The houseplant aichrizon has many distinctive properties, but its unusual name allows it to stand out against the background of other plants. This flower is popularly known as the “tree of love and happiness”. This compact size shrub is usually referred to the family of the bastards, which in adulthood have a diameter of 20-30 cm, and a height of up to 30 cm.
In natural conditions, it can most often be found in rock crevices. Its habitual habitats are the Canary Islands, as well as the island of Madeira. One species grows in Portugal and Morocco. However, in general, the genus Aichrizona includes about 15 species.
Content
Description
The original appearance of aichrizon is given by the shape of its leaves. This part of the plant is succulent, has a fleshy structure of dark green color with signs of pubescence. They are covered with short white hairs that resemble a fur coat. Due to the original shape of the leaves, which are more like hearts, aichrizon acquired the name - "Tree of Love" and "Tree of Happiness".
A feature of the mastic stems, which have a straight or slightly curved shape, is that even over time they do not lignify. In addition, a large number of branches are formed on them naturally. Therefore, it is not necessary to carry out special operations, for example, pinching. Small leaves of a round-ovoid or fusiform shape, having the next order of arrangement, with signs of pubescence, are presented in the form of rosettes growing on the tops of the stems.
The color of the leaves is quite varied, which provides for all shades of green. interspersed with white, gray, red and yellow... Any damage done to the leaf blades makes them thin out the unpleasant odor. Aichrizon is one of the popular indoor plants that blooms in April or May. The flowers are in the form of a shield or panicle, which attract attention not only with a star-shaped shape, but also with a color scheme that includes shades such as red, yellow and cream. At the first signs of the completion of flowering, the rosette dies off, from which the peduncle was formed.
Conditions for growing and caring for aichrizon
As with growing any houseplant, the love tree flower also needs to be properly cared for in order for it to return with bright colors.
Lighting
Favorable conditions for the development of the aichrizon flower can be created by providing it with bright diffused lighting. This can be achieved by hanging gauze or tulle curtains on the window. The flower itself is recommended to be kept on the west or east side of the house. The south window is not entirely suitable, since here it can harm the bright sun raysthat can cause burns. Therefore, in order to avoid their appearance, artificial shading is necessary. In order for the bushes to grow evenly on all sides, it is necessary to turn the flower pot from time to time.
Temperature
Aichrizon is not too demanding on temperature conditions. In spring and summer, in the room where it grows, you need to maintain a temperature of 20-25 degrees. In autumn and winter, a temperature of 8-10 degrees is sufficient. With an increased thermal regime, the plant feels uncomfortable, which leads to stretching of the shoots and leaf fall. To avoid such phenomena, it is recommended to keep the flower away from heating appliances.
Watering
So that this houseplant does not experience a moisture deficit, you need to monitor the state of the turgor of leaves and shoots. You can understand whether the plant needs watering if you lightly press on the crown with your palm. If the plate seems sluggish, then the plant needs watering. If the feeling is springy, then you can wait with the next irrigation.
If, after a long delay with watering, immediately saturate the substrate with a large amount of moisture, then this can lead to root decayth and the bases of the shoots. In order to avoid such watering, they should be moderate: in the spring-summer period they are carried out regularly, and in cold weather they are reduced. Seeing that the leaves have begun to wilt and shrivel, know that this is a clear sign of a lack of moisture.
Humidity
This factor is not decisive in the cultivation of Aichrizon, since it can grow comfortably in dry air conditions. The flower responds positively to regular warm showers, which should be carried out periodically. However, this procedure is only recommended during periods of active growth. When aichrizon is at rest, it is better to neglect such a measure.
Top dressing
In the spring-summer period, fertilizers are applied to the soil every two weeks. During flowering, plants spend a lot of energy, so they need to replenish nutrients. It is best to carry out feeding with complex fertilizers for succulents containing minimum amount of nitrogen.
Pruning
Today, aichrizon can be grown in two main forms: a bush or a standard tree, from which branches on the trunk have been previously removed. To obtain a beautiful crown, it is necessary to remove all weak branches and sprinkle the tops of young shoots. This procedure is carried out throughout the entire period of plant growth. If the winter is warm enough, then this also affects the development of this indoor plant, which begins to stretch and deform. In such situations, he especially needs pruning. Although an alternative option is possible - rooting of cuttings.
