Croton mix. New seedlings can be obtained in different ways

Croton is also called codiaum. This plant belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and resembles their typical representatives. It has characteristic leaves with an interesting color, thanks to which it fits well into the home interior.

There are about 17 types of croton, and many of them are cultivated in culture. They have different colors and textures of foliage - green, orange, reddish and look very original in the design of the room.

Croton varigatum (variegated)

This species is distinguished by a variety of foliage colors: there are varieties with burgundy, autumn tones, as well as bright green variegated leaves, which will bring a special dynamic to the home garden.

They look great on their own, and in combination with other indoor plants, contrasting against their background. Grow at least half a meter in height, under favorable conditions, they can reach 80-100 cm.

Croton varigatum (variegated)

Croton dragon

The species got its name thanks to the legend of the Indian tribes of South America: it is believed that its reddish resin gives strength to warriors and provides protection to the dragon. That's why it's called dragon blood.

The leaves are bright and dark green with variegated stripes of reddish and yellow. They successfully contrast against each other and enliven the space.

Croton dragon

Gallery: croton (25 photos)

Croton prickly

This species looks like a dragon. It also has red and green leaves of various colors.. They are somewhat smaller in size. The resin from this tree, which is extracted from natural crotons, is still used as a raw material for the production of varnishes.

Croton prickly

Croton angustifolia

A very original codiaum with peculiar narrow leaves of green and orange-purple hues. In favorable conditions it can grow over a meter, so it is often used as a floor decoration.

The leaves are variegated, with yellow splashes, look good in combination with bright indoor flowers.

Croton angustifolia

Croton Petra

Croton Petra has classic-shaped leaves. The colors are pale yellow, various shades of green and deep pink. It is a particularly popular species among gardeners, as it is densely covered with leaves that grow from a straight, strong stem and give the plant the appearance of a beautiful tree.

Croton Petra

Croton Mrs Aiston

This is perhaps the most original variety. It simultaneously has dark, light green, as well as yellow, scarlet and red foliage. It looks like a real bouquet, so you can give it to a lady.

Requires special care conditions - loves constant moistening of its many leaves; Otherwise, they quickly begin to fall off.

Croton Mrs Aiston

Croton Excelent

This type of codiaum has a very peculiar, characteristic foliage shape: a rounded leaf with a pronounced rounded end. In general, it resembles the head and shoulders of a person. By color from pale green to saturated tones (there are also yellow and pink).

Croton Excelent

Croton Zanzibar

This view is a real personification of the tropics: narrow foliage with lush coloring; red, burgundy, yellow and green leaves grow on the same tree. Such a codiaum well enlivens the design, so it is better to put it in the most prominent place.

Croton Zanzibar

Croton mix

View with typical color and shape of foliage, well decorated on wood. It has strong woody stems. Foliage develops very rapidly, so it is better to immediately pluck the extra shoots.

Croton mix

Croton transplant after purchase

After you acquire the codiaum, it is better to keep it separate from other house plants for some time (at least a month), arranging a kind of quarantine. The fact is that many insect larvae are invisible even with a thorough examination. If during this time no external changes have occurred, you can transplant it into the main dish.

How to care for croton (video)

soil and flower pot

For croton, it is important to provide enough spacious conditions so that its roots grow freely in the ground. There are no special requirements for the material of the dishes. In this case, it is better to have a sufficiently deep pan, where you can add warm water during the summer heat to provide an additional source of moisture.

As for the soil, then its choice must be taken seriously. The composition of the earth is as follows:

• turf;
• peat;
• fine-grained sand without impurities;
• leaf land;
• humus.

All these components are taken in the same mass quantities. Important also provide a good layer of drainage, so the size of the pot is selected with a margin. The best option is when the bottom layer for a quarter of the entire volume is laid out with expanded clay, small pebbles, charcoal, small clay fragments (you can take 1-2 of these components in the same ratio).

For croton, it is important to provide enough spacious conditions so that its roots grow freely in the ground.

