Croton flower: home care, watering, transplanting and reproduction

Croton is a wonderful plant that pleases with the beauty of its variegated leaves. Many housewives dream of having a croton flower in their home. Taking care of it at home is not so easy, due to the finicky culture. The thing is that the plant is very demanding on external conditions. In our article, we want to talk about how to grow croton at home.

Finicky handsome

Croton, or codiaum as it is often called, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, which includes many rainforest inhabitants and ornamental houseplants.

As you can imagine, growing conditions in the tropics and at home are very different. Therefore, in the wild, crotons reach three meters in height. At home, with proper care, the plant can reach 1.5 meters. Having overcome some difficulties in care, you can get a beautiful flower that delights with its variegated foliage. The effort put into the care process is worth the end result you get.

What should be done if leaves fall off the codiaum?

If the leaves of the codiaum fall off, then excessively frequent or abundant watering may be the cause. In this case, the root system will rot and the plant will die. It is necessary to cut off the apical stalk and try to root it. This is done as insurance: if the mother plant does not survive, there will be a chance to grow a new one. And you can try to reanimate a sick flower by drying the roots and treating with antifungal drugs, after which you will need to transplant it into a fresh substrate.

If the leaves of the codiaum turn yellow and fall, the state of an earthen coma can help to understand what needs to be done with such a problem. With its strong dryness, the leaves of the plant may begin to turn yellow and crumble over time. The soil should always be moderately moist.

This can be checked in a very simple way. Just put a small handful in your hand and squeeze, the soil should crumple slightly and no water droplets should stand out. In consistency, it should resemble a little hard plasticine. If lumps do not form, and the earth simply crumbles when you press on it, then it is better to increase the frequency of watering by arranging a warm shower for the croton.

cultivation experience

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Description of the flower

Croton is sometimes called codiaum or "Joseph's cloak". Translated from Greek, the name of the plant means "head". Why the culture received such a name, experts do not know for sure. There is speculation that the plant was named after a city in southern Italy.

The islands of Northern Australia and the Pacific Ocean, as well as Southeast Asia and India are considered the homeland of wild forms of croton. The genus includes many species. But indoor culture is represented only by variegated croton and its hybrids. The croton flower is considered one of the most beautiful decorative indoor crops. The plant is used as a decoration for interiors. In some countries, Croton is considered the keeper of the hearth, which protects the apartment from negative energy.

At home, the plant usually does not exceed 1-1.5 m in height, even with the best care.The description of the croton flower, of course, cannot convey all its beauty. The decorativeness of the plant is its main advantage. Crotons are very often used to decorate halls, lobbies, offices and other premises. Their beautiful leaves of various shapes and bright colors invariably attract the attention of people. Outwardly, the codiaums resemble a small tree. The formation of the crown is rather slow, so one should not hope for a quick result. In order to get a beautiful bush, the plant is periodically sheared.

Codiaum is a flowering plant. But culture rarely blooms. At the same time, the plant produces an arrow with small nondescript flowers, painted in a light yellow shade. It is worth saying that the bloom does not add much beauty to croton. But the plant expends a lot of energy and nutrients. Therefore, many growers prefer to initially remove the arrow so that the culture does not lose its supply of nutrients.

The formation and process of pruning codiaum: how to form the crown of a plant

Pruning of the codiaum flower is carried out in spring or summer in order to obtain a more "fluffy" and branched plant, resembling a small tree in shape. Also, thanks to this procedure, you can get several young shoots for planting, and the mother croton will enter a phase of more active growth and start up new shoots. Pruning is carried out only over already sufficiently mature individuals with a height of at least 30-35 cm. This procedure is fatal for small flowers.

The formation of a branched codiaum is not a particularly difficult process... Armed with gloves, a sharp knife or scissors, cut off the top of the tree about 13-15 cm long. The cut off part can be placed in warm, clean water to develop its root system. Watering an adult plant well enough, and in 1-1.5 months new young shoots will grow. The same method is used to cut off unnecessary branches. With regular, moderate pruning, a miniature, symmetrical tree can be grown.

For the codiaum, the crown formation process is also carried out using the pinching method. This procedure can be started in younger specimens up to 15-17 cm high. The essence of this process is to cut off the buds at the ends of the shoots and apical buds in order to activate the growth of lateral shoots and branching of the plant trunk. The best time for such a procedure is early spring, when the flower is full of vigor and is able to develop healthy young shoots.

Watch a video on how to form a codiaum crown at home:

Types of culture

For growing at home, several varieties of crotons are used. Flowers differ in the shape and size of the leaves, as well as their colors. The most popular species is Croton Variegated. The plant has the shape of a bush, whose height reaches three meters. Green-brown leaves are located on the branches of the culture. There are several varieties, the main difference of which is the shape of the foliage:

1. Variety "excellence". The plant has characteristic oak leaves, painted yellow-green on top, and red-burgundy below.
2. Disraeli variety. The plants have lobe-shaped leaves, painted in a brick-brown shade from below, and green-yellow from above with characteristic veins and specks.
3. Variety "black prince". This plant has a very exotic look. On the black surface of the foliage, there are red and orange specks and streaks.
4. Variety "Petra". Plants of this species can have lobed, oval and pointed leaves of dark green color with yellow veins and specks.
5. Variety "Mrs. Aiston". The small trees have brightly colored foliage that can be yellow-pink, maroon with pink dots, or golden with black dots.

Croton varigatum is no less popular among flower growers. The plant has the shape of a bush with a bare stem. The leaves of the flower are colored green-brown. Varigatum is represented by several types:

1. The flat-leaved croton has oval wavy leaves that reach 30 cm in length and 10 cm in width.
2. Lobed view. Its distinctive feature is the three-lobed leaves, which can have a monochromatic or variegated color. They reach 22 cm in length.
3. The appendage croton has characteristic green and variegated leaves, which consist of several plates.
4. Decorated codiaum is actively used by breeders to obtain new hybrids.

Croton varieties and names

In the wild, there are only 15 species of codiaum. Thanks to the work of breeders at home, we can grow new bright varieties of it.

Mammy codiaum variety

A bright plant with leaves of an unusual shape. Narrow wavy leaves, even on one plant, can have different colors: red, green with yellow or pink blotches.

Codiaum Excellence

An elegant bush, the leaves of which resemble oak. The leaf plates contain many colored veins of golden yellow and red. The brightness of the leaves depends on their age; the older the leaf, the more red it has. Young foliage has a green-yellow range.

Croton Mrs. Aiston

Large-leaved codiaum with oblong leaves, pointed at the ends. Young leaves also have a green color with yellow veins, but over time they acquire pink, red, orange shades, some of them turn dark green, almost black. The veins on the leaves are dark in color.

Codiaum Mix

In stores you can find plants called "Codiaum Mix". This suggests that the batch includes several varieties. The main feature is that their upper leaves have a clear edging in the same color as the leaf veins. The length of the leaves is about 20 cm.

Croton Sunny Star

One of the most beautiful sunny croton varieties. The bright yellow color sometimes occupies almost the entire part of the thin lingual leaf. Numerous shoots with graceful leaves have a special decorative effect.

Codiaeum aucubolistic

The dark green leaves of this plant seem to be sprinkled with bright yellow spots. The leaf plates are narrow, have an oval-pointed shape. The variety is especially fond of flower growers.

Motley

It is able to change the shape and color of foliage, depending on external factors. Due to this, it is used to obtain new varieties and hybrids that are very different in appearance.

Narrow-leaved

This group is distinguished by long, up to 30 cm and thin, about 1 cm leaves.

Splashes of champagne

The long narrow leaves of this variety are colored deep green. Numerous yellow spots of various diameters and shapes, which are located along the entire length of the leaf, add brightness to the plant.

Zanzibar

Looks very exotic in the interior. Its long, narrow leaves are green, yellow, and red. All these colors, collected in one bush of Zanzibar, make it especially bright and unusual.

Petra

The most famous and best-selling croton variety. Large sinewy ovoid leaves reach 30 cm in length, forming a compact decorative crown. The main feature of Petra is in very thick veins that run from the center of the leaf plate. Green and yellow colors prevail. Only old leaves take on a red tint.

Purchase of a plant

What care should be provided to Croton at home? Much depends on the quality of the plant you purchased in the store. Therefore, I would like to say a few words about how to choose the right plant. Buy only those that look healthy.Plants should have tough, elastic leaves with a bright color. There should be no traces of pests on their surface.

Specimens with sluggish foliage should not be purchased, as they will certainly fall off during adaptation in your home. And in the worst case, the plant may die altogether. It is worth giving preference to young bushes, since they take root more easily and tolerate the adaptation period easier. It is not necessary to purchase a ready-made plant in the store, it is enough to break off the stalk from the croton you like from friends or neighbors.

How does the indoor ornamental plant codeium bloom?

In its appearance, the flower combines all the shades of the autumn palette. The color ranges from yellow and green to orange and red with a small dots pattern, with spots, stripes or prominent veins. There are even dark brown, almost black sheets with bright veins. The older the leaf, the brighter its color. It is this riot of colors that attracts the attention of both professional growers and amateurs.

A bright codiaum blooms, like many ornamental deciduous plants, faded and inconspicuous - small white or barely yellowish flowers, collected in small racemose inflorescences of 15-20 pieces. Both female and male flowers grow. The male representatives can be recognized by the fluffy stamens on each slightly curled petal, and the female representatives by the curved three petals.

This rather whimsical plant, under proper conditions, can grow for more than 15 years. Looks great in spacious, bright rooms, conservatories and verandas. It is popular with the regulars of greenhouse exhibitions and artificial gardens.

For an initial acquaintance, below are photos of a beautiful codiaum flower (including a flowering specimen) - study them.

Lighting and temperature

Maintaining the right temperature and proper lighting is the foundation of home care. The indoor croton flower differs from other crops in the stunningly bright color of the leaves, which attracts the attention of florists to it. In order for the bushes to please with a variegated color, they must be placed in a well-lit place. It must be remembered that with a lack of light, the plant loses its unique decorative effect. But at the same time, in the summer, crotons must be shaded from direct rays. The leaves of the culture only seem tough. However, from the sun burns quickly appear on them, which outwardly resemble spots. In winter, the plant can be placed on the south window. If you organize the care correctly, the croton flower will certainly delight you with its beauty.

It must be remembered that the tropics are the homeland of the codiaum, therefore the culture belongs to the thermophilic. The correct temperature regime is an important component of home care. Croton flower is picky about the air temperature of the room in which it is located. The optimum temperature for the culture is + 20 ... + 22 degrees. Please note that the temperature should not drop below +16 degrees. In summer, the bushes can be placed on the balcony or taken out into the garden, installing protection from the wind and scorching sun rays.

Growing features

The plant takes a long time to get used to new conditions when buying or transplanting. For the good health of croton, it is necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity for it.

