Undemanding pedantustech NDT unproductive, for example, asd Home Appliance. No exception and pedilanthus, at home turning into a large green decoration. In pot culture, several varieties of flower are grown, enjoying love thanks to dense leaves, powerful green stems and umbrella inflorescences of pinkish-red flowers. It is their form, which resembles an elegant silk shoe, the flower owes its name. In nature, a plant, depending on the species, can reach a height of 50–200 cm, and has erect and lodging stems, which, as they grow, invariably become bare. One glance at them is enough to understand why in the homeland pedilanthus is called "the staircase of St. Jacob", "the devil's ridge" or "plant zigzag".The flower stems are fancifully broken, resembling a flight of stairs or lightning.
At home, the pedilanthus is lower than in nature, and gardeners are less likely to observe winter flowering.
However, this does not upset the lovers of subtropical culture, because large specimens are less decorative, and crowns of unusual flowers on the shoots successfully replace the variegated foliage with shades of white, green and pink.
Thanks to simple pedilanthus care and its rapid growth, reaching 15–25 cm per year, the plant can be recommended both to experienced flower growers and beginners who only master the intricacies of an interesting hobby.
Home lighting for pedilanthus
Inhabitant of the dry subtropics of North and Central America, the pedilanthus in nature is settled on the sunny rocky slopes, where other plants lack nutrients and moisture. The enduring large plant is similar in behavior to the succulents that accumulate life-giving moisture in the stems.
Illumination for pedilantus in room conditions should be close to natural. Western or eastern windows are best suited for culture, where the flower is under bright but diffused light. Here the plant appears in all its glory.
On the northern side, especially in the autumn and winter period, the flower will suffer from a lack of sunlight, in which variegated varieties lose their brightness, the pink shade disappears from the leaf plates, and the white gradually disappears from green.
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On the south windows, optimal conditions for pedilantus are created in spring, winter and autumn. In the summer, there is a risk of overheating, to which the flower responds by shedding or brightening the foliage. If there is no other place, on sunny days the plant is shaded or transferred farther from the window.
Pedilanthus flower is a subtropic plant that lives in nature in conditions of prolonged daylight. In the middle lane from mid-autumn to April, he needs a backlight, for which it is more appropriate to use special phyto-lamps.
Temperature of keeping pedilanthus
When growing pedilanthus at home, one should not forget that this is a heat-loving plant that negatively responds to supercooling, but perfectly tolerates temperatures up to + 25-30 ° C.In the summer, a flower pot can be safely carried to the air, covering it from precipitation and direct sunlight.
If the plant is contained in a room, the room should be aired regularly.
Pedilanthus likes fresh air, but is afraid of drafts and is unlikely to take root in the kitchen, where the concentration of combustion products is too high:
- In the warmer months, the optimum temperature for pedalus maintenance is +25 ° C.On hotter days, the flower increases the need for moisture, oxygen and sun protection.
- When it is cold outside and decreases the length of daylight, the plant feels better at + 15–18 ° C, but not lower. At this time, reduce watering, and the plant is additionally highlighted.
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Watering the pedilanthus
Although in nature pedilanthus is not spoiled by an abundance of moisture, it should be regular in the room conditions for irrigation:
- provides for summer watering of the pedilanthus in 2–4 wetting sessions
- in winter, water the flower should be no more than 2 times in 10 days.
The sign that the plant needs moisture is the drying of the surface. Excess water, especially when the temperature of the pedilanthus is low, threatens to rot the roots. On a chronic lack of moisture flower signals yellowing and leaf fall.
Selection of soil, fertilizers and feeding pedanthus
A native of dry subtropics is not too discriminating in the soil. When choosing a soil for pedilanthus, attention is paid to moderate nutritional value, good aeration, structure and moisture conductivity.
Among the ready-made mixtures, you can choose a universal primer for indoor decorative leafy crops. If this is not possible, the substrate is made independently, mixing:
- 3 parts of garden soil;
- 1 part of the peat cleared of rough inclusions;
- 1 part washed coarse sand.
Dangerous stagnation of a flower is dangerous; to avoid it, a powerful drainage layer is poured on the bottom of the pot.
On top of the ground another layer of fine gravel or pebbles is made. This measure will help preserve moisture, prevent soil salinization and keep it loose for a long time.
When growing pedilanthus, not only the right choice of soil is important, but also fertilizers, flower fertilizing should contain some nitrogen and a full complex of trace elements and minerals. The culture needs additional nutrition from April to September, while the active growing season lasts. Feeding pedilanthus spend 1-2 times a month. An excess of nitrogen can lead to the loss of variegated leaf color, root damage to the root system is possible.
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Difficulties in keeping a pedilantus at home
Despite the exotic look, pedilantus is unpretentious and gets on well with all houseplants. The problems that arise most often concern violations of the rules of care and maintenance, which include:
- lack of sunlight, due to which the leaves lose their decorativeness, shrink and fall off;
- excessively dry air and moisture deficiency, causing yellowing and loss of foliage;
- chronic overflow, leading to the appearance of rot and soil pests;
- cold air causing freezing of the tips of the shoots and leaves.
Among the pests, most often affecting the indoor flower, can be called spider mites, mealy worms and aphids, if the plant was outdoors in the summer days.
When caring for pedilanthus, care must be taken that contact with flower sap on sensitive skin can cause irritation, redness, swelling and itching. Therefore, when pruning and planting florist need gloves.
Unpretentious pedilanthus - video
