Distinctive features of the plant, recommendations for home growing of phyllitis, rules for breeding a leaflet at home, diseases and pests that affect ferns, facts for the curious, species and photos. Each of them has its own distinctive features that make it possible to accurately identify, but usually the plant signals "intruders":
- the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves and deformation of the leaf plate;
- the formation of a thin cobweb, which quickly begins to cover not only foliage, but also cuttings;
- whitish lumps, similar to small cotton pieces, visible on the back of the leaves;
- shiny plaques, brownish brown color;
- small green bugs or white midges;
- covering parts of phyllitis with a sticky sugary bloom.
If at least one of the described symptoms was found, then immediately it is necessary to cover the soil in the pot with a plastic bag and to "shower" the leaflet. After that, you can wipe the leaves with a soap, oil or alcohol solution. However, such an operation can be difficult due to the sori that is formed on the back side of the sheet plate. In any case, then treatment is carried out with insecticidal preparations of a wide spectrum of action (for example, Aktara, Aktellik, Fitoverm or similar means).
It is important to remember that in nature, phyllitis grows in dense shade, so if direct rays of the sun fall on its foliage, their color will turn pale. Due to the decrease in humidity, the ends of the leaves dry out, and the young foliage opens up deformed. If the temperature drops too low, then the fronds begin to sink down. With insufficient watering, brown spots form on the leaf plates, which grow rapidly. The leaflet has the same reaction to a draft and low temperature. If the substrate in the pot is constantly flooded, this will lead to rotting of the root system.
When young leaves do not develop enough, this is the result of sparse spraying.
Facts for the curious
Since the size of phyllitis can reach half a meter, it is recommended to place it in the corners of rooms, both residential and office. It is good to use it in phytodecoration of large halls or halls.
It is because of the solid outlines of the foliage that this representative of the flora looks spectacular and contrasting against the background of the openwork foliage of any ferns.
Phyllitis species
Phyllitis scolopendrium or as it is also called Scolopendrium leaflet or Asplenium scolopendrium, Scolopendrium vulgare. The native habitat of this mountain species falls on the territory of European countries, southeastern regions of Asia and North America. The plant prefers to settle on calcareous substrates and talus; it is a frequent visitor in humid forests, it can grow well on crushed humus that accumulates in rock crevices. That is, all areas of natural distribution are stretched from heights to the belt of mountains. This variety is the most popular among Russian flower growers.
It is a perennial plant with a leaf rosette composed of bright green glossy leaves. At the same time, the height of the bush varies in the range of 15-30 cm, often reaching 60 cm. The rhizome is thickened, its surface is densely covered with scales. The outlines of the leaf are solid, the shape is belt-like. At the same time, it is 3-7 cm in width. The edge is almost parallel, it can often be wavy. There is a sharpening at the top, but there are specimens with a blunt end. At the base, the contour of the leaf is cordate.
The length of the petiole is three times less than the leaf itself (about 7 cm), it is covered with scales of green or brown color, resembling hairs. Sori usually have a paired arrangement, along the entire plate in the region of the central vein on both sides. Sori are different in length. Maturation of spores occurs in the second half of the summer season.
The decorative forms of this variety are well known:
- undulata - the entire leaf plate has waviness;
- marginatum has a narrow wai shape, with a wavy edge, or there is a division into lobes;
- cristatum is distinguished by a smooth and solid leaf plate and only at the very top of the leaf does the surface become comb-like along the edge;
- ramosum - the leaves of this plant have a fork-shaped branch;
- ramo-cristatrum is a very effective form in which the foliage outline combines both the fan-shaped edge of the lobes and the branching.
Such varieties are also noted:
capitate (f. capitaturn); curly (f. crispum) and bursting (f. laceratum).
Phyllitis japonica or Japanese leaflet. This variety can also be found in the collections of indoor flora lovers, but not so often. The plant prefers to settle on mountain slopes in shade, in mixed forests and along the sea coast, where tall grasses grow. Its natural area of distribution falls on the East Asian lands of the continental-island part, this includes:
- Russian territories (Sakhalin - southern part, Moneron, Kunashir, Ussuri district);
- Japanese areas (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu);
- Korea Peninsula, northeastern regions of China.
The plant has a short, small rhizome. The outlines of the fern are striking in originality, since its leaf rosette is composed of lanceolate-belt-shaped leaf plates, dark green in color and leathery glossy surface. But in its forms it is still quite close to Ph. scolopendrium. In height, it is between 20 and 40 cm. The number of leaves is small, at the base they have a heart-shaped contour. On the reverse side there are linear sori.
It is preferable to plant the plant in alpine hills and rockeries (rocky gardens) in the shade of parks and gardens.
Watch a video about phyllitis:
