The Homalomena Selby is known as a compact growing plant. It originated from the rainforests of the South-Western Pacific and Southern Asia. A Homalomena Selby has oval and light green foliage with dark patterns marking the entire leaves.
Typically, these leaves are large, leathery, and thick. They form from the plant center and grow outwards and upwards. With its beautiful and unique foliage, it is always evergreen.
Its leaves stay green, beautiful, and lush the whole year, and you do not have to be concerned about handling the dull Homalomena Selby. A mature plant has a height of between 12 and 18 inches. The tall and upright leaves significantly contribute to the full size.
Caring Tips for Homalomena Selby
1. Lighting
Lighting should be bright but diffused. In shading, the growth rate slows down, and the color fades. The leaves turn yellow when exposed to direct sunlight.
Essentially, the best place would be windows east or west. Other options are possible provided you provide shading on the south side and additional lighting with photo lamps on the north side.
2. Soil
A soil mixture suitable for Homalomena Selby should be slightly acidic and light, and humus must also be present in large quantities. You can buy a ready-made combination for aroids in a particular store for planting.
If desired, you can prepare it yourself by mixing leafy and coniferous soil, coarse sand, and high-moor peat, taken in equal proportions. Don’t forget a good drainage layer.
It will prevent stagnation of water in the soil and thereby protect the Homalomena Selby from the occurrence and development of rot.
3. Temperature regime
Homalomena Selby loves warmth very much. It is recommended that when keeping this plant. You need to maintain 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. It can be moved to fresh air in the summer, but the place must be chosen protected from precipitation and direct sunlight.
4. Humidity
Homalomena Selby requires high humidity. In the warm season, it will be necessary to spray the plant two times a day (preferably in the morning and evening).
To do this, you need to use exclusively soft water (it is better if it is boiled). In winter, when the air in the heated room is very dry, additional humidifying methods will be needed.
So, you can pour expanded clay or large pebbles into the pot, pour in a little water, and put vessels with liquid next to the flower. Another way is to use a household steam generator.
5. Watering
When Homalomena Selby begins to activate growth or is in the flowering phase, abundant moisture is recommended, amounting to 2-3 times a week. It is necessary to gradually reduce watering in the winter months, bringing their frequency to only once every seven days.
The best guide here is the condition of the substrate – it should always be moderately moist. If the water stagnates in a pot at low temperatures, the foliage will turn yellow, and the roots will rot in the future.
It is recommended to use only warm and soft water. You can use distilled, bottled, or collect rain (river) water.
Also, if necessary, you can pass tap water through a household filter, boil for half an hour and then stand for at least a couple of days. After that, such a liquid can be applied to water the plant,
6. Fertilizer
Fertilizers are rarely applied, only once every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring-summer). It is recommended to use complex mineral preparations for Homalomena Selby.
When in a liquid form, the product is easily dissolved in water for irrigation. Organics such as a solution of mullein also work well on Homalomena Selby.
7. Transplant
Due to the rapid growth of the roots, it is necessary to make frequent transplants. The transplant procedure can be performed year-round at any convenient time.
Typically, it is recommended to transplant Homalomena Selby in summer and spring. The plant can quickly adapt to the new capacity and grow.
When transplanting, it is necessary to remove part of the stems. This is because of the required amount of light that gets on the leaves. When removing the shoots, the garden will not be very thick.
Any soil can be used for transplanting. The main thing is that the earth is fortified, slightly acidic, and loose. The content of humus is recommended. Peat and fine-grained river sand can be added to the substrate.
Propagation Methods
a) Propagation by division
Homalomena Selby propagates very easily. Propagation occurs by dividing the root system and stem outlets. The root system of overgrown flowers is divided into several parts. Sections must be disinfected with crushed coal. The resulting Homalomena Selby are put in separate containers.
b) Propagation by rosettes
The processes are cut off from the main root when propagated by the resulting young rosettes. Then they are placed in glass jars until their roots appear. After that, they are treated with a growth stimulator and planted in the ground.
Diseases and pests
Deficiencies in care cause the wilting appearance of the plant. This can be:
- Insufficient air humidity leads to drying of the leaves
- From bright, too bright lighting, the leaves turn yellow, spots appear on them
- From a lack of lighting, the leaves turn pale, and the plant develops poorly as a whole
- Lack of nutrients a cramped pot affect slow growth, the leaves become smaller;
- Constant water logging of the soil leads to rotting of the base of the petioles. It is necessary to stop watering, dry the earthen ball and carry out an emergency transplant. Affected areas must be removed and can be treated with a fungicide.
If the lower old leaves dry up and fall off, this is a natural process. Pests that affect Homalomena Selby are spider mites and whiteflies. It is necessary to wash them off with soapy water, rinse them under running water, and treat them with an insecticide.
Conclusion
Homalomena Selby is a beautiful plant with unique, unusual, and gorgeous foliage. The leaves typically have a beautiful green color and stunning dark markings.
Even though this plant can be expensive sometimes, it’s durable, easy to maintain, and evergreen. So, you can add it to your homestead.