In the plant world, there is an evergreen liana, which is able to please exotic lovers with a rapid increase in leaf mass. Due to the growth rate of the lashes, it is ideal for decorating terraces, loggias and composing peculiar compositions in combination with other indoor flowers. For quite some time, such a plant as syngonium has gained its favor among flower growers. Home care for tropical vines has some features. We will talk about them in our article.
Origin
The habitat of the syngonium are humid tropical forests. It is common in America, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil and Panama. Being an epiphyte, a liana skillfully wraps around other plants and clings tenaciously to its base due to the presence of aerial roots. In the wild, there are about 30 species that differ in leaf color. A characteristic feature of the liana is that as its lashes grow, the color and shape of the foliage change.
Propagation in the natural environment occurs vegetatively and with the help of seeds. Creeper flowers are not particularly impressive. The same can be said of all members of the aroid family to which this plant belongs. The inflorescence is a cob wrapped in a white sheet plate of a pink hue. The bush itself develops very quickly, shoots reach up to 18-20 m in length. If they do not find something to cling to, they are laid on the ground with a carpet, looking for shady places. Perhaps this is all that Syngonium is capable of without leaving at home.
Description
In appearance, an exotic liana is a spectacular and elegant plant. Chic leaves on long stems elegantly placed along the entire length of the whip. It was with its rich, vibrant greenery that the plant won the hearts of many gardeners. Over time, the leaves acquire a slightly different color, but still remain beautiful. Their shape is similar to the arrowhead. In some varieties, a pattern of veins is clearly visible. In older plants, whole plates begin to dissect.
Scientific evidence suggests that liana helps cleanse the air by absorbing formaldehyde and xylene from it. It is enough to put two flowerpots with a plant in a medium-sized room, and it will be enriched with ozone. Meanwhile, the juice is aroid, poisonous and can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. For this reason, care for syngonium should be carried out carefully, it is better to do this with gloves. At the slightest damage, the plant begins to produce caustic milk. The flower should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
No matter how lovers of bindweed try to provide good care to the syngonium at home, it will not bloom anyway. However, this is not a reason for frustration, since the particular beauty of the plant lies in its leaves. Their decorative effect is not inferior in appearance to even some colors.
Kinds
Achievements in the field of breeding regarding this plant are pleasing in diversity. Species, in particular, are distinguished by the color of the sheet plate. There is a wide range of colors - from light gray to almost black. There are also pink and dark lilac colors, distinguished by high aesthetics. The shape of their leaves varies depending on the species. There are plants with lobed, whole and significantly dissected plates. So far, you can see such a variety only in the photo of the syngonium. Home care, even professional flower growers, had to make only for some varieties. The most popular types of exotic bindweed include:
- auriculate;
- pixies;
- pedigree.
From the last several more varieties of hybrids were derived. Below is a separate description of the main types of syngonium. Home care for all varieties of creepers does not have big differences.
Footed
The tropical plant has another name - podophyllous syngonium. It has thin and flexible shoots and dark leaves. Over time, they darken, and some varieties have a motley color. In an adult bush, a strong division of the leaf plate into segments is observed. Breeders have developed a new variety - imperial white, which has an almost white color.
With the help of thin air processes, the liana cleverly grabs the support and firmly holds on to it. Its elastic grassy lashes stretch well and bring something extraordinary and sophisticated to the interior. Directing them in the right direction, you can form a bush at your discretion.
To grow a healthy and living plant, take a little more time and learn all the intricacies of care. Legokolistny syngonium at home feels great. This is the most common type of liana that can be found not only in apartments, but also in many offices. It harmonizes perfectly with other indoor colors.
By the way, a pedigree vine grows like an ampoule bush plant. In the absence of support, its branches grow down, and then merge into a single cascade. It looks very original and amazing.
Pixy
The botanical characteristics of this species slightly distinguish it from other counterparts. In the article you can find a photo of the syngonium pixies, home care is the easiest. At the disposal of gardeners there is a whole line of varieties developed specifically for indoor cultivation.
This is a dwarf perennial, with elongated leaflets in the shape of hearts. Their green color varies from light to dark shades. The leaves have a glossy surface and characteristic bright veins and patterns. Almost white spots can cover most of the plate, and can appear in the form of elegant drawings.
There is evidence that the inhibition of the mouth of the pixels was achieved using inhibitors. It is likely that after some time, individual plant specimens will return to their natural state.
Auriculate
It is a powerful, tall vine with intensive growth. She has large original leaves and thick sturdy shoots. For this type, it is necessary to establish a more solid and stable support. Very interesting is the segmentation of the sheet. Separated lobes hang down like animal ears. By themselves, the leaf plates are highly decorative, they have a glossy surface and a rich dark green color. If you want to have such beauty in your apartment, then do not spare the effort spent on good care. At home, the ear-shaped syngonium creates an atmosphere of comfort and exoticism.
In a favorable environment, the plant grows by 60-70 cm every year. The length of its stems almost reaches two meters, and the cuttings - 35-40 cm.
Location
Shaded places and diffused light coming from the western side are what room syngonium loves. Caring for it in an atmosphere close to the natural environment will not require too much attention. The flower reacts normally to a change in location, so it can be moved depending on the influence of seasonal factors.
