How to grow croton at home?

Caring for croton at home is not as easy as the amateur flower growers would like. This is due to the finickyness of the flower, its exactingness to environmental conditions.

For the full growth of croton, which is also called codiaum, it is recommended to provide suitable temperature conditions, timely pruning of leaves and competent watering. In response, the leaves of the plant will turn green, and will decorate any room.

Varieties and types of flower

There are several dozen varieties of codiaum, but the variegated species is the most popular among all. Many hybrid varieties have been bred from it, which are suitable for keeping at home.

The Croton plant is most popular in the following varieties:

Petra

The bush is formed by many dense green-yellow leaves, some veins are pink. The leaves are turned in different directions from the shoots, which gives the crown a splendor. The shape of the bush is dense, the leaves are closely adjacent to each other.

Excellence

In shape, the leaves are somewhat reminiscent of oak. The leaf plate itself has a base and two blades extending from it. The leaves are green-yellow, with the older ones having a more pinkish tint. The reverse side of the leaf is almost completely pink.

Zanzibar

The bush is formed from a dense trunk and narrow leaves. Because of such sheets, the crown of the plant is somewhat reminiscent of a palm tree, however, the difference also lies in the predominance of pink shades.

Mrs. Aiston

This type of croton is a tall bush, the leaves on which are collected in small groups and look like flowers. The hue of the plant ranges from dark green to pinkish, yellow and golden colors.

Croton flower: the nuances of growing

When buying croton, you should take into account the fact that the plant is quite demanding.There are many nuances in caring for it, each of which affects the final appearance of the color.

What you need to know before purchasing codiaum:

1. In places where a leaf or stem is broken, the codiaum begins to secrete poisonous juice. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of Croton with special gloves, and also refuse to decorate an apartment with such a flower with small children.
2. This plant quickly dies from watering with cold water, and also does not tolerate drafts.
3. Croton blooms periodically, but after that it begins to look not in the best way. If you want to keep its beautiful appearance, it is recommended to immediately remove the inflorescences.
4. The flower needs a periodic warm shower. Leaves should be regularly wiped with a damp sponge to remove dust.

If these nuances of growing are not scary for a novice grower, you can safely purchase Croton and decorate the interior with it. Fortunately, the plant copes with this 100%. Of course, subject to proper care.

Interesting! Sometimes its leaves can mutate and change shape for no apparent reason. This is a feature of this flower. This fact does not pose any danger.

Home care

To care for the codiaum, you should regularly allocate a sufficient amount of time for this. The plant is capricious, so you need to observe certain conditions of maintenance, carefully monitor watering and fertilize the soil. In addition, you will often need to transplant the flower, and this must be done correctly.

Ground requirements

Codiaum is not very picky about the soil. All-purpose soil can be purchased at the store, while the packaging must contain the note “suitable for decorative deciduous houseplants”.

The pot must be stable, clay or plastic is equally suitable. The diameter of the container is half the crown. Each new transplant will need to prepare a container 2 cm in diameter larger than the previous one.

Optimal conditions of detention

Croton is a sun-loving plant. When kept, it will need to provide a sufficient amount of sunlight, but it is better not to leave it in direct sunlight. In summer, it is better to put the pot on the north side of the window, and in winter - on the south.

If this is not possible, it is recommended to place the flower near the windowsill, where it will be provided with a sufficient amount of light, but the rays will not be able to burn the leaves.

Codiaum grows very well in the fresh air, therefore, as far as possible, it can be taken out onto the balcony. However, you need to monitor the absence of drafts, since the color does not tolerate them. The optimum temperature for keeping in the summer is about 20-23 degrees, in the winter - from 16 and above.

Watering a flower

Watering the soil must also be carefully debugged by a florist. The flower does not tolerate overflow, but it also does not like drought. In either case, the sheets quickly react with yellowing and withering away.

To avoid overflow, the soil and pot must be well drained. Excess moisture will drain into the pan. In summer, the earthen ball should be moistened abundantly, and in winter it is recommended to reduce watering. The soil should always be slightly damp. It is necessary to irrigate with warm water, which was previously settled at room temperature.

It is also important to monitor the humidity of the air. If it is very low, the sheets will quickly turn yellow and dry at the ends.

Be sure to wipe the sheets with a damp sponge at least 2 times a week. This will remove dust from the plant, making it grow better and look cleaner.

Top dressing and fertilization

Fertilizing croton is also an important step in caring for it. For feeding, it is recommended to purchase a ready-made mineral composition that is suitable for this type of plant.

Moisten the soil 15-20 minutes before feeding. This stage will allow you to protect the roots and not burn them. Then a fertilizer solution is applied.

Top dressing should be carried out at least 2 times a month. It is necessary to start fertilizing the soil in April, and finish in November.

Trimming

In order for the plant to please with a lush and beautiful crown, it must be periodically pruned. For young codiaums, plucking is used. The emerging buds or flowers are also removed. This greatly wears out the codiaum, which is why it loses all its beauty. After cutting off unnecessary sheets, it is important to process all cuts with charcoal powder.

How to transplant correctly?

To transplant a flower, it is transshipped. It is recommended to reload young plants at least 2 times a year, as they are characterized by intensive growth. An adult croton will need to be transplanted once every two years.

How to perform transshipment:

1. Wear gloves.
2. Gently hold the plant and remove it from the pot.
3. Shake off excess soil slightly, then place in a new container.
4. Fill the voids with fresh soil, before reaching the surface a distance of 1 cm.

When the root system will fit in a 25 cm diameter pot, transplanting is no longer required. It will be enough to remove the top layer of soil once a year and put fresh soil in its place.

Winter care

In the winter season, almost all croton care procedures are preserved, but reduced in quantity. In winter, the codiaum does well without fertilization, but if the grower leaves the dressing, it must be reduced to once a month.

You need to water the plant less often, but you also need to make sure that the soil does not dry out and is slightly moist. It is recommended to give up the shower until spring, but it is important to continue washing the leaves. It is also better to reduce the number of wipes.

Croton reproduction

Croton propagation occurs using seeds or cuttings. Each of them requires certain knowledge and skills from the grower. Wrong actions during the transplant can quickly destroy the codiaum.

Seed method

The seeds must be freshly harvested. Initially, they must be thoroughly warmed up in water, the temperature of which is 60 degrees. After half an hour, remove the seeds, leave to swell for a day.

Then the seeds can be planted in the prepared soil 1 cm deep into the soil. Germination occurs at a temperature of 22 degrees. As long as no shoots are observed above the ground, watering is carried out through the pan.

After the seedlings have sprouted with three leaves, they can be planted in a personal pot. The container diameter should be about 7 cm.

Cuttings

The apical stalk is the easiest to acquire roots. It should be about 7-10 cm tall. First, you should wash off the poisonous juice that has appeared on the surface from the cut. Then dry thoroughly in the air for a couple of hours.

Leaves that are on top should be cut in half parallel to the veins. The bottom sheets must be removed altogether.

Then the cutting is placed in water, the temperature of which is between 23 and 30 degrees and is suitable for germinating roots. The container should be placed under diffused light. You can plant in the soil that plant, the roots of which have reached 2 cm in length.

A young croton should be looked after in the same way as an adult. However, instead of wiping the leaves and showering, he needs frequent spraying of the small crown.

Disease and pest control

Most often, codiaum is sick due to improper conditions of detention. Therefore, if yellow spots appear on the leaves or the leaves are bent, and some of them have fallen, the care of the flower should be normalized. Since croton secretes poisonous juice, pests are rare guests on its surface.

The most common:

Spider mite

It is a small red spider. Affects the lower part of the leaves. Identified by the white spider web on the surface. You can get rid of it by treating it with a ready-made insecticide or a solution of soap and tobacco.

Shield aphid

It mainly affects adult plants. It appears as dark spots on the foliage. The larvae spread over the entire surface of the codiaum. To get rid of the pest, it is necessary to treat the plant with an insecticide several times at intervals of a week.

Croton lowered, sheds leaves, dries - what to do?

Such a signal indicates incorrect conditions of detention.

To prevent the dying off of a home plant, it is recommended to influence several main factors:

• provide optimal air humidity;
• adjust watering;
• check for pests.

Of course, such a capricious plant is not suitable for every housewife. It requires attention and will not tolerate mistakes while leaving. However, some professional flower growers easily find an approach to croton, and in return receive a wonderful decoration in their home.

Croton is a very popular decorative leafy houseplant. A rare flower lover does not dream of collecting a collection of varieties of this plant. But for all its attractiveness, Croton is extremely capricious, and not everyone manages to breed it at home. In the article, we will tell you how the planting and caring for croton at home is going on, we will give a description of the varieties.

