Indoor flower codiaum. indoor plant codiaum

Codium, or croton, is a variegated evergreen shrub that recent times has become quite a popular home ornamental plant. Its homeland is Polynesia, Australia. It is also common in Malaysia and the islands. Pacific Ocean. This genus includes about 17 various kinds. Of these, only one - variegated codiaum and its varieties - is used for growing at home.

Appearance Features

Codiaum (easy to care for at home) is one of the most beautiful house plants. At proper care can reach a height of 1 m. Its leaves are quite large, in an adult healthy plant the lower leaves can also reach one meter in diameter.

The advantage of the codiaum is its leaves, which have a very bizarre shape and bright color. The main feature of all plants of the milkweed family, including croton, is the presence of milky juice, which is found in leaves and stems. For a person, it can be poisonous, but the plant itself helps to heal wounds if the flower is damaged.

The leaves of the codiaum are very bright, the shape and size are different, depending on the location of a particular leaf. The main shade in adult plants is not green, but bright yellow, orange, red, burgundy. And only small areas of the leaves are painted in light green or darker green. The plant begins to variegate with age: bright green leaves turn yellow and become covered with spots of others. bright colors. As for the structure, it is tough and leathery.

The shape of the leaves of the same plant can vary significantly. They can be narrow or wide, twisted or ribbon-like, long or short, carved.

The codiaum is variegated, home care for which is quite simple, despite the number of requirements, is characterized by dense foliage. For its correct formation, that is, for symmetry and harmony, the plant requires careful personal care, namely periodic turns to the light source, proper feeding and timely watering.

Variety of varieties

Before you buy a codiaum, home care for which may differ depending on the variety, you need to determine for yourself what kind of decorative effect you want to get in the end. Some varieties are quite large and not suitable for small apartment. These include Peter's codiaum (care at home will not be a burden), Excelent, Norma. These varieties are valued for the traffic light type of leaf color, which does not fade even when the light level of the room changes.

Medium-sized codiaums, such as Gold Sun, are more demanding on the conditions of detention. Only when complete comfort they are able to acquire the size and shape of leaves characteristic of the species. However, the choice of colors, unlike tall counterparts, is much higher here.

Truly royal is the white codiaum (croton), home care for which should be especially thorough, since this variety is not only rare, but also rather capricious. Plants with creamy, almost white leaves include Ebirneum and Andrew. At home, subject to all the rules of care, the cream-green leaves of young plants eventually become almost black or white with green dots, which is rare for them.

General rules for care

Before you start a codiaum at home, which is easy to care for at home, you need to choose the right place for the pot. This plant is demanding both for watering and for proper lighting, temperature, and even permutations. However, if you carefully study all the requirements, there will be no problems with leaving. Need attention to such a plant as codiaum. Care at home - transplanting, watering, feeding - must be timely and to the right extent.

Choice of lighting

development and spectacular appearance crotons are completely dependent on the correct choice of the level and quality of lighting. It is better not to rely on the fact that there is enough daylight from the window, but to provide access to artificial light. Ideal for this LED lamp warm spectrum with a power of 10 W or fluorescent lamps with a power of about 30 W. Such lighting will allow absolutely any variety of codiaum to bloom, since it allows you to artificially increase daylight hours.

If there is no such possibility of additional lighting, and the plant will be located on the windowsill, then it is better to choose those varieties that are not too demanding to fulfill this condition. These are large representatives. You don’t need to worry that they won’t fit there, their growth can be artificially restrained with clothespins, forming the crown you need.

In the cold season, it is better to put pots on the southern windows, and only on a stand and as far as possible from the glass, otherwise there is a risk of simply freezing the plant. For the rest of the year, windows located on the east or west are well suited.

Illumination should be maximum. Under the condition of constant spraying, the plant can spend the whole day in the sun.

Landing Rules

After you have bought Excelent codiaum for yourself (at home care for it is practically no different from other types) or any other, in without fail it needs to be transplanted into a new prepared pot. Moreover, it is desirable to replace the soil completely. A slightly acidic mixture is suitable for this, which includes the following components:

• peat;
• compost;
• coarse river sand, to which you first need to add a small amount of charcoal.

These components must be taken in equal quantities. The pot should not be taken too large, otherwise there is a risk of waterlogging the soil, which means that the roots may rot. A quarter of its volume must be filled with large expanded clay, and only then with soil.

After planting the plant in a new soil, it should be carefully watered, and then provide high humidity.

The optimal time when you can transplant codiaum varigatum (even a beginner can handle home care) is spring, since during this period you can combine this process with the vegetation of the plant. However, here there is another positive aspect of the presence of additional artificial lighting, since in this case transplantation can be carried out at any time of the year.

Very important: only a healthy plant can be transplanted. If the appearance makes you doubt it, it is better to postpone the procedure for at least 3 weeks. However, if over time it has become even worse, it is impossible to wait with a transplant, and the plant must be immediately resuscitated.

Optimum temperature

Codiaum, home care (photos of representatives can be seen in the article) for which everyone can do it, does not like drafts. In winter, the temperature must be maintained at a level not lower than 18 degrees, while in the warm season it should be at least 20 degrees, but not higher than 26. A codiaum needs a stable temperature at which it will develop better. In addition, the soil should not be allowed to dry out, for which it is necessary to maintain high humidity. To do this, the plant should not only be watered, but also sprayed and wiped with a damp cloth regularly. There is another way to maintain constant humidity: put a flower pot in another, larger one, which is filled with expanded clay or peat with water.

Irrigation Features

In the summer, watering the codiaeum, home care (photos show the attractive appearance of plants that have received the necessary attention), which should be comprehensive, should be plentiful. However, this does not mean that the water should be in the pan. From there it is better to drain it in order to avoid rotting of the roots. In the cold season, watering should be moderate, but care must be taken to ensure that the earth does not dry out.

Water for irrigation should not be taken from the tap. It should be settled and at room temperature.

In summer, the frequency of watering is about 3 times a week, in winter this can be done less often, about once every 5 days.

Feeding codiaum

It is best to fertilize in the spring, in the middle of the pore. You can use mineral fertilizers in liquid form for this, which are diluted in full accordance with the instructions. The frequency of the procedure is once every two weeks. In autumn and winter, with sufficient light, for example, if additional artificial lighting is used, it will be enough to apply fertilizer once a month. Clay soil mixture should be used as soil.

Breeding methods

The method by which the Gold Sun codiaum propagates, care for which requires care from the owner at home, and its other subspecies, is called grafting. To do this, apical cuttings are taken, which are planted in wet peat in spring, after which greenhouse conditions are provided. For example, a pot with a shoot is covered with a film and placed on a battery. Phytohormones can be used to speed up the rooting process.

Reproduction using seeds is used extremely rarely, since the efficiency of this method is low.

Disease prevention

Like other ornamental plants, it has a tendency to be affected by some diseases and pests. These are:

• red spider mite (especially if there was a certain stressful situation or the plant is in constant stress);
• scab.

When the first signs of plant infection are found, the codiaum (home care for it should provide conditions identical to tropical ones) must be treated with a complex insecticide. Scale insects, which are neutralized by the drug, can be removed with a damp cloth. If these measures did not lead to the desired result, the procedure should be repeated.

Bright, colorful flowers on the windowsill of the house not only attract attention, but also decorate the interior, bring their own accents to it. lovers ornamental plants it will be interesting to grow a codiaum. Despite some features of home care, he takes root well indoors, decorating it with his elegant look.

plant varieties

Most often, we grow motley codiaeum (codiaeum variegatum), or simply variegatum, as well as varieties of this species. The homeland of the plant is considered to be the tropical part of Asia. There it naturally grows in the form of a tree up to 4 meters, having large dense leaves of 30 centimeters. Their shades depend on the variety.

Sometimes we hear that the flower is called differently - croton. Do not confuse them. They are similar to each other, as they belong to the same family of spurges, but the croton is not so attractive. The codiaum has a property characteristic only of it - a change in the shape and shades of foliage, depending on the conditions of its maintenance.

Codiaeum variegatum is divided into varieties, they differ in the shape of the leaves:

• adnexal, consists of two parts united by a small jumper;
• lobed, has shallowly dissected leaves, pointed in the center, and having both a monophonic and variegated color;
• flat-leaved, has large oval leaves that are slightly wavy.

Varigatum is the basis of many varieties of codiaum, among which the following are quite well known:

1. Peter. The flower has large cuttings on straight branched trunks, which are arranged alternately, their shape is different. The color combines a green background with a yellow edging, as well as a scattering of specks and veins of the same shade.
2. Excelent. This variety has oak-like leaves. And the color of yellow Green colour in the upper part of the stem gradually changes to burgundy at the bottom.
3. Mammy. The variety has narrow and small leaves in comparison with other varieties. They have a slight waviness. Shades on one sheet go from green to pink and yellow. Leaf plate with a pronounced red vein.
4. Sani Star. In this plant variety, the yellow shade of the leaves mainly predominates. Green color only at the top and bottom. Their oval shape is pointed at the top.
5. Mrs Aiston. A plant with wide oval leaves, slightly shortened. The young leaf has a cream pattern, which gradually changes with age to bright spots of red, yellow and pink.
6. Disraeli. The leaves are lobed. Their upperparts are green with yellow veins and flecks. From below they are brown-brick.
7. Black Prince. It has a flattened shape. The foliage has exotic look because of the black-green color with a large number of spots of red, orange, yellow, which are located over the entire surface.

When buying a plant in flower shops, you can often find the name codium mix. This is not a cultivar name. Just under one common name, many varieties of the flower are imported in batches. Therefore, only a specialist can accurately determine which variety it is.

Plant care at home

When buying a plant in a store, you should know how to properly care for it at home. If you do it right, then codiaeum variegatum will become the decoration of the room.

Previously, he was considered very capricious, but now there is a variety of varieties for which care at home will not be too difficult. Important to remember following rules plant content:

1. Since flowering takes strength from the plant, the buds should be cut off during it.
2. A tropical plant needs a well-lit place, without direct exposure to sunlight. They sometimes cause leaf scorch.
3. The optimum year-round temperature during cultivation will be 22-24 degrees. Moreover, the plant does not have a dormant period. Lowering the temperature at home in winter below 15 degrees is detrimental to him. If you decide to open the window during this period with a street temperature of -25 degrees, then not only the leaves, but also the branches will fall off. On the low temperature the room will indicate the browned ends of the leaves. Avoid drafts in the room, and do not place the flower near heating appliances. Window sills are not the best place for him.
4. For the plant, high humidity at home up to 80% is important. This is one of the main rules when leaving. Otherwise, you will start losing leaves. A container of water next to the flower helps to solve this problem. Once a month, a warm shower will be useful to him, which will save him from dust, you can also simply wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.
5. Codiaum transplantation is carried out as needed. After its roots braid the entire pot and begin to appear from above and below, it will be possible to transplant the bush into a large container. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment of an earthen coma. It is important not to forget about a new good drainage layer of expanded clay. If it will be necessary to add soil, then only a mixture of peat, sand, as well as leaf and sod land is used for this. Perhaps the addition of charcoal. Transshipment is carried out only in the spring. When caring for a plant at home, use gloves, as its milky juice is very poisonous and contains substances harmful to humans.
6. Codiaum loves to be well watered. For this purpose, use water at room temperature and well-settled.
7. The plant responds good growth with regular feeding mineral fertilizers. In winter it is held once a month. The rest of the time, the flower is fertilized every two weeks.
8. To obtain beautiful bush, it is formed in the process of growth. This is done by pinching the top shoot up to two centimeters. After this procedure, side shoots begin to actively grow. If the plant is strongly drawn out, then it is pruned in the spring. As they grow, all unnecessary and ugly branches are removed, thereby forming a beautiful crown. In places of cut make powder with charcoal.

Plant propagation

The flower propagates by shoots that remain after pruning. They begin to root from the middle of winter. On the shoot there should be several leaves and one kidney. After that, the cut of the cutting is washed from the milky juice and treated with phytohormone powder. It is planted in a pot and covered with a jar to create greenhouse conditions. Rooting takes place within two months. Then the plant is gradually adapted to the conditions of the room.

A flower with a strong bare trunk can be propagated by air layering. For this purpose, the trunk is tilted to the soil and fixed in this position, lightly sprinkled with earth. After the part takes root, carefully separate it from the plant and plant it on its own in a container.

Growing a plant at home, you not only get a decorative flower, but also become the owner of a good air purifier in your room. To be proud of your pet, you need to properly care for him. Since poor care immediately affects the plant. Its leaves fade, change color, may fall off.

Codiaum (croton) in its native habitat grows in humid, warm conditions, with plenty of sunlight and water. This evergreen shrub is native to Southeast Asia. Under natural conditions, the plant reaches 3-4 meters in height and belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It has a reputation for being picky, although it does well indoors with proper care.

Given the variety of species, more than fifteen, with the desire and perseverance, you can find a codiaum flower that fits perfectly into any interior. The main requirement is proper care for him. Some subspecies require very intense light, while others require medium light.

What tropical plants love - croton with character

When buying a flower you like in a store, be prepared for surprises - despite all your efforts and care, the codium (codium) can shed all the foliage in a few days. This is a normal reaction. The thing is that croton reacts in this way to movement and a new environment. Be careful, continue caring for him and in a short time he will grow new leaves.

The main requirement is uniform maintenance of air temperature from 20 °С to 25 °С at different times of the year.

Please note that the plant does not tolerate drafts. The flower requires a lot of sunlight, so place it in windows facing southwest or southeast. AT winter time it is better to move it closer to the central heating batteries, not forgetting about humidity. Spray it daily, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every two or three days. Give him a shower at least once a month.

If the top layer of soil becomes dry, it is necessary to water the plant with soft water and be sure to warm water. To prevent root rot, remove excess water from flower tray. The more drainage the better. The soil should consist of earth with turf, perhaps adding sphagnum and a small part of the sand. In the warm season, the plant needs to be fed 2-3 times a month, in autumn and winter - no more than once.

Codium flower - care, transplantation and reproduction

Young plants are transplanted annually for the first three years. If the plant grows significantly, then it must be transferred to a larger pot, adding a new layer of fertile soil. Carry out this process only when the roots themselves crawl out of the flowerpot. The codiaum adheres to the rule - in tight quarters, but not offended.

The composition of humus should be slightly acidic. You can prepare the substrate yourself by taking equal parts of humus, peat, sand and turf, or purchase a ready-made mixture in the store. As a drainage, it is better to use expanded clay or charcoal. The flower is propagated by stem cuttings. Often unsuccessful copies of mother plants grow from seeds or shoots. Note! Crotons are poisonous plants, their juice can cause vomiting, diarrhea and contact dermatitis.

Therefore, when "communicating" with them, do not forget about rubber gloves and personal hygiene. Health problems in codiaum most often arise due to abundant or insufficient watering. In this case, adjust the watering regime and humidity (about 70%). In case of damage to the flower by pests, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and treat with insecticides.

Croton (or codiaum) is a very bright, attractive plant, the beauty of which does not depend on flowering. The green-yellow, red or pink foliage is dense and seems very durable. If the croton is healthy, it will be so: a bright bush will delight you with a riot of colors all year round. However, this flower is a fussy one, if you do not please him, and the leaves will sadly hang. What should be the care at home for Croton, so that he is always cheerful and cheerful?

Description of croton, origin, features

Indoor plant croton is also called codiaum, now these names are considered to be synonyms. But from a scientific point of view, the second will be more accurate. Crotons are a genus with over a thousand species of tropical shrubs and trees. Their closest relatives, they are part of the same Euphorbia family, the codiaums. According to the latest data, there are only 17 species of evergreens in this genus. And only one of them, codiaeum variegatum, (Codiaeum variegatum) is adapted to home conditions. It was his flower growers who used to call Croton.

Codiaum comes from rainforest southeast Asia (distributed in India, Malaysia, Indonesia) and the islands of Oceania and Australia. The climate in these parts is mild, the temperature does not fall below +25, the rains are plentiful, but short, and the soil is always slightly damp. Therefore, the plant fell in love with high humidity and very warm, even hot, air.

According to one version, the plant received the name croton from the ancient people who inhabited the Moluccas (Indonesia). According to another, the naturalist Carl Linnaeus gave him the name of the Italian city of Crotone, which in turn was named after the ancient Greek hero.

Croton (codiaum), like all representatives of the Euphorbia family, has milky juice. He poisonous to humans and animals. Croton "milk" can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Therefore, you must follow safety rules: wear gloves at the beginning of work, and then wash your hands and tools. The plant should be out of the reach of small children and animals.

In their natural environment, crotons grow up to 3 meters or more. House plants are rarely higher than one and a half meters, and there are also compact forms up to 60 cm. As a rule, this is an upright bush with variegated leathery foliage. The shape of the leaf plate is distinguished by many options: an elongated or very narrow oval, an ellipse with a pointed or rounded end, two or three blades. Some varieties of Croton have spiral, wavy or intricately curved foliage. Her color is no less whimsical. On one plant you can see different shades of green, as well as yellow, red, pink and purple, burgundy painting. The pattern and brightness of the ornament drawn by nature depend on the conditions of the flower and age. The more light and the older the croton, the more interesting and richer the colors will be.

An adult croton good care may bloom. But inflorescences cannot compete with variegated foliage. They resemble a brush and appear in the axils of the leaves, each with one to two dozen small whitish flowers. They are divided into male, consisting of stamens and similar pom-pom balls, and female - curved pistils. On the brush, flowers of only one sex, but they open at the same time. Flowering greatly weakens Croton, after which growth slows down for 3-4 months. Therefore, at home, flower stalks are usually removed.

Croton has never been considered an easy species to grow. It has always enjoyed a reputation as a capricious and demanding plant. This luxurious handsome man gets used to a new place for a long time, can get sick immediately after transplantation, requires a lot of light and high humidity all year round, does not tolerate cold and drafts.

Previously, such requirements were difficult to meet. But now flower growers have accumulated rich experience in growing whimsical croton and successfully apply it. Plants and modern appliances help to fulfill the vagaries. To make the air tropically damp, you can use an electric humidifier or indoor fountain. Short daylight hours will be lengthened by special lamps. But even with such technical support, Croton will not do without constant attention, he needs to regularly wipe the foliage, form a bush, protect it from temperature changes and pests. This plant is suitable for caring and caring flower growers.

Video: the difficulties of growing codiaum

Indoor species and plant varieties

As indoor plants, they began to grow a single species - codiaum variegatum, as well as its varieties and hybrid varieties. But they represent such a wealth of shapes and colors that other types simply did not come in handy.

Varieties of codiaum variegatum:

1. The narrow-leaved croton is equipped with long (about 20 cm) leaves, their width is not more than 1 cm. Yellow-gold strokes and specks are scattered over the green background.
2. The adnexal croton is variegated and green. Its leaves, wide at the base, narrow in the middle into a kind of petiole, and then expand again, forming a small appendage leaf at the end.
3. Curly codiaum (crispum) are long, narrow, twisted leaves. On the green - stripes, spots, veins or a grid of different shades of yellow. The brightest representative of the variety is Spirale with uniform coils of leaves.
4. The lobed croton is distinguished by wide leaves, divided into three parts. The central lobe is much longer and wider than the lateral ones. Yellow veins adorn the bright green of the leaf.
5. Flat-leaved (platyphyllum) codium - a plant with large (up to 30 cm long and 10 cm wide), oval leaves, their edges are slightly wavy.
6. Oval-leaved (ovalifolium) with simple leaf plates in the form of an elongated oval with a rounded end, rich yellow marks are located along the veins.
7. The tortoise variety (tortile) is distinguished by leaves that are wide at the petiole, which taper towards the tip. Against an olive-green background are red-yellow stripes along the central vein and chaotic golden spots.
8. Genuine (genuinum) variety with whole oval leaves, covered with a pattern in the color of silver or gold with a reddish tinge. There are forms with small and ribbon foliage.
9. Codiaum variegatum decorated (pictum) - the original form for most hybrid varieties. This is a shrub with a straight stem (up to 1 meter tall), which is covered with dense and hard leaves. They are painted with a pattern of bright yellow, red, pink spots on a green field.

