The name "clerodendrum" has an interesting translation from the Greek language - "tree of fate." It is difficult to tell reliably how a plant really affects a person, but the fact that it will make your home more comfortable and bring a little tropical exotic into it is a fact. In indoor floriculture, three species are most common, forming lush bushes and pleasing the eye with bright colors. Read the article about what a plant called clerodendrum care at home needs . The photos below will help to understand the types of plants.
Plant description
Under the generic name Klerodendrum, about four hundred species of shrubs, vines, trees growing in the tropics and subtropics are united. Plants belong to the family Lamiaceae, but previously they were mistakenly included in Verbena. The natural habitat is Africa, America, Australia, Asia (Japan, Philippines, China, India, Indochina and Korea).
The bulk of the clerodendrum are climbing shrubs that form shoots longer than 4 m long in nature, and the total height of the plant reaches 2.5 m.In this regard, like some other house flowers, clrodendrum requires pruning. Flexible shoots adorn large oppositely arranged leaves of a deep dark green color with strongly distinguished venation. The size of the leaf blade reaches 12 cm in length, the edges are most often smooth, the tip is slightly elongated.
One of the main advantages of the plant is its flowers. Clerodendrum blooms twice - in spring and autumn. It is abundantly covered with clusters of buds on long peduncles (8-20 pcs.). Color and shape depend on the type of plant. In room culture, three species were especially widespread: the clerodendrum of Wallich, Thompson, and Ugandan.
Clerodendrum Wallich
The plant is native to the subtropics of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and South China. It grows at an altitude of 100 to 1,200 m above sea level. It got its name in honor of the Danish botanist and surgeon Nathaniel Wallich, who was the owner of the botanical garden and often made scientific expeditions to India. Among his many discoveries are tropical flowers. Clerodendrum Wallich in indoor conditions grows up to 50 cm in height. Its distinguishing feature is large glossy dark green leaves with wavy edges up to 15 cm long. Large white flowers are collected in a brush.
Clerodendrum Thompson
This species (in the first photo) is the most common and it can often be found already blooming on store shelves. Evergreen vine in indoor conditions shoots up to 2.5 m long, which is often used for vertical landscaping of the space. Flexible shoots are covered with large leaves. Flowers of an unusual shape consist of a snow-white five-lobed bract in the form of a flashlight and a corolla of a saturated red hue, which is slightly smaller in size. Thompson's Clodendrum flowers bloom twice a year. Corollas quickly fade, and bracts last for several months.
Ugandan Clodendrum
View native to the mountains of East Africa. He is a rare guest in our apartments and houses and one of the most prominent representatives of the family. The people called it “blue butterflies” because of the specific shape of the flowers. The plant is a vine with thin semi-lignified shoots up to 2.5 m long. Large five-petalled flowers have a soft blue hue and are collected in panicled inflorescence.
Lighting and air temperature
When choosing a place for a plant and to ensure the best conditions for it, first of all, one should take into account information about where it comes from. By this principle, all indoor flowers should be placed. Clerodendrum grows in moist tropics on rich soil, under the cover of large trees that scatter natural light.
In this regard, the plant requires bright lighting, but without direct sunlight. Provide him with diffused light. For this, the western and eastern windows are best suited. Shading will be required on the south side, and on the north, on the contrary, there will be a lack of light, and the plant simply will not bloom.
Klerodendrum is thermophilic, so it can be quite comfortable in our summer climate. The most optimal range of air temperature is +18 ... +25 ° . The winter period should be cooler, about 16 ° C. Therefore, it is best to clean the plant away from radiators.
The soil
The primer for clerodendrum should be light and nutritious. In order to cook it, take peat, sand and ordinary garden soil, pre-treated and disinfected in a ratio of 1: 1: 3. If there is no way to do it yourself, then the best option is to buy ready-made special soil. A slightly acidic nutrient substrate with a pH of 5-6.5 is what “clerodendrum” “loves”. Home care (the photos used in the article demonstrate how a green pet looks when it does not need anything) is not too laborious for it, but it should be permanent.
