“What a charm, exactly like Chinese lanterns!” I thought, admiring the white bracts of the undetected flowers of the clerodendrum, which were visible from the pharmacy window located next door to the house. Bright red flower tabs that appeared later from white boxes gave this chic vine a look even more solemn and festive. Well, what a fellow this clerodendrum !!! Home care is not so difficult. We’ll talk about him.
First meet
Originally from Africa and South Asia, clerodendrum (wolfameria) is one of the oldest domesticated plants. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, this flower was considered the sacred patron saint of the weaker sex. He was raised to win the condescension and favor of the goddess Venus. Currently, there are more than 100 different species of this fairly powerful vine, which can climb to a height of more than 4 meters. The most common instance is Thomson's Clodendrum: it is his buds that resemble Chinese lanterns.
Philippine Clodendrum is distinguished by its pink-colored cream flowers collected in large caps of inflorescences, sometimes reaching a size of 20 cm. Against the background of velvety green heart-shaped leaves, these inflorescences look festive bouquets. Despite the name, this natural wonder grows on the fringes of forests in Japan and China. When blossoming, its inflorescences emit a sufficiently strong, jasmine-like aroma. Unlike Thomson's Clerodendrum, which blooms in April and May, the Filipino can bloom throughout the spring-summer season with short interruptions. Its bracts do not resemble Chinese lanterns. Pink-burgundy, they become invisible after the flower blooms.
Another variety of this liana, deserving of attention because of its most delicate flowers, is Wallich's clerodendrum. For white, six-lobed flowers flowing from bracts with long stamens similar to the eyelashes of an innocent girl, this beauty was called the “bride veil”. Its inflorescences resemble a bouquet of white lilacs or a brush of bird cherry. The birthplace of this flower is the Himalayas. It can also be an ampelous shrub that looks gorgeous in hanging planters. Unlike the two previous varieties, the leaves of this plant are long glossy and wavy, resembling kelp algae. The tart aroma of the flowers of this handsome man will not be annoying with his presence, since he is rather weak.
"Harmful" or not?
The easiest to care for (and therefore the most common) is Thomson's Clodendrum, which, together with the Filipino, is a deciduous vine. The main feature of caring for these two species is the dormant period in the winter months. At this time, the plant can be shaped by pruning. Losing foliage in winter, clerodendrum care at home requires appropriate. Usually grown at a temperature of 18-25 degrees, in winter this vine needs to be lowered to 13-16 and to reduce watering. If you do not follow this rule, your handsome man will not bloom. Clerodendrum Wallich is not a deciduous vine, so he does not need a winter dormant period.
Watering and feeding
Irrigation regimen is very important for all clerodendrums, as all plants of this species are very fond of drinking. When drying an earthen coma, the leaves quickly wither and fall off. As for the lighting of a plant such as clerodendrum, home care for it implies the absence of direct sunlight (placement - on the north window). This shade-tolerant moisture lover does not tolerate direct sun, in which its leaves turn yellow and fall off.
Clerodendrum Wallich needs year-round monthly top-dressing with iron preparations, as well as those containing the whole complex of other minerals. Feeding the other two species is recommended 2 times during the growing season. In the winter period, top dressing should be stopped - at this time, the clodendrum rests. Home care for this plant is uncomplicated subject to the rules, the main of which are described in this article.