Why Choose an Aglaonema for Your Home?

• Air Purification: It improves indoor air quality, creating a healthier environment at home.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Aglaonema comes in a variety of stunning colors, including shades of green, red, and silver.
• Pet-Friendly: Aglaonema is non-toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. This makes it a great choice for households with curious animals.

How to Grow Aglaonema

Step-by-Step Process (Recommended for Home Gardeners):

• Light: Aglaonema thrives in low to medium indirect light. It does well in shade but too much darkness will slow its growth. If the plant gets long stems and fewer leaves, it might need more light.
• Soil: Use well-draining soil. A good mix: peat moss, perlite, and pine bark.
  Quick Tip: Add banana peels to the soil for extra nutrients like potassium.
• Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Don’t overwater. Use a pot with drainage holes.
  Quick Tip: Bury onion peels in the soil to boost root growth and prevent fungal issues.
• Temperature: Prefers 18-24°C. Keep it away from AC vents, drafts, and heaters. If it’s dry, use a humidifier.
• Fertilization: Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced NPK 19:19:19 fertilizer. In winter, fertilize once every 6-8 weeks.
  Quick Tip: Mix crushed eggshells into the soil for extra calcium to help growth.

Common Problems, Pests & Diseases

Urban Farmer’s Solutions for a Healthy plant:

1. Yellowing Leaves: This is often due to overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure the soil drains well and doesn’t hold excess water.
2. Spider Mites: These pests can appear during dry conditions. They cause tiny speckles and webbing. Spider mites suck the cell sap from the leaves and make the plant weak. Spray neem oil 2 ml/20 drops or Mix 1 protec tab in 1 liter of water once a week for effective control. These are organic products and non-toxic to humans and other beneficial insects.
3. Leaf Spot Disease: This can occur if the leaves are consistently wet. Ensure proper air circulation and avoid overwatering. Symptoms include small, dark spots with yellow halos on the leaves of the Aglaonema. Spray organic fungicide Tricho Shield 5 gm/half spoon or one protec tab per liter of water. Repeat the spray 7 days after the first spray for the best results.
4. Brown Tips: Brown tips on Aglaonema may appear as dry, crispy edges on the leaves. This can happen due to underwatering, too much fluoride (chemical compound found in water), or low humidity. Check watering practices and consider placing a humidity tray under the pot to maintain moisture.

Best Practices for Growing Aglaonema

Urban Farmer’s Expert Tips for Aglaonema:

1. Proper Drainage: Always use pots with drainage holes to avoid water collecting at the bottom. A pot 1-2 inches larger than the current one works best.
2. Leaf Cleaning: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and help photosynthesis. Pro Tip: Mist leaves to prevent dust, especially in dry areas.
3. Humidity Care: Aglaonema prefers higher humidity. Use a humidity tray or humidifier in dry conditions. Misting occasionally helps too.
4. Repotting: Repot every 1-2 years to promote healthy growth. Choose a slightly larger pot and use fresh, well-draining soil. Trim any dead roots when repotting. Use a slightly larger pot and fresh potting mix.

Recommended Products for Aglaonema

Urban Farmer’s Trusted Products for Aglaonema Care:

1. Fertilizers:
   • Balanced Fertilizer: Add one grow TAB in a liter of water and spray on foliage every 15 to 20 days. It helps in boosting overall growth and improving leaf color.
   • Slow-Release Fertilizer: Insert one green fertilizer stick fully into the soil, 2-3 inches away from the plant stem. Repeat it after 60 days. A single application of one stick provides your plants with a steady supply of nutrients for up to 2 months.
2. Pesticides:
   • Neem Oil: Mix 2 ml of neem oil/20 drops in 1 liter of water and spray it every 10 days to prevent and control sucking pests and other pests. Neem oil is a safe and organic solution that doesn't harm beneficial insects.
   • Tricho Shield: Mix 5 gm of Tricho Shield/half spoon (Trichoderma viride) in 1 liter of water and spray it every 20 days to prevent and control fungal diseases like leaf spot and powdery mildew. Tricho Shield is an organic fungicide that promotes plant health without harming the environment.
   • Protec Tab: Mix 1 protec tab in 1 liter of water and spray it every 20 days to prevent and control fungal diseases and pest.
3. Growth Promoters:
   • Spray 2 ml/20 drops per liter of water on both side of leaves or apply it to the soil once a month to encourage strong root development and improve plant vigor.

By following these detailed guidelines and incorporating the trusted products recommended by Urban Farmer, you can cultivate healthy and vibrant Aglaonema in your home or terrace garden.