Aichrizon care for him. Growing aichrizon, how to grow a "tree of love" at home

Aichrizon (Aichryson, in the common people - " love tree») – indoor plant, which is presented in the form of a small shrub with a height of 30 centimeters, and a diameter of about 20 - 30 centimeters. Belongs to the Crassulaceae family, in the catfish genus has 15 species. One of the features of the flower is the fleshiness and succulence of the leaves, which are covered with fluff. Due to the unusual shape of the leaves in the form of hearts, aichrizon is sometimes called the "Tree of Love". Aichrizon grows in the cracks of the rocks of the Canary and Azov Islands. IN summer period, it pleases the eye with its flowering in the form of star-shaped yellow or red flowers. He is also a lover of diffused light.

In order for a flower to fill the house with its magical properties and positive energy, it is necessary to properly, accurately, but most importantly, take care of it with love. This plant, which does not require special conditions, captivates with its beauty and magnificence. Undoubtedly, from the first days of being in the apartment, it will fill the house with only positive emotions.

Landing

Various boxes or bowls are ideal for planting aichrizon seedlings. Seedlings should be located at a distance of one centimeter from each other, and also placed in a bright, cozy place. The soil mixture for aichrizon consists of sand, leafy and light soddy soil, as well as humus. This flower is not very whimsical to a precisely prepared mixture, so small inaccuracies will not harm him. Also, you can make a simpler mixture by mixing soddy soil, sand and pieces of charcoal. The earth must be taken as the basis. Sand can be replaced with fine brick chips. When the seedlings have grown enough, they are separated one by one and planted in pots with a depth of 5-7 centimeters.

For home cultivation, the following types are used:

• aichrizon home;
• aihrizon stonecrop;
• aichrizon loose;
• aichrizon sinuous;
• aichrizon point.

Location and lighting

Despite the fact that the flower loves light, the most ideal location for aichrizon a will be where there is partial shade. Putting it on the windowsill, where direct sunlight will fall on it, there is a risk of burning the leaves. Therefore, the western or eastern part of the apartment are those places in the house that will be as ideal as possible for him.

In the cold seasons, you don’t need to shade, but you can’t leave a flower to chance, you still need to protect it from burns. In order for aichrizon to grow evenly and maintain its almost perfect shape, it is necessary to periodically turn it in different directions.

pot size

Due to the small root system for aichrizon, shallow containers are recommended. The best option would be a clay pot, which is well breathable. The roots of the plant will be able to "breathe" fully. Also, it should be cramped and not very small.

The soil

There are no special requirements for the soil for aichrizon, so there should not be any difficulties in this case. The only thing is that the plant has a predisposition to nutritious neutral and slightly acidic soil. The substrate, which includes sand, sod land or a mixture of sod, leaf and humus with sand, should be in a ratio of 4: 1: 1: 1. You can please the flower by adding pieces of coal or brick chips, as well as good drainage at the bottom of the vessel.

If it is not possible to prepare this mixture at home, then you can use a cactus substrate, while adding baking powder to it.

A good drainage layer will prevent standing water.

Transfer

This procedure is necessary when the old pot is already becoming small for the grown root system of the tree. Most often, this procedure is performed annually. As mentioned earlier, there are no special requirements for creating soil. As a substrate for a flower, mixtures of four parts of soddy land are used, to which only one part is added leaf ground with humus and cleaned sand. An important point is the mandatory presence of a small layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the pot.

Only four days later, the first watering after transplantation is carried out. To root system did not start to rot (one of the most pressing problems of this plant), this should be done carefully and in small portions.

If the pot was not chosen in size, that is, too large, further development and flowering may simply not occur. A large space is not conducive to spring flowering.

Fertilizer and top dressing

Mandatory top dressing for aichrizon a is the period summer - autumn. Twice a month, the flower should "eat" a complex fertilizer for succulent plants, which contains a low level of nitrogen. What concentration is better to choose, you can find out in the attached recommendations to the tool itself.

Watering

Regular watering of aichrizon is the key to a healthy and beautiful plant. In the spring - summer period, watering increases, compared with the cold seasons. It must be remembered that the complete drying of the earth will lead to the death of the flower, therefore, the soil must be kept moist. You can find out whether a flower wants to “drink” or not with just one click on the stem of the plant. With elasticity, watering is not needed, but if softness is felt, it is urgent to “drink” the flower with water.

Also, you need to remember that the ideal "drink" for irrigation is purified or settled water, it is better if it is room temperature. Ordinary, store-bought, filtered water is also suitable.

Temperature

Since the plant is not very picky about special temperature indicators, this is another plus for acquiring this “miracle”. In summer and spring period s from 20 to 25 degrees will be quite enough, and in winter and autumn - from 8 ° C to 10 ° C. If the temperature is higher, then the leaves of the aichrizon will begin to fall off profusely. Do not place it near heaters or batteries.

Humidity

Humid environment is not of particular importance, since given plant normally grows and develops in the dry air of apartment premises. But the same cannot be said about high humidity, it should not be allowed. Excessive moisture can harm the innocent roots of the plant. The only thing that needs to be done is periodic washing with warm water, a kind of "shower". A contraindication for "bathing" is a dormant period (winter - autumn).

pruning

To form a beautiful crown, it is necessary to cut out weak formations, in place of which it is necessary to pinch young shoots. This is done throughout the growing season. The conditions of excessively warm wintering contribute to the elongation and deformation of the aichrizon. In the spring, runs that are too long are cut off.