How to transplant codiaum correctly

The codiaum grows quite quickly, especially in the first years of life. If at this time to provide him with all the conditions, then you get a very beautiful, small tree. To make the flower feel good and grow as quickly as possible, you need to consider a few rules:

1. A young plant (up to 3-4 years old) should be replanted every year. At the same time, annual transplants are made until the growth rate slows down.
2. If the croton is more than 5 years old, then it is transplanted every 3-4 years.
3. The size of the pot is chosen based on the fact that it should be at least 4-5 cm larger than the previous one (both in diameter and in height).
4. Such a container is selected in size so that the roots fit freely into it, and there is little space left.

Important! It is necessary to transplant the codiaeum especially carefully, trying to completely preserve the roots and the earthen ball on them. Then the flower will take root faster and begin to actively grow in a new place.

A young plant (up to 3-4 years old) should be replanted every year

Methods for propagating a houseplant

The main method of propagation of this plant is with the help of apical cuttings. The technology is as follows:

1. A sufficiently strong, lignified cutting is selected (at least 12-15 cm in length).
2. It is carefully cut with a sharp knife at an angle large enough to allow the maximum amount of moisture and nutrients to enter the shoot.
3. Within 2-3 hours, he needs to be allowed to lie down in the shade so that he dries out a little.
4. Then you can plant in the main pot or in water. The first roots appear after a month, respectively, full rooting occurs no earlier than 6 weeks.

ADVICE:

In order for the roots to take root faster, they can be watered with a rooter. At first, it is important for the shoot to provide especially humid and warm conditions.

Another option is propagation using leaves. A large, healthy leaf is taken, carefully plucked from the mother plant and simply placed on the surface of the earth nearby. In the first weeks, you should not plant it deep - just sprinkle it with soil.

The main method of propagation of croton is with the help of apical cuttings.

And there is still the opportunity to propagate the codiaum by seeds. For this, soil is taken with the same composition as for adult plants. In the first months, it is important to provide warm conditions (above 25 ° C), highlighting the pot if necessary. Moisture should also be sufficient.

All flower breeding activities can be done only in the warm season (preferably in spring).

Important! Like many other spurges, croton is a poisonous flower. If its juice gets on the skin, it can cause irritation. Therefore, all work on transplanting or reproduction should be carried out with disposable gloves.

How to transplant croton (video)

Croton care at home

Since the homeland of croton is the warm countries of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, this plant loves warmth and sufficient humidity. In general, caring for him is not difficult - the main thing is to observe a few simple conditions:

• diffused, but at the same time bright sunlight;
• systematic watering with warm water;
• constantly moist air.

Choosing a place in the house

Croton responds well to moderate, diffused lighting, as in nature it grows in the shade of trees. It should be placed on the western or eastern windows. If this is not possible, then it is better to remove it from the southern windows away from the sun in the summer.

You can understand whether the plant has enough light by its leaves - if the yellow stripes contrast well against the background of greenery, are pronounced, then the lighting is good. If they begin to fade and practically merge with the rest of the foliage, this means that there is too much light.

According to temperature conditions, the codiaum loves sufficient warming up very much, therefore, even in winter, it is undesirable for the room to be below 19-20 ° C. In summer, it is better to ensure stable heating from 24 ° C and above. This can be done by placing it on the sunny side, after curtaining the window with a light tulle so that the rays do not burn the foliage.

Croton responds well to moderate, diffused lighting.

Flower dressing

Croton fertilizer is carried out year-round. It is especially important to make it in spring and summer. You can choose complex mineral fertilizers and apply them together with irrigation in the following mode:

• during the period of growth activation (spring-summer) weekly;
• in winter once a month (no more than 3 times during the entire cold season).

Nitrogen and organic fertilizers are also suitable. If you combine them with complex ones, then the doses of all dressings should be reduced accordingly so as not to overfeed the flower as a whole.

Croton fertilizer is carried out all year round

How often to water croton

Croton is an example of a plant that loves the middle ground in soil moisture. On the one hand, it does not tolerate long-term existence in dry soil with irregular watering, and on the other hand, it should not be waterlogged either. Accordingly, the optimal mode:

• in spring and summer - 3-4 times a week;
• on hot days - 5-6 times a week;
• in winter and autumn - 2-3 times a week.