The most famous varieties and hybrids of codiaum variegatum pictum:

1. Croton Petra is a branching stem with large leathery leaves. On the main green background, yellow veins, an edge and dots are drawn. The shape of the leaves is varied.
2. Mrs. Ayston - a variety with wide, rounded leaves. Young plants have a cream pattern on them. With age, the color becomes more intense, acquiring pink, yellow or red. There are forms of blood red or very bright yellow shades.
3. Excellence variety is easy to recognize by the leaves, similar in shape to oak. Young leaves, at the top of the plant, yellow-green. At the base of the trunk - burgundy.
4. Koroton Mammy is distinguished by narrow, small leaves. The edges of them are slightly bent from the center. Coloring combines different shades of green, yellow, red and pink.
5. The Zanzibar variety has long (about 40 cm) yellow-green leaves. They curve gracefully.
6. Nervia - a variety with a colored crown of bright green, lemon yellow and pale pink leaves. They are serrated with a well-defined vein in the center.
7. Croton Tamara is a very rare variety. Oval leaves of medium size, bicolor. On the main dark green background, light green and white spots are located closer to the edges.
8. Disraeli is a cultivar with lobed leaves. From above they are green-yellow, from below the color of red brick.
9. Codiaum Black Prince with flat and wide foliage. The coloration is very original: on a dark green, almost black, background - red, yellow or orange marks.

Varieties and varieties of the flower in the photo

In the Mrs. Aiston variety, the leaf plates are more evenly colored Croton Mammy is a bright cap of narrow foliage In the lobed variety, the leaf is divided into three parts Long, narrow, twisted or strongly wavy leaves - this is Croton curly Nervia - a variety with slightly serrated leaves that form a lush crown The Zanzibar variety has long curved leaves Disraeli - lobed leaves that change color The genuine variety is distinguished by large leaves Black Prince - a variety with contrasting foliage in Croton Excellent foliage vaguely resembles oak Tortoiseshell variety with wide leaves and red veins Croton angustifolia with the longest leaves Croton Tamara is devoid of yellow - red shades Croton decorated - the ancestor of most hybrid varieties Croton appendage can be pure green and variegated, it is valued for its unusual shape Croton flat-leaved has the largest leaf plate of Peter - the most common variety Oval-leaved variety is usually yellow o-green

What is croton variegatum mix

Often, specialized stores offer plants called codiaum (or croton) variegatum mix. This is not a variety, but an indication that the batch contains specimens of this variety. Their color depends on the conditions and age of the leaves. So the same plant can look different. And even experts sometimes find it difficult to accurately identify the variety of Croton.

Video: getting to know crotons (codiaums)

Conditions for croton (table)

The purity of the leaves is the key to health

Croton is clean, he can get sick due to the fact that the leaves are covered with dust. Why is wet cleaning so important?

1. Dust closes the pores on the leaves, and this makes it difficult to exchange air with the environment.
2. The dusty film slows down the process of photosynthesis, the plant suffers from nutrient deficiencies.
3. Dust can contain and accumulate harmful substances.
4. Insect pests can hide under the dusty layer.

Therefore, at least once a week, take a soft, damp cloth and wipe the croton, admiring the colorful patterns. It is better in the morning, so that the plant dries out before night. To facilitate cleaning, pre-spray your handsome man.

For greater beauty, you can give the foliage a gloss. Polishing products are best taken in an aerosol can. Or try folk recipes. Polish the leaves with beer, a weak solution of vinegar or milk. Do not touch young leaves. And polish the adult carefully, do not press hard, so as not to cause injury.

Florarium and croton

Croton lovers say that the most difficult thing is to ensure high humidity. It is not always possible to create tropics in an apartment in which a fastidious plant feels good. Croton will like to live in a home greenhouse - florarium. It is easy to maintain the desired microclimate, including high humidity. Making an open florarium is easy. You will need a container with a door or an aquarium made of glass, transparent plastic.

1. Fill the container with drainage material (pebbles + charcoal), a porous soil substrate with a high content of sand.
2. Plant tropical plants with the same care and maintenance requirements.
3. Moisten the plantings, cover with a lid or just glass, put in a warm and bright place.
4. Floriana plants themselves create a favorable microclimate.
5. From time to time, when condensation appears, ventilate the mini-jungle.
6. Once every few months, give the plants a rain and clean the florarium: inspect the pets, remove damaged leaves, add a substrate if necessary.