Pests and diseases

Falling leaves will be a signal if the substrate is too dry or, on the contrary, waterlogged. Also, this may indicate that the flower has been in direct sunlight for too long. Wrinkled and sluggish leaves indicate a lack of water in the ground. If the leaves are badly damaged, then a not very pleasant aroma comes from them.

But high temperatures in cold weather can also lead to leaf fall. If this happens, then the situation can be saved by placing the flower in a cool, but well-lit place. The temperature there should be no more than 8 ° C. Still, the same problem happens during the flowering period, but in this case you should not worry. This is a completely normal phenomenon, to which absolutely all flowers of aichrizon are subject. The number of fallen leaves during flowering can reach 80%.

If the leaves are blistering milky, then this indicates a physiological disease. It is called white edema. It appears if the flower lives in an environment in which the greenhouse effect is formed. Due to the fact that the plant absorbs water too quickly, excess water through the leaves simply does not have time to evaporate. As a result, the wall cells rupture. A characteristic crunch when squeezing the leaf proves a white edema. In order to avoid this disease, you need to follow these recommendations:

• Careful implementation of care instructions;
• Crowding of flowers should be reduced;
• If the plant grows slowly, then exclude frequent top dressing;
• In cloudy and cool weather, do not water;
• Growing mixtures should be well-draining;
• Refusal of pallets;
• Apply fertilizers with calcium.

If at the base the flower begins to rot, and its roots are also affected, then this indicates abundant and too frequent watering. The root system simply does not have time to absorb all the moisture, so such unpleasant consequences are brewing.

Aichrizon can be damaged by various rots.

Bloom

The flowering period of aichrizon directly depends on the species and age. Aichrizon can already show his first beauty at the age of two. If you follow all the conditions for proper maintenance and care (close pot, not frequent watering, if the wintering was light and cool), then it usually blooms in late spring or summer. Aichrizon flowers are star-shaped red, yellow or beige, which emerge from the corymbs. If all recommendations are followed, then the flowering period can last about six months. The flowering period is characterized by intense leaf fall, and if it is too strong, then a small pruning of the shoots is done. At home, aichrizon is grown in the form of a small bush, and sometimes a standard tree.

The rosette that gave flowering dies after this period.

Aichrizon leaves have a green or dark green color. Sometimes it is diluted with gray, yellow, red or white patches. This makes the flower even more attractive.

reproduction

Aichrizon has two methods of propagation: by seeds or cuttings. Each of them is good and popular in its own way. Everyone can choose a more convenient way for themselves.

In the first method, the seeds are sown in bowls. The mixture consists of the following ingredients: leafy earth and purified sand. The proportion should be two to one (2:1). After sowing, the bowl is covered with durable glass. They will germinate after two weeks, but for now they need to be sprayed daily, ventilated and provided good lighting. Seedlings should be dived at a distance of 1 by 1 cm from each other. Earth mixture: light sod land, leafy soil, sand (1: 2: 1). After that, they need to be installed in a lit place. When they have already grown up, they need to be planted one at a time in five centimeter pots. The temperature at which you need to keep the plant is 16-18 ° C. Requires daily watering.

The second way is to propagate by cuttings (leaves). After cutting, they dry in a dark and dry place for several hours. After they need to be planted in special containers, where they take root in wet sand, a mixture of vermiculite with the same sand, or in a special substrate for succulent plants. Also, you can let the cuttings take root in water, but on condition that charcoal is added to it. They tend to take root quickly enough, therefore, after the cuttings have taken root, they are planted in the same way as in the first method. Transplant them into pots with a diameter of seven centimeters.

rest period

Winter is a dormant period for aichrizon, during which it is necessary to keep it at a temperature of + 10 ° C - + 14 ° C. In no case should it be lower than +8°C.

Sometimes there is a summer dormant period. It happens when the temperature exceeds more than +30°C.

The poisonousness of the plant. Beneficial features

Aichrizon has so-called magical properties. That is, he can bring money, luck, prosperity and love to his master. It is worth trying to make the flower please with its flowering as long as possible, because this will bring residents as close as possible to a happy and friendly atmosphere.

Such a tree will serve as an ideal gift for those who like to grow flowers at home.

No toxic properties were found, as well as side effects.

Aichrizon (lat. Aichryson), or love tree, refers to the genus of succulent plants of the Crassula family, growing in rock crevices in the Azores and Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco and Portugal. There are fifteen species in the genus, represented by herbaceous annuals and perennials, as well as semi-shrubs. The name "aihrizon" is formed from two Greek words: ai - "always" and chrysos - "golden". The aichrizon plant is very similar to its related money tree.

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Planting and caring for aichrizon (in short)

• Bloom: from April or May for two months.
• Lighting: bright but diffused light (east or west window).
• Temperature: during the growing season - the usual for residential premises, during the dormant period - 8-10 ˚C.
• Watering: after the substrate in the pot has dried to half the depth.
• Air humidity: moderate. In the heat from time to time it is recommended to wash the plant under warm shower.
• Top dressing: during the period of active growth 2 times a month with fertilizers for succulent plants with a low nitrogen content.
• rest period: autumn and winter.
• Transfer: annual.
• Pruning: in order to form a crown during the growing season, the plant is pinched. With anti-aging pruning, up to 5% of the vegetative mass is removed.
• Reproduction: often by cuttings, less often by seeds.
• Pests: spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects and nematodes.
• Diseases: root rot, white swelling.