Along with watering it is very important to provide a sufficiently humid atmosphere for this flower. To do this, you need to regularly (2-3 times a week) spray the leaves with water. In summer, on hot days, it is better to do this more often. Spraying is done in the evening, when the sun's rays become weaker. In winter, the procedure is also done systematically, since dry air coming from heating can also harm the foliage.

Important! Watering with cold water is unacceptable even in cases where it is obvious that the plant needs an urgent supply of moisture. The fact is that croton is very thermophilic, so water should always be defended so that its temperature reaches room temperature.

It is necessary to regularly spray croton leaves with water.

pruning codiaum

The codiaum needs to be trimmed constantly. This event aims to achieve two goals:

• decorative;
• preventive.

To give the plant the shape of a miniature tree, you need to constantly pinch unnecessary layers that grow in different directions and spoil the overall look. This can be done by hand or with a clean, sharp knife.

In the second case, all weak, withered leaves are removed - they take away excess moisture and nutrients for themselves, which should be supplied to healthy parts of the flower. That's why you need to periodically inspect the croton and remove all sluggish leaves.

Codiaum needs to be trimmed constantly

Croton bloom

If croton blooms, this is a real event, since it happens very rarely. At the same time, the flowers themselves do not have decorative value - they are pale, small and quickly fall off. Many gardeners simply pinch them off as soon as they appear. In any case, they should be removed as soon as they begin to fade.

Croton diseases and their treatment

The main flower pests are as follows:

• mealybugs;
• scale insects;
• spider mite.

Traces of their harmful effects can be detected by biting, the appearance of brown spots on the leaves, as well as by the white fluff - cobwebs. You should constantly examine your pet for the presence of such signs. If there is even a slight suspicion, it is best to treat surfaces with any insecticide(It is enough to take a not very strong solution).

The rest of the diseases (weakness of the leaves, their falling off, and others) are associated with improper care conditions and are discussed below.

Important! It is quite difficult to treat an affected plant, therefore, when buying, you should carefully examine all the foliage and stems so that they do not even have small defects (specks, scratches) as well as traces of plaque (light fluff) or bites.

If croton blooms, this is a real event, because it happens very rarely.

Possible growing problems

Problems with the cultivation of this tropical plant are associated with insufficient provision of the required conditions. In most cases, his leaves fall or turn yellow. Almost always, improper care is reflected in the appearance of Croton:

1. Systematic watering of insufficiently separated and even more cold is also guaranteed to lead to the fact that the croton will shed its foliage.
2. If the plant does not receive enough moisture, the tips of its leaves dry out, they turn brown and may even begin to fall off. This is one of the reasons why croton sheds leaves.
3. The lack of moisture during winter, when heating systems are on and warm, dry air rises to the leaves, can lead to another problem - in the spring, spider mites and weevils can become active on the affected plant, which can kill croton.
4. If the croton lowered its leaves, this is the first sign that the moisture is clearly not enough. Increase the frequency of watering.
5. If the leaves turn yellow, it means that the croton does not receive enough light; you need to put it on a bright window, fencing off direct sunlight with a light curtain.
6. If the croton has dropped green, normal-looking leaves, this may be due to temperature changes, drafts, or too dry air.

Codium, which we often call croton, is an ornamental plant with unusually original variegated leaves. Like any ornamental plant, it is quite capricious, so you need to take care of it with special care. Particular attention should be paid to proper watering and maintaining high humidity in the room.

At the slightest violation of the growing conditions, the leaves of the codiaum wither, their tips dry up, and when stressful situations arise, they fall off completely.

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Description

Plants codiaum and croton belong to the genus Euphorbiaceae. Croton is usually grown as a spice and codiaum as an ornamental. They are similar in shape and bright color of the leaves, therefore the codiaum is usually called croton. In the tropics and subtropics of Australia or East India, the codiaum grows in the form of shrubs or trees, reaching a height of 3-6 m. At home, this plant reaches about 70 cm. The maximum height is one and a half meters.