General botanical characteristics of Croton

Croton is sometimes otherwise called codieum - from the Latin name of this plant Codiaeum variegatum. This evergreen shrub from the Euphorbiaceae family is widespread in the wild in the Pacific islands and in Southeast Asia. In an ideal microclimate, Croton is able to transform into a real tree and reach a height of four meters. Under normal household conditions, this plant rarely grows above 70 cm.

The main decoration of croton is large shiny leaves that have many shapes and colors. From the very name of the species, it is clear that the plant exhibits variegation (that is, it has a variegated color of leaf plates). And since variegation is a sign of chimerism and mutation, croton breeding becomes an activity with poorly predictable results. The probability of getting a unique specimen is very high.

The variegated color of the leaves is the main value of crotons.

Popular croton varieties

Croton's tendency to mutate gives breeders a wide scope for creativity. The catalogs of varieties are constantly replenished with cultivars of a wide variety of shapes and colors:

Variety name	Description
"Petra"	One of the most popular varieties with a straight stem and large leaf blades in the form of wide blades. Variegated variety with a wide range of colors. A common characteristic is bright yellowness around the veins.
"Mammi"	A spectacular variety with bright, wavy, variegated leaves. On one plant specimen, leaf plates can be colored in different ways - yellow-green, red-yellow, red-green, bluish color.
"Eureka"	A cultivar with a beautifully shaped leaf blades - wide, gracefully curved, with a figured edge. Petioles are intense pink. Young leaves are bright green with yellow veins. As they grow older, they acquire a green-pink color.
"Red Spot"	Not a new, but rare variety with wide, elongated leaves. Scattered across the plate are numerous variegated spots - yellow, red, dark pink, burgundy. Sometimes referred to as Franklin Roosevelt.
"Siam Glory"	A new cultivar from the Siam cultivar group, recently presented at an exhibition in Thailand. Spectacular plant with narrow, long, strongly wavy leaves. The color is variegated - on a light yellow background with green specks.

There is a real hunt for rare interesting varieties among croton lovers, and the price is sometimes quite high.

Croton of a rare variety Tamara has a lemon hue in the light, and whitens in the shade.

Mistakes when growing croton at home

There are legends about the whimsicality of Crotons.However, more often the growers themselves are to blame for the problems in growing these plants, who make the following mistakes:

1. Watering with cold water.Cold water causes stress on crotons, and they are able to shed their leaves.
2. Incorrect placement.Croton is light and thermophilic, but you cannot keep it on the windowsill above the radiator. Dry air, direct sunlight and drafts destroy the plant.
3. Improper leaf care.Without regular hygiene of the leaves, Croton can be affected by pests - spider mites, thrips, and scale insects. Mechanical damage leads to deformation of the sheet plates. Read also the article: → "Plan for dealing with scale insects on indoor plants + the most effective ways."

Tip # 1. You need to wear gloves to care for Croton. The milky juice of crotons is poisonous and can cause poisoning and allergic reactions.

Croton requirements for growing conditions

For the successful cultivation of croton, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for it.

Indoor air temperature

Croton loves warmth. The optimum temperature for growing it is + 22⁰С. If it falls below + 17⁰С, the plant becomes ill, root rot develops. Drafts and sudden temperature changes must be avoided.

Light for coloring the leaves

Croton needs a lot of light to keep the bright color of the leaves. In the shade, the variegation is lost, the leaves become just green. However, the plant does not tolerate direct sunlight. Sunburns easily appear on the leaf plates.The best way out is to place Croton on a rack under phytolamps. If this is not possible, you will have to constantly change its location on the windows. In summer, you can put on the east or west, shading on clear days. In winter - to the south or southwest.

The duration of supplementary lighting for Croton, located far from the window, is at least 12 hours a day.

Air humidity in the apartment

Croton does not tolerate dry soil and air well. Air humidity must be kept at a level not lower than 80%. Watering the plants should be organized so that the earthy clod does not dry out, but also does not become waterlogged. The standard recommendation is 2-3 times a week. In practice, the irrigation regime depends on the volume of the pot, the air temperature and the growing season.

It is possible to approximately determine the need for watering by the state of the upper half-centimeter layer of the soil. If it's dry, it's time to give the plant water. The croton pot before planting is equipped with drainage - expanded clay or charcoal. Stagnation of water in the lower layers of the soil must not be allowed.

