An interesting view of the "Tree of Love", or Aichrison Prostrated. Description, as well as rules for the maintenance and care of indoor plants
Aikhrizon open loose (from the Latin. Aichryson laxum) - a succulent annual or perennial plant that belongs to the family Tolstyankovyh (or Krassulovyh).
In the wild, found in the Madera, Canary and Azores. The peculiarity of the plant is that it does not like moist soil and prefers rocky terrain.
In this article you will learn about the peculiarities of growing and the nuances of caring for such an interesting plant as Aichrison prostrate.
Detailed description of Aichryson laxum
The birthplace of this plant is considered the Canary Islands. There, aichrison grows at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level on the rocks. Damp soil does not fit the flower, so it takes its roots into rock crevices. It receives the necessary moisture with fogs. Aichrison open - mini-tree, up to 30 centimeters high.
Throughout the stem has wide leaves on long stalks. The stem of the plant is erect with a large number of thin branches emanating from it. The leaves are rather large, fluffy, diamond-shaped.
At the ends of the branches, the leaves are collected in sockets. Their color changes depending on the adequacy of lighting. In the sun, the leaves turn brownish green. In the shade - they get a rich green color. The bonsai blooms in light yellow inflorescences from the middle of the foliage outlet.
reference: popularly, the plant is called the "tree of love." It received this name because of the shape of the leaves, vaguely reminiscent of the heart.Conditions of detention
Temperature
The mini-tree perfectly takes root in room conditions. It tolerates both high and low air temperature:
- can withstand up to +25 in summer0;
- in the cold season - up to +200.
In winter, this indoor flower is better to give rest. To do this, remove the pot from the plant from bright sunlight in a darker and cooler place, with a temperature below +100.
Do not place ahichrizone next to heating appliancessince it can dry out.
Lighting
The tree of love prefers bright light. When there is insufficient lighting, the plant stretches up and becomes frail.
If the bonsai begins to lose a lot of leaves, most likely, these are the consequences of too bright sun or hot air. In this case, Aichrison urgently needs to be removed in a cool place.
Watering
It is necessary to water regularly, but in moderation:
- the soil between waterings should have time to dry to the bottom of the pot;
- overdrying of the earth should not be allowed;
- the frequency of irrigation is determined by the state of the shoots (if the stem is elastic, then it is saturated enough with moisture).
Humidity
As for humidity, wood does not require special conditions.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the plant during the period of active growth (spring-summer) twice a month. The fertilizer should not contain nitrogen.
Important: during rest, aichrison is not required to be fed.Priming
A mini-tree grows in a regular soil mixture. The pot should be small, as the root system of the plant is small. If the flower grows in the garden, it will suit sandy, clay or loamy soil, necessarily drained with a low pH level.
Care
Breeding
The tree of love propagates well by cuttings. In spring or summer, the tops are cut off.
The length should be about 10 centimeters. The lower leaves from the stalk are removed.
The stem is planted in moist soil, consisting of peat, perlite or coarse sand.
All components of the mixture should be in equal amounts. Rooting lasts for three weeks.
After this, the cuttings are transplanted into small pots, into a regular soil mixture. Care of cuttings is the same as for adult flowers.
More information about the propagation of Aichrison by cuttings is described in this video:
Landing and transplanting
Transplant a flower only as necessary. This is best done in the spring, before flowering begins. Clay pot is the most suitable option. It has good breathability, which helps to remove excess moisture and provides root respiration. Cases in which a plant needs a transplant:
- Flower acquisition. After the purchase, it is recommended to replace the store soil. You can inspect the roots and clean them from rot.
- Strong root sprawl. If the roots are very many and they stick out on the surface of the pot.
- Very spacious pot. Blooming in large capacity may be delayed. To avoid this, you need to select a smaller vessel.
Landing or transplanting is very simple. A pot is picked up, a drainage layer is poured at the bottom, then an earthen ball with roots from the former pot (if it is a transplant), the soil mixture is poured on top.
Attention: For prevention, pieces of birch charcoal can be added to the ground. This will help get rid of rot.Pruning
To make the plant look attractive, you need to work on the formation of the crown tree. To do this, trim.
Thanks to this procedure, you can make the desired shape: lush tree, bush, green ball, etc.
Also, pruning is necessary after wintering if the plant has thrown off too much foliage or stretched up from a lack of light.
During the procedure, all branches are shortened, and thin shoots or sluggish branches are cut off. Flowering Aikhrizon begins to bloom no earlier than two years after planting. The buds open in spring and bloom with yellow stars for at least two months.
If in due time the tree of love did not bloom, then it was not the right winter. But everything can be fixed:
- check the size of the pot, if it is free - transplant the flower into a smaller vessel;
- reduce watering to a minimum;
- place for wintering to choose cool, but bright.
Important Tips:
- So that the plant does not receive sunburn, it must be protected from direct sunlight.
- Provide uniform lighting. If the light falls on only one side of the flower, it must be deployed once a month to the other side.
- Water moderately. The soil should not be very dry or very wet.
- Do not overfeed the soil with organic substances, otherwise it will rot.
- Arrange a tree of love for the correct wintering, then flowering will be timely, and the number of fallen leaves will be minimal.
Learn more about caring for Aichrison from this article.
Becoming a good grower is not difficult. Any plant can be a wonderful decoration in the house, if you provide it with proper care, especially as unpretentious as an open achichrison.