The main advantage and decoration of croton is colorful leathery leaves.

They may take the form:

• laurel;
• oval;
• in the form of a blade;
• forked;
• guitar-like.

The color of the leaves is the most diverse. On the green body are white, olive, yellow, orange, red segments, veins, dots. The lower the leaf is located in the crown, the brighter its colors. In some species, the length of the leaves reaches 30 cm. There are small-leaved ones that are grown in the form of a standard tree.



Croton blooms rarely in an apartment. But there is no point in regretting it. Croton flowers are small, white-yellow. There are male and female (without petals). If seeds are not needed for croton propagation, the flowers are plucked before flowering begins so that they do not weaken the plant.



Types of codiaum

There are many types and varieties of codiaum. Based on them, a large number of hybrids have been created. The most common of them:

• Variegated - has leaves of various shapes with multi-colored veins, often with a border.
• Petra - with fleshy leaves of contrasting colors. The veins are yellow, along the edge of the same edging.
• Excelent - yellow veins above, red below, and brown veins.
• Mammy - with narrow, spiral-wrapped leaves. Shades of spots are red, pink.
• Sunny Star - the young leaves of which are painted in olive color, and the adults with multi-colored spots.
• Mix - with long leaves, at the top of each there is a sharp edging.
• Tamara - with long leaves, the ends of which are twisted in a spiral. The color of the leaves is light green with red dots and spots.



reproduction

The most common method of reproduction is the rooting of lignified apical cuttings (leaves). Cut them off with a sharp knife. The length of each cutting is at least 10 cm. Juice flows inside the shoots, which looks like milk. It must be washed off by placing it in a bowl of water at room temperature.

The sheets are rolled into a tube and fixed in this position. The soil is prepared from sand, peat and sphagnum moss. Install the stalk in a pot, cover with a glass jar or arrange a greenhouse over it. The cutting will take root for a month and a half. All this time keep the soil moist. The lower heating of the pot will accelerate rooting.

It is easier to propagate the codiaum by air layering. But this can only be done if there is already an adult plant. Bend down the branch, sprinkle it with earth and wait for the roots to appear. After that, the grown part is cut off and transplanted into another pot. The leaves of a young tree are usually not as bright as those of an adult.

Croton seeds are harder to find than cuttings. But if they are available, in February they are soaked in a growth stimulator according to the instructions for using the product. Then they are placed in a substrate, moistened, covered with glass or polyethylene. They germinate in 3-4 weeks. Remove glass, water. When a couple of true leaves grow, they are planted in a separate bowl.



Croton Care

Croton care at home is not difficult. It does not require special conditions of detention. Croton is a tropical plant. To grow it in a city apartment or house, conditions are created similar to those to which he is accustomed to at home. This is high humidity, lack of drafts, abundant diffused lighting. The plant brought into the house must get used to the new conditions. It is under stress, so sometimes sheds leaves.

The best option for placing a croton is a window facing east or west. Hot dry air from a heating radiator can be detrimental to him. Sometimes it is better to place the plant near a south-facing window. It is impossible to install so that the rays of the sun fall on the leaves, leaving burns on them. In winter, they will not harm. If the lighting is insufficient, the leaves lose their multi-colored color, and croton will grow slowly.



The temperature in an ordinary apartment (about 22 ° C) is suitable for Croton. If it rises beyond 27 or falls below 17°C, the croton will feel uncomfortable, and at 11-12°C it may even die.

Watering the plants is carried out regularly, preventing the soil from drying deeper than 1 cm. But you can’t pour it too much, otherwise the root will begin to rot.

Do not water Croton with cold tap water. From it, a tree can shed its leaves. First, the water is filtered or settled. Make sure it is soft and warm, at room temperature.

In order for Croton to grow and develop quickly, high (70%) humidity is maintained in the room. In an ordinary city apartment with radiators under each window, it is difficult to provide it. Therefore, a number of activities are carried out:

• install a humidifier directly next to the plant;
• a flowerpot with a plant is placed in a tray with stones, which is filled with water;
• periodically spray the leaves, wipe them on both sides with a cloth moistened with water.

Small plants are washed once a month in the shower so that water does not fall on the ground. If the tap water is of good quality, you can use it. If it is highly chlorinated, it is defended and watered with a watering can.

Alternate fertilizing with mineral fertilizers and organic matter. They are carried out 2 times a month, in winter - 1 time. Before this, the plant is watered.

Transplantation and crown formation

The first few years of a Croton's life are transplanted every year. Then they monitor when the root system completely fills the pot. Look at the drainage hole for roots peeking out of it.

Transplanted in spring or early summer. A croton pot is taken wide, but shallow, several centimeters wider than the previous one. Drainage is laid at the bottom, not less than 3 cm high. Small gravel, expanded clay, broken ceramics are taken.

Croton does not like too wide pots. If the amount of soil is much larger than the volume of the roots, the water can stagnate and the roots can rot.

Form the crown of the plant. Pinch the top at a height of 15 cm, repeat the procedure several times as it grows.

Croton juice, getting on the skin, can cause dermatitis, and swallowing - vomiting. Therefore, all operations are carried out carefully, wash hands with soap after contact with the plant.

insect pests

Croton juice is poisonous, so insect pests do not like it. A healthy plant is rarely attacked by them. Pests common to houseplants can settle on those weakened as a result of insufficient care:

• The presence of a spider mite can be determined by a thin web located on the trunk under the leaves.
• Mealybugs are clearly visible to the naked eye. They are mobile, whitish, move quickly along the stem. They leave a white discharge that looks like cotton balls.
• Scale insects are small insects whose body is covered with a strong shell. They are located on the trunk and drink juice. Their activity leads to the fall of leaves and the death of the plant.

If the number of pests is small, wipe the trunk with medical alcohol. It will help remove insects, not their eggs. Therefore, the treatment is repeated after a week. Use a soap solution or any detergent. Soap the leaves and trunk and leave for 3 hours. Then wash off, cover the flower with a plastic bag and leave overnight.

If there are a lot of pests, they fight with insecticides. The best among them:

• chemical agent "Aktellik";
• biological preparation "Fitoverm";
• "Neoron", destroying insects and their eggs.



Ambileius predatory mites successfully fight pests, which you can buy at a flower shop.

Growing croton is a fascinating, but troublesome business. It should not be left unattended for a week or two. But healthy plants will delight with bright variegated leaves for many years. They are used to decorate shop windows, halls, spacious rooms.

Codiaum is a demanding care, but extraordinarily beautiful ornamental plant from the Euphorbiaceae family. Amateur flower growers often call it croton. The plant is native to Malaysia, Polynesia and northern Australia. Croton's wild relatives grow up to 3-4 meters in height. Lovers of indoor flowers have more compact hybrids on their windowsills, striking with a variety of shapes and colors of leaves. Caring for Croton at home is not easy, so he has a reputation for picky.

Growing and care at home

The croton flower is a native of the humid tropics. He does not tolerate drafts and dry air, cold, drying out of the earth, lack of light are destructive for him. The bright color of the leaves depends on the amount of light, but direct sunlight can leave burns on them. Therefore, it is better to place the plant on a western or eastern window.

It signals any unfavorable deviations in care by a change in color and wilting of the leaves. And they are unusually beautiful: hard, glossy, painted in different colors depending on age. Young leaves are predominantly yellow and light green in color, over time they acquire pink and red hues, old leaf plates can have a rich dark green, burgundy, purple color. The shape of the leaves depends on the variety and can be oval, narrow-leaved, three- and multi-lobed, with smooth or wavy edges.

Lighting and temperature

With a lack of light, the leaf plates turn green and lose their decorative effect. Therefore, on windows facing north, plants require additional lighting. Demanding flower and temperature. In summer, he feels comfortable at + 20- + 25 degrees Celsius. When the temperature rises, watering should be increased.

In winter, the temperature is maintained in the range from +17 to +20 ° C. When kept in cooler conditions, the foliage falls off. Unfortunately, new leaves will not grow in place of fallen ones in the same places.

Watering and humidity

Croton requires balanced watering of settled with slightly warmed water. In summer, water should be plentiful and regular. With a lack of moisture, the leaves lose turgor and droop, and with an excess of moisture, the root system rots. Therefore, excess water from the pan must be drained.

The plant also needs systematic fine spraying. Adjust the sprayer so that moisture settles on the leaves and evaporates, rather than dripping off them. Instead of spraying, you can wipe the leaf plates with a damp cloth. To increase the level of humidity, pebbles are poured into the pan and a pot with a plant is placed on it. Make sure the pebbles are always wet.

In winter, in the dormant phase, watering is reduced, especially when the temperature drops. In apartments with central heating, too dry air can cause leaf fall and the appearance of pests (weevil, spider mites). Place Croton away from radiators and monitor air humidity.

Fertilization

In the spring and summer, Croton needs regular top dressing. They ensure the active development of the plant and the bright color of the leaf plates. Every 1-2 weeks, 15 minutes after watering, complex fertilizers are applied.

In winter, croton is in a dormant phase, so top dressing is reduced to 1 time per month or completely stopped.

Reproduction and transplantation of croton

Reproduction of croton at home is possible by cuttings and seeds. It is more successfully possible to propagate by cuttings, but they also take root for a long time and reluctantly. In early spring, lateral and apical sprouts 12–15 cm long are cut off and dipped briefly in warm water to wash off the milky juice. Rooting can be done in two ways:

Crotons rarely reproduce by seed, because:

• varietal characteristics of the plant are lost;
• only freshly harvested seeds can be used, as they quickly lose their germination capacity;
• the process of growing croton from seeds is laborious and lengthy.

Before planting, the seeds are soaked for half an hour in hot water at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius., and then keep wrapped in a damp cloth for swelling for another day. Sow in pots or boxes, deepening the seeds into the ground by 1 cm, cover with glass or a plastic bag, keep at a temperature of 22 degrees, water through the pan until the entrances appear. When the seedlings germinate, the pots are placed in a well-lit place and the polyethylene is removed. After the appearance of the third leaf, the sprouts should be planted in individual pots up to 7 cm in diameter. They are cared for in the same way as adult crotons.

For the first three years, young crotons are transplanted annually, each time into a slightly larger container. In the future, transplantation is carried out as needed approximately once every 3-4 years. The diameter of the pot should be half the diameter of the crown. The soil mixture is bought ready-made or mixed from equal parts of sheet, peat and sod soil with the addition of sand and charcoal. The bottom of the pot must be covered with drainage.

In order not to injure the plant, it must be transplanted by transshipment, without disturbing the roots. Croton should be transplanted after purchase, as the transport soil is not suitable for long-term maintenance of plants. It is removed, trying to injure the roots as little as possible. Sick plants are not recommended to be transplanted, as this is a lot of stress for them.

Amateur flower growers who have thoroughly studied all the nuances of caring for croton at home advise:

You should not spare labor and time to care for the capricious croton. He gratefully responds to care, with a bright feathery color of glossy leaves cheers up at any time of the year and unusually enlivens the interior.

croton flower

Thanks to its colorful, vibrant leaves, one of the most popular and beloved indoor flowers is the croton. This ornamental leafy plant is used to decorate and decorate apartments, houses and offices. At home, a plant with beautiful, unusual leaves can grow up to one and a half meters.

Taking care of him is a pleasure. The main thing is to provide Croton with all the conditions necessary for its growth, and follow the recommendations of experienced growers.

Description, types and photos of Croton

Croton (codiaum) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Under natural conditions, he grows on the islands of India and the Pacific Ocean, the Malaysian Islands and in the forests of Southeast Asia. In nature, the shrub grows up to three meters and is distinguished by leathery leaves of various shapes. They can be broadly ovate, notched, three-lobed, obtuse, pointed, oblong-lanceolate, asymmetrical.