Bloom
Samples at the age of 2-3 years begin to bloom only if the winter is cool and light, and the plant itself is grown under conditions of rare watering in a cramped pot. Flowering lasts quite a long time about 6 months, and during it, the flower can lose up to 80% of its foliage. At the end of flowering, you need to prune the peduncles, and then increase watering. If this houseplant has lost a lot more leaves, then pruning and old shoots may be required.
Transfer
Sometimes in the fall it is necessary to transplant aichrizon, but for this you need to understand whether there is a need for this. You can find out by whether there is simply free space in the root pot. Since aikhrizon forms a shallow root system, it is advisable to transplant it into shallow containers or pots. The new container can be filled with soil of any composition. It can be a mixture made from sand and turf. It can also be replaced with a substrate for which the following components are used:
- sod land;
- leafy land;
- humus earth;
- sand.
These components must be taken in a ratio of 4: 1: 1: 1. Also pieces of coal or brick chips will be useful in the substrate.
Before planting, the bottom of the pot needs fill with good drainage... After the transplant, it is necessary to maintain a "dry mode" for four to five days. After that, they begin to gently water.First, you need to spend a small amount of water, trying to avoid decay of the root system. The most suitable containers for growing aichrizone are clay pots, which are porous and breathable.
Aichrizona varieties may differ in flowering time. If during the season all the necessary conditions have been created for the plant, then its flowers open already in April-May. Proper care of the plant is a guarantee that for at least six months it will decorate the ground with red or yellow paniculate flowers. During flowering, more than half of the foliage falls off at aichrizon.
The main method of propagation of the houseplant love tree is cuttings. This is done in the spring, and the seedlings need a minimum of time to root when planting in loose soil. Too frequent watering leads to the fact that leaves wrinkle and turn yellow... The roots, which rot over time, do not feel better either. To ensure uniform growth of leaves and flowers, it is necessary to periodically turn the container with the flower in all directions.
Bright lighting and moderate watering are very important for Aichrizon. In this case, he will be able to maintain green foliage for many months. In this regard, it is appropriate to recall a popular sign: the more leaves, the more love in the house.
Reproduction of aichrizon at home
For flower cultivation, you can use the seed sowing method and cuttings. Sowing seeds is carried out in shallow bowls, where you need to pour a mixture prepared from 1 part of leafy earth and 0.5 part of sand. At the stage of growing seedlings, it is necessary to spray and air. Moreover, containers with crops should be kept with closed glass all the time.
As a rule, the seeds begin to germinate after two weeks. Picking seedlings carried out in common boxes, where the seedlings are placed no closer than 1 cm from each other. Then the seedlings should be placed as close to the light source as possible. During the dive, a slightly different composition of the planting soil is used, for which the following components are taken:
- light turf land (0.5 parts);
- sheet land (1 part);
- sand (0.5 parts).
All components for the preparation of soil mixtures are taken in a ratio of 1: 1: 1.
Over time, when the seedlings get stronger, they are transplanted, placing one plant at a time in compact pots with a diameter of 5-7 cm. After the emergence of seedlings, caring for them requires maintaining a temperature of 16-18 degrees and regular watering.
If the love tree is planted by grafting, then they are first kept in a dry, dark place for two to three hours so that they dry out well. Cuttings root best in containers filled with damp sand, vermiculite, or a mixture of succulent substrate and sand. After the cuttings take root, they need transfer to separate containers with a diameter of 57 cm. For soil, take the same components as for seedlings. Caring for the tree of love is the same.
Difficulties in growing aichrizon
Exists group of external signs, on the basis of which it can be easily understood that the love tree feels uncomfortable:
very bare shoots. This happens in those years when the winter is very warm. In this case, you need to rejuvenate - the outlet or the top of the stem must be cut off and then rooted.- shriveled leaves. This is a clear sign that the plant is lacking moisture. Cultivation of aichrizon in winter requires watering, but they should be rare.
- elongated stems. This sign allows you to understand that the plant lacks lighting. If you do not take any further measures, then pretty soon the plant may completely lose its decorative properties.
Conclusion
Aichrizon is a rather rare exotic plant. However, even this fact does not prevent experienced growers from growing it at home.This plant provides certain features for growing at home, so first you need read the basic conditions, in the creation of which Aichrizon will feel most comfortable.
Watering is especially important for the plant, which should be regular. If the plant remains without water for a long time, and then water the soil abundantly, this can lead to new problems - root rot.
