ASPIDISTRA ELATIOR ,Cast Iron Plant, Bar room plant, plant information for growing and its use in flower arranging. Aspidistra is one of the great foliages used in flower arranging and features in designs in floral design magazine. To see how it is used by the world's top designers, subscribe now. More details here

ASPIDISTRA ELATIOR  Common Name: Cast Iron Plant, Bar RoomPlant Country of Origin: native to the Eastern Himalayas,  Taiwan, China, and Japan  Description: Aspidistra elatior has cornlike, shiny, dark green leaves that grow to 24 inches long; it  occasionally produces purple-brown small flowers near the base of the plant. It also has a  variegated form. The white markings help to light up a dark corner rather like sun filtering  through a shade tree. Tolerance: Ability to tolerate  poor conditions both inside or out. Low   light, drafts and general neglect in watering and dust accumulation. It is much more attractive with proper care and will tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It prefers temperatures  between 50-55 degrees at night and 70-75 degrees during the day with light levels between  50 and 500-foot candles. Evenly moist but not constantly wet is the ideal way to water this  plant, although it will survive forgotten waterings.  Fertilizer:Every three to four months in low light  conditions with a half strength house plant fertilizer, and monthly at high light levels.  Propagation:  By division so convince a friend to give you half of their clump!. Patience is the prime requirement needed by owners of small  plants; it takes considerable time to grow an Aspidistra to specimen  size. Ironically, like many "folk" plants, it is not always available in  nurseries. This is partly because of its slow growth and not properly appreciated.  Today, in the Southern United States  you will find Aspidistra  usually growing completely  carefree as a groundcover in dense,  dark shade.  Make a great addition to cut flower arrangements; the foliage often lasts for weeks.

Aspidistra elatior is a perennial evergreen with a cluster of shiny green leaves up to 50cm long with stalks about a third of their length. This makes the leaves ideal for putting into oasis.The leaves roll and twist beautifully and a small pin or staple holds the roll in place.The featured design above shows the leaves shined and rolled at one side of the arrangement and used to create space at the other.  Often the fresh leaves are oiled with vegetable oil to bring out their shine. Just put the vegetable oil on a cloth and wipe over the leaf. Don't use too much.   The leaves can be cut and used and never throw them away! After use, put them in a solution of glyerine and water and leave them until the glycerine is coming out the leaves, so it has replaces all the water content.This can take several weeks. By this time the leaves will have turned a golden yellow and will still be pliabe for rolling or twisting in another arrangement.

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