Sansevieria Cylindrica

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Distribution and Habitat

Succulent plants native to Angola are called Sansevieria cylindrica. It is a terrestrial, perennial plant that forms dense stands and spreads by means of a creeping rhizome, which sometimes grows aboveground sometimes belowground. Colonies of these plants often form in the natural environment.

Description

The leaves of Sansevieria cylindrica are smooth, tubular, and green-gray with a dark-green striped pattern or sometimes just the dark green colour. One leaf is about 3cm (1 inch) thick and grows to a height of between 1 and 2m (3-7 feet). A fan-shaped plant, Sansevieria cylindrica grows from underground rhizomes, its stiff leaves arising from a basal rosette. In young plants, plants are robust, ribbed lengthwise, and dark green with grey-green bands. Long flower spikes may emerge erratically, basing on spear-shaped leaves. The 3-inch (3-inch) white tubular flowers are tinged pink, and grow in clusters on an erect flower spike. Sansevieria cylindrica tends to flower more readily at a young age than other varieties. There are not many flowers on these plants, but they have nice fragrance. Occasionally, the flowers are followed by small but angular berries about 1cm in diameter.

Some of the most unusual plants are these ones. Their cylindrical spears, which spring up from the sandy soil, are either braided or left in the natural fan shape. Besides, plants grow well even if they are ignored for a period of time.

Cylindric Sansevierias are exceptionally long-lived plants.

Houseplant care

In its native habitat from Africa to Asia, Sansevieria cylindrica is easy to cultivate and to take care of in a home environment. The only exception to this rule is that the pots must be well drained.

The leaves are tipped with a thin, awl-like point at the end and should not be broken; a leaf with a broken tip will stop growing. Wipe them with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free.

Plants live for many years and grow slowly.

Light

Direct sunlight is the preferred light source of Sansevieria cylindrica. They will tolerate a certain amount of shade, like a slight shaded window, without detriment to their growth, but they will practically stop growing if forced to live in poor light for any length of time. However, the plants will survive in poor light.

Plants grown in high light will grow more upright leaves, giving them a nice container look.

Temperature

Tropical plants thrive in average to warm room temperatures, and temperature between 18-26°C is ideal. Temperatures will fluctuate, but never drop below 13°C (55°F).

For a healthy plant, its average humidity level will be satisfactory in a room with dry air. However, do not place it near drafts or air vents.

Watering

You should water moderately during the active growth period, until the potting mixture is moist throughout at each watering, but letting the top couple of centimeters of the mixture air dry before watering again.

The potting mixture should be allowed to dry out at least half by the rest period. Watering too much leads to rotting and causes the leaves to topple over at the point where they join the rootstock. Don’t let the soil become too wet, or the leaves will rot. Plants that turn yellow or become mushy at their base are overwatered. Don’t leave standing water around the plant to avoid damaging the roots.

During the active growing season, the species is drought-tolerant, and needs water only about once every other week when grown indoors.

Feeding

You should not overfertilise the plants. Apply liquid fertilizer once a month, but only at half strength, to all plants during active growth.

Potting and repotting

Occasionally divide Sansevieria cylindrica, which does not mind busy, cramped root conditions. Repot in spring once the plants are too crowded. Often, the potting mixture will look like it has fleshy, cream-coloured roots, however these plants don’t need repotting until they crack their pots. The plants should be moved quickly before they reach this stage, when their leaves are occupying most of the surface of the pot. Leaves should be flat and at soil level. Use a wide, heavy pot to prevent top-heavy plants from falling. Repotting is best done in early spring.

In years when plants don’t get repotted, be sure to top-dress them with fresh potting mixture, first scraping away some of the loose old mixture gently so as not to damage the near-surface roots.

A soil-based potting mix should have one-third coarse sand and a bottom layer of clay pots or other drainage material for open drainage.

Gardening

A cross between Sansevieria cylindrica and Phalaenopsis, Sansevieria cylindrica is self-fertile and requires not overly care. It is essential to plant in rows that allow for proper clump formation and development. Too close planting causes the root system to be constrained which results in the plants not reaching their full height and flowering potential.

Containerized Sansevieria plants will grow well outside in very cold zones, in temperatures below 13°C (55°F). If plants have been living in the shade, they should not be moved to a sunny position without gradual acclimatization; sudden prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to leaf burn.

Position

This plant is able to be grown outdoors in partial shade. This plant only requires partial sunlight, avoiding midday direct sunlight, which could cause unattractive burning on the leaves.

Soil

Plant Sansevieria cylindrica in well-drained, sandy soil that is enriched with peaty compost.

Irrigation

When summer starts, Sansevieria cylindrica must be watered only a couple times a month. In winter it should be kept drier.

It is a very drought-resistant plant, so be careful not to over-water it, especially in the winter.

Fertilising

Planting the seeds in the lower level of the soil with a small amount of slow-release fertiliser speeds up the rate of growth. Sansevieria cylindrica can be adversely affected by fertiliser, and too much can kill it. In this case, you should use a cactus fertiliser or a slow release fertiliser once a month.

Plants such as these are usually light feeders, however if not fertilized, plants may grow very slowly. Avoid overfertilizing these plants. Less is always better than too much fertilizer.

Propagation

When the leaves are 15cm (6 inches) long, cut the leaves away from the rootstock with a sharp knife and store them separately in a clean, dry place. Clusters with roots attached can be planted directly in the normal potting mixture; those with roots attached root quite quickly in peat moss and sand.

If two or more leaves have been formed, it is possible to remove suckers from the parent plant.

In addition, leaf cuttings may be used to propagate these plants. To plant cuttings correctly, remember which is the top and which is the bottom, so that the cuttings are planted right end up. A mixture of peat moss and sand placed in a 8cm (3 inch) pot and moistened with water in batches will eventually produce rhizomes, but the process is slow.

Problems

Sansevieria cylindricas typically grow well if watered just when necessary. Don’t let the soil remain wet for more than a couple of days between waterings. In doubt, keep the plant dry. Soggy soil and sustained cold exposure are the only things that will kill this plant.

It is normally overwatering that causes the roots to rot and the leaves to yellow and then dry back.

Remove any healthy parts of the plant, repot and keep it warm and dry.

Summer leaves curl as a result of being underwatered.

Stay alert for vine weevils, which can cause irremediable damage by eating edge pieces of leaves.

Get rid of adult weevils as quickly as possible. Plants with badly damaged roots usually can’t be saved. Drench the potting mixture with a suitable pesticide as soon as you spot an adult weevil.

You need to be aware of the sharp points on the cylinder-shaped leaves of Sansevieria cylindrica.

Uses and Display

Sansevieria cylindrica plants are tall growing types that look very decorative when layered with different kinds of low growing bushy or rosette-shaped plants. The appearance of these plants is greatly enhanced by an attractive pottery container. It is known for its easy-care nature and tolerance for dry air and soil.

It is equally effective when used as an accent plant or in mass in pots or beds.

Cranssulacean acid, which absorbs carbon dioxide at night, is used as the source of energy by Sansevieria. This makes Sansevieria suitable as bedroom plants. However, since the leaves all have the potential to poison if eaten, it is usually advised against using Sansevieria in bedrooms for children.

Among Sansevieria species, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene have traditionally been thought to be the causes of sick building syndrome, so the trees have gained a reputation as good air purifiers.

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