The many-sided croton is an ideal plant for the florarium. To avoid problems with care, you can plant different varieties. Such a "kindergarten" will not be boring. good neighbors for croton ferns, arrowroot, fittonia, reo, selaginella. Do not plant succulents and cacti with them.

An indoor florarium is sometimes called a garden in a bottle. Its main difference from the open one is a container with a rather narrow neck, which closes tightly. After planting, the bottle garden is watered only once, and then clogged and not opened. Plants live in a closed ecosystem. The closed florarium is not the best choice for croton. It has too large leaves.

Is it possible to grow bonsai from codiaum

The patterned foliage of the croton will look great on a bonsai tree. This idea certainly overshadows flower growers. And such bonsai are grown. But with great difficulty and loss. Croton has several qualities that make it unsuitable for this:

• too large and heavy leaves;
• the plant does not tolerate transplantation well, and for bonsai it is an annual operation;
• easily loses foliage with care errors;
• a straight stem is difficult to shape.

Landing and transplant

Croton is negative about transplantation. Therefore, young plants are transplanted, or rather transferred to a slightly larger (2–3 cm) pot, after a year, and adults after 2–3 years or less. During this procedure, try to preserve the integrity of the earthen coma as much as possible.

If the bush has grown significantly, and you do not want it to be larger, it is enough to change 5–6 cm of soil on top of the pot. Soil renewal is necessary when the old one has already turned white from salts or is too compacted.

Both ceramic and plastic pots are suitable for croton. But growing flowers will be better in plastic, so that it is easier to monitor the state of the root system. But mature adult crotons are more suitable for a ceramic container. It is heavy and stable, and this is important: because of the massive crown, the plant may fall. In addition, natural ceramics absorb salts that are unnecessary for croton.

Choose a pot that is approximately the same height and width. Pay attention to the drainage holes, they should be large. Before planting, if necessary, install a croton support.

Croton is accustomed to fertile, but porous and light soil. Sample compositions:

• universal soil for indoor plants, you can add soil for orchids and charcoal;
• on 3 parts of garden land, one and a half - peat and one sand;
• a mixture of compost, leafy soil, peat and sand in equal proportions;
• on 2 parts of leafy soil, one part of peat, half of humus and sand, cut sphagnum moss for airiness;
• on two parts of leafy land, one part of humus, peat, sand.

About a quarter of the pot should be occupied by drainage. It will help remove excess moisture from the roots. Expanded clay, red brick crumb, polystyrene, vermiculite are suitable as drainage material. Be sure to sterilize the soil and drainage before planting, scald the pot with boiling water.

We transplant croton

Croton painfully endures the change of the pot. To help him, add a rooting preparation (Kornevin, Zircon, Epin, Ecogel) to the irrigation water once a week. It can be sprayed from a very fine sprayer with Epin's solution (2-3 drops per glass of water).

Support

Most varieties of indoor croton have massive, dense leaves and a relatively thin stem. This disproportion is not noticeable at a young age. But over the years, the crown becomes richer, and the trunk does not have time to gain weight and bends under its weight. In order for the plant not to break, support is needed. For starters, sticks made of bamboo or other wood are suitable. You can buy a creeper support (a stick wrapped in coconut fiber) or make something from improvised materials.

How to choose a healthy plant

When choosing a croton in the store, pay attention to the color of the foliage. In a healthy plant, it is bright, the veins are especially expressively drawn. Look at the arrangement of the leaves. They look up at the top of the head or are almost parallel to the soil from the bottom of the trunk - this is the norm. Sadly hanging - a sign of illness. Carefully inspect the leaf plates: dents, dry spots, dots - possibly traces left by pests. Check the stem, if there are holes on it, this indicates that the croton is shedding leaves. Make sure the earthen ball is in good condition - not too dry or waterlogged. If you find alarming symptoms, it is better to refuse to purchase Croton.

Quarantine the newly bought croton for at least two weeks, let it adapt to the new home. And then just transplant. All transport soil must be removed if problems are found: rot, souring, pests. If there is nothing, save the roots, leaving the soil.

Video: flower transplant lesson

Croton care at home

When caring for a luxurious croton, consider its tropical tendencies: love of warmth and high humidity. And we must also remember that the bright pattern of the leaves must be supported by top dressing. And do not forget about the formation of the bush.

How to water and fertilize

Large leaves evaporate a lot of moisture. Therefore, Croton loves soft and slightly warm water, and abundant watering in spring and summer. It is only important to maintain balance and not flood the plant. Excess moisture leads to root rot. Water the croton during active growth, when the topsoil dries out by 1-2 cm.

Cut back on watering in the fall. And in winter, wait for the soil to stand dry for at least two days, and only then water. Stick to the rule: what cooler air, the more modest watering. But do not allow the earthen coma to dry out. If the soil is completely dry, the croton will hang its leaves. You can return them to normal: dip the pot and spray the plant.

Croton is sensitive not only to the quality of water, but also to its temperature. It should be settled or filtered, slightly warmed up. watered cold water croton may fall.

In spring and summer, fertilize the motley handsome man with mineral top dressing twice a month. Pay attention to their composition. Potassium is most useful for the bright leaves of the plant. Nitrogen negatively affects their color. In winter, croton also needs food. But at this time, feed only once a month and reduce the dosage. nutrient solution. Fertilize after watering to avoid damaging the roots.

Croton is useful, especially if he is capricious, growth stimulants (Epin, Zircon, Uniflor Growth). They are used no more than twice a month, you can spray with a solution or water.

Video: Croton rejoices in watering

Peace and winter illumination

Croton does not have a pronounced dormant period, it simply stops growth with the advent of cold weather and a decrease in daylight hours. The best temperature for wintering is + 18–20. Below - already disastrous for the gentle croton. And he already suffers without the sun. An artificial increase in daylight hours to 12-14 hours will help him to overwinter.

Under the lamps, Croton will grow variegated leaves in winter. Incandescent lamps are not suitable for illumination. The plant needs warm spectrum LED lamps, they give the maximum effect. Phytolamps, gas-discharge lamps or conventional fluorescent lamps are slightly worse.

Formation

To keep the croton attractive long years, he needs regular pruning, spend it in the spring, until the plant begins active growth. The upper shoots are shortened, forcing the development of lateral buds. For the first time, a young croton is pinched when its height is only 15-17 cm. Then every 20 cm. It is recommended to cut a plant with a height of 40 cm or more, the cut branches will become cuttings for propagation.

Remember to wear protective gloves before trimming the croton. The milky juice of the plant is poisonous, but it quickly heals the wounds. For greater safety, you can sprinkle them with sulfur or coal powder.

The haircut is also of a hygienic nature: remove dried branches eaten by pests. But Croton does not always understand the importance of the procedure and begins to act up. To cheer up and tone the plant, spray it, you can with a stimulant, and cover it with a bag. A mini-greenhouse will help the croton get used to the new shape.

Care errors and their elimination (table)

How to save a croton that has shed all its leaves

Croton, which has lost all the leaves, but retained a living trunk and roots, you can try to reanimate.

1. Dilute Epin in warm water. Spray the plant generously.
2. Put in a bag and tie.
3. Remove at night in a warm place, if during the day - then in a shaded one.
4. Remove the bag after 10-12 hours, put the pot in a warm, bright place, but without direct sun.
5. Water as the soil dries out, very little. If there are no leaves, then moisture almost does not evaporate. There is a danger of waterlogging the soil.
6. After that, the lateral kidneys should wake up.
7. Recovery has not come - check the condition of the roots and trunk.
8. If they are alive, repeat the procedure after 10-14 days.
9. The barrel dries - resuscitation is unlikely to help.

Video: resuscitation of wilted croton by transplantation

Diseases and pests (table)

reproduction

Croton is most often propagated by cuttings, less often by seeds or air layering.

cuttings

It is carried out in the spring, usually after cutting the plant. Rooting will take place better in a heated greenhouse.

Some flower growers claim that croton can be propagated by leaves. They are buried in the soil and covered with a bag. The seedling is occasionally sprayed, watered, kept in partial shade. Roots will grow in 2-3 months. However, the experiment will fail if there is not at least one bud for the development of the shoot. Therefore, along with the leaf, it is imperative to cut off a piece of the stem.

seeds

Propagating croton by seeds is long and difficult. It should be noted that this method does not retain parental qualities, and the seeds quickly lose their germination. And you can’t do without a greenhouse with bottom heating.

Video: propagation of croton by air layering

You can have a piece of the tropics in your apartment, having an evergreen shrub called codiaum or croton.

In contact with

Indoor flower codiaum - types and photos

The genus of the Euphorbiaceae family includes 17 species. In room culture, the motley type of codiaum is popular. Flower codiaum with photo:

Disraeli

The leaves are lanceolate. The upper part of the bush is green, the lower one is burgundy. Codiaum Disraeli Splashes of champagne

The leaves of the plant are narrow and long. The green background of the leaves is decorated with yellow spots.
Codiaum Champagne Splashes Tamara

The leaves are large, dark green with light edging along the edges.
Codiaum Tamara Nervia

The crown of the variety has a multi-colored color: pink, yellow, green.
Codiaum Nervia Zanzibar

A flower with long leaves up to 40 cm. It has a yellow-green and pink color with a beautiful bend.
Codiaum Zanzibar Mrs. Aiston

Broad leaves, rounded shape. Cream-colored young specimens, older individuals acquire a multi-colored color.
Codiaum Mrs. Aiston Gold Sun

The color of the crown is green-yellow. Adult specimens are tree-shaped.
Codiaum Gold Sun

Caring for a codiaum plant at home (features of varieties)

Lighting

The decorative coloring of the codiaum or croton depends on the lighting. The flower is sun-loving and feels great not only on the western and eastern windowsills, but also on the south, with little shading. The lack of light is reflected in its crown: the leaves sag and lose their elasticity.