In order for the codiaum to retain the pattern and brightness inherent in the variety, it is necessary to provide it with a long daylight hours and bright lighting. However, it is worth remembering that the scorching rays of the sun can burn leaves on the leaves. Therefore, when placing a plant on southern windows, you should think about shading so that the light is bright, but diffused.

Humidity

It must be remembered that the tropical inhabitant is very fond of high air humidity. Therefore, spraying the bushes should become a regular home care procedure.Croton flower should be regularly bathed and sprayed from a spray bottle in the spring and summer.

If the plant is in a cool room in winter, then water procedures can be practically excluded. But remember that heating dries the air quite strongly. If you don't want to bother with winter spraying, move the bushes away from the radiators. Otherwise, you will have to humidify the air twice a day. In addition, you can increase the humidity in a simple way. It is necessary to place a vessel with water or a pallet with wet moss or expanded clay near the pot. There is another way to maintain the necessary moisture for the croton flower. Home care can be greatly simplified by using a humidifier, which is best placed near the bush.

Another important point in the care is to regularly wipe the leaves with a damp sponge. The procedure must be carried out at least once a week.

Reproduction and transplantation

Transplant codiaum

Indoor plant propagation occurs by seeds or cuttings. In order for the seeds to germinate, they are planted immediately after collection, and they do it superficially. Adequate sunlight is needed to get seedlings. With this method of reproduction, it is difficult to predict how a young plant will grow.

Rooting by cuttings is an easier and more reliable way to propagate the codiaum flower. To get a viable stalk, you need to cut a piece about 15 cm high from an adult plant and place it in the ground, covered with a jar or plastic box on top. It turns out a kind of greenhouse. You can pre-treat the slices with growth stimulants and provide comfortable conditions for germination. Typically, this is a room temperature from 25 to 30C, as well as high humidity in the room.

The flower is transplanted in the spring and summer, when the plant is actively developing and growing. It is worth choosing a pot that is not too large in diameter, only 1 - 2 cm higher than the previous container in which the flower grew.

Watering

Very often, amateur flower growers have many questions regarding the correctness of home care. The indoor croton flower cannot be called an unpretentious culture. He is very sensitive, so taking care of him should be especially careful. It is important to properly organize watering of the plant. It is necessary to moisten the bushes so that the soil is always slightly moist. But at the same time, it is important not to allow stagnation of water in the roots. Watering is one of the most important components of care. The croton flower does not like dryness, but it also does not tolerate an excess of moisture, which leads to decay of the root system. At the same time, excessive dryness causes foliage to fall off and dry out.

Therefore, it is recommended to use drainage when planting. Croton flower must be watered regularly and abundantly, but moisture must not be stagnant.

In winter and autumn, watering should be reduced if the room is cool. Experienced flower growers recommend using only warm, settled water. This condition applies not only to watering, but also spraying. Better to take filtered water. In the summer, the plant needs bathing in the shower.

Croton care at home

To make friends with Croton and tame his fastidious disposition, a florist must know how to create comfortable conditions for his indoor pet.

The soil

Croton prefers alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5-7.4. To prepare the soil, peat, humus, coarse sand are mixed in equal proportions and abundantly fertilized with humus.

Transfer

Plants come to shops in a special transport substrate, which does not allow air to pass through well. Therefore, after the purchase, Croton must be transplanted.

But do not rush to replant the plant the same day.A change of scenery is a stressful situation for a sensitive codiaum, do not add additional shock to it with a transplant. Allow at least a week to adapt to new conditions.

Croton transplant process:

• prepare a wide but shallow pot with drainage holes;
• pour a 3 cm layer of expanded clay or other drainage;
• pour some soil into the pot;
• carefully remove the plant from the old pot;
• carefully clean the roots from the substrate;
• place the plant in a new pot so that the roots do not come into contact with the drain;
• add soil and water to the plant.

In the future, the transplant is carried out in the spring or summer. Young plants are transplanted annually into pots that are 3-5 cm larger than the previous ones. Adult specimens that are older than 3-4 years require transplanting only after the root system fills the space of the pot.

Illumination requirements

Good lighting for Croton is essential. After all, it is thanks to the light that an individual variegated color is formed in all varieties of this plant. With a lack of light, its leaves will be almost completely green.

In the summertime, the codiaum needs a bright, but diffused light. Protect it from the scorching rays of the sun, which can burn the leaves. It is better to shade the southern windows a little with a light fabric.

In winter, when there is a lack of natural light, it is recommended to create additional lighting for the plant with lamps.

Temperature regime

Croton grows well at temperatures from + 18 ° C to + 25 ° C. The optimum air temperature is in the range of + 20–22 ° C. This temperature regime must be maintained all year round.

A sharp temperature drop should not be allowed. Croton reacts sharply negatively even to watering with cold water. After which the edges of the leaves of the plant turn brown.

Pinching

Croton branches well and thanks to the pinches, you can form a beautiful dense crown on it. In young plants, the top is pinched when they have reached a height of 15 cm.

Important! After pinching, it is necessary to process the slices with a crushed activated carbon tablet.

Watering

Water croton with settled water at room temperature. Watering is carried out quite often, immediately after the topsoil dries up by 1-1.5 cm.

Important! Stagnation of water in a pot can lead to decay of the roots, therefore, drainage and holes for draining excess liquid must be present in the pot.

Air humidity

In a city apartment, it is difficult to create the desired rainforest moisture for a plant. But you can bring the conditions closer to its natural habitat:

• To increase the humidity, you can put a humidifier or a tray of water next to the crotons.
• It is advisable to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every morning, and spray plants with small leaves.
• Take regular warm showers to keep dust out of foliage. At the same time, it is important to cover an earthen lump so as not to overmoisten the soil.

Fertilizers

Croton's active growth period begins in May and ends in October. At this time, it is necessary to feed the plant every 1-2 weeks. A liquid complex fertilizer, such as Oasis or Ideal, is well suited for this. Water the plant before feeding.

In winter, croton grows much more slowly, therefore, feeding is required less often. It is enough to apply fertilizers every 3-4 weeks.

Regular fertilization not only ensures good growth for the plant, but also enhances the brightness of the color of its leaves.

Bloom

With proper care, Croton blooms regularly in the summer. When flowering, the plant releases an arrow on which small fluffy balls of cream-colored flowers bloom.

Croton is an ornamental deciduous plant and its nondescript flowers do not give it much charm, but take a lot of energy from the plant. Therefore, experienced flower growers recommend cutting off the peduncles immediately.

Life span

If you provide croton with the necessary living conditions for it, then you can enjoy the beauty of this plant for 10 years or more. Unfortunately, not all beginners are able to "negotiate" with this tropical beauty, and often his life expectancy is no more than 1 season.

Fertilizer use

All the beauty of the variegated color of the plant can be appreciated from the photo of the croton flower. How to care for a crop to get the same beautiful bushes as in the store? It is necessary to fertilize the plant regularly. From April to November, you need to do two dressings per month. But in winter, one fertilizer per month is enough.

For top dressing, you should use complex mineral fertilizers created for decorative deciduous crops. Fertilize plants after abundant watering so as not to burn the roots.

Why do the tips of the leaves dry on the codiaum, and what to do if the flower sheds them?

Often, adverse changes in the appearance of croton are not caused at all by pests or some kind of disease, but by a banal non-observance of the conditions for keeping the plant.

If the tips of most leaves of the codiaum dry, then, most likely, the temperature regime of the content is violated. At low temperatures, a similar problem can occur. Or the plant has been under the scorching sun for a long time, which has led to their dehydration. Insufficient watering can also contribute to this problem. To avoid such a situation, it is necessary to ensure a balance of heat and moisture for such a tropical plant.

There may be several reasons why the codiaum began to shed its leaves. Firstly, if this happens in the fall, and the lower leaves crumble, then a normal natural process takes place. So the flower gets rid of the old, burdening leaves.

What to do if the codiaum drops leaves from the top of the tree, the room thermometer will tell you. If the temperature does not hold more than +15 degrees for a long time, then it is urgent to rearrange the flower pot to a warmer place. If there is a sharp drop in temperature indicators, it is necessary to stabilize the air temperature in the room and strengthen the health of the whimsical croton with mineral fertilizers.

Transplant rules

It is no secret that almost all indoor flowers need a regular transplant. Croton in home care is very moody. But at the same time, he needs an annual transplant of young bushes. The transshipment of mature plants can be done much less frequently - about once every three years. The transplant should be carried out in the spring before the onset of the growing season.

For croton, it is necessary to use a soil that is as close as possible to the soil in which it grows in the natural environment. Many growers recommend purchasing a ready-made substrate. But you can prepare the mixture yourself. To do this, in equal proportions, it is necessary to mix humus, sifted sand, turf and peat. By the way, charcoal can be added to the mixture to avoid rotting of the root system. The prepared mixture must be ignited in the oven or spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate so that no insect larvae remain in it.

The convenience of the finished substrate is that it can be used without pretreatment.

Main features of care

Caring for codiaum at home requires knowledge and great effort from the florist. The flower is picky enough to get flowering, you need to try to provide the plant with the most comfortable growing conditions.

In particular, special attention should be paid to:

• correct watering;
• fertilization;
• arrangement for the winter period;
• optimal room temperature;
• lighting;
• the choice of soil and pot;
• crown formation.

If you pay due attention to all the points and provide comfortable conditions for the flower, it will grow and develop in accordance with the schedules approved by the specialists.

Watering rules

Proper watering is the main condition for proper care of the codiaum. This plant is accustomed to moderate moisture application. The root system will not tolerate excessive waterlogging of the soil, as well as aridity.

The substrate must always be kept moist. However, if the room is too cold, watering is reduced significantly. Waterlogging during this period can lead to rotting of the root system. Also, the plant prefers high humidity. This is especially true in winter, when heating radiators are working, as well as in summer, when the temperature outside is higher than normal. At this time, the flower needs regular spraying or a warm shower.

Codiaeum is capricious, excess moisture can lead to the death of a flower. Therefore, the next watering should be done only if the surface of the substrate in the pot dries out.

Fertilization

The plant needs mineral feeding twice a month in the spring and summer. It is important to pay attention to the composition of the purchased product. Nitrogen compounds are categorically unsuitable for the codiaum, as they spoil the color of the leaves.

In order for the plant to be beautiful and meet all the requirements of the grower, it is important to buy fertilizers with a high potassium content. In winter, additional feeding is also required, but in a much lower dosage and only once a month. It is also important to water the flower with fertilizer immediately after adding warm water to avoid damage to the root system.

Peace and illumination in winter

Caring for the codiaum also involves providing adequate lighting and rest for the winter. The flower does not have a pronounced hibernation period; it only stops growth for a period of lowering the temperature. At this time, you need to provide him with a room temperature of about 18 - 20C.

In addition, with the help of artificial lighting, ensure the flow of light to the leaves, since the codiaum suffers from the lack of a sufficient flow of ultraviolet radiation. With the help of lighting devices, it is necessary to increase the daylight hours to 14 hours. The maximum effect is achieved with LED lamps with a warm spectrum. Incandescent lamps are absolutely not suitable.

Optimal temperature and lighting

The optimal and comfortable temperature for a flower is 22-25C.... An error is allowed downward, but not lower than 18C. If the temperature drops below, the plant may not survive such a surge.

The temperature should be about the same all year round. A sharp decrease or increase in indicators can lead to unpleasant consequences - the flower will drop all the leaves. It will be very difficult to restore its normal state later. Codiaum is able to withstand even direct UV rays. He is thermophilic and loves enough light in the room. Lack of light can also lead to leaf fall or a change in the intensity of their color.

To provide the flower with comfortable growing conditions, it is necessary to place the pot with the plant on the windowsill on the south side of the house. In winter, you need to use special lamps.

Soil selection

In specialized stores, you can find a ready-made soil mixture that is suitable for all types of plants, including codiaum variegatum. You can also compose soil for planting yourself.

To do this, use the following ingredients:

• leafy land;
• peat;
• turf;
• sand.

It is important to take all parts in equal proportions. The soil is loose and fluffy, water and oxygen permeable. It is advised to use coarse river sand as drainage. Peat in the composition of the substrate is necessary to provide a slightly acidic environment.When buying ready-made soil for planting a flower in a store, you need to make sure that peat is present in the composition of the substrate.

Crown formation

A beautiful decorative crown can only be achieved through the formation of leaves. The plant always strives upward, so you need to periodically pinch the main stem to get a spherical shape and lush side leaves.

Single-stemmed flowers are advised to be cut. It is important to do this at a height of at least 15 cm. This way the plant will bush well. Timely pruning should also be done. This will allow to renew mature plants and obtain planting material for flower reproduction.

When pruning in spring, remove all weak and dry branches, as well as those shoots that have grown too high and spoil the overall decorative picture. A well-formed bush is a rather lush tree-like plant with large leaves.

Pot selection

Before planting a croton flower, you must choose the right pot correctly. For young bushes, it is worth taking a medium-sized flowerpot that is not deep. There should not be a lot of extra space in the pot, otherwise the roots may rot. It is necessary to replant the plant if you notice that the roots are visible from the drainage hole. The new flowerpot should be slightly wider than the old one. The diameter must be increased by no more than 5 cm.

Young plants brought from the store do not need urgent transplantation. The supply of nutrients in the substrate will be enough for them for a long time. At the initial stage, it is important to provide proper flower care. Croton must adapt in your apartment and get used to new conditions. Moving it from the store to your home is stressful for the plant. Therefore, transplanting at this time can lead to the death of the bush.

Croton in winter

Croton content in winter is not very much, but still differs from summer conditions. Watering is slightly reduced, but they adhere to the rule that the earthen lump must always be moistened.

Wiping the leaves and spraying is carried out a little less often. But it is better to refuse a shower in winter.

Priming

For good development, codiaeum needs a loose, well-fertilized soil. A ready-made mixture for decorative deciduous plants, which can be purchased at the store, is perfect.

To make the soil yourself, mix in equal proportions:

• sod land;
• deciduous land;
• peat;
• sand.

Bake the mixture in the oven for 30 minutes to kill fungi and other harmful microorganisms that may be in the soil.

Pot

A young croton is transplanted annually into a shallow pot, slightly larger than the previous one. Adult specimens need replanting every 2-3 years when roots begin to peek out of the drainage holes.

When choosing a new pot, give preference to a slightly larger volume, the diameter of which is about 5 cm larger than the previous one.

Location

The thermophilic croton grows well and develops at a temperature of + 18–25 ° C. Temperatures outside this range - above + 26 ° C and below + 18 ° C - have a detrimental effect on the plant.

With a prolonged cold snap below + 14 ° C, Croton can get sick, shed all the leaves and die.

The plant does not tolerate drafts, therefore it is not recommended to place it near an open window and even to take it out to the balcony in summer.

East or west windows are most suitable for the location of croton. In the summer heat, shade the plant a little so that the scorching rays of the sun do not burn the leaves.

In winter, it is advisable to transfer the plant to the sunniest windowsill.

Transfer

Many novice flower growers are wondering how to plant croton. The flower needs good drainage. Therefore, at the bottom of the pot, it is necessary to put a layer of expanded clay, the thickness of which should be at least three centimeters. Before planting the plant, it is necessary to shed the soil well in order to carefully remove the roots from the old flowerpot without damaging them.If the earth ball does not disintegrate, the root system will remain intact.

Soil is poured onto the bottom of the container with drainage. Next, a flower is placed in a flowerpot and the roots are covered with earth. Press down on the soil with your hands. The planted bush is watered abundantly with settled water. In the future, it is very important to ensure proper flower care. After transplantation, Croton must be placed in a slightly shaded place. The plant must be regularly watered and sprayed with its leaves.

Young crotons are transplanted annually. As soon as the plant is transplanted into a container with a diameter of 25 cm, it is no longer transshipped. The top of the soil can be renewed annually. This is quite enough for the plant.

How to transplant codiaum with proper flower care

Transplantation of a codiaum flower may be needed up to 2 times a year. This is due to the rapid growth of the plant and the rapid growth of the root system, which, filling the entire space of the pot, will not get the opportunity to develop further. In this case, the growth rate will immediately noticeably decrease, the leaves will begin to fall off. The new container should be 2-2.5 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. As a rule, an adult, finally formed croton, is placed in a pot with a diameter of 25-27 cm.Of course, with age, the flower no longer has such an active growth rate, and transplantation will be needed less often. It will be enough to renew the upper layers of the substrate once every 6-8 months.

In terms of care and transplantation, codiaum at home is quite difficult and even hazardous to health. Be careful! The juice irritates the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, if it gets on the skin, it is urgent to rinse the affected area on the body with running cold water. It is best to use household gloves (nitrile or rubber) when working and caring for such a plant. And, of course, do not have such a plant if there are small children in the house and pets.

Transplanting a codiaum flower at home is usually done in the spring or summer. To do this, select a wide (up to 12-13 cm in diameter) and shallow (no more than 17 cm high) pot, fill the bottom with large expanded clay - a layer at least 2.5 cm thick.

Broken bricks or fine gravel can also be used as drainage. Then you should fill the container with the substrate, without adding 3-4 cm to the top of the pot. Make a small depression in the center and plant the plant so that the roots do not touch the drainage layer. After tamping the ground a little, add the substrate to the very edge of the pot. Pour over with warm, settled water. Remember that the pot itself must be placed on a saucer of water, covered with gravel. This will provide moisture to the ground during hot periods.

Below is a video on how to properly transplant a codiaum flower at home. Watch it for the purpose of facilitating the transplant process or for general information:

Reproduction

How to breed croton? The flower can be propagated in several ways: by seed and cuttings. The last method is very simple and convenient. To get a young plant, it is enough to cut off the top of the bush and root it. If you want to get several cuttings, you need to divide the shoot into several parts. Please note that each piece of the stem must have at least one healthy leaf and one internode. Only in this case, the cutting can be rooted and a new flower can be obtained. Reproduction of croton is not difficult. The resulting pieces of the stem on the cuts secrete milky juice, which is a poisonous substance. The white juice must be washed off with water. Then the cuttings are dried for several hours. Leaves are removed from the bottom of them. The upper leaves are cut in half parallel to the veins.

Dried cuttings can be placed in a container of water. The liquid in the container should not be cold (+ 23 ... + 30 degrees). In cooler water, the plant will not only not give roots, but will also rot.How to propagate a flower? Croton, whose photo is striking in its beauty, can be planted in a pot only after roots up to 2 cm long have grown.In the future, it is necessary to regularly spray the soil and the plant itself. When the elasticity of the foliage is restored, the croton will begin to grow.

Insect pests of codiaum

The most common pests for codiaum that can attack a beautiful flower and even destroy it in the absence of wellness measures are:

• Spider mite.
• Shield.
• Scratch.
• Multi-claw mite.

Spider mite - This insect is red and small in size. As a rule, it lives on the underside of the leaf, braiding the surface with a white thin web. If this pest starts on the plant, then small white dots and spots appear over the entire surface of the leaves. If the tick is not removed in time, there is a possibility that the flower will dry out. To eliminate it, it is necessary to disinfect the entire surface of the plant using tobacco infusion with laundry soap, then rinse well with warm water and treat with ground sulfur or a ready-made store-bought preparation (insecticide). The spider mite can be the reason why the leaves of the codiaum dry.

Shield Is a pest that causes dark brown spots on the entire surface of the plant. It multiplies very rapidly, adults sit motionless, hiding behind "shields" from which small larvae crawl out. As they spread, they infect an ever larger area of ​​the flower. To eliminate this pest, it is enough to moisten a cotton pad with soapy water and manually remove all foci of infection. This procedure should be carried out repeatedly until the pest is completely eliminated.

Scratch - manifests itself very often in an indoor flower called codiaum in the form of white waxy secretions on the veins of the leaves and petioles of the plant. The pest is very miniature in size and lives in colonies. To eliminate it, it is necessary to isolate the plant from the rest of the home flowers and start treating the affected areas with mineral oil, under the film of which the worm will suffocate. It is necessary to carry out the procedure in dim sunlight and until all colonies of the pest are eliminated.

Multi-claw mite - the main sign of this pest is the appearance of brown crusts on the petioles of the plant and the cessation of the growth of leaves at the ends of the shoots, their coarseness and curling downward. To combat this pest, it is enough to treat the plant with mineral oil, or laundry soap, or a ready-made store preparation (Fitoverm, Vertimek, etc.).

Below are photos of the varieties of codiaum diseases and its most common pests, by which you can study in detail what the external signs of damage look like:

Seed propagation

The plant can also be propagated by seeds. It is important to remember that freshly harvested material must be used for sowing. Croton seeds lose their germination very quickly. Experienced growers recommend propagating the plant by cuttings. Firstly, this method is much easier, and secondly, it allows you to preserve all varietal characteristics. Unfortunately, the same results cannot be achieved with seed propagation. The process takes a very long time and does not give the desired result.

If you do decide to use seeds, you must first warm them up in water at a temperature of 60 degrees for 30 minutes. After they must be left to swell in liquid for a day.

The prepared seeds are sown in containers with soil to a depth of no more than one centimeter. The boxes with crops are covered with glass from above and placed in a warm place with a temperature of at least 22 degrees. Before sprouting, watering must be done through the pallet. Next, the glass is removed, and the pots are taken out to a more illuminated place.As soon as the plants have a third leaf, they can be transplanted into separate containers to get young homemade croton flowers. How to care for seedlings in the future? Seedling care is exactly the same as for adult plants.

Croton reproduction

Croton propagation by cuttings

Croton is propagated by apical or stem cuttings - this is the simplest and almost always successful method. You can get cuttings and propagate croton in this way throughout the year.

The most favorable time for cutting cuttings is early spring, until the plant starts to grow actively.

Breeding process:

• select and cut a 6–10 cm long stalk with one internode with an adult leaf and a bud;
• Rinse off milky juice on a cut or dry with a napkin;
• cut the largest leaves on top of the cutting in half, they take away strength from the shoot;
• remove the lower leaves;
• keep the cuttings dry for a couple of hours to dry the slices;
• after the slices are dry, put the shoots in warm water for rooting.

It is important that the water temperature during rooting is 25–30 ° C. You can also add a growth promoter to the water.

To make the cuttings rooted easily, it is better to cut them from lignified shoots.

When the roots reach a length of 2-3 cm croton can be planted in the ground.

Propagation of croton by air layers

Breeding process:

• choose a sturdy, lignified shoot that does not have foliage;
• at a distance of about 10 cm from the end of the stem, carefully cut off the bark to expose 1 cm of the trunk;
• treat the cut site with a growth activator;
• wrap sphagnum with wet moss;
• cover with a bag and secure.

Next, moisturize the moss regularly until airy roots appear. This will happen in about 4-6 weeks.

After the aerial roots grow back, the stem is cut off and the seedling is planted in the ground.

Croton propagation by seed

The most time consuming way to breed croton. In addition, it is important to know that:

• the seeds do not convey the properties of the parent plant;
• very quickly lose their germination after ripening;
• before sowing, be sure to decontaminate the seeds.

Breeding process:

• select the largest seeds;
• disinfect the grains by immersing them in hot water for 30 minutes;
• keep in water at room temperature or a growth stimulator for 24 hours;
• pour loose, sterilized substrate into the pots;
• make holes in the ground, 1 cm deep;
• place seeds in the holes, cover them with soil;
• moisten and cover with plastic.

After the emergence of seedlings, the greenhouse is gradually opened. And when the third leaf appears, transplant the seedlings into separate pots.

Croton propagation by a leaf

It is impossible to grow croton from a leaf. If you put a leaf in water, then after a while roots will appear on it, but the plant will not develop further. For successful reproduction, you need a leaf, at least 1 bud and part of the stem.

Air layering

You've probably noticed that crotons often have a bare trunk. This phenomenon affects the decorative effect of the bush. But don't be upset. From the plant, you can get air layers for a young plant. To do this, in June, at a distance of 10-15 centimeters from the apex, a circular incision up to 0.8 cm wide is made on the stem. The cut site is certainly treated with a stimulant so that the roots form faster. You can also use sphagnum moss wrapped around the plant. From above, the cut is covered with a film and tied with a rope. From above, the oilcloth must be fastened not too tightly so that you can regularly moisten the moss. The first roots will appear in about a month. But you can cut off the cutting only after the roots grow up to five centimeters. Many leaves are usually retained on the cut. A good root system is needed to keep them alive.

The cut stalk is planted in a pot with prepared soil. Saplings are placed in a shaded place for two weeks.During this period, the plant must be sprayed frequently. It is still very weak, so it cannot get the required amount of water through the roots.

Layers can be obtained in another way. The lignified shoot is pressed to the ground and sprinkled with soil in this state. To accelerate the development of the root system from the bottom of the branch, you can remove the bark. After the emergence of young leaves from the ground, the new plant can be separated from the mother.

How to propagate a codiaum flower?

Codiaum reproduces vegetatively and by seeds.

Cuttings:

• any time of the year is suitable for reproduction, but spring is considered optimal (before the shoots appear);
• the apical cutting is cut at a right angle, 10 cm long;
• wipe the cut site with a napkin;
• the stalk is sent under warm running water to wash off the juice or place it in a glass with charcoal until the sap flow stops;
• further, dry the twig for 2 hours;
• leave one whole leaf on the handle and roll it up in a tube to retain moisture;
• you can root a cut twig in water or in the ground;
• before planting in the ground, treat the lower part with a growth stimulator;
• if water is used, then it is necessary to monitor its temperature regime, it should be within 23-30 degrees. C. A lower temperature will lead to rotting of the sprout, and a high temperature will slow down rooting and death;
• rooting will occur in 12-14 days. This will be seen by the leaflet, it will become elastic;
• a cutting rooted in water is transplanted into soil with the following components: sand, peat, peat, leaf and sod land (in equal parts).

The cut tops of the codiaum have released the roots Air layering:

• in summer, the trunk is bare and then, at a distance of 15 cm from the top, remove the upper layer of the stem around the trunk, 1 cm wide;
• treat the cut off site with any growth stimulant, wrap with sphagnum and a plastic bag;
• water the substrate constantly;
• after 1.5 months, the roots will appear, they will be visible through the package;
• as soon as they reach a length of 5 cm, cut off the layers and transplant into the ground;
• there is another way of reproduction by air layers, when the lignified trunk is lowered into the ground, pinned and sprinkled with soil;
• watering is periodically carried out;
• as soon as young leaves appear, this is a signal that rooting has occurred;
• the twig is separated from the mother bush and transplanted into another flowerpot.

Codiaum. Propagation by air layers Seeds:

• for seed propagation, seeds of annual ripening are used;
• planting material is disinfected with hot water;
• then sent to warm water for swelling for 24 hours;
• the seeds are processed with phytohormones and sent to the ground with a temperature of 22 degrees. by C;
• from above it is covered with a small layer of earth;
• the appearance of two leaves is a signal for a dive of seedlings;
• during cultivation, observe the temperature and watering regime, spray the plants and ventilate the room.

Indoor maple Abutilon - home care, photo.

A list of indoor plants that can easily tolerate shade in this overview.

The subtleties of caring for the money tree

Pruning

In any magazine you can see beautiful photos of a croton flower. How to care for a plant to get the same beautiful tree? The culture requires pruning. By the way, many growers neglect it, although pruning is an obligatory part of the care. Codiaum / croton can be very beautiful if shaped regularly. Housewives refuse to form the crown because of the poisonous sap of the plant. But this is fundamentally wrong. The point is that cropping has several functions:

1. Formation of a beautiful tree or bush.
2. Prevention of possible depletion of the plant due to lack of nutrients in all shoots.
3. A hygienic procedure to remove damaged and dry leaves and branches.

Do not be intimidated by the poisonous sap of the plant, which does not interfere with pruning at all.After all, in the end you want to get a beautiful indoor flower. How to care for croton? Pruning the plant should be done with gloves that protect your skin. The juice contributes to the rapid tightening of the cuts, so the cuttings take root well.

The pruning procedure must be carried out regularly. After reaching the required height, all stems should be pinned or trimmed. This will stimulate the growth of dense lateral growth.

It is worth saying that care also depends on the age of the plant. An indoor croton flower is pinched when it comes to a young bush. On adult specimens, the branches are cut off. After each such procedure, the plant must be treated with stimulants and placed in a greenhouse.

Please note that when pruning, flower buds and inflorescences, if any, must be removed. Modest flowers do not adorn the bushes at all, but they greatly deplete them, which is reflected in the decorative effect. Pruning plants of different varieties has its own characteristics. As you know, the petra croton does not branch very well. If you want to achieve the splendor of the bush, it is worth planting several bushes in one flowerpot. You can create a wonderful mix. In this case, it is necessary to form each plant separately.

Cropping should be done in early spring. It is better to do this before the onset of an active vegetative period. The first pinching can be done at the moment when the plant reaches 15 cm in height. In this case, the upper points of growth are cut off. In the future, all shoots are cut when their length reaches 20 cm. This cutting scheme allows you to awaken the lateral buds in order to force the bush to actively branch.

The formation of a beautiful bush is not only about proper pruning. The plant must be regularly rotated relative to the light source. This will avoid the one-sided crown. For adult crotons, the cut sites must be treated with chopped charcoal. By the way, cuttings can be used to produce new plants.

Indoor flower codiaum - types and photos

The genus of the Euphorbia family includes 17 species. In room culture, the motley codiaum species is popular. Flower codiaum with photo:

Disraeli

The leaves are lanceolate. The upper part of the bush is green, the lower one is burgundy.

Codiaum Disraeli
Splashes of champagne
The leaves of the plant are narrow and long. The green background of the leaves is decorated with yellow specks.

Codiaum Champagne Splash
Tamara
The leaves are large, dark green with light edging along the edges.

Codiaum Tamara
Nervia
The crown of the variety has a multi-colored color: pink, yellow, green.

Codiaum Nervia
Zanzibar
A flower with long leaves up to 40 cm. It has a yellow-green and pink color with a beautiful bend.

Codiaum Zanzibar
Mrs. Aiston
Wide leaves, rounded. Young specimens are cream-colored, older specimens acquire a multi-colored color.

Codiaum Mrs. Aiston
Gold Sun
Crown color is green-yellow. Adult specimens are tree-shaped.

Codiaum Gold Sun

Possible problems

The beauty of the foliage is the main advantage of the indoor croton flower. How to care for him, we told earlier. Compliance with all the rules will avoid problems. If something is wrong with the plant, look for mistakes made in the care. Eliminating them will help return the bush to its previous state.

Why do Croton leaves fall? The flower can shed foliage at the bottom of the trunk. This process is natural. In this case, do not worry if all the rest of the foliage is in order.

If you notice that the tips of the leaves are drying out, causing them to fall off in the future, this indicates a low level of humidity in the house. Tropical handsome man does not have enough moisture, and he dries.

When the plant is kept in low temperature conditions, the edges of the leaf plates dry out. Brown spots may also form.This phenomenon is observed if the plant suffers from cold, which leads to leaf fall. A similar picture can be observed when the bush is in a draft.

If for a long time Croton does not receive the required amount of moisture through watering, it begins to dry out en masse and shed its foliage. Since the root system does not receive enough moisture, it cannot provide it to the entire plant.

Sometimes croton drops the leaves. Why is this happening? This situation is the plant's reaction to the cold. When the roots are cold, they do not supply moisture to the plant. The flower pot must be moved to a sunny, warm place and watering should be organized. In the periods between wetting, the soil should dry out in peas by a few centimeters. Until the situation returns to normal, you should not feed the plant. It must be sprayed with water and wrapped in a transparent bag.

Loss of foliage elasticity indicates excessive soil moisture. Abundant and frequent watering does not allow the soil to dry out. Sometimes the stem can even rot. But the most dangerous is rotting of the root system. Therefore, it is very important to adhere to the watering schedule.

Sometimes crotons don't want to grow at all. Why is this happening? This situation develops in the event that the plant does not have enough light. For a tropical dweller, the sun is the basis of life. To improve the situation, the pot should be moved to a more illuminated place.

Sudden leaf fall is possible if the plant is watered with cold water. Croton prefers warm watering. In the cold season, the water needs to be slightly heated.

Do not worry if the young leaves on the bush are not decorative. This is normal. New foliage is usually dull yellow or green and becomes variegated with age.

Croton pests and diseases and possible problems

If Croton is in unfavorable conditions for him, various diseases and pests may appear.

Pests that can settle on croton: nematode, mealybug, spider mites, scale insect.

Red spider mite

Most often, croton affects the red spider mite. These are small, barely noticeable insects that live on the underside of the leaves, entwining them with cobwebs. Spider mites are usually caused by poor watering and insufficient air humidity.

Shield

The scale insect is less likely to affect croton. If small brown plaques appear on the leaves, then the plant is affected by the scabbard and in order to save it, you need to take measures to remove it.

You can get rid of pests by wiping the leaves with soapy water or treating the plant with an insecticide, which can be purchased at the store.

Croton dropped the leaves

If you notice that the croton has dropped its leaves, move it to a warm place. In the cold, the root system cannot function normally and moisture does not go well to the shoots and leaves.

Leaves wither and dry (tips of leaves dry)

The lower old leaves dry out over time and fall off - this is a natural process. The edges of the leaves dry out from insufficient watering. If dry brown spots appear on the leaves, the plant is cold, it is worth moving it to a warmer place.

Croton drops leaves

Falling foliage can occur due to insufficient watering, too dry air, coolness in the room, or drafts.

Also, moisture stagnation and root decay can be the cause of leaves falling off. In this case, you need to cut off the apical stalk and re-root it.

Croton growth is very slow

In winter, plant growth naturally slows down. If croton grows poorly in spring and summer, this means that it does not have enough light.

Gray or brown spots

Gray or brown spots on the leaves are a manifestation of anthracnose, a fungal disease that usually appears due to high soil moisture.To cure the plant, it is necessary to treat it with a fungicide every 10 days. Up to 4 such treatments are carried out.

Withering

The reason for the wilting of the leaves, as a rule, is a lack of light or watering. Move the croton to a lighter spot and gradually increase the watering.

Important! You should not immediately pour the plant abundantly.

How to rejuvenate croton at home?

If the plant is elongated, has a long bare stem and you are not satisfied with its appearance, you can rejuvenate the croton by cutting off the apical stalk. This technique helps the lateral buds to wake up. And the cut stalk can be rooted.

Diseases

The plant rarely gets sick, because it is poisonous. But errors in care can lead to the appearance of ailments.

Sometimes bushes suffer from anthracosis. The disease appears with frequent watering with cold water. A sign of anthracosis is red and gray ash spots on foliage. The fungus is very dangerous to the culture. It penetrates into the tissues of the plant and infects it. Diseased bushes must be isolated and treated with an antifungal agent. All plants that have come into contact with croton must be treated with biological products.

Root rot is no less dangerous. It may appear due to the low acidity of the soil. A symptom of the disease is pallor and foliage. Subsequently, the stems and roots soften. To combat rot, antifungal agents of a wide spectrum of action are used.

Spider mites can settle on weakened plants. In this case, a thin cobweb appears on the plant. The cause of the appearance of parasites is dry air and lack of watering.

When a light fluffy bloom appears on the foliage, we can say that it is a mealybug. Also, a scale insect can settle on Croton. In this case, heels appear on the foliage. When pests appear, the plant pot must be isolated and treated with soapy water. After the foliage must be wiped with vegetable oil. If the bush is heavily infested with pests, you can use Actellik or insecticides for treatment.

Common codiaeum diseases and their treatment

The most common diseases of the codiaum flower:

• Anthracnose.
• Root rot.

Anthracnose - a fungal disease that manifests itself as gray and or gray-red spots. For treatment, it is necessary to apply a course of treatment of the plant and soil with a fungicide with a break of 10-15 days. Recovery will come after 3-4 times of disinfection.

Signs of root rot are considered to be the appearance of fadedness and softness of the leaves of the flower. The root system becomes watery and stratified. Mold often appears on the surface of the soil. To combat this disease, first of all, they replace the soil with dry soil, reduce the abundance and frequency of watering. A solution of antifungal drugs (for example, such as "Fitosporin-M" or "Alirin-B") is poured into a saucer.

The video below details the codiaum diseases and their treatment:

Such information will be useful for all owners of such an elegant handsome man. After all, knowing about the risk of the disease, you can prevent its occurrence.

Instead of an afterword

Many growers consider croton to be a capricious plant. All the difficulties with growing it arise from improper care. The slightest errors cause violent reactions. The whimsical handsome man is a tropical inhabitant, it is not surprising that in our area it is not easy for him to take root. Croton, with proper care, can grow well in the house for up to ten years. A perennial plant in the hands of experienced florists can reach impressive sizes.

The main value of culture lies in its decorativeness. With proper care, Croton pleases with variegated foliage and large leaves. The plant is not prone to disease due to its toxicity. And yet, with a lack of watering and air humidity, crotons can be capricious and sick.This means that simply following the rules of care will avoid trouble.

Signs and superstitions

• It is believed that Codiaum (Croton) is a very energetically strong flower. Many believe that he does not allow people with negative energy into the house. The flower senses people with bad thoughts and protects from them the people who live in the same room with it. Croton affects the order and stability in the house.
• It raises the efficiency of its owners, who are in indecision, despondency, pessimism. Codiaum gives self-confidence and removes all negative phenomena. People with speech problems communicate better in the room where the plant is located.
• For people involved in art, the flower is useful for new ideas and designs. It is also good to have a plant in the workplace to harmonize business relationships between employees.

Varietal variety

There are also many types of crotons. The only difference is in the varieties of color, size and flowers.

Tamara Branch

One of the varieties of codiaum. It has a bright color, the height in nature ranges from 2 to 4 meters, and at home 1-1.5 meters. The color is most often green-white. At home, it practically does not bloom. Croton care is easy.

Excellence

It has bright variegated leaves, a beautiful bush. Height up to 100 centimeters. Veins are visible on the leaves. Color from white-green to yellow. The juice can cause allergies.

Mrs. Aiston

Color from green to red. Croton height is 100 centimeters. The leaves are wide, sinewy. Croton has good disease resistance and excellent decorative qualities.

Mammi - Codiaeum mammi

An unusual variety, characterized by a twisted leaf shape. Very popular with gardeners and florists. Color from green to pink, sometimes red. The plant is small, from 50 to 110 centimeters.

Zanzibar

Major representative. Has large leaves of 40 centimeters. Croton height is 1-1.5 meters. The color of the leaves is from green to red. The leaves are not very wide. Has small dots.

Aukubolistic

Croton has a spotted color, Leaves are large, wide, smooth, with shine. There are yellow spots on the surface of the leaf. The growth of the bush is from 1 to 1.5 meters.

Nervia

A bush with spreading leaves, very sinewy. The color is green, with yellow or orange veins. Sometimes there are specimens with a pink tint. Stripes are visible. The size is small, about 100-120 centimeters.

See also

Rules for the care and cultivation of Wanda orchids at home

Tiglium, or laxative

Has no decorative value. The foliage is just green. But Croton is famous for its healing properties. It is taken as a laxative. The tree is evergreen. Leaves are ovoid, round. The flowers ripen into green-yellow fruits.

Curly

Croton has curved leaf edges. Color from green to red. Small veins are visible. The height of the bush is 100-140 centimeters.

Three-bladed

The leaves are in the shape of lobes. There is green on the sides, which turns into almost white in the center. Height is 100-150 centimeters.

Andrew

Croton with lanceolate long leaves. The color is green to white in the middle. Croton is covered with light spots. Height is 1-1.5 meters.

Mix

Quite a popular variety. The color is most often green. Big sizes. Growth 1-1.6 meters. Sinewy shoots and leaves.

Description of appearance

Croton is an ornamental deciduous plant originating from the Euphorbia family, the Croton genus. The historical homeland of Croton is the forests of Southeast Asia, the Malaysian Islands, some islands of the Pacific Ocean and India.

In nature, you can find crotons up to 3 meters in size, but at home only with great effort can you reach a maximum of 1.5 meters - you need to spend a lot of effort on this. However, the price justifies the remedy, as this small tree will decorate your home all year round and become a good friend.

The shape of croton leaves depends on the species, just like their variegated colors.

The most common type of crotons (Croton Variegated) has a laurel-shaped leaf, but hybrids of this type can be found with curved, twisted, lobed, forked and ribbon leaves.

Content

• Listen to the article
• Growing features
• Croton care at home How to care
• Croton transplant
• Croton in winter

Transplant and pruning

Croton will constantly grow upward without pruning. This will lead to the fact that nutrients are poorly delivered to the upper leaves. To do this, when the plant grows to the desired height, its top is cut off and rooted separately. If there are several shoots, pinch all. This leads to the growth of lateral shoots and an increase in bushiness.

After the purchase, the croton must be transplanted, but this does not need to be done immediately, since the plant must be in quarantine for 2 weeks, separately from the rest of the indoor flowers. This is necessary for the possible detection of pests or diseases.

The transplant process consists of the following activities:

• Soil and drainage preparation.

• Removing the plant from the old pot along with the earthy clod.

• Installing it in a new container and sprinkling the roots with soil.

If rotten or dry roots are found, they are removed. After transplanting, the croton is watered and sent to the shaded area of ​​the windowsill for adaptation. During this period, you can use growth stimulants - Epin, Uniflor or others.

Blooming - is it necessary to allow it at home

According to popular beliefs, the bloom of croton is considered a bad sign, but this is superstition. If the flower is blooming, then home care is right for it. Another thing is that it will not work to get seeds for seedlings from one plant, since female and male flowers are needed.

In addition, flowering takes up a lot of nutrition and the flower weakens. If you do not take care of feeding in time, it may even die. In order not to risk an adult beautiful plant, the arrow that appears can be cut off, and the cut can be processed with crushed coal.

Photo gallery

Croton transplant

For transplanting croton, shallow and wide containers should be used. In this case, the drainage layer (at the bottom of the pot) should be at least 3 centimeters, for this you can use expanded clay, broken brick or ordinary fine gravel. The pot itself must be placed in a tray of gravel, in which there will always be water. This will allow you to permanently maintain the moisture content of the earthy coma.

Planting or transplanting a plant is usually done in summer or spring. Croton should be placed in a small hole in the soil so that its root system does not touch the drainage layer.

Young crotons require an annual transplant, which should be carried out in the summer or spring. Mature plants require replanting as the pot fills with the root system. At the same time, the volume of the new container should not greatly exceed the volume of the old one, and the diameter should be 3-5 centimeters larger, and before transplanting, it is necessary to add high-quality fertile soil to the pot. You should not transplant croton if you do not know exactly how to do it in a timely manner and correctly, this can only harm your plant or even ruin it.

By pinching off the top shoot of the plant, you can give it the shape of a bush, although its natural crown shape is the shape of a small tree. However, you should not count on rapid crown formation, since the lateral shoots grow much slower than the stem.

What kind of soil is needed?

To grow codiaum, you need a nutritious light, loose soil that is good for air and moisture and has a pH of 6.5-7.4. You can buy a ready-made potting soil mixture for indoor ornamental plants in the store. But, as a rule, it has a high peat content, so leafy soil is added to it. You can prepare the soil mixture yourself, mixing in equal parts:

• peat;
• leafy ground;
• sod land;
• humus;
• river sand.

For an adult plant, the amount of leafy land must be increased.

To destroy pests and microbes, the soil is calcined or frozen. Also, for the purpose of disinfection, soil is spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate or fine charcoal is added to it.

Views

The following varieties of croton are common:

• Motley - able to change color when external conditions change;
• Petra - with a characteristic branching trunk and dense glossy leaves;
• Miss Aiston - a variety with short, rounded at the tips of the leaves, which have red-pink and yellow shades;
• Excelent - with a crown resembling oak leaves;
• Mummy - leaves are wavy, curving, flashy-bright colors.

Homeland of the plant

Croton is a spectacular and vibrant representative of wild plants growing in the Pacific Islands, Northern Australia, Southeast Asia and India. Today, there are over 1000 species of wild plants.

As an indoor flower, amateur florists grow only one subspecies - this is a variegated croton, as well as its hybrid brethren, artificially bred. “Joseph's Cloak” is one of the most spectacular and beautiful representatives among ornamental plants. Such a flower will adorn any interior of an apartment, house or office, and will delight the eyes of the owner for many years.

Reference! In ancient times, croton was considered a talisman against evil spirits, the evil eye and negative energy; it was also endowed with the properties of preserving family ties and maintaining "fire" in the hearth.

Croton description

In the wild, Croton grows up to 3 meters in height. And at home, this houseplant grows up to 1 meter, and almost all of its species, with the most careful care, do not grow above one and a half meters. This flower is very beautiful and decorative. It can decorate not only our home, but also the lobbies of hotels, schools, medical institutions and various offices. Its leaves, of unusual color and shape, always catch the eyes of people. Croton has the shape of a small tree, although one should not hope for the rapid formation of a beautiful crown. In order for the flower to grow neat and beautiful, it must be trimmed, thereby forming a lush bush.

So croton blooms

Codiaum is a flowering plant. With a rare bloom of croton, an arrow appears with small nondescript flowers of light yellow color. These flowers do not have much beauty and decorativeness, but Croton spends considerable strength and nutrients on their flowering. Therefore, flower growers usually remove these arrows immediately.

Croton species

Codiaum Variegated - the most common domesticated type of codiaum. It is his flower growers who are often called croton. There are about 15 species of croton, on the basis of which many hybrids have been bred. Different varieties differ in size, color and shape of the leaves. Below is a description and photos of the most popular of them.

Petra

Croton Petra has bright green dense glossy leaves, which are arranged alternately on the stem. They are oval or lobed. The edges of the leaves and veins are bright yellow. The trunk is branching.

Mrs. Aiston

Croton Mrs. Ayston has wide, short leaves with a rounded tip. The color of the leaves is uneven, it has different shades - yellow, red, pink.

Norm

Croton Norm differs in that on its emerald - green leaves, yellow, different sizes, spots and bright red veins are clearly distinguished.

Goldfinger

The variety Gold Finger leaves are very long, thin, green-yellow in color.

Excellence

Excellence has leaves, like those of an oak - large, dense, with veins of different colors. The upper side of the leaf is yellow-green, and the lower is yellow-purple up to the petiole.

Mummy

Variety Mummy has beautiful red-green leaves interspersed with yellow, red and pink. The leaves are wavy, curving, curling inward.

Gold Sun

Variety Gold Sun - has large oval leaves of light green color with yellow spots of different sizes.

It may be interesting: Classification of types of peperomia

Croton Zanzibar also distinguished by its leaves - thin, long, hanging down, of different colors - from yellow-brown and orange to red.

General characteristics

Due to the large number of different varieties of this plant, the appearance of Codiaum can take many forms. Its leaves can be twisted, in the form of lobes, oval, with a sharp or blunt end.

The color scheme is also varied, starting from green and olive shades, and ending with burgundy and rich browns. At the same time, many shades can be present within one flower, making it an excellent bright addition to the home interior.

The conditions for growing Codiaeum at home are the same for all species. A flower needs:

• bright, but without direct rays of the Sun, lighting;
• high-quality watering (abundant in the hot season, and moderately in the cold);
• sufficient humidity (at least twice a week, the flower must be washed, and daily must be sprayed with water);
• comfortable temperature, dropping at least 18 degrees Celsius;
• timely spring transplant, and quality breeding.

How the houseplant croton blooms

Croton - reproduction at home

The flowering period is late February-early March.

The flowers are white with a yellowish tinge and are rather inconspicuous. Formed in the leaf axils of the plant. Collected in a medium-sized panicle, which is located on a dense peduncle. Bright sunlight stimulates the appearance of flowers.

Flowers are dioecious. Usually, female flowers appear first, then male flowers. The flowering period is about a month.

Croton blooms greatly weaken the plant, so they are usually removed.

What conditions need to be created at home

There is a version that it is the non-standard color of the codiaum leaves that determines its capriciousness. The lack of green color in the terrestrial organs of the flower hinders the process of photosynthesis, which, as you know, allows the plant to provide the energy it needs. Therefore, in order for the croton to feel comfortable, it is so important to create the most favorable conditions for it, otherwise the flower may not endure the struggle for survival.

Did you know? In 1950, a special croton nursery was opened in the US state of Florida, where you can see more than five hundred different varieties of this plant.

Seat selection

The wrong choice of location is the first mistake of an inexperienced grower, which can cost a codiaum his life. Croton's needs in this regard are very contradictory, so it can be quite difficult to satisfy them. In particular, the owner should take into account that this flower:

• loves warmth, but does not tolerate dry air, so it cannot be placed near heating appliances;
• photophilous, but gets burned in direct sunlight and often sheds foliage;
• absolutely not adapted to sudden changes in temperature, and can die from the slightest draft.

Important! The brightness and variegation of the colors of the codiaum directly depend on the lighting, and the role here is played not only by its intensity, but also by the duration. Any variety of croton, being in the shade, has solid green leaves.

The best place for codiaum is east or west windows.Away from the light, you can place those plant varieties that have a green leaf color without iridescent blotches.

Temperature and humidity

Croton loves warmth, but the problem is that in city apartments, both in summer and during the heating season, hot air is too dry, therefore, the optimal conditions for the plant are temperature parameters between +20 and +22 ºC, and the permissible maximum is at the level +28 ° C. In winter, it is better to maintain these indicators at the level of + 18 ... + 19 ° С. It is also important that fluctuations between day and night temperatures do not exceed two to three degrees.

Humidity is one of the most difficult conditions in caring for codiaum. The flower suffers so much from dry air that regular spraying cannot solve the problem. Experts recommend using additional humidifiers, for example, placing containers with moss, sand or expanded clay around the pot, and constantly adding water to them. You can place the plant in a special glass container for growing - florarium, where it is much easier to create a suitable microclimate for it.

In addition to humidifying the air, an integral part of caring for codiaum is the regular removal of dust from the leaf plates, otherwise the already complicated process of photosynthesis may slow down even more. From time to time, the plant can be bathed in the shower, protecting the surface of the earth from excessive water ingress.

Diseases and pests, treatment prevention

Codiaum, a photo of which indicates decorative beautiful plants with variegated foliage, is rarely damaged by diseases and pests. This is mainly the fault of the gardener. For example, watering a crop with hard water can cause the tips of the leaves to turn yellow.

At the same time, direct sunlight causes burns to the leaves of the plant.

And a couple more nuances to which you should pay attention - when the temperature drops from the recommended values, the edges of the leaf plates turn brown, through the influence of dry air the surface of the leaves turns brown.

Note! The slowdown in plant development can be associated with a deficiency of nutrients in the soil. To restore the required amount of trace elements, carry out an extra feeding.

Of the pests, codiaum affects scale insects, mealybugs, and spider mites. Under the influence of the last parasite, the leaves of the culture begin to turn brown. To prevent the appearance of a pest, constantly spray the plant with a spray bottle., which will maintain high humidity in the room. With a strong spread of parasites, diseased crops are sprayed with the preparations "Actellik", "Karbofos" or "Fitoverm".

Growing difficulties

All the difficulties that arise when keeping croton are in one way or another associated with the mistakes of the grower. Exactly what the problem is can be understood from the reaction of the plant. For example:

• falling leaves indicate a violation of the temperature regime (hypothermia, draft, temperature drop). It must, however, be borne in mind that the seasonal shedding of foliage, especially the lower and older part of it, is the norm for the codiaum;
• absence or disappearance of bright coloring - a consequence of a lack of lighting or an excess of nitrogen fertilizers;
• small and deformed leaveson the contrary, they say that the plant needs to be fed;
• brown spots on the leaf plate occur if the flower is exposed to direct sunlight, but if darkening is located at the edges of the leaf, this may indicate hypothermia;
• drying tips of leaves - a sure sign of insufficient air humidity. If the problem is not solved, foliage will begin to fall off;
• black bloom on tissues is a symptom of a fungal disease called black or black fungus. Stagnation of water in the soil contributes to the development of infection.It is treated by removing the affected areas and using fungicides containing copper ("Strobi", "Skor", "Flint", "Horus", "Ditan M-45" and others).

The poisonous sap of croton usually repels pests, but a weakened plant can still be attacked by scale insects, thrips, nematodes, mealybugs or red spider mites.

Find out what to do if Croton sheds leaves.

The best prevention of parasite damage is the regular treatment of the leaves with a damp sponge, as well as spraying: at high humidity, the healthy immunity of the codiaum is able to cope with the problem on its own.

Types and varieties

Under natural conditions, there are several dozen species of croton, but only variegated croton is suitable for growing in an apartment. Several varietal hybrids were bred from it.

Variegated codiaum, or variegatum codiaum. This is the ancestor of all cultivated varieties. In nature, it can be a tree up to 4 m high or a bush up to 150 cm high. But in an apartment the plant grows 0.5 m long. It has large foliage up to 30 cm long. Leaves grow on the stem alternately.

The codiaum of Peter. The bush is up to 1.5 m high. It has large green leaves with yellow veins, which gives the plant a decorative effect. The veins can also be pink. The foliage is located on the shoot alternately and turned in different directions, so the crown is very lush.

Codium Excellence. It has very beautiful decorative leaves, on top they are green with yellowish spots, and below the color smoothly flows into crimson. The longer the plant lives, the more shades in the leaves, more overflows of orange, pink, red. Also, brown streaks are clearly visible on the leaves. The foliage is shaped like oak leaves, it has bright streaks. The leaf has a base and 2 lobes. This variety is very fond of growing flower growers.

Croton Gold Sun variety. The plant is compact, its height is about 30 cm. It has green foliage with yellow veins.

Codiaum Mix. This is a collection of various varieties. The length of the leaves is from 20 to 30 cm. They have a variety of colors, they can be green, yellow, pink, bicolor.

Choosing a codiaum when buying

Scrupulously inspect the plant so that it is not sick or with pests, since the culture is often affected by the scabbard, spider mite.

To do this, carefully examine the underside of the leaves and their axils. The foliage should be bright and shiny. Make sure the foliage does not curl, as this means there are pests on the flower.

Water the plant immediately after purchasing. Do not remove the transparent packaging for a week, then it will have its own microclimate inside it, which will help the flower to take root. Quarantine the plant for a month, placing it separately from the others.

Croton: description, care and reproduction. Video:

Diseases and pests

Improper plant care can lead to sad consequences. Kodium is susceptible to attack by mite parasites, which is caused by excessively dry air. Symptoms of the disease are the appearance of white spots on the leaves, which eventually begin to fall off. A number of actions will help to cope with this parasite:

• increasing the humidity in the room to the required rate;
• washing the leaves with water, and a specially prepared solution of soap and tobacco;
• processing of leaves with specialized means ("Derris", "Fitoverm", "Fufan").

Damage to the scabbard is also an unpleasant consequence of improper plant care. It manifests itself in the appearance of brownish plaques on the leaves, which begin to dry and fall off. To cope in this case, wiping with a solution of tobacco, soap and kerosene, rinsing with water, and treatment with Actellika will also help.

Taking proper care of your Codiaum flower will allow you to enjoy its tropical vibrant leaf colors all year round. And with comfortable living conditions for him, he will not cause much trouble in terms of its content.

Flower cultivation history and signs

Codiaum is an ornamental deciduous plant belonging to the Euphorbia family. In its natural environment, the flower grows on the Pacific islands. Of the existing 17 species, indoor floriculture uses only Codiaum Variegated and its hybrids. The rest of the species are very picky, and it is almost impossible to create conditions suitable for normal life for them.

There are many signs associated with codia. Most of them put the flower in a positive light:

1. Codiaum is a kind of guardian of his home. The flower protects the house from the influence of negative energy, nullifies all attempts of ill-wishers to bring evil into the house.
2. The flower helps to cope with indecision. He has a beneficial effect on his master, giving him determination, strength to make a difficult decision. Also, the plant returns faith in itself to its owner.
3. For creative individuals, codiaum helps to tune in the right way. It also contributes to the full disclosure of the artist's potential.

   
   Variegated codiaum

4. The plant brings sanity, saving its inhabitants from rash frivolous actions.
5. The flower is able to improve family relationships, harmonize communication.
6. The plant forms a kind of shell around its owner. Such a shell protects a person from diseases, takes away from dangers.
7. The codiaum contributes to the development of eloquence in its owner. It becomes easier for a person to communicate with other people, to establish contacts with them.

But the blooming codiaum is considered a bad omen. This bodes well for trouble and disappointment.

Growing FAQs

In case of errors in the care of croton, various problems can arise, for example:

1. The foliage has dropped by the bush... In the event that the leaf plates of the croton sank, this indicates that it cannot absorb moisture. This is due to the fact that the root system is in the cold. Such a bush must be transferred to a well-lit and warm place, water it only after the top layer of the soil mixture dries out a few centimeters deep, feeding should be stopped for a while. After the foliage is well moistened from the sprayer, a transparent cap or bag must be put on the bush.
2. The bush dries up... If only the lower leaf plates of the flower dry up, then this is a completely natural process, as a result of which the lower part of the stem is exposed. If the air humidity is not high enough, then the tips of the foliage are drying out in croton, it should be borne in mind that the optimal humidity level for it is about 70 percent. If brown spots form on the foliage and its edges dry out, this means that the room is cold and the bush is freezing. Drying and flying of foliage is associated with excessively rare or poor watering.
3. Flying around foliage... It was already mentioned above that the subsidence of the leaf plates may be associated with improper watering or with excessively low air humidity. The bush can also shed foliage if it is very cold in the room, it has been exposed to a draft or due to sudden changes in temperature. What to do if the bush begins to shed its foliage? Remember the rules for caring for such a plant and understand where you made a mistake, and then try to fix it.

• Why is Croton not growing?

Poor croton growth is usually due to poor lighting conditions. Light for the growth of croton is critically important, therefore, in the winter period of time it grows much worse than in the summer.

• Why do croton leaves dry?

Croton leaves will not dry out if you regularly water the plant, do not leave the soil dry and monitor the humidity of the air. It is worth remembering that poor moisture can lead to the appearance of parasites and other troubles.

• Why does croton shed its leaves and what to do?

Do not worry if croton periodically sheds leaves - this is a natural process for many plants, but if croton sheds many leaves at once, this may be the result of poor watering, insufficient air humidity, sudden temperature changes, unfertilized soil, or a spider mite.

• Is croton poisonous?

Croton juice is poisonous. If it gets into the gastrointestinal tract, it causes vomiting and loose stools, and contact with the skin can cause dermatitis. It is worth handling the plant carefully, and after any operations with it, it is recommended to wash your hands.

• The leaves have lost their elasticity

The problem arises from excessive soil moisture - frequent and abundant watering, which does not allow the soil to dry out a little. Sometimes at the same time rotting of the stem is observed, there is a danger of rotting of the roots. Elimination of the trouble is possible by revising the irrigation schedule and observing the dry regime for several days.

Despite the fact that croton looks like a strong and tenacious plant, it is one of the most whimsical to care for. Croton requires attention no less than pets, and an unscrupulous and irresponsible attitude towards Croton is likely to lead to its death. However, if you decide to take on this difficult role and you are not afraid of difficulties, you will be rewarded with a plant of amazing beauty that will create a wonderful atmosphere at home and will delight you throughout the year.

What is the danger of codiaum for humans?

If you do not take into account the flowering codiaum, which promises misfortune, then the danger of the plant lies only in its poisonousness. All parts of the flower are toxic. Plant sap is especially dangerous for human health and life.

When damaged, the plant releases toxic sap. Its contact with the skin causes burns and contact dermatitis. When the juice enters the stomach, a person experiences vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms of food poisoning.

You can work with codiaum only with gloves. In no case should the codiaum juice get into the damaged areas of the skin (cuts, burrs, open wounds, trophic ulcers, etc.). The juice that gets into the blood causes a severe degree of intoxication of the body. If the victim is not taken to the hospital in time, he may die.

From the above, we can conclude that it is possible to keep codiaum at home, but you need to do it wisely. Families with small children or pets should refuse to grow a flower.

Secrets of a good shopping

It is preferable to purchase croton in spring, when the air in the houses is closest to natural for this plant. The implementation of this recommendation will provide a softer acclimatization.

When choosing your future pet in the store, attention is paid to the condition of its trunk. Depressions from fallen leaves may be visible on the handle. This indicates poor care and disease of the plant. The leaves of a healthy croton are strong with clear veins and a bright juicy color.

Transfer after purchase

Codia transplant process
Do not touch the purchased codiaum for about 2-3 weeks. Let him get used to the new environment. Subsequently, transplant a flower, young up to 2-3 years old, annually, adult plants from 3 years old - every 2-3 years. You can not hesitate with a transplant if the roots have sprouted through the drainage holes. Spring, summer is the best time to transplant codiaum. Flower handling procedure:

1. For disinfection, ignite the soil or spill it with a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate, dry it a little.
2. Moisten the soil with water. So, the earthen lump will not fall apart, the roots will not suffer.
3. Pour expanded clay into a new pot with a layer of about 3 cm.
4. Add fertile soil.
5. Place a flower in the center and sprinkle the roots with soil, crush the earth a little.
6. Pour croton abundantly, set it to light in a warm room.

How to choose a pot and soil for codiaum

To prevent the roots from rotting later, take wide, shallow containers. Plastic or clay pots with large drainage holes are fine. The diameter of the new container should be 2-5 cm larger than that of the old container. If the pot is 28 cm wide, no transplants are made.

The soil is prepared from equal parts:

• turf land;
• humus;
• peat soil;
• rotted fallen leaves.

1. Seven Secrets of Success:

Botanical name: Codiaeum.

Croton flower - family... Euphorbiaceae.

Homeland of the plant... India, Malaysia, Australia.

Indoor plant description... A small genus "Codiaum" or Croton, consisting of 6 species of evergreen shrubs, trees and perennial herbaceous plants. It is prized for its rich foliage coloration. It has low erect stems.

Leaves hard, smooth, leathery, alternating. The size, shape and color of the leaves are highly variable. Young leaves often have a green surface and acquire attractive bright colors only with age. Some varieties can have long, narrow, xiphoid leaves, while others have wide, oval, spear-shaped leaves. The edges of the leaf blades can be smooth, straight, wavy, slightly serrated.

Young leaves do not look as bright as adults. Shades can be in a wide range of colors - from green, to yellow, orange or red, with all kinds of marks and specks. The underside of the leaf blades is usually colored in brighter colors. The veins are sometimes lighter in color.

Flowers - white and yellow, appear in their natural habitat in small inflorescences along the stem at any time of the year.

When the stems and leaves are damaged, the plant secretes a poisonous milky sap, which dries quickly and helps to tighten the wound, while preventing the entry of harmful microorganisms.

Height... In indoor conditions, rarely exceeds 90 cm... The height of the plant depends on the size of the pot. Codiaum adds 5 - 15 cm. Height per year.

What kind of pot is needed for a plant?

The pot for the codiaum should be medium in size, too deep and too large there will be a lot of free space and there is a risk of root rot from excess water. When transplanting a plant, the new container should be 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. The best material for the pot is plastic or clay covered with glaze. They retain moisture longer, which will reduce the risk of drying out the soil and plants. There should be several drainage holes in the flowerpot, and drainage material should be laid on its bottom, which is expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite or tile chips.

Home value

Esotericists attribute a very strong energy to Croton, which can even change the atmosphere in the house.

Did you know? Codiaum is considered a vampire plant, which happily feeds on the vital forces of the household, therefore, it is better not to start such a flower for weak, elderly and unhealthy people, especially those suffering from insomnia.

At the same time, Croton will make strong and self-confident people even more successful. This flower perfectly helps to collect thoughts, believe in your capabilities, increase self-esteem, set a goal for yourself and follow it without retreating. Also, codiaum is in perfect harmony with creative and independent natures, and helps sad pessimists look at the world in a more positive way.

The plant is credited with the strange property of developing oratorical abilities, the ability to persuade in an argument - mainly due to the ordering of thoughts and the acquisition of calm self-confidence.

Taking into account all the described properties of codiaum, you can make a list of those for whom this plant is suitable, and for whom, on the contrary, it is undesirable to start it:

Did you know? Croton bloom is considered a bad omen. That is why, when buds appear, they are recommended to be removed immediately, but even after that, exercise increased caution in deeds and actions, trying to understand what exactly the flower was trying to warn about.

In general, we can say that codiaum is suitable for those people who want to change and overcome difficulties, and not obediently go with the flow. For this reason, it is very useful to install it in offices.

Croton is a very beautiful decorative leafy plant that needs to create conditions that are quite difficult to provide in an ordinary city apartment. However, by finding the right balance in lighting and providing the flower with regular watering, as well as maximum air humidity, with the help of this amazing representative of the Euphorbia family, you can turn your home into a real tropical garden.

Conditions for croton (table)

The purity of the leaves is the key to health

Croton is clean, he can get sick due to the fact that the leaves are covered with dust. Why is wet cleaning so important?

1. Dust closes the pores on the leaves, and this makes it difficult to exchange air with the environment.
2. The dusty film slows down the process of photosynthesis, the plant suffers from nutritional deficiencies.
3. Dust can contain and accumulate harmful substances.
4. Insect pests can be hidden under the dusty layer.

It takes patience to rub croton with wavy or curly foliage, but this is important for plant health.

Therefore, at least once a week, take a soft damp cloth and wipe the croton, admiring the colorful patterns. Better in the morning, so that the plant dries out before nightfall. For easier cleaning, pre-spray your handsome man.

For more beauty, you can give the foliage a gloss. It is better to take polishing products in an aerosol can. Or try folk recipes. Polish the leaves with beer, a weak solution of vinegar or milk. Do not touch young foliage. And polish an adult carefully, do not press hard, so as not to cause injury.

Leathery leaves look good after polishing

Floriana and Croton

Croton lovers say that the most difficult thing is to ensure high humidity. It is not always possible to create tropics in an apartment, in which a picky plant feels good. Croton will enjoy living in a home greenhouse - the florarium. It is easy to maintain the required microclimate in it, including high air humidity. Making an open florarium is not difficult. You will need a container with a door or an aquarium made of glass, transparent plastic.

1. Fill the container with drainage material (pebbles + charcoal), a porous soil medium with a high sand content.
2. Plant tropical plants with the same care and maintenance requirements.
3. Moisten the plantings, cover with a lid or just glass, put in a warm and bright place.
4. The florarium plants themselves create a favorable microclimate.
5. Ventilate the mini jungle from time to time when condensation appears.
6. Once every few months, make the plants rain and clean the florarium: inspect the pets, remove damaged leaves, add a substrate if necessary.

Choose plants with similar habits for the florarium.

The many-faced croton is an ideal plant for a florarium. To avoid problems with leaving, you can plant different varieties. Such a "kindergarten" will not be boring. Good neighbors for croton are ferns, arrowroot, fittonia, rheo, selaginella. Do not plant succulents and cacti with them.

Indoor florarium is sometimes called a garden in a bottle. Its main difference from an open one is a container with a rather narrow neck, which closes tightly. After planting, the bottle garden is watered only once, and then sealed and not opened. Plants live in a closed ecosystem. Indoor florarium is not the best choice for croton. Its leaves are too large.

Croton is suitable for growing in an open florarium, for a garden in a bottle it is large

Is it possible to grow bonsai from codiaum

Croton patterned foliage will look great on a bonsai tree. This idea surely dawns on florists. And such bonsai are grown. But with great difficulty and loss. Croton has several qualities that make it unsuitable for this:

• too large and heavy leaves;
• the plant does not tolerate transplanting well, and for bonsai it is an annual operation;
• easily sheds foliage with care errors;
• the straight stem is difficult to form.

Croton can grow bonsai, but it is difficult, and the result will not always please

Features of Croton

The croton plant, grown at home, is a bush with leathery leaf plates, the shape of which can be very different: oblong-lanceolate, asymmetric, pointed or obtuse, trilobate, broadly ovate, whole-edged, notched, etc.Young leaves, as a rule, are painted in a paler greenish-yellow color, after a while the color becomes brighter burgundy and green, in this regard, such a plant looks like an elegant tree in autumn. For all varieties and varieties, a common feature for leaf blades is a pronounced venation. Croton does not bloom very effectively. So, during flowering, axillary drooping brushes are formed, consisting of inconspicuous cream-colored flowers.

How to plant correctly

Planting croton is not difficult, for this they adhere to the rules. It should be noted that this plant is tropical and requires a special approach. First, choose a suitable place, after the planting material.

Location selection

Crotons love moisture, which means that a place near the battery is not suitable, since that, in turn, dries the air greatly. Drafts are avoided, because the plant is afraid of cold air currents. Even in the heat, the plant is not taken out into the street.

Lighting requirements

Depending on the species, Croton needs a sunny spot. If the color of the leaves is closer to red and other bright colors, then the plant needs good lighting. Croton can be exposed to direct sunlight for up to 3 hours a day. In winter, additional lighting is required, since there is not enough natural light for the plant.

Pot selection criteria

The pot is made of clay or plastic. They are used for planting a small one, since in the future the plant will often be transplanted. There should be small holes at the bottom so that excess water goes away and the soil breathes. After planting, make sure that the container does not overheat.

Soil preparation

Young plants are rooted in sandy soil, different types of soil are suitable for them, but the planting site should not be too acidic. For planting, use light soil fertilized with nutrients. To do this, gardeners create their own mixture, which includes:

1. One part of semi-rotten foliage.
2. One piece of coniferous land.
3. One part of peat soil.

See also

Planting and caring for bulbous irises in the open field, a description of the best varieties

Coarse river sand or crushed brick is also added. Planted in a small pot.

Transfer

Crotons are transplanted annually until the plant is 3 years old. Older plants are transplanted every 2-4 years. Before transplanting, check if the seedling is healthy, if there is damage. The plant is transferred along with an earthen clod. It is taken into account that crotons do not tolerate transplants well, so you should be careful. After this procedure, irrigation is carried out. A kidney mixture is also prepared in a new place, and expanded clay is placed on the bottom of the container. Then the water will not stagnate and fungal infections will not have a chance.

Fertilization and feeding

In order to preserve the bright color of the bush for a long time, Croton is regularly fertilized. When the correct dressing is applied, the leaves will grow actively, and the croton will get sick less often. It is important to create a natural environment and provide the plant with essential minerals and nutrients.

Mineral fertilizers are applied from March to October. At other times, feeding is not carried out, since the plant is at rest. You can also shorten the procedure to one every 1-2 months.

Watering mode

This part of grooming is very important for Croton. Tropical shrubs are extremely vulnerable to droughts, so irrigation should not be forgotten. Use water at room temperature. You can use tap water, but the liquid needs to settle for a day. If the temperature in the room rises, then the number of waterings is increased. In the cold season, irrigation is reduced. Croton is watered every 2 days in summer, and every 6-7 days in winter.

Temperature and humidity

Crotons love moisture and relatively high temperatures. If the air is too dry, then the room is sprayed with water.If this is not possible, and there is no way to get a moisturizer, then the bush is sprayed with water, this will have a good effect on its appearance, and the plant will feel better. The average comfortable temperature for a plant is around 24 degrees. In the cold season, Croton can withstand temperatures of 18 degrees. If this mark drops below, then the bush will shed its leaves.

How to trim properly

Pruning is carried out if the leaves dry and fall off. The procedure is carried out if the plant is sick. Growth and development will slow down over time, and pruning will stimulate the growth of new leaves. With the help of pruning, a beautiful crown is formed, defects are treated, the plant is renewed.

Cut off lateral shoots, old leaves, damaged parts. Flower buds and peduncles are also removed.

Topping

Pinching is not used as reproduction, crotons do not need it. Pinching is rarely done as crown formation. The procedure is started when Croton turns 1.5 years old.

Diseases and pests

Like any other plant, crotons get sick. For them, soil acidification and a lack of nitrogen are very dangerous. First of all, changes in health are clearly visible on the leaves. The leaves begin to turn yellow, curl, and rot. They also fall off when exposed to ticks or other parasites. It is worth improving the care of the seedling, avoiding stagnant water. Preventive work is carried out to prevent infection. Diseased plants are isolated.

How is flowering

Flowering is extremely rare and is not used for decorative purposes. In order for the bush to be viable, the flowers are removed. They do not differ in beauty, there is no benefit from them either.

Botanical description of the plant

Croton (Latin name Codiaeum) is a perennial evergreen of the Euphorbia family. It occurs naturally in tropical and subtropical forests of Australia, Oceania (Polynesia), India, as well as some islands of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Philippines, etc.). Due to the amazing color of the leaves, the flower is sometimes called "The Cloak of Joseph" by the people.

Did you know? Codiaum is the original name of the plant, probably invented by its discoverer, the Dutchman Georg Rumfius, who studied orchids on the Ambon island in Indonesia in 1654 and saw the original shrub there. The locals called the perennial with the beautiful word “codibo”, although today “codiaum” is more likely associated with the Greek “codeia”, which means “head”.

Despite the fact that the plant came to Europe in the second half of the 17th century, the real fashion for it began only three hundred years later. Together with Dieffenbachia and Dracaena, Croton initially began to be grown by gardeners from the Netherlands, and from there he began to conquer the world.

Describing the botanical features of the codiaum, it is necessary to highlight the following main characteristics of the plant:

Important! Like other Euphorbiaceae, codiaeum is poisonous. It is not advisable to keep such a flower for people who have pets (especially cats).Croton juice can also cause serious irritation to the skin, therefore, pruning and transplanting the plant must be carried out with protective gloves.

An interesting botanical feature of codiaum is the ability to change color and shape of leaves depending on environmental conditions. It is on this amazing property that active selection work is based, aimed at developing new varieties of decorative flowers.

Problems with improper cultivation

In case of violation of the comfortable conditions for a flower in which it lives, certain difficulties may arise:

• exposing the Codium to direct sunlight, you can burn its leaves, which will make it hurt;
• with the wrong choice of the location of the flower, where there is not enough light, it will begin to stretch in length and fade, it will lose the brightness of its tropical color;
• lack of moisture will cause the leaves to dry;
• weak air humidity can lead to foliage falling, and the appearance of harmful insects;
• the accumulation of dust on the crown can cause plant diseases;
• the lower temperature leads to the fall of the leaves of the Codiaum.