Dieffenbachia Compacta

Synonyms: Dieffenbachia seguine var. exotica, Dieffenbachia maculate 'Compacta'

Dieffenbachia Compacta (Dieffenbachia seguine 'Compacta') – a cultivar of spotted Dieffenbachia from the Araceae family. The cultivar was developed in 2002.

It is a perennial evergreen plant. Leaves are oval with pointed tips, green with large white spots radiating from the middle of the leaf.

The flowers are small, inconspicuous, yellowish-white, arranged in a spadix with a covering bract (spathe).

Hardiness zone: 12a (14-16°C)

Temperature: the plant develops well only in warm conditions at temperatures not below +18°C. The plant dies and rots at temperatures below +10°C and does not tolerate cold drafts.

Light: in winter it should have good illumination, and in summer – partial shade. In a too-dark corner the plant loses its decorative appeal and the leaves become smaller. The plant will enjoy being under a sheer curtain near a west or east window.

Watering: moderate in winter, abundant from spring to autumn. The soil should not be too wet. Note that leaf tips will brown if the plant is watered with very hard water.

Fertilizer: the plant is not fed in winter and autumn. From May through August the plant should be fed twice a month with a balanced (complex) fertilizer. The stem becomes bare at the bottom much faster when nutrients are insufficient.

Air humidity: humid air is very beneficial for Dieffenbachia. Flowering directly depends on favorable conditions. It is necessary to regularly wash and spray the leaves. However, before these procedures make sure the room is not cold and there are no drafts, otherwise you will only harm the plant. At a room temperature of +18°C spraying is not recommended; it's better to periodically wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.

Repotting: the plant should be repotted once a year in spring. The most favorable period is late April. For repotting you will need: a mixture of turf soil (4 parts), peat (1 part), leaf mold (1 part) and sand (1 part). A small amount of charcoal can also be added to the soil. This plant grows quickly, but because its size sometimes becomes too large, repotting can be difficult. In that case you can consult specialists and replace the top layer of soil with more nutritious soil.

Propagation: the plant is propagated at high temperatures in several ways. If during growth the plant does not begin to branch, it is necessary to cut the top off at a height of 10 cm from the soil level. After this the bush will become much fuller, and the removed top can be rooted. Also for propagation take apical cuttings so that they have leaves and then place the cutting in water. Roots usually appear within 2-3 weeks. The container with water in which the cutting roots should be wrapped with plastic film or black paper.