On a young plant, light leaves of yellow-green hues are first formed. As the bush grows, they become saturated green-burgundy. Therefore, the codiaum is very similar to an elegant tree in the autumn forest. Croton blooms with inconspicuous flowers of cream shades, which make up the axillary racemes.

Types of crotons - photo

Several types of shrubs are grown indoors, differing in the shape and color of the leaves. The most popular of them is the Motley croton. The plant is a shrub up to three meters high, on the branches of which are short-leaved green-brown leaves. The species has several varieties that differ in the shape of the leaves:

Croton Varigatum is also very famous among flower growers. The plant is a bush with a bare trunk at the bottom and green-brown spreading leaves. At the base, the leaflets may have a heart-shaped ovoid or elongated-lanceolate shape.. Codiaum variagatum is represented by several varieties:

1. The flat-leaved croton is distinguished by slightly wavy oval leaves, the length of which reaches 30 cm, and the width is 10 cm.
2. The lobed type of codiaum is a plant with characteristic three-lobed leaves. Their lateral lobes are shorter than the central one and less pointed. Coloring can be monophonic or variegated. In length, the sheets grow up to 22 cm, and in width up to 10 cm.
3. Adnexal croton has both green and variegated leaves, consisting of two plates. The upper plate seems to hang from the lower one, connecting with it with a thin bridge.
4. The decorated codiaum is widely used by breeders to create numerous hybrids.

Croton: home care

Codiaum belongs to light-loving unpretentious plants, however, when caring for it, you must follow some rules.

Lighting and temperature conditions

In order for the plant to please with its beautiful leaves, it must be placed in a well-lit place. With a lack of light, the leaves turn green and lose their decorative effect.. In the summer, the bushes are shaded from direct sunlight, otherwise burns in the form of spots will appear on the leaves. In winter, Croton will feel good on the southern windowsills.

Codium is a heat-loving plant, therefore the temperature in the room where it is grown should not fall below +16 degrees The optimum temperature for it is within + 20- + 22 degrees. In summer, the bush can be taken out to the balcony or garden, placing it in a place protected from the burning sun and strong wind.

Air humidity

When caring for croton, we must not forget that the plant is very fond of high humidity. Therefore, in the spring and summer, it must be sprayed regularly.

If the codiaum is kept in cool conditions in winter, then it can be practically not sprayed. However, the indoor heating system dries the air very much. In this case, the plants are removed away from the batteries and sprayed several times a day with settled water at room temperature. You can increase the humidity of the air around the bush with the help of a pallet placed next to it with wet expanded clay or moss. The plant will also like the humidifiers working nearby.

Another prerequisite for caring for codiaum is regular rubbing of the leaves. It is recommended to carry out such a procedure with a damp and clean soft sponge once a week.

Watering and fertilizing

It is necessary to water the croton so that the soil is slightly moist all the time, but the water in the roots does not stagnate. With an excess of moisture, the roots of the flower begin to rot., and with its lack - to dry and fall off the leaves. Therefore, drainage is necessarily poured at the bottom of the pot, and the plant is watered abundantly and regularly. In autumn and winter, if the room is cool, it is recommended to reduce watering.

Croton is fertilized twice a month from April to November and once a month in winter with complex mineral fertilizers for decorative leafy plants. Bushes are fed necessarily after watering otherwise the fertilizer may burn the roots.

Kraton flower - transplant rules

Young plants are transplanted every year, and adults as the pot is filled with the root system. Transplantation should be carried out in the spring, when the growing season has not yet begun.

The composition of the soil must correspond to the soil in which codiaums grow in natural conditions. You can prepare such an earthen mixture at home by mixing in equal proportions:

• sod land;
• sifted sand;
• humus;
• peat.

Adding charcoal to the soil will prevent root rot. So that no insect larvae and harmful microorganisms remain in the soil, it is recommended to ignite it or spill it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

It is necessary to plant croton in wide, shallow pots, at the bottom of which there should be at least three centimeters of drainage. A small layer of earth is poured on expanded clay, then the roots of the plant are placed, which are sprinkled in a circle with new soil.

The flower is watered, and for the first time is placed in a slightly shaded place. Care for him consists in timely watering, spraying the leaves and shading from the sun's rays.

When transplanting a plant, the new pot should be only 2–4 cm larger than the previous one. Its size depends on the size of the root system. Once grown at home croton will be transplanted into a container with a diameter of 25 cm, transfers are completed. After that, every year it will be necessary to update only the top layer of soil in the pot.

Reproduction of croton at home

Codiaum can be propagated in two ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds.

Reproduction by cuttings

With this method, it is easiest to cut off the top of a bush 6–10 cm long and root it. If you need to get several young plants at once, then escape is cut into several parts. In addition, each segment should be with one healthy leaf and one internode.

The milky juice flowing from the cut is washed off with water, and the stalk dries out within a few hours. From the lower part of the segment, the leaves are removed, and on the upper part, the leaves are shortened by half parallel to the veins.

Prepared and dried cuttings are placed in a container with water, the temperature of which should be up to 23-30C. In water with a colder temperature, the planting material will begin to rot.

Cuttings with roots 2 cm long are planted in pots filled with substrate. Caring for them consists in frequent spraying of the soil and the process itself. As soon as the elasticity of the leaves is restored, the cuttings are rooted, and the plant begins to grow.

Reproduction of croton by seeds

Sowing is done with freshly harvested seeds, as they quickly lose their germination capacity. With this method of reproduction, the plant loses its varietal characteristics., and the germination process itself takes a lot of time.

Before planting, the seeds are heated for thirty minutes in water with a temperature of 60 ° C, and remain for a day to swell. In prepared containers with soil sowing is carried out at a depth of 1 cm. Seedling boxes are covered with glass or polyethylene and cleaned in a warm place with an air temperature of 22C. Until the first shoots appear, the earth mixture is moistened with bottom watering.

After the appearance of seedlings, the glass is removed, and the seedling container is placed in a well-lit place. After the appearance of the third leaf, young plants are seated in separate pots., the diameter of which should be no more than 7 cm. Care for them is the same as for adult plants.

Possible problems when growing croton

Subject to all the rules of care, the flower is not afraid of any diseases and insects. Their appearance suggests that the croton does not like the conditions of detention.

Irregular watering, dry indoor air and infrequent spraying can lead to the appearance of a spider mite flower, scale insect or mealy worm on the leaves. In the early stages, you can fight pests with folk remedies. To do this, the leaves and stems of croton are wiped with a solution of tobacco and soap.. After an hour, the bush is rinsed in the shower so that water and the solution do not enter the soil. If there are already a lot of pests on the plant, urgent treatment with special chemicals is required.

Why does the codiaum shed its leaves?

The plant drops the lower leaves in a small amount during growth. There is nothing wrong with this. However, with massive leaf fall, it is worth looking for the cause and eliminating it. Croton leaves can fall off in several cases:

1. The plant stands in a draft.
2. Low air humidity.
3. Constant insufficient watering.
4. Sharp fluctuations in temperature.

Why do leaves dry?

The drying of the lower leaves of the flower is a natural process. In a plant, the lower part of the stem is exposed with age. Dry leaf edges and brown spots indicate that the codiaum is cold., and it urgently needs to be rearranged to a warmer place. Dry leaf tips indicate that the room has low humidity. If the leaves not only dry, but also fall off, then the plant is overdried and its roots lack moisture.

Why did the croton drop its leaves?

If the roots are cold, they stop absorbing moisture, causing the plant to drop its leaves. In this case, the flower pot must be rearranged in a warm, well-lit place., regularly water and spray, stop feeding. For some time, it is recommended to put a transparent bag or cap on the flower.

Despite the fact that a beautiful tropical tree at home looks stable and strong, it still needs proper care. Careless attitude to the plant can lead to the appearance of pests, diseases, and even to its death.. In order for the croton to please with its decorative foliage all year round, it must be surrounded by attention and care.