Temperature and humidity

Croton is a thermophilic plant. In spring and autumn, temperatures up to 25 degrees C should be maintained. In winter, 18. From a lack of heat, the leaves become thinner and strongly stretched.

The flower loves a humid environment, if it is not enough, you should spray the plant twice a day and bathe once a month in the shower. During water procedures, cover the soil with cellophane. You can also increase the humidity to 80% in another way: put expanded clay in a pan and moisten.

The soil

Croton is suitable soil for ficuses and palm trees. When preparing the soil yourself, you should take sand, leafy and soddy soil, peat in equal parts.

The codiaum has a powerful root system. Therefore, the pot should be chosen with a small diameter, but deep. The material can be very different: plastic, ceramics.

Watering

In summer and spring, croton is watered 3-4 times in seven days. Use settled and warm water. You can use the liquid after defrosting the refrigerator.

In winter, water as needed. When the top layer dries up to two cm in depth.

fertilizers

Feeding plants should begin from April to autumn. As fertilizers, use complex mineral products once every two weeks. Also fit ready mixes for variegated and decorative flowers.

pruning

A beautiful crown will depend on periodic pruning and pinching of the bush. As soon as the stem reaches 15 cm, the first pinching is carried out. Further pruning is carried out when the stem grows up to 20 cm. The sections are processed with activated carbon. The release of the plant from dry, damaged leaves and shoots should be done regardless of the time of year. This procedure will only increase the decorative effect.

Codiaum reproduces vegetatively and by seeds.

Cuttings:

• any time of the year is suitable for reproduction, but spring time is considered optimal (before the shoots appear);
• the apical cutting is cut off at a right angle, 10 cm long;
• wipe the cut with a napkin;
• the stalk is sent under warm running water to wash off the juice or place it in a glass of charcoal until the sap flow stops;
• further, dry the twig for 2 hours;
• leave one whole leaf on the handle and roll it into a tube to preserve moisture;
• you can root a cut branch in water or in the ground;
• before planting in the ground, treat the lower part with a growth stimulator;
• if water is used, then it is necessary to monitor its temperature regime, it should be in the range of 23-30 degrees. according to C. A lower temperature will lead to rotting of the sprout, and a high one will slow down rooting and death;
• Rooting will occur in 12-14 days. This will be seen from the leaf, it will become elastic;
• a cutting rooted in water is transplanted into the soil with the following components: sand, peat, feather, leaf and sod land (in equal parts).

The cut tops of the codiaum released the roots Air layers:

• in summer, the trunk becomes bare and then, at a distance of 15 cm from the top, remove the top layer of the stem around the trunk, 1 cm wide;
• treat the cut place with any growth stimulator, wrap with sphagnum and a plastic bag;
• water constantly the substrate;
• after 1.5 months, roots will appear, they will be visible through the package;
• as soon as they reach a length of 5 cm, cut off the layers and transplant into the ground;
• there is another way of propagation by air layering, when a lignified trunk is lowered into the ground, pinned and sprinkled with soil;
• watering is carried out periodically;
• as soon as young leaves appear, this is a signal that rooting has occurred;
• the twig is separated from the mother bush and transplanted into another flowerpot.

Codiaum. Propagation by air layering Seeds:

• for seed propagation, seeds of one-year ripening are used;
• disinfected with hot water;
• then sent to warm water to swell for 24 hours;
• seeds are treated with phytohormones and sent to the soil with a temperature of 22 degrees. for C;
• from above it is covered with a small layer of earth;
• the appearance of two leaves is a signal for diving seedlings;
• during cultivation, observe the temperature and watering conditions, spray the plants and ventilate the room.

A flower brought from a store needs a mandatory transplant. Since the soil is mainly used only for transportation and has few nutrients.

Action algorithm:

• the codiaum is released from the pot;
• the roots are washed under running water, leaving no old soil;
• the flowerpot is taken more than the previous one by only 2 cm in diameter, since the codiaum grows in cramped conditions;
• drainage is poured at the bottom of the flowerpot;
• then a layer of earth. If the soil is not purchased, but is prepared independently, it is calcined in the oven or under steam on the stove. This will warn the plant from diseases and pests;
• young specimens are transplanted every spring. Since the plant is gaining a root system. Therefore, the capacity should be slightly larger than the previous one;
• transplantation is carried out by transshipment. The contents of the flowerpot are carefully pulled out and seated in another pot;
• soil is poured on the sides of the pot;
• adult specimens (3 years or more) are transplanted once every three years;
• The life expectancy of a codiaum with proper care is 10 years. For plants 6-10 years old, it will be sufficient to select the top layer, replacing it with a new one. The exception is the bulging of the roots from the flowerpot.

By performing simple actions to care for croton: watering, pruning, top dressing, you can extend its life up to 10 years. At the same time, every year its color will change, and please everyone.

For details on how to transplant codiaum and care at home, see this video: