Croton: plant care and maintenance. Video
Croton is a popular plant in the Euphorbia family. A striking feature of the representatives of this family is the presence of milky sap in the leaves and stems, which promotes the healing of various wounds on the damaged plant. Croton is native to the humid tropics of Oceania and Asia, so the plant loves sunlight and moisture and needs constant care.
Young plants need to be replanted annually, as they grow well in fertile soil, adults – every 2-3 years. The transplant should be carried out by the transshipment method, taking care that the earthy clod does not crumble and the roots are not damaged. It is better not to disturb the croton without special need.
Drainage deserves special attention when planting croton (codiaum), since stagnation of water is dangerous for the plant. To avoid it, it is necessary to lay expanded clay or a mixture of expanded clay with clay shards and charcoal at the bottom of the pot.
The composition of the soil should be a mixture of leaf and sod land, peat, humus and sand taken in equal amounts. For an adult codiaum, you can add a little more leafy soil.
A prerequisite for croton soil is its good looseness.
Croton is propagated by seeds, apical cuttings or air layers. The latter method is used more often, while the branch of the plant is simply sprinkled with earth in the mother’s pot before rooting.
Care and creation of an enabling environment
Croton is a very light, moisture and heat-loving plant. All year round, he needs uniform conditions of detention without sudden changes in temperature and drafts.
For a flower, lighting is important, since it is light that determines the unique color of the leaves, its lack leaves the leaves with an ordinary green color. If the direct rays of the sun are shown to the codiaum in winter, it must be shaded in the spring-summer period to avoid burns. The most suitable place for the plant is the east or west side of the house.
The optimum temperature for keeping croton is 20-22 ° C, but fluctuations from 17 to 26 ° C are permissible. In any case, the temperature in the room should be the same all year round.
It is important to remember that dry air is destructive for crotons. Plants need daily spraying and leaf rinsing with warm water on both sides. It will not be superfluous to have a regular shower. Based on these requirements, it is not recommended to place a flower pot near heating appliances. Water for irrigation of indoor plants such as croton must necessarily be settled, warm and soft.
In addition to the fact that the young plant prefers regular soil renewal, it needs fertilization during the growth period. Complex or mineral fertilizers intended for decorative deciduous plants are suitable. This top dressing is applied exclusively after watering.