Pedilanthus

Pedilanthus: plant description

Flower Pedilanthus: plant photo

Pedilanthus belongs to the large family of the Little Ones. It is a highly branching shrub. The plant can be found in the wild in the regions of Central, South and North America. Varieties of the variety can be found in completely different areas, which will differ in their natural and climatic conditions. Therefore, plants may differ in appearance. For example, a species of Pedilanthus called Titimaloid is a compact shrub with fairly dense foliage, preferably growing in a dry rainforest. In the same forest, a variety such as Shportsevy can grow, but outwardly the plant may resemble a small tree. Also, for example, Pedilanthus Large-fruited is distinguished by the absence of foliage, but has water-storing tissues. As for Pedilanthus Fink, it is home to tropical rainforests. Pedilanthus got its name due to the appearance of its flowers. If you look at the translation, it will mean "shoe" and "flower". The main feature of the plant is the presence of spectacular flowers. It is thanks to them that this plant has gained such popularity among flower growers.

Pedilanthus: home care

Pedilanthus: home care video

Lighting.

The pedilanthus needs bright lighting, but the lighting must be diffused. The plant needs protection from direct sunlight. For the summer period, Pedilanthus is best carried to fresh air. The place where the plant is grown and kept must be well protected from rain, wind and sun. Even in winter, the lighting should be different in its brightness. Therefore, it is best to use special phytolamps during this period of time.

Temperature.

In the spring and summer months, the temperature should be kept at about +25 degrees. It is also important to ventilate the room in which the plant will be grown very often. When autumn comes, Pedilanthus is removed to a room in which the air temperature will be about +14 +18 degrees. If you provide all the conditions, then the leaf drop will not be too large.

Humidity level.

The pedilanthus plant does not need to maintain a certain level of humidity in the room in which the plant will be located.

Watering.

In summer, the substrate in the container should be kept in a light moisture state (it should not be too wet). If the soil is too dry, foliage may begin to crumble. In winter, the plant needs moderate watering. The plant reacts poorly to both dry soil and moisture stagnation in the soil. to understand when to water a plant, you need to pay attention to the state of the foliage. Watering should be done only after the leaves begin to drop slightly. If watering is not enough, the foliage will begin to fly around.

Fertilizer introduction.

Fertilizers need to be applied in spring and autumn once a month. fertilizers that contain nitrogen are used for feeding. If the soil contains a lot of nitrogen, rot may begin to appear. It is impossible to feed in the autumn-winter period. Preparation of soil mixture. The soil for growing Pedilanthus should be light, neutral and permeable to air and water. In order to prepare the desired substrate, you will need to combine sod and leafy soil with sand (proportions (1: 2: 2).

Pedilanthus: flower transplant

It is necessary to transplant Pedilanthus in the spring and only in cases of urgent need, for example, the capacity has become small and cramped for the root system of the plant. but it must be borne in mind that the root system of the plant is not very large. It is best to select a container so that its diameter is almost the same as its height. Also, when carrying out a transplant, one should not forget about the drainage layer at the bottom of the tank, which will include expanded clay in its composition. This system will help eliminate stagnant moisture, as well as acidification of the soil.

Pedilanthus: flower reproduction

Pedilanthus: photo of a flower

Most often, for the reproduction of Pedilanthus, they resort to the use of apical cuttings, but there are cases that I use the seed method. For grafting, use spring or summer. To do this, the upper part of the stem is trimmed (length 8-10 cm), then they should be left in warm water so that all the juice can drain out. Then they need to be taken out of the water and left to dry in the open air. Depending on how long the stalk is, drying can take 1-2 days or more. To make rooting, they use almost dry perlite or sand, and it is also important that the air temperature is +20 +25 degrees. There is no need to cover rooted cuttings, as rot can quickly form. When rooting, it will be nice if you remove the leaves from the cutting from the bottom. This is necessary to avoid the decay process. The cuttings take root completely in about 2-3 weeks. It must be borne in mind that the plant has a very caustic sap. For this reason, all actions with him must be done with extreme caution and with rubber gloves.

Diseases and insect pests

The indoor plant Pedilanthus is most often exposed to the following diseases and pests:

• Fungal diseases... The end of the cutting begins to darken and rot. Just get rid of the infected cuttings. on young foliage, as well as on the top of the shoot, you can easily see this small green pest. The leaf plate begins to slow down in growth and curl. The plant is required to make a shower or use special preparations. The affected foliage must be removed.
• Spider mite attacks. The leaves become lethargic and change their color to yellow, the seamy side is covered with cobwebs. Acaricide is used for processing. It is necessary to ensure that the level of humidity is high.
• Mealybug. On the shoot and in the leaf sinus, you can notice the presence of whitish cotton-like formations. The flower stops growing. To get rid of the insect, you need to remove them with cotton wool and alcohol.
• Whitefly. The foliage turns yellow and sticky. If you touch the flower, you can see small whitish midges. The plant will need a shower. If the infection is strong, then you can use insecticides.

Difficulties to face

Growing indoor Pedilanthus, you can face various problems. Leaves begin to fly around. Watering is incorrect. Excess or shortage of light: In the winter months, the stems begin to stretch out. Poor lighting and the room temperature is not what it should be.

Long leaf petiole. This is normal.

The tips of the leaf plate began to turn yellow and dry out. Low air humidity, light intensity. Green leaves are small, instead of being large, variegated, and later begin to fly around altogether - lack of lighting.

The leaves turn green, the petioles stop developing - there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil.

The plant has dropped all the leaves. The air temperature was sharply reduced by ventilation during the winter period.If the shoots managed not to freeze and retain their green color, then the plant will live. If not, then all those parts that have died out must be trimmed and you will need to wait for the appearance of new shoots.

Varieties

Large-fruited.

Large-fruited Pedilanthus: plant photo

This plant has a bushy appearance, there is no foliage. Possesses water-storing greenish-gray round shoots. Some shoots may become flattened.

Titimaloid.

Titimaloid Pedilanthus: plant photo

This plant has a spectacular and unusual flower shape. They resemble a fancy bird or shoe. The plant has variegated foliage, very bright and unusual. It can have from a dark green color interspersed in the center of a whitish shade to the edge of a white color. The variety is distinguished by variegated, wavy leaves, short petioles. The leaf plate has a porcelain white border, which can turn into a bright red or pinkish color. Green shoots are fleshy, have a zigzag shape, since when a new leaf is grown, its direction changes. Flowering occurs in the second half of the autumn season. Flowers are located at the top of the shoot. Inflorescences are distinguished by the presence of glossy covering leaves, red in color.

Finca.

Flower Pedilanthus Finca: photo of a plant

This Pedilanthus in cultivation prefers moist high-trunk tropical forests. can be found in the field. This bushy plant is best grown in loose and light soil.