You need to learn how to determine the needs of the plant by the color of the leaves. With a lack of lighting, they lose the richness of color. Excess light results in fading of the leaf plates. The main thing is to notice any changes on time and take measures so as not to bring the plant to a painful state.
Regarding temperature indicators, the liana loves constancy. Sudden changes can be detrimental to her. In cold weather, the temperature in the room should not be lower than +18 , in the spring-summer period not higher than + 24-26 .
Care
Let's see what it takes to grow a luxurious syngonium. Home care involves following a few simple rules:
- Soil requirements. A neutral, slightly acidic soil is suitable for creepers. When preparing it, special attention should be paid to such properties as nutrition and high permeability. When the substrate sufficiently passes air and moisture, the plant grows healthy. To make it such, it is necessary to take in equal proportions turf soil, peat and garden soil. In the finished mixture you need to add a little sand.
- Watering. The water used is standing and warm. Watering should be plentiful, but not uncontrolled. It is possible to carry out the next moistening when the soil dries for a couple of centimeters. Do not be afraid if drops of water are noticed on the leaves, since this is quite normal for a liana. In the plant, the process of moisture regulation takes place and its excess goes out. A representative of the humid tropics needs regular spraying. After the humidification procedure, drops should be removed from each sheet. In winter, syngonium is watered less often.
- Top dressing. Mineral fertilizers with minimal calcium are required. Top dressing is carried out only in warm time, with an interval of two weeks.
If you follow all the recommendations, your plant will look no worse than in the photo. Leaving syngonium at home is a rather interesting and enjoyable activity. It brings pleasure to many gardeners, especially when it comes to giving the desired shape to the plant.
Shaping and decoration
It must be taken into account that the liana belongs to epiphytes and is not in the natural environment, which means that it is necessary to create a good support for it. What will be the appearance of the plant - you decide. It all depends on which way you choose to form it. The care of syngonium at home involves two methods of growing: vertical and ampel.
In order for the branches of the herbaceous plant to go up, an upright base is selected. For the formation of the bush, structures made of wooden sticks and bamboo are often used. If the stem of moss is selected as the basis for the vine, then it should be sprayed with the leaves. This technique contributes to better rooting of the air processes.
To properly grow an ampel plant, the pot must be hung high. Then the lashes will have more freedom and they will grow faster. Experienced flower growers are advised to pinch at 7 leaves. Under this condition, the bush will develop not only in length, its foliage will create a lush canvas of shoots hanging down.
Mostly flower lovers share practical tips on growing pedigree syngonium. Home care for this species does not cause much trouble and it is more common than other vines. However, these principles are also used in the content of new varieties.
How can I decorate a creeper? The soil is covered with natural fiber. Sisal is torn into pieces and laid over the entire surface of the soil. On top of a special toy in the form of a bird. The pot itself is decorated with rubber animals, for example, frogs. Among the foliage sticks with bright butterflies are inserted. Decor elements should be used sparingly so as not to dull the natural beauty of the vine.
Transfer
Syngonium transplantation is carried out as necessary or every two years. The whole process consists of the following sequential actions:
- In terms of dimensions, the pot is selected a little more than the old one. It was noticed that liana grows better in plastic containers.
- Further, the task is to gently extract the plant from the former pot. It should be turned over with two fingers, grab the plant at the base from two sides and gradually dump the lump of land. To make the soil behind the pot faster, you can tap lightly on its walls.
- The bottom of the tank is filled with expanded clay to provide good drainage to future roots. Planting a plant in heavy soil causes rot and other fungal diseases.
- The root system must be partially freed from the old soil. This should be done carefully. A layer of earth is removed only on the sides so as not to injure the roots.
- The finished bush is placed in a new container and the voids are filled with fresh soil. It is recommended to buy a special mixture in garden stores.
- The plant is abundantly watered along the edge of the pot and put in a permanent place. From the first days of transplantation, you need to take care of high humidity. Spraying is done daily, using a spray gun.
- Even if the plant is small, you still need to insert a prop. A wooden stick is buried in the center of the ground.
Breeding
The further development of the liana will depend on how the manipulations for the reproduction of the syngonium and the care at home for the new sprout are performed. To find a young specimen, you must either cut the shoots or divide the lash into small parts.
It is necessary that each kidney has a kidney node under which the root rudiments are located. When air sprouts appear from them, the kidney will certainly open and grow.
Harvesting of planting material can be done at any time. However, in the spring during the growing season they are accepted better. For breeding choose the most stocky segments.
Rooting cuttings is best in water with the addition of activated carbon. This will protect them from decay. Within a week, real roots form in the area of the node, they are usually lighter than the rudiments themselves. When the shoot grows to 6-8 cm, it can be transferred to the ground.
There are other ways to root segments. They are immediately planted in a pot of sand or vermiculite. You can also make a mixture of peat, sand and sphagnum. The latter should be well chopped. The seedling is placed in a warm place and, together with the container, is covered with a bag. In this case, young sprouts must be regularly ventilated and watered.
Pruning a plant for propagation significantly improves its appearance. Near the cut, many new twigs immediately grow.
Conclusion
When all the secrets of care are revealed and the photos of the syngonium perfectly illustrate all its charm, you can only acquire this unique plant. A native of the tropics combines two factors important for the florist - a beautiful view and unpretentiousness in content.