Pedilanthus (Pedilanthus) is a plant belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Abundant formation of branches and shoots characteristic of this shrub. Growing pedilanthus in South and Central America, is also found in its Northern part. Pedilanthus at home is a great choice.

The name of the plant received from a combination of two Greek words meaning "Shoe" and "flower". Pedilanthus is a flowering shrub. Flower it has a very unusual shape. Thanks to memorable flowering pedilanthus has become a popular potted plant. Pedilanthus at home is a great choice.

Care pedilanthus at home

Location and lighting

By purchasing this plant for home growing, it is important to remember some features of care. Lighting should be bright. The plant prefers daylight but without direct sunlight. Summer pedilanthus will be great outdoors — balcony, loggia or in the garden. An important condition — it must be protected from the scorching summer sun and from rain.

In winter, pedilanthus also requires a large amount of light, so in the short daylight hours need to use additional lighting.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for normal growth and development of plants in spring and summer is about 25 degrees. Fresh air is also important for pedilanthus. In periods of calm in autumn and winter comfortable temperature for plants is about 14-18 degrees. It is important to preserve pedilanthus from heating devices (radiators, heaters), or too hot air and high temperatures will cause the plant will throw the leaves.

Humidity and Watering

An important positive feature of this plants is its ruggedness to humidity. Pedilanthus feels fine in a room with dry air. However, irrigation pedilanthus should be paid more attention. In the summer the soil in the pot should be regularly wetted but not too moist so that the plants begin to rot the root system. In winter the soil should also be moist and not dry, otherwise the plant starts to drop leaves.

Soil

In the cultivation of the plants purchased, special attention is paid to the composition of the substrate. For pedilanthus need loose, light, waterproof and breathable soil. The ideal would be a ratio of two parts of the leaf mixture. One part peat and two parts sand.

Feeding and fertilizer

When feeding pedilanthus it is important to observe the following rules:

• Fertilizers are applied in the period from spring to autumn inclusive.
• The frequency of making the dressing — once a month.
• Suitable fertilizer for succulent plants with a low nitrogen content.
• An overabundance of nitrogen leads to decay of the root system of the plant.
• With the end of fall to fertilize is terminated prior to the onset of spring.

Transplant

The plant needs a transplant as you fill the pot the root system. This happens infrequently, as the roots of pedilanthus grow slowly and are compact. Pot for transplantation should have a diameter approximately equal to its height. At the bottom of the pot should be sprinkled on a generous layer of clay pebbles or other drainage material. His absence will lead to rotting of the root system and death of the plant, which is very sensitive to standing water in the pot.

Reproduction of pedilanthus at home

Modes of reproduction of pedilanthus there are two: using seeds and cuttings of the shoots (tops). Best of all cuttings rooted in spring or early summer. For this cut the top of one of the shoots with a length of about 8-10 cm In place of the cut will begin abundantly to extract juice. In order to stop the cuttings are placed in warm water.

Next, they should dry 1-2 days and only after that can be planted in a pot with the substrate. Mixture for rooting is sand or perlite. The optimum temperature for rooting is between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. To ensure that the plant does not rot lower leaves need to be removed. A container pedilanthus cover is not necessary. The roots can be observed after 2-3 weeks.

It is important to remember that the juice secreted by pedilanthus, poisonous! Therefore, for any manipulation of the plant it is important to observe safety precautions and work strictly with gloves on.

Difficulties in care

• Due to improper care pedilanthus leaves may turn yellow and crumble — in this case it is necessary to adjust watering.
• If the plant is too stretched in length — this lack of lighting.
• Is to protect pedilanthus from cold draughts, especially in winter — the plant does not die, but can lose all the leaves.

Diseases and pests

As with any plant pedilanthus at home affected by various diseases and pests. Fungal infection of the plant leads to the fact that the stems begin to rot. The only method of fighting is the removal of the affected parts.

Aphids often affects the leaves of the plant. They curl and stop growing. This pest can be overcome by using jets of warm water and treatment with insecticide.

If the plant is discovered insects are white, and its leaves started to turn yellow, stick when you touch them, then here dealing with such a pest like whiteflies. If a warm shower doesn't help, you can resort to using insecticide.

Popular types of pedilanthus

A genus of shrub pedilanthus has a huge number of types. This is easily explained by the fact that the plant can take root in different climatic conditions. Adapting to a particular temperature, the light level, pedilanthus change its appearance.

So for the tropical forests of South America characteristic pedilanthus tithymaloides. It is characterized by compact size and densely covered with leaves. If tropical forests become slightly more arid, then they can meet pedilanthus sparsely, but not in the form of bushes and a small tree. In the most arid and hot regions of America is growing pedilanthus large. In appearance he is more akin to a succulent, almost leafless, but with a well-developed system of water-stocking fabrics. For example, in the humid tropics it is possible to meet pedilanthus Finca.

1) Pedilanthus macrocarpa (Pedilanthus macrocarpus)

A special place in this view is pedilanthus large. It is a leafless, succulent, reminiscent of Bush. Its branches have practically no leaves, but the stems are large and well developed, which allows the plant to keep the moisture in them.

2) Pedilanthus tithymaloides (Pedilanthus tithymaloides)

No less popular is pedilanthus tithymaloides. So, this shrub is highly appreciated for its decorative features both the flower and leaves. Flower in the form of a tiny and resembles a bird or a neat slipper-slipper. The color of leaves are also interesting: green middle, white edges and blotches in the center. Anyway, for some types of pedilanthus characterized by moving its ends in pink or red. The stems of pedilanthus tithymaloides zigzag due to the fact that when building each new sheet is changing their direction. Pedilanthus blooms in late autumn. Inflorescence covered with red leaves, are on top of the stem.

3) Pedilanthus Fink (Pedilanthus finkii)

In humid and hot tropical forests are home to pedilanthus Finca. So, It is a shrub that grows well in loose and light substrates.

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