Read more about growing aichrizon below.

Home aichrizon - description

The aichrizon flower has partially branched, practically non-lignified stems, on which, for the most part, fleecy, rounded-ovate leaves, collected in rosettes, are arranged oppositely. The leaves are painted green or dark green, sometimes with gray, yellow, red or white patches. Damaged leaves exude bad smell. The shape of the leaves resembles a heart, hence the name of the plant - "tree of love". Aichrizon tree blooms with corymbose or paniculate inflorescences of small star-shaped flowers of red, white or cream color in April or May, and after flowering, the rosette that formed the peduncle dies off. home aichrizon grown both as a bush and as a standard tree.

Airizone care at home

How to care for aichrizon

Airizone care is extremely simple. Despite the fact that the houseplant aichrizon is a big lover of light, take sunbathing he loves through gauze or a curtain - the light should be diffused. That's why the best place for aichrizon - east or west window. Try to remember to turn from time to time room aichrizon around its axis so that the leaves and branches grow evenly. The plant can withstand the temperature that is comfortable for you, but in winter, do not be afraid to put it in an unheated room, since aichrizon normally hibernates at 8-10 ºC, and during a warm winter, leaves can fall and shoots can stretch.

How often to water the "tree of love" aichrizon, the condition of its leaves will tell you: if they are dense and elastic, you can skip watering, but if you find a slight loss of turgor, then it's time to moisten the soil. Usually, the time to water the plant comes when the soil in the pot has dried to half the depth. It is necessary to water the flowers of aichrizon with a small amount of water, but often, from abundant and rare watering, the roots of the aichrizon rot. In spring and summer, the soil in the pot is moistened more often than in winter.

Aichrizon is undemanding to air humidity, but sometimes in the summer it likes to take a warm shower. in winter water procedures aichrizon are contraindicated. To form a crown or stem tree resort to pruning plants. Remove weak shoots, and to enhance tillering and crown density, pinch the tops of young shoots. In the spring, the elongated shoots are also shortened.

Aichrizon fertilizer

It is necessary to feed aichrizon during the active growing season, in spring and summer, 2 times a month. complex fertilizer for succulent plants with low nitrogen content.

Aichrizon usually blooms in the summer, but in order to see the flowering of aichrizon, certain conditions must be met: the pot should not be spacious, watering should not be too frequent, the wintering of the plant should take place in a cool, bright place. As you can see, supernatural efforts will not be required from you, but if you fulfill the listed requirements, you can enjoy the flowering of aichrizon for six months. Only when this holiday is over, you will find that the plant has lost more than half of the leaves, so cut off all faded flower stalks, weak shoots and increase watering so that the plant can gradually recover.

Aichrizon transplant

Caring for home aichrizon also provides for its annual transplant, provided that you have not planted it in a pot that is too spacious - the pot for the plant should be cramped. As a soil for aichrizon, a mixture of four parts of soddy land is used with the addition of one part of leafy soil, humus and purified sand. Do not forget that at the bottom there must be a layer of expanded clay.

Reproduction of aichrizon

Propagation of aichrizon by seeds

Aichrizon is propagated both by seed and cuttings, and both of these methods give nice results. Seeds are sown in a soil mixture of leafy soil and purified sand in a ratio of 2: 1. Crops that are in a bright place under glass are regularly ventilated and sprayed, and when shoots appear in a couple of weeks, they dive into boxes at a distance of 1 cm from each other, and the composition of the mixture should now be different: half of clean sand and light earth and one piece of leaf land. After a while, the grown aichrizons are seated in personal pots 7 cm in diameter and grown at a temperature of 16-18 ºC, subject to daily watering.

Propagation of aichrizon by cuttings

The cuttings that you got after trimming the aichrizon should be dried for a couple of hours in a dry, dark place, and then planted in a shallow container in a mixture of vermiculite with sand or in soil for succulent plants with the addition of sand. The cuttings take root fairly quickly, and then they can be transplanted into pots with a diameter of 7 cm. Cuttings can also be rooted in water, to which charcoal should be added.

Pests and diseases of aichrizon

Harmful insects and diseases

If you establish the correct watering of the aichrizon and put it under bright diffused light, and take it out to the insulated loggia for the winter, you will not have problems with the plant. If you make mistakes in caring for the plant and do not provide it with the necessary maintenance, then spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs and nematodes can harm the aichrizon. Due to improper watering, any of the rots can get sick.

We have repeatedly written how and with what to deal with these pests and diseases, we also wrote that you do not have to do this if you take care of the plants responsibly, so we will not repeat ourselves.

Aichrizon's leaves are falling

If this happens in the warm season, the cause may be the action of direct sunlight, the drying of the earthen clod, or, conversely, too frequent watering. If the leaf fall took place in the autumn winter period, which means that it is time for the aichrizon to move to a cool, bright room for the winter. The leaves of the plant also fall during flowering.

Types of aichrizon

We present you the most popular types of aichrizon in culture.

Aichryson point (Aichryson punctatum)

A small succulent from 15 to 40 cm high with greenish-brown shoots covered with white hairs, diamond-shaped, slightly pubescent leaves on long petioles, collected in a rosette.

Aichryson sinuous (Aichryson tortuosum)

It is also a low shrub from 15 to 30 cm in height and width, with diamond-shaped, fleshy leaves pubescent with white hairs, also collected in rosettes. Leaf up to 1 cm wide, 1.5 cm long, petiole short. Blooms in spring.