Croton soil

On sale, special soil mixtures for croton are rarely found. Read also the article: → "Land and soil for indoor plants." But any other soil for decorative deciduous plants is also suitable for planting:

Name	Characteristic
"Vermion for Croton"	Lightweight, nutritious composition with the inclusion of expanded clay aggregate and wood ash. Contains up to 20% vermicompost, keeps moisture well, does not thicken, does not cause overmoistening of the roots.
"Biagro Terra Leaves Deco"	Soil fully adapted for croton cultivation with high ion-exchange capacity. Light, loose, fertile, with a large proportion of organic matter (up to 50%).
"Fasco for decorative foliage and palm trees"	Loose moisture-absorbing substrate with the addition of dolomite flour and sand. Enriched with a balanced mineral complex, maintains a bright color of the leaves.

You can independently make up a soil mixture from leafy and sod land and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.

Croton decorativeness on a nutritious slightly acidic soil remains for a long time.

Seed breeding method for croton

Croton seeds are propagated only by breeders or enthusiasts. This procedure is time consuming and requires skills in artificial pollination. Croton seeds quickly lose their germination, and it is advisable to sow them immediately after collection.The temperature and humidity regime necessary for germination is difficult to withstand at home, and the preservation of varietal merits after all efforts is not guaranteed. Therefore, flower growers prefer to propagate Croton vegetatively.

Vegetative methods of reproduction of croton

All manipulations during vegetative propagation of Croton are performed with gloves. The tools and containers are thoroughly rinsed after work so that no poisonous juice remains on them.

Propagation by apical cuttings

1. Cut off a 10 cm long stalk from the top.
2. Dissolve 2-3 tablets of activated carbon in a glass of water.
3. Prepare soil for a mini-greenhouse: peat, sphagnum, sand (1: 1: 1).
4. Place the cutting in water for 20-30 minutes.
5. Dry the stalk a little and roll the leaves on it, securing it with a thread.
6. Place the cutting in a mini-greenhouse with moist soil, spray with water and cover.
7. Air and spray the plant daily, check the condition of the soil. Rooting takes place within a month. Accelerates the process of using a thermal mat for seedlings.

Propagation by air layers

1. Place a small pot with moistened soil next to the mother plant.
2. Choose a shoot with a bare stem of a suitable length on the mother plant.
3. Bend it to the pot and press it against the ground with a bracket.
4. Sprinkle the fixed layer with moist soil, leaving the top of the shoot on the surface.
5. Water the mother plant and cuttings regularly. After rooting, separate the layers from the mother plant.

Tip # 2. Do not try to propagate croton with root shoots. The shoots of such offspring do not contain a mutant layer in the tissues, therefore they lose variegation.

To stimulate the rooting of cuttings, you can use "Heteroauxin" or "Kornevin".

Croton care: necessary procedures

In addition to watering and supplementary lighting, other procedures are included in the croton care plan. Read also the article: → "Rules for feeding houseplants with folk remedies and fertilizers."

Top dressing with various preparations

The growth of the vegetative mass and its decorative effect depend on nutrition. For feeding Croton, the following compositions are recommended:

Name	Description	Method of application
"Pokon for decorative leafy plants"	Complete fertilization in sticks. Provides optimal dosage, has a prolonged effect.	1 stick for every 5 cm of the diameter of the pot is embedded in the soil 1 time in 3 months.
"Lifdrip for decorative leafy plants"	Complete water-soluble complex fertilizer providing high decorative qualities of leaves.	Use 5 g per 2 liters of water for irrigation. In summer - once every 2 weeks. In winter - once a month.
"AVA Agrovitamins for decorative deciduous plants"	A complete complex in capsules that stimulates growth and an increase in green mass. Has a prolonged action.	Seal capsules into the soil once every six months.
"Morris Green balm for decorative foliage plants"	Humic concentrate with a complex of microelements. Stimulates photosynthesis and increases all metabolic processes in plant tissues.	Use 5 ml per 3 liters of water for foliar dressing. In summer - once every 10 days. In winter - once a month.
Etisso Grunpflanzen Vital-Dunger	NPK complex with trace elements in liquid form. Contains vitamin B1 to aid in nutrient absorption.	Use 1 dosing cylinder for 1.5 l of water for root watering on wet soil.

Hygienic procedures for a flower

The cleanliness and moisture of the leaf plates is the key to the health of the croton. This plant needs daily spraying with clean, settled water. Leaves must be wiped with a damp sponge. Bathing in the shower is useful for Croton. In the spring-summer period, their frequency can be 1 time per month.

