Croton is a spectacular and beautiful plant that has become popular not so long ago. Having opened it for themselves, amateur gardeners are happy to decorate them with residential and office premises, winter gardens and greenhouses, I arrange windows and exhibition racks.
Croton varieties are not as many as, for example, begonia, but these specimens are worthy of telling about them.
A motley cross is a decorative-and-liable shrub that is notable due to its bright leaves. The color of the leaf plate is very interesting here-bright greens from above and burgundy-red color on its lower side. The veins of an oblong leaf are highlighted with light lines. This plant is native to India and Indonesia.
What is croton
Croton motley is quite capricious, and it is difficult to care for him. The plant loves humidity and high air temperature – it should not be below 18-20 degrees. But it does not tolerate direct sunlight. It is easiest to grow variegated croton in a greenhouse, where there are all conditions for it. In a room, this becomes possible only near heating appliances. But even here there are some nuances – the pot must be wrapped in wet moss, because croton requires constant evaporation.
Land for motley croton should be a mixture of leaf and sod land, with peat and sand. There should be little soil in the pot, otherwise it will turn sour. Croton grows and develops well in ion culture.
Croton leaves need constant care – in summer they are constantly sprayed, in winter they are washed with water. In the summer, variegated croton must be watered with solutions of organic and mineral fertilizers. Otherwise, the plant will start to hurt and drop leaves.
Motley croton propagates by cuttings, which are planted in peat and sand, expanded clay or ion-exchange substrate at a temperature of 25-30 degrees. Of course, you need to do this in a greenhouse. The optimal breeding time is the end of winter (February). Pruning shoots is always accompanied by the release of milky juice and this moment must be controlled.
The moodiness of croton does not become an obstacle for lovers of ornamental plants. This is a wonderful decoration that looks equally good in single and group plantings. In addition, Croton easily tolerates artificial lighting.
Croton, or painted codiaum, was born in the Pacific Islands. It is an evergreen decorative deciduous shrub reaching a height of 3 m. The leaves of this plant are really painted – variegated, shiny and smooth.
What is croton
This type of croton blooms, and its flowers are divided into male – with a corolla and calyx – and female, without petals. Croton blooms in July, and its color is collected in axillary brushes.
The painted codiaum propagates with the help of cuttings – they are planted in sand, which must be constantly heated from below. You can do this in March and April.
Croton landing is accompanied by additional actions. Before planting the cuttings, their sections must be placed in water at a temperature of 20 degrees. After this procedure, the leaves of the cuttings are tied and planted in small pots with a mixture of hardwood, fine moss and sand, in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. In this mixture, a recess is made, which is filled with sand. This is where the cuttings are planted. It is necessary to keep the planted croton at a temperature of 26-28 degrees, while constantly moistening and spraying.
What is croton
After the plant takes root, it is transplanted into a large pot and placed in a bright place. Young plants need to be transplanted annually in March, and those that are older – only once every 2 years.
The soil for an adult croton should consist of turf and leafy soil, sand and fine charcoal, in a ratio of 2: 4: 2: 0.5. Croton loves warmth and humidity.
There are several varieties of painted croton.
Punctatum aureum is characterized by long and narrow leaves that have a leathery texture. Their color is dark green, with bright golden spots. This croton blooms in April and early May.
Mons Ernest Delarue blooms in April. This is a beautiful plant with pale green leaves, which are decorated with wide golden stripes and bright lemon spots.
Duke of Windsor looks rich in any interior. Its large leaves are leathery, shiny and deeply pitted. Especially beautiful are the leaves that are located below. They are reddish green in color and have golden spots and yellow strokes on them. Red-orange stripes run down the center.