Aichrizon loose, or prostrate (Aichryson laxum)

Shrub 30-40 cm tall and 20-40 cm in diameter. The leaves are diamond-shaped, long-petiolate, pubescent with white short hairs, 1 cm wide, 1.5-3 cm long. Inflorescences are large brushes up to 30 cm long from golden yellow flowers.

A relative of the well-known money tree aichrizon is a plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family. This is a low succulent bush, reaching a height of 30 cm and a diameter of about 25 cm, with strongly branching stems that practically do not woody.

The second name of aichrizon is very romantic and beautiful - the people called the plant the tree of love. This is due to the fact that its puffy and lightly fluffy leaves are shaped like small green hearts. They are collected in a kind of outlet.

The birthplace of Aichrizon is the island of Madeira, located in Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes the tree of love is found in the Canaries or the Azores, in Portugal. Now it is grown by many lovers of indoor plants.

Popular types of love tree (aihrizona) and photos

The genus Aichrizon has about 15 various kinds plants. They differ from each other in the shape of the leaves, size, intensity of the edge. The main types of aichrizon that are grown by flower growers are as follows:

• stonecrop;
• home;
• winding;
• loose or prostrate;
• point.

- a shrub with short (no more than 15 mm) and wide leaves, resembling a club in shape, growing close to each other and forming rosettes with a diameter of up to 6 cm. Their color is yellowish-green or green. Sometimes reddish stripes can be seen on the leaves, which secrete a special sticky substance that covers the surface of the leaf. Shoots are straight. Aichrizon stonecrop blooms yellow flowers collected in racemose inflorescences. The flowering period is up to 2 months. Plant height - up to 40 cm. In the winter season, it tends to drop leaves.

A photo. Aichrizon

- a modest shrub up to 30 cm high and with the same diameter. This is a hybrid obtained by crossing the dotted and sinuous aichrizons. The leaves are club-shaped, small, up to 2 cm long and up to 1 cm wide, collected in neat rosettes and covered with white hairs. Their color is deep green. The flowers are yellow, with a bright aroma. Home aichrizon can bloom for a very long time: this period sometimes reaches 6 months.

- a compact shrub with a shoot height of up to 30 cm. Light green leaves in the shape of rhombuses, thick, with a white edge, collected in rosettes. The size of one leaf blade is approximately 1 * 1.5 cm. The petiole is very short - this distinguishing feature sinuous aichrizon. The flowering period begins in spring and sometimes lasts up to 6 months.

- a shrub that visually resembles a cube in shape. Height up to 40 cm. The leaves are in the form of rhombuses, planted on a long petiole, have a white edge, collected in rosettes. The size of the leaf blade is 1 * 3 cm. Blooms loose aichrizon yellow flowers for about 6 months, starting in spring. Feature of this plant - dropping leaves after the end of the flowering period.

- a compact plant up to 40 cm high. The shoots are brown-green with a white edge. This is a distinctive feature of the point aichrizon: the hairs on the stems grow much thicker than on the leaves. Leaf blades are rhombus-shaped, slightly pubescent, planted on long petioles and collected in rosettes.

A place in the house for aichrizon flower

Position the aichrizon flower so that direct sunlight does not fall on it.

A place in the house for aichrizon is chosen where there are no heating appliances and household appliances nearby, but at the same time there is good illumination. The light should be diffused - direct sunlight is detrimental to the plant. It's great if you manage to settle the aichrizon on the western or eastern window. If the plant has to stand on the windowsill on the south side, then it is important to provide it with shading, otherwise sunburn of the foliage cannot be avoided. A light shadow can be created using tulle or gauze.

The air temperature in the room should be within 20-25 degrees in spring and summer, and in winter the flower feels quite comfortable at just 10 degrees Celsius. If the room is hotter, the plant will begin to lose leaves.

Airizone care at home

Aichrizon is not a capricious plant and takes root well even in apartments where there are unfavorable conditions for growing. It is quite easy to take care of him.

Watering and humidity for a flower

Since Aichrizon is a succulent, it does not need abundant watering. The leaves will help determine that the plant needs water: if the leaf blades are elastic, dense, then it is not necessary to water the aichrizon. In winter, watering should be very rare. But in no case should aichrizon be watered abundantly - the roots of the plant can rot! It is best if he receives water often, but little by little.

Humidity is far from decisive factor environment that affects the plant. Aichrizon feels great in a room with dry air. Sometimes the plant can be bathed under a warm shower, with the exception of the wintering period.

Soil and top dressing for aichrizon plants

The soil for aichrizon should not be heavy or rough.

Since the roots of aichrizon are small and weak, it should not be planted in heavy rough soil or a tall pot - this is fraught with rotting of the root system. The best soil for this plant is prepared as follows: 1 part of peat soil is mixed with 1 part of turf, 1 part of coarse sand and 1 part of expanded clay or gravel. The mixture is poured into clay pots with a diameter of not more than 12 cm, good drainage material must be placed on the bottom. Aichrizon will be delighted with such an additive as pieces of birch charcoal.

In order for the plant to be lush and bushy well, in the spring and summer it will have to be fertilized often - about once every 2 weeks they bring into the soil complex top dressing with low nitrogen content. In winter, feeding the plant is not required.

pruning

It is necessary for the formation of a beautiful rounded crown. You should carefully pinch the top of the young shoots, old and weak ones are simply removed. IN spring time be sure to prune too long shoots. Also, after flowering, it is necessary to cut off the obsolete flower stalks.

flower transplant

The procedure is carried out in the spring, if necessary. Here it is important to assess how the roots filled the pots. After transplanting, the plant is watered in small portions. Also, a transplant is necessary if you have just purchased aichrizon - it is better to replace store soil.

