• Fill in the substrate and plant the plant.

Forward-looking gardeners always leave a watering rim free so that no water-soil mixture spills over later. Last but not least, the houseplant receives a well-measured dose of water.

To cut

Like most arum plants, the Aglaonema is also extremely pruning-tolerant. This attribute has the benefit of allowing the plants to thrive in a compact habit with regular topiary. Individual petioles are shortened to just above the lowest eye. As a result, the ornamental plant drives out again in dense branches. It is recommended to seal the cuts with a little charcoal powder to protect against disease and pests.

multiply

An enthusiastic hobby gardener cannot get enough of such a good-natured and at the same time distinctive houseplant. It’s good to know that the common thread can be propagated very easily.

Division
If in early spring the period of winter rest is coming to an end, you can easily multiply the cob thread by dividing the root ball. For this purpose, the plant is unpotted and cut into several individual parts with a sharp, disinfected knife. Each segment should have at least 3 leaves and 1 bud. Potted in suitable planters, each Aglaonema is cultivated from the start like an adult specimen.

Adventurous plants
When the tropical plant gets old, small daughter plants develop at the base, preferably in the course of summer. The experienced gardener leaves these adventitious plants on the mother plant throughout the autumn and winter. Only in the following spring are they separated together with the roots in order to be cultivated in individual pots. If the root system doesn’t seem strong enough yet, the daughter plants will spend some time in a glass of water before transplanting into regular substrate.

Cuttings
In the course of early summer, strong, healthy side shoots can be used as cuttings. Cut to a length of 10 cm to 15 cm, each scion has at least 3 leaves. Leaves are removed down to the top sheet. Planted in seed pots filled with nutrient-poor substrate, the young plants spend the next few weeks in a partially shaded, warm window seat. Constant moisture is recommended without soaking the cuttings or the substrate. If a new shoot appears, this is an indication that the rooting is successful.

Hydroponic maintenance

In the rarest cases, the specialist trade offers piston threads in hydroponics. The maintenance effort is additionally reduced in this form. The younger the plant, the more successfully it adapts to the changed culture conditions. It is therefore advisable to immediately set the personally propagated or recently acquired mullet threads on an inorganic substrate.

• Completely clear the root ball of soil without leaving any residue.
• Remove dead, obviously rotten parts from the root system.
• Lay out in an airy place and let dry.

While the roots are drying, the hydro tank is filled with a suitable substrate. Materials such as perlite, expanded clay or pumice gravel with small to medium grains are popular. The Aglaonema is placed on a first layer of approx. 4 cm and surrounded all around with the inorganic substrate. Repeated shaking of the hydro pot helps distribute the grains evenly. The inner pot is now placed in the cachepot and is filled with water until the water level indicator is at its optimum. Finally, the nutrient solution must not be forgotten, for which a separate compartment is available. It won’t be a drama in the next few weeks if one or the other leaf changes colour, because the changeover is quite stressful for the houseplant. Experts therefore advise carrying out this measure in February/March

leaf cleaning

Over time, deposits of various compositions accumulate on the large leaves. In order to maintain their decorative value, they should be cleaned regularly. Commercially available foliar polishes have now been found to be quite detrimental, clogging the stomata (stomata), not to mention the unnatural shine they create. Among the home remedies, however, two methods have proven themselves. For example, the inside of a banana peel serves as a natural cleaning agent for a cob thread by rubbing the leaves very gently. Algae juice, which also acts as a practical nutrient supplier, has proven to be just as effective.

Well-known species

Not all of the 23 known species have made it into homes and offices. Those with the most magnificent foliage, however, enjoy worldwide popularity.

Kolbenfaden ‚Silver Queen‘ (Aglaonema commutatum ‚Silver Queen‘)

• Predominantly silver colored leaves with delicate green markings.
• Growth height 40 cm to 60 cm.

Kolbenfaden ‘Albovariegatum’ (Aglaonema substituted for ‘Albovariegatum’)

• Beautiful species with white stems and trunks.
• Growth height up to 50 cm.

Kolbenfaden Tricolor

• The pink stems are a special feature.
• Bright red fruits up to 2.5 cm long.

Kolbenfaden (Aglaonema costatum)

• Densely leafed little bush.
• White spotted leaves on an emerald green background.

Marked cob thread (Aglaonema crispum)

• Imposing leaves up to 30 cm long and 8 cm wide.
• Silver colored with a few green markings.

‘Curtisii’ (Aglaonema nitidum ‘Curtisii’)

• High-growing species with stems up to 90 cm long.
• Beautiful foliage with a silvery border.

Kolbenfaden painted (Aglaonema pictum)

• Rare species with a flat basal trunk, later upright.
• Dark green leaves with light green spots, irregularly distributed.

Kolbenfaden marantifolium (Aglaonema marantifolium)

• Lanceolate leaves up to 20 cm long.
• White horizontal stripes on a deep green background.

Kolbenfaden ‘Variegatum’ (Aglaonema modestum)

• Pretty plant with wavy leaves.
• Yellow spots glow on a green background.

Conclusion
The butt thread has earned a regular place on every creatively designed flower bench, whether in the office or at home. The tropical houseplant not only impresses with its impressive foliage, but also helps to improve the indoor climate. For these services, the aroid requires little care, is very easy to propagate and comes in numerous, pleasing species. The exotic immigrant feels particularly comfortable in the company of other green plants. The gardener should only keep an eye on the poison content of an Aglaonema and carry out all maintenance work with protective gloves.