Transplants: features, timing

Young plants are transferred into pots more volume every year. This is done in the spring, with the beginning of an active growing season.Adult Crotons need a transplant once every 2 years. The procedure must be performed carefully, trying to keep a clod of earth and not damage the roots.

Pruning and pinching inflorescences

Croton bloom takes a lot of energy from the plant. Therefore, most often, home crotons are not allowed to bloom, pinching the forming inflorescences. Formative pruning is also relevant for these plants. To create a beautiful branched crown, the tops are cut off and the length of the lateral shoots is adjusted.

Croton flowers are not decorative and are usually removed.

Croton growing calendar

The amount of necessary measures for growing croton can be presented in the form of such a plan:

March:

• transplanting plants into new pots;
• pruning;
• laying in the ground sticks "Pokon".

March-June:

• watering 2-3 times a week;
• spraying - daily;
• wiping the leaves - once a week;
• shower - once a month.

June:

• placing sticks "Pokon" in the soil;
• removal of inflorescences;
• hygiene procedures and watering - according to the scheme.

June August:

• watering 2-3 times a week;
• foliar dressing with Morris Green balm;
• spraying - daily;
• wiping the leaves - once a week;
• shower - once a month.

August:

• laying of "AVA" capsules in the soil;
• hygiene procedures and watering - according to the scheme.

August-October:

• watering 2-3 times a week;
• spraying - daily;
• wiping the leaves - once a week;
• shower - once a month.

October-March:

• watering - as needed;
• wiping the leaves - once a week;
• spraying - daily.

Topical questions about growing croton

Question number 1. Do I need to supplement Croton in winter?

Crotons need bright light to color the leaves. This is especially true for variegated cultivars. In winter, the plant is dormant. Excessive stimulation is optional. You can give croton a little rest. If young green leaves grow in winter, supplementary lighting resumes with the beginning of spring, and soon they will acquire a "corporate" color.

Question number 2. How to water croton in winter?

With the onset of winter, watering is reduced to maintenance. The earth lump must be kept slightly damp. Continue to wipe the leaves from dust with a damp sponge, but it is better to postpone the shower until spring.

Question number 3. Why do the tips of the leaves dry on Croton?

This is a common situation indicating insufficient air humidity. The optimal indicator is 80%, the required minimum is 70%. However, it is worth observing the plant. If, in addition to drying the tips of the leaf plates, brown spots are also found on them, it makes sense to adjust the temperature in the room. Most likely, Croton is cold.

Question number 4. Are any insect pests damaging Croton?

Croton, being a member of the Euphorbia family, is not the most attractive plant for insects. However, he may suffer from their invasion. Most often, spider mites settle on crotons. This happens with those plants that are poorly cared for. Sometimes scale insects or mealybugs sit on them.

You can fight pests with Etisso Blattlaus-Sticks... The sticks are placed in the ground, and after several waterings, the insects die. In addition to the insecticidal effect, this drug has value as a top dressing. One stick is enough for 6-8 weeks.

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With its colorful, vibrant leaves, croton is one of the most popular and beloved indoor flowers. 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.

It is a pleasure to look after him. The main thing is to provide the croton with all the conditions necessary for its growth, and follow the recommendations of experienced florists.

Description, types and photos of croton

Croton (codiaum) belongs to the Euphorbia family.In vivo, he grows in the islands of India and the Pacific Ocean, in 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, trilobate, obtuse, pointed, oblong-lanceolate, asymmetric.

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

Types of crotons - photo

Several types of shrubs are grown indoors., differing in the shape and color of the leaves. The most popular of these is Croton Variegated. The plant is a bush up to three meters high, on the branches of which there are short-peaked green-brown leaves. The species has several varieties that differ in the shape of the leaves:

1. The "Excellent" variety is a plant with "oak" leaves. Above they have a yellow-green color, and below the leaf color is red-burgundy.
2. Variety "Disraeli" is a bush with lobed leaves. From below they are brick-brown, and from above they are green with yellow specks and veins.
3. The Black Prince variety is a very exotic plant with orange and red spots and veins on its black-green leaves.
4. Variety "Petra" is distinguished by pointed, lobed or oval dark green leaves with bright yellow specks, veins and edging.
5. Mrs. Eiston is a large tree with brightly colored leaves. They can be yellow-pink