Aichrizon begins to bloom from two years

Aichrizons bloom at the age of about 2-3 years. The flowering period begins in spring and, depending on the species, can last up to six months. Sometimes, even upon reaching the required age, the plant refuses to bloom - this means that the necessary conditions have not been met. In order for Aichrizon to please you with its flowers, it is necessary to transplant it into a small pot, moderate watering, and the bush should winter in a cool room.

Aichrizon reproduces quite well at home. New plants can be obtained both from seeds and grown from cuttings.

To grow aichrizon from seeds from sand and leafy soil in a ratio of 1: 2, soil is prepared, into which the seed is poured. A container with future flowers is placed in a bright place and covered with a film or glass. It is very important to ventilate and periodically spray the soil. Young seedlings appear about 14 days after sowing.

The easiest way to propagate aichrizon is cuttings.

When young aichrizons grow up, they dive, while the "mother" soil is replaced in the box: mix sand, light soil and leafy soil in a ratio of 0.5: 0.5: 1. Then, when the plants get stronger, they are planted in separate pots with a diameter of about 7 cm and placed in a room with an air temperature of up to 18 degrees.

It is even easier to propagate aichrizon by cuttings. A cut shoot a couple of hours after detaching from the mother plant is dug into a mixture of vermiculite and sand or ready-made soil for succulents. Rooting occurs very quickly, after which the bushes are transplanted into pots up to 7 cm in diameter.

A cut shoot can also be placed in water until the roots form, but there is a risk that the branch will begin to rot.

Since the seeds of aichrizon quickly lose their germination, cuttings - the best way to propagate this plant.

Diseases, pests and plant care during this period

Aichrizon - a plant with strong immunity. With proper care, the disease is not terrible for him, and pests most often bypass him. In some cases, aichrizon can be attacked by spider mites, nematodes, and mealybugs. With excessive watering, the plant is prone to the development of rot.

Flower growers may be faced with the fact that Aichrizon's leaves begin to fall off. This is most often seen in autumn period when the plant is preparing for wintering. If the leaves begin to fall off in the summer, then the flower is most likely exposed to direct sunlight - it should be shaded. Also, the cause of leaf fall may be drying out of the soil or its excessive watering.

During the flowering period, aichrizon often loses most of the leaves - you should not be afraid of this.

Signs and beliefs

Aichrizon is considered the tree of happiness. Well, if before entering new house the family will acquire such a plant and take care of it. After all, if you believe the signs, where aichrizon grows, harmony, happiness and love reign. It is believed that the flower absorbs all negative energy, cleanses the aura and protects the house from troubles and adversities. Interestingly, only the inhabitants of Russia associate this plant with love.

Aichrizon is an undemanding evergreen with pretty flowers. Dense, as if carved from stone leaves invariably attract attention. It is not difficult to grow a succulent at home, even a novice grower can take care of it.

Description of the "tree of love"

Origin and appearance of aichrizon

Aichrizon - typical representative Crassula family, extremely similar to the well-known crassula (aka "money tree"). The only uncharacteristic feature is the fragility of rather strong-looking stems. The name is formed by merging two Greek words: ai, meaning "always", "forever", and chrysos, which means "golden". Most likely, it is associated with long and abundant flowering (flowers in most species of Aichrizon are sunny yellow). The genus is not numerous: fifteen of its representatives are currently known.

In nature, the habitat of the aichrizon is rather limited - it is the coast of North and North-West Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria), as well as the islands beyond the Strait of Gibraltar (Canary, Azores archipelago, Madeira). Some species are also found in Europe (on the coast of Portugal).

Succulents can be annual or perennial, herbaceous or semi-shrub.

The conditions in the historical homeland of Aichrizon are quite harsh. The soil is poor, rocky. Most of the year the plant is under the hot sun. Rainfall minimum. Therefore, aichrizon, like other succulents, stores water and nutrients in fleshy leaves (they look like stuffed pads) and stems.

In order for the "usable area" to be larger, the aichrizon branches intensively, its stems almost never woody. Bright green or lettuce leaves are collected in rosettes at the tops of the shoots. Olive, yellowish, reddish brown and whitish blotches fit into the norm. The leaves may be smooth or slightly hairy. Villi are another natural mechanism for regulating water balance. Broken leaves of the plant smell rather unpleasant.

In shape, the leaves of aichrizon are similar to hearts, hence the popular name - “tree of love”. But this is how the flower is called only in Russian-speaking countries. In the rest of the world, this nickname belongs to another houseplant - cersis (crimson).

The roots of aichrizon, like all succulents, are not too developed, thin. In nature, the plant is forced to cling to the smallest cracks in the rocks, hiding between them. This is the only way to find at least some shade.

Flowering only adds decorativeness. The buds are collected in rosettes or shields. The flowers are small, like stars. The petals are bright yellow and with shades of cream, vanilla, reddish. Flowering begins in April or May, lasts almost six months. At the end of it, the rosette that released the peduncle dries up.

Compactness is another advantage of the plant. Both in nature and at home, aichrizon rarely grows above 40 cm. The crown diameter is 25–30 cm.