At the bottom of the flower pot, pour a 2-3 cm thick drainage layer of expanded clay or broken brick. Transplanting adult specimens is recommended every 2-3 years, and young plants annually after a flowering period.
Humidity and watering
High humidity, warmth and regular watering are some of the main conditions for successful cultivation of clerodendrum at home. A classic tropical plant does not tolerate dry air at all. Spraying is carried out often (especially if heating radiators are located nearby) and throughout the year, avoiding water drops falling on the flowers. Clerodendrum can discharge leaves during the dormant period, in which case it is enough to protect it from heat sources.
Watering in the summer and during flowering periods should be regular and plentiful, in the fall and winter - moderate. Despite the love of moisture, the plant does not tolerate its stagnation. It is recommended to take soft water for irrigation: rain or sediment.
During the period of active vegetation and flowering, plant nutrition with mineral complex fertilizers is necessary. Frequency - once every two weeks.
Clerodendrum: pruning
An adult plant needs regular sanitary and anti-aging pruning. It is carried out until the moment when the clerodendrum starts to grow - in the early spring. To activate the growth of the lateral branches, the shoots are cut to 1/3 of the entire length. In addition to the aesthetic factor, there is also a practical one. Flowers are formed only on young shoots, so you will stimulate the plant. To instill bushiness, young specimens are quite simple to pinch.
Some species, in particular, Thompson's clerodendrum, can be grown as a beautiful ampel plant or used in vertical and horizontal landscaping with stretched strings or threads. The growth of the bush can be directed, for example, in a spiral or ring, or form a small tree.
Plant propagation
This question is especially relevant for lovers of indoor floriculture, due to the fact that it is a very spectacular and beautiful flower. Clerodendrum, the reproduction of which is possible in two ways (vegetative and seed), very quickly builds up a bulk green mass. In this regard, obtaining a new plant instance from lignified apical cuttings does not cause any difficulties. Planting material is formed more than enough after pruning.
Cuttings are brought to a length of 20 cm, the lower part is freed from the leaves. Then they are placed in an opaque jar of water. Roots appear very quickly and develop well. Young specimens of some species bloom in the first year after planting.
Clerodendrum seeds are quite large, so they rarely cause problems. Nevertheless, seed propagation is relevant for rare species or varietal hybrids, when it is simply not possible to get a stalk. This process is more laborious. Seeds are sown in a mini-greenhouse or greenhouse, lightly sprinkled with soil and wait for seedlings, periodically ventilating the container and moistening the soil as it dries. After the appearance of the second real leaf, the seedlings are planted in separate small pots.
Diseases and Pests
Clodendrum are quite resistant to pests and diseases, this is due to the presence of essential oils in the leaves and shoots. However, it should be borne in mind that the plant is most vulnerable to whiteflies, aphids, spider mites and scale insects. If there are signs of damage, then immediately treat the bush with special preparations and isolate it from other indoor flowers for a while.
The cause of the disease most often lies in the improper care of the plant. So, high soil moisture in combination with low air temperature can trigger the appearance of powdery mildew and the development of various rot.
Why does not clerodendrum bloom?
Clerodendrum is an ornamental plant whose powerful green shoots are already good in themselves. The effect is enhanced at times when beautiful flowers with a delicate aroma appear on it. If this does not happen for a long time, then the problem lies in the improper care. The reasons may be the following:
- pruning is not carried out, while inflorescences are formed only on young shoots;
- non-observance of the winter dormant period (for abundant flowering, the plant should “rest” at low temperatures and reduced watering);
- lack of lighting - the location on the northern windows or in the shade leads to dull foliage, elongation of shoots and the absence of flowers, since clerodendrum needs at least 2-3 hours a day of diffused sunlight.