Cestrum

Cestrum description and features

Cestrum (Cestrum) - This plant belongs to the family Solanaceae and appeared for the first time in the Mexican territory. To date, about 200 species are known that combine in this genus. These are small trees or shrubs that can be deciduous or green throughout the year. Their leaves of a dark green color have a glossy surface, simple and lanceolate, on which the veins are somewhat deepened. They are attached to the branches in turn. The shape of the inflorescences is paniculate or in the form of rounded umbrellas. They collect many long tubular flowers of red, pink, yellow, orange, lilac or snow-white shades. They emit an amazing aroma that intensifies with the coming of night. After flowering ends, the plant begins to form round and small fruits.

In its natural habitat, the maximum plant height is 3.5 meters. When grown at home, the height is significantly reduced and corrected by pruning.

Cestrum cultivation

Temperature requirements:

This is a heat-loving plant, and even in the summer heat it will be comfortable, the main thing is to water it on time and maintain the required air humidity. With the onset of winter, it would be best to send the plant to a room with a temperature of +10 to +15 degrees.

Lighting requirements:

Cestrum prefers to grow in good lighting, but during the summer heat, the plant should not be kept in direct sunlight, it is necessary to create a shade. Otherwise, the root system may overheat.

Cestrum care

In order to maintain compact forms of the plant, it is necessary to trim the shoots that have grown too long in length, but you should not remove too many at once, it is better to distribute it several times. For flowering to last longer, it is necessary to remove in time those that have already faded. This will also help maintain a neat look. Often, so that the plant does not bend, it is necessary to use a support for it.

Especially beautiful flowering occurs at the 3rd year of the plant's life, which should be taken into account when pruning the plant.

Soil preparation:

To plant a plant, you must use containers with drainage holes.

For an earthen mixture, humus and perlite are suitable, which are mixed in a ratio of 2 to 1. Perlite can replace coarse river sand.

Fertilization:

Top dressing is carried out during the active growth of the plant at intervals of 14 days. Complex mineral fertilizers are suitable for this.

Bloom:

The species is very popular for its beautiful blooms.

Cestrum blooms for a very long time, while its beginning depends on which variety was chosen.

Air humidity level:

When grown in a house, with increased dryness in the air, it is necessary to use devices that humidify the air or conduct spraying.

Watering rules:

During the growing season, watering should be carried out regularly and abundantly, but at the same time the soil should dry out in the intervals between them. With the beginning of the winter period, watering should be significantly reduced.

Transplant rules:

Transplantation of young plants is carried out in the second month of life in large pots. The preservation of the earthen coma at this moment is very important, since it protects the roots from damage. After that, it is necessary to remove the plant in a shady place for 7 days and deprive it of additional fertilizing. Transplantation of adult plants is carried out with a two-year break, with the arrival of spring. Instead of replanting, you can replace the top layer of the earth every year.

How to propagate:

Reproduction can be carried out using stem cuttings or seeds.

Stem cuttings are cut when half ripe. They are first placed in a solution with a growth stimulant, then planted in an earthen mixture and covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect. After a couple of months, the cuttings will take root.

When sowing seeds, they should not be buried; it is enough to lightly sprinkle them with earth. Throughout the cultivation time, it is necessary to constantly keep the soil moist. You can also, to maintain humidity, cover the container with a film, while leaving a small window for ventilation. The containers should be located in a room where the air temperature will not drop below + 18 degrees and will not exceed +24 degrees. Germination of seeds occurs from a month to two, depending on the temperature of the content. The lower it is, the longer the seeds hatch. During the month, the plants must be removed from the sun.

Possible difficulties

If the plant is kept at high temperatures and low humidity, then this is fraught with an invasion of spider mites. If you expose the plant to prolonged exposure to sunlight, then burns on the leaves are possible.

It is important to know that this plant is poisonous, so children and pets should stay away from it. It is also important to use gloves while working and wash your hands well.