According to signs, aichrizon is a guarantor of peace and prosperity in the house, the preservation of love. Therefore, the plant is often given to newlyweds, new settlers or spouses celebrating the next wedding anniversary. A reliable indicator of the “weather in the house” is the regularity and duration of flowering of aichrizon.

Species diversity of succulents

At home, of all the already small genus of aichrizons, only some perennials have taken root:

• The most popular plant among flower growers, a breeding hybrid. "Parents" - aichrizon is winding and dotted. The height of the plant approximately coincides with the diameter of the crown and ranges from 20 to 30 cm. The leaves are small (length - 1.5–2 cm, width - 0.8–1 cm), shaped like pinheads. The edge of short and sparse white hairs is characteristic. The length of the peduncle is 15–20 cm, the flowers are bright yellow. What is atypical for the species, they have a pronounced aroma. There is a variegated variety.
• Very intensively branching shrub, growing more up than sideways. At a height of 35–40 cm, the crown diameter rarely exceeds 15 cm. The leaves are slightly sticky to the touch, salad or yellowish in color. Under bright sun a pattern of thin reddish lines appears. Rosette diameter - about 8 cm, leaf length - up to 1.5 cm, width - up to 6 cm. Inflorescences are found in the form of a panicle or brush, golden yellow flowers. At home, it reacts most strongly to excessive watering. During the dormant period, it can become significantly bald. Flowering rarely lasts more than 2 months.
• BUT ichrizonloose or spread. The height of the shrub is up to 40 cm, the diameter of the crown is up to 30 cm. The leaves are shaped like rhombuses with rounded corners, located on long petioles. Leaf length - 2.5-3 cm, width - 1 cm. Flowering is very abundant - brushes can reach a length of 15-20 cm. Flowers are cream or yellowish. After flowering, the plant loses most of its green mass, but does not die.
• Creeping succulent. At a height of 15–20 cm, the crown reaches a diameter of 30–40 cm. The leaves are covered with short and sparse villi, petioles are practically absent. The length of the leaf is 1.5–2 cm, the width is 1 cm. Strong branching and compactness make it possible to form a bonsai from it. This species blooms earlier than the others.
• Height - 25–30 cm. Khaki shoots are densely covered with almost transparent long hairs. On the leaves, the edge is less, but also present. The petioles of the leaves are long, the edges are decorated with very small teeth.

Photo gallery: What are the aichrizons?

Aichrizon sedum is distinguished by an unusual color of the leaves.
Aichrizon loose during the flowering period looks very decorative Aichrizon sinuous forms a continuous mass of rosettes and shoots in a pot. Aichrizon dotted has bright, eye-pleasing leaves. Aichrizon homemade is the most famous breeding hybrid

Table: Microclimate for keeping a flower

At home, aichrizon learned to survive in extreme conditions. Therefore, "in captivity" he is very unpretentious. But flowering occurs only if the plant is provided with the right microclimate.

If it is not possible to place aichrizon in the winter on an unheated loggia, in a greenhouse, winter garden or another place with a suitable temperature, place it as close as possible to the window, placing some kind of heat-insulating material(for example, a piece of foam). This will protect the roots from the heat coming from the batteries located under the windowsill.

How to repot a houseplant?

right time

Under optimal conditions, aichrizon grows quite quickly, so he needs a transplant every 2-3 years. During this time, the flower manages to tightly braid the roots of an earthen ball. The procedure is carried out in early spring, before the plant "wakes up" after winter rest.

Soil and pot selection

Since the root system is superficial and relatively undeveloped, a pot in the form of a bowl is suitable for an aichrizon. A very large container is not suitable, increase the diameter by a maximum of 5 cm, the depth by 2-3 cm. It is advisable to choose ceramic pots - they are heavier, which means they are more stable, and air passes through the pores, which prevents stagnation of water and the development of rot.

Aichrizon is planted in the ground for succulents and cacti. It meets all the needs of the plant. The substrate is prepared independently according to the following recipes:

• fertile sod land, universal soil for indoor plants, leaf humus, coarse river sand (4:1:1:1). A useful additive is small pieces of coal or old red bricks crushed into crumbs (5–10% of the total volume);
• leafy earth, fertile turf, sand or fine expanded clay (2:2:2:1);
• soil from the garden (the best option is light loam) and any "baking powder" - sand, perlite, vermiculite, pieces of pumice, lava, brick chips (3: 1).

Step-by-step instruction

There is nothing complicated in transplanting aichrizon:

1. Cover the bottom of the pot with expanded clay or other material with similar properties, creating a layer about 2 cm thick. Add the same amount of fresh substrate on top. Lightly moisten the soil.
2. Remove the plant from the pot, cut off dead rosettes and dried shoots with a sharp clean knife. Powder the slices activated carbon, crushed chalk, colloidal sulfur. Do the same with rotten and dried roots.
3. Leave aichrizon outdoors for 1-2 days.
4. Place the plant in a new pot, add soil. It is not necessary to crush it strongly, it is better to shake the container a couple of times so that the soil is evenly distributed and there are no voids left.
5. Remove the flower in partial shade. Water the plant for the first time 5-6 days after transplanting. Then return to its original place and resume watering carefully. During the first month, you need to moisten the earth moderately so as not to cause rot.

Succulent care at home

Watering

Starting from April, aichrizon is watered regularly, but not too plentifully. Between waterings, the soil should dry up to half the depth of the pot. In order not to delve into it every time, look at the leaves. Aichrizon needs moisture when they lose their tone, wrinkles appear on the surface, density and elasticity disappear. It is usually enough to water the flower once every 4-6 days, if it is not very hot outside.

