Aglaonema commutatum (scientific name: Aglaonema commutatum) is a perennial evergreen herb of the genus Araceae, native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. The leaves of Black King Kong are oval or obovate, about 10-20 cm long and 5-10 cm wide, with irregular dark green or black markings on the leaf surface, the back of the leaf is light green, and the petiole is about 10-15 cm long, red or purple in color. The inflorescence of the black adamantine is spike-shaped, the perianth bracts are white or light green, and the flowering period is summer, but the flowers are not very conspicuous and the ornamental value is not high. The fruit of Black King Kong is a red or orange berry that is edible when ripe, but it does not taste sweet.
Black King Kong is a foliage plant suitable for indoor cultivation because it can tolerate low light and drought environments, and the color and shape of the leaves are very beautiful, and it has the reputation of "indoor emerald". Black King Kong has some other advantages, such as:
It can absorb harmful gases in the room, such as formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, etc., purify the air and improve the indoor environment.
It can release negative oxygen ions, increase the moisture in the air, regulate the indoor humidity, and is beneficial to human health.
It can resist some common pests and diseases, such as aphids, powdery mildew, gray mold, etc., and is not easy to be attacked.
Black King Kong is a shade-loving plant that is not tolerant of strong light, especially direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow, white, or spotted. Therefore, the lighting requirements for Black King Kong are:
Avoid direct sunlight and choose a place that is semi-shaded or scattered, such as a windowsill, bookshelf, coffee table, etc.
Maintain a certain amount of light time, at least 4-6 hours a day, otherwise it will affect the color and growth of the leaves.
Adjust the position according to the season and light intensity, staying away from windows in summer and closer to windows in winter.
Black King Kong is a drought-tolerant plant that does not like to get too wet, and too much water can cause root rot or yellowing of leaves. Therefore, the moisture requirements of Black King Kong are:
Keep the soil slightly moist, not too dry or too wet, insert your finger into the soil for 2-3 cm and feel slightly moist.
Adjust the amount of watering according to the season and temperature, a small amount of times in summer, a small number of times in winter, generally 1-2 times a week.
When watering, it should be evenly watered to avoid stagnant water, and the excess water at the bottom of the pot should be poured out after watering.
When spraying, be careful to avoid the leaves and only spray on the petioles and stems to prevent water stains or spots on the leaves.
Black King Kong is a warm-loving plant that is not cold tolerant, and below 10 can lead to growth arrest or leaf dropping. Therefore, the temperature requirements for Black King Kong are:
Keep the indoor temperature between 15-30, the optimal temperature is 20-25.
Avoid excessive temperature differences, such as air conditioners, heaters, fans, etc., which will cause the leaves to turn yellow or wilt.
Avoid cold air currents, such as opening windows and doors, which can cause the blades to freeze or fall.
Black King Kong is a slow-growing plant that does not have a high need for fertilizer, too much of which can cause the leaves to deform or burn. Therefore, the fertilizer requirements of Black King Kong are:
Choose compound fertilizers or special fertilizers with low nitrogen, high phosphorus and high potassium, such as flower fertilizer, green leaf fertilizer, etc.
According to the instructions of the fertilizer, apply after dilution, avoid excessive or over-concentration, and generally apply fertilizer 1-2 times a month.
Fertilization should be carried out after watering to avoid direct contact with the roots and burns.
When applying fertilizer, it should be evenly applied to the surface of the soil to avoid accumulation in one place and cause unevenness.
Black King Kong is a pest-resistant plant and is not susceptible to damage, but it is also necessary to pay attention to preventing some common pests and diseases, such as aphids, powdery mildew, gray mold, etc. Here are some ways to prevent it:
Aphids: Aphids are small, juice-absorbing insects that suck up the sap of Black Kong, causing the leaves to turn yellow, soft, or deformed. The prevention and control methods are:
Spray the leaves with soapy water or dish soap to kill aphids.
Use a yellow sticky insect board or flying insect trap to attract and catch aphids, reducing their number.
Use biological control methods, such as stocking ladybugs, spiders, parasitic wasps and other natural enemies, to control the occurrence of aphids.
Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that forms a white powder on the leaves of black diamonds, affecting the photosynthesis and aesthetics of the leaves. The prevention and control methods are:
Spray the leaves with 1% Bordeaux solution or 50% chlorothalonil water solution to prevent fungal infection and spread.
Maintain good ventilation and suitable humidity, avoid high temperature and high humidity environment, and reduce the growth conditions of fungi.
Botrytis cinerea: Botrytis is a fungal disease that forms a gray mold layer on the leaves of Black King Kong, causing the leaves to rot and fall off. The prevention and control methods are:
With 05% chlorothalonil aqueous solution or 0A 2% carbendazim aqueous solution is sprayed on the leaves to kill the fungus and prevent its spread.
Cut off the infected leaves and sterilize the scissors with alcohol to avoid the spread of germs.
Maintain proper watering to avoid stagnant water and excessive humidity to prevent the growth of fungus.
Black King Kong is a foliage plant that is very suitable for indoor cultivation, with beautiful leaf color and drought and shade tolerance. However, there are also certain skills in the maintenance of black diamonds, and the following aspects need to be paid attention to:
Avoid direct sunlight, choose a place that is semi-shaded or scattered, and keep it for a certain amount of time.
Keep the soil slightly moist, adjust the amount of watering according to the season and temperature, and water evenly when watering to avoid water accumulation.
Keep the indoor temperature between 15-30 to avoid excessive temperature differences and avoid cold drafts.
Choose a compound fertilizer or special fertilizer with low nitrogen, high phosphorus and high potassium, according to the instructions of the fertilizer, dilute and apply, and fertilize after watering to avoid excessive or excessive concentration.
Prevent some common pests and diseases, such as aphids, powdery mildew, gray mold, etc., and timely detect and take corresponding control methods.
If you follow the above methods and properly care for Black Kong, you can make it more lush and healthy, adding a touch of green and vitality to your interior.
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