Indoor Tradescantia: reproduction and species
Indoor Tradescantia is a cute and unpretentious flower. Its leaves are so decorative in their variety that even flowers cannot compete with them.
Tradescantia is a perennial plant of the commeline family. It is often found in homes and offices.
Indoor Tradescantia may have an unusual lanceolate leaf shape.
It is very easy to propagate a flower. You can graft it, divide a bush or root the layers. You can plant seeds if you wish. For grafting:
- Prepare the ground. A universal primer from a store will do. You can also mix humus soil, compost, and sand.
- Place a 2,5 cm layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot.
- Carefully cut a 10-15 cm long stalk and stick it into damp ground.
- Place on a lighted windowsill out of direct sunlight. The temperature for germination is –20 ° C.
Up to 10 cuttings can be placed in one pot, then the tradescantia will be more magnificent. The stalk will take root in a few days, and in a month a bush will grow in the pot.
Dividing a bush is best done during a seasonal transplant of an adult plant. Dig out the bush along with the root, carefully divide the root ball into two or more parts. Plant each sprout in a separate pot and water it.
For propagation by layering, place another pot of soil near the adult plant. Pick a mature stem, place it on top of the soil in a new pot and press down with wire. Once the stem is rooted, you can separate it from the mature plant.
Seed propagation is a long process, and it must start in March.
The seeds must be soaked in a growth stimulator for several hours and sown in moist soil. You can cover the landing with foil. Germination temperature –20 ° C. Before the emergence of shoots, it is necessary to periodically remove the film, ventilate and moisten the soil. Young shoots with 3-4 leaves must be cut into separate pots.
Types of room tradescantia
There are over 100 varieties of Tradescantia. Some of them grow at home, others in the garden. Tradescantia is most often grown at home:
- White-flowered. She has oval, pointed leaves of green or variegated color, inflorescences are white.
- Sillamontana. Its leaves seem to be covered with white felt – this is protection from the hot sun. The leaves of a plant placed in the shade gradually become bald.
- Riverside. It differs in different shades of leaves on one bush: from light green to dark green. The reverse side of the sheet is silvery gray.
- Zebrin. Its leaves are purple below, and bicolor, striped above. The central part of the leaf is burgundy, and on the sides it is silvery.
Choose a species that suits you and try to grow it.
Tradescantia is well suited for novice growers. It multiplies easily and is very diverse, so it can decorate any room.