Abundant and frequent watering is a sure way to ruin the plant. But the flower grower's forgetfulness will be transferred relatively painlessly.

To stimulate the growth of green mass, a warm shower (30–35 ° C) is shown. The procedure during the active growing season is carried out every 7-10 days. The plant is watered for 3-5 minutes. Then it must be left in the bath until the drops on the leaves are completely dry.

Succulents are very sensitive to the hardness of the liquid. If it is not possible to constantly water them with melt or rain water, add a few drops of apple cider vinegar or crystals to the tap water citric acid. This neutralizes chlorine, fluorine, calcium compounds that precipitate from grayish flakes.

Fertilization

During the active growing season, the flower is watered every 2-3 weeks with a solution of a special fertilizer for cacti and succulents. If you can not find such top dressing, it is better not to make anything at all. These products differ from universal fertilizers by a very low nitrogen content, which aichrizon, like other succulents, strongly dislikes.

rest period

The plant has a pronounced dormant period. The faded aichrizon is removed to a well-ventilated bright room, in which a constant temperature of 8-10 ° C is maintained. Top dressing is not applied, the shower is stopped, watering is replaced by spraying the soil every 10–12 days.

What to do when the plant begins to bloom?

Flowering in almost all types of aichrizon lasts about 6 months. Plants obtained from cuttings at home bloom in the second or third year after rooting.

Mandatory conditions for flowering:

• suitable in size, not too spacious pot;
• the right temperature and enough light in winter;
• rare watering.

If leaves fall after flowering (in some cases, the plant may lose up to 60–80% of its green mass), this is normal.

There is an opinion that after flowering, aichrizon will certainly die, but this is not so. Therefore, there is no need to cut flower stalks.

How to cut and pinch to form a crown?

In nature, aichrizon is a sprawling shrub. But regular pruning can turn it into a kind of tree. To do this, during intensive growth, the tops of newly formed shoots are pinched by 2-3 cm, and the weakest and unsuccessfully located branches are promptly disposed of.

If the plant has lost its shape after a period of rest in unsuitable conditions, it is better to cut and root the cuttings, and not waste time trying to restore its former decorative effect.

Table: Leaves turn yellow, shrink, fall off - typical grower mistakes

It is very difficult to ruin aichrizon, given the conditions to which the plant is accustomed to at home. But its decorativeness from inept actions can suffer significantly.

Video: How to grow aichrizon at home?

Table: Diseases and pests

Possible methods of reproduction

Growing succulents from seeds

Aichrizon seeds ripen with artificial cross-pollination of several simultaneously flowering bushes. At home, this rather time-consuming method of reproduction is rarely used.

1. Fill the containers with a mixture of universal soil for flowering houseplants and sand (2: 1), level the soil, lightly moisten the substrate.
2. Sow the seeds as evenly as possible. Do not cover with soil on top.
3. Cover containers with glass or polyethylene film, provide a temperature of about 25 ° C and bright diffused light, ideally bottom heating. Ventilate the plantings daily, spray the dried substrate from the spray bottle.
4. 2–3 weeks after germination, plant seedlings in boxes filled with a mixture of leafy, soddy soil and sand (2:2:1), leaving 1–1.5 cm between plants and rows. Set up the containers so that the aichrizons receive as much light as possible.
5. After 2-3 months, once again transplant the plants into individual pots. The substrate is prepared from the same components, but combined in equal proportions. Remove for a week in a place with a temperature of 18-20 ° C, water very moderately every day. Carry out regular care afterward.

Aichrizon cuttings

Rooting cuttings - the most affordable way obtaining a new aichrizon at home. planting material take only from perfectly healthy plants. The optimal cutting length is 7–8 cm (no more than 10 cm). It is advisable to cut off the top of the shoot along with the outlet.

1. Sprinkle the slices with crushed chalk, activated charcoal or colloidal sulfur. Let the cuttings lie down for 2-3 hours in a dark and dry cool place.
2. Fill small containers with a mixture of succulent soil and sand, perlite or vermiculite (1:1). Moisten the substrate. It is possible to root cuttings in water with the addition of a root formation stimulator or activated carbon powder (every 2-3 days the liquid is changed).
3. Create the same conditions for cuttings as for germinating seeds.
4. When the roots appear (usually after 20-30 days), plant the aichrizons in individual pots. The soil is a mixture of leafy, soddy soil and sand. Take care as usual.
5. Next spring, transplant the plants again into the substrate for adult flowers.

Cuttings are cut either immediately before the dormant period, or at its very end.

Video: How to root flower cuttings?

Aichrizon got its name for the original leaves that look like hearts. For flower lovers, it is a symbol of happiness and love, for true flower growers - interesting plant to complete the collection. Caring for aichrizon at home does not take much time - it is an easy-to-care, unpretentious flower.

perennial succulent evergreen. The bush is low, rounded. In height usually does not exceed 30 cm. The root system is superficial, branched. In nature, it prefers rocky terrain - it settles between stones, on cliffs.

The stems are flexible, bright green, strongly branched. Only very old, perennial shoots become woody. The leaves are small, plump, with pubescence. Grouped at the ends of the stems. Color green, sometimes with patches different shades. The form depends on the type. When damaged, the leaves and stems secrete juice with an unpleasant odor.

Aichrizon blooms with small asterisk flowers collected in panicles. Peduncle middle length, branches. The flowers are yellow or cream, rarely red. Each flower consists of 6-12 petals. The formation of a peduncle and buds takes a lot of strength from the plant. Regardless of the quality of care, along with the peduncle, after the flowering phase, a partial death of the shoot occurs.

Important! The sap of the plant contains toxic substances. Ingestion can cause severe poisoning. It is not recommended to keep the flower in an apartment with small children and pets. As a last resort, remove the plant in a place inaccessible to them!

Common varieties

About 15 species are included in the genus. As a houseplant, aichrizon is represented by the following varieties.

• Aichrizon stonecrop. Differs in shortened shoots. The main part of the leaves is concentrated at their tips. The leaves grow closely, shaped like pointed grapes. The color is yellowish-green with a slight admixture of unexpressed red streaks. The surface is smooth and slightly sticky. The flowers are yellow, collected in large tassels.
• Aichrizon home. Compact, spherical bush. Strong branching of the shoots is characteristic. The leaves are dark in color, pubescent, going into beautiful rosettes. Peduncles are long, inflorescences are many-flowered, different yellow shades. They have a pleasant smell.
  
• Aichrizon prostrate. The bush is wide, rather large. Shoots erect, covered with opposite leaves. The leaves are flattened, rhomboid, dark in color. Flowers are small, yellow.
  
• Aichrizon is sinuous. The bush is rounded, low. light leaves in the form of rhombuses sit on small petioles. Silvery pubescence of leaves is characteristic. Flowering begins in May, lasts up to six months. Flowers are delicate beige.
  
• Aichrizon spot. The stems are thin, reddish in color. The leaves are bright, pubescent, in the form of rhombuses. Flowering is plentiful.
  

Sign about aichrizon! It is believed that the flower attracts not only love, but also prosperity to the house. But giving a flower is not recommended - the donor may have financial problems. If you are given aichrizon, be sure to give a yellow coin in return.

Features of cultivation and care

An unpretentious flower, grows well in conditions of minimal care. Complete care increases decorativeness, stimulates long-term, lush flowering.

• Site selection and lighting. Choose well-lit places, protected from the sun. The fleshy leaves are easy to get sunburn. It is recommended to give preference to the western or eastern side. For a uniform density of the bush, it is periodically substituted with the other side to the light. In winter, the need for lighting is higher.
• Temperature. IN summer season prefers heat - up to 25 ° C. Further increase is undesirable. In winter, move to cool - about 10 ° C. Warm wintering leads to stretching of shoots, leaf fall. Do not place near working batteries.
• Watering. In warm weather, in the phase of intensive growth and flowering, regular, moderate watering is adhered to. Control the condition of the soil - before the next watering, it should dry out by half. Excess water is harmful - the roots begin to rot. In winter, the need for moisture is lower. Water rarely, the need for watering is determined by the state of the plant. Lightly press on the crown of the plant with the palm of your hand - if it springs, there is still enough moisture.
• Humidity. Neutral plant in relation to air humidity. The flower is not sprayed. In the summer, they periodically bathe under a warm shower to wash off the dust from the leaves. It is not recommended to do this during the cold season.
• The soil. Any general-purpose store-bought potting mix will work. You can take ordinary garden soil with the addition of sand. The addition of charcoal is welcome, a small amount well-rotted humus.
• Transfer. Annual. Transplanted in the spring before the start of active growth. If the earth ball is not completely covered with roots, the transplant can be skipped. Pots are used low, a quarter filled with drainage. After transplantation, they refrain from watering for a week.
• Top dressing. In the growth phase twice a month. Use products for succulents. The main requirement is a minimum of nitrogen in the composition.

Advice! There are several ways to form an aichrizon. Amateur flower growers often leave it in the form of a compact bush. Experienced flower growers formed in the form of a small tree. To form an even tree, it is recommended to regularly pinch off weak shoots, cut the tops of young ones.

Reproduction methods

Aichrizon is propagated by sowing seeds and cuttings. Both methods give good results.

• Seeds. Seeds are sown in spring to a depth of 5 mm. Boxes are used as a container, soil is a mixture of peat or leafy soil with sand. Watering is replaced by spraying from a spray bottle. Germinate under film or glass at a temperature not lower than 16°C. Optimum temperature— 20°C. The greenhouse is ventilated daily, the film is removed only after the emergence of shoots. Moisturize as needed. Seed germination is good, the first sprouts appear by the end of the second week. Pick in separate pots at the stage of 3-4 true leaves. For the splendor of the bush, several seedlings are planted in one pot.
• cuttings. Optimal time for cuttings - March-April. Cut cuttings 8-9 cm long, dry for at least 24 hours. Rooted in two ways - in water or soil. For rooting in water, they take only boiled water, add crushed coal to it (1-2 tablets). After the roots appear, they are transplanted into the soil for succulents.

Advice! All parts of the plant are capable of rooting. If the plant is still too young to cut cuttings from it, break off a leaf and press it into the moist soil. Literally in 1-2 weeks, the formation of roots will begin.

The main difficulties of growing

The main problem of aichrizon is rot. They are caused by excessive moisture in the soil. Rot affects the base of the shoots and the root system. If the plant begins to rot, it is better to plant the cutting immediately in case the flower dies. A diseased plant is transplanted into new ground, after removing the affected parts. In addition to rot, you may encounter the following problems.

Aichrizon is a beautiful and fairly common plant. It looks good in the form of a bush and a tree, retains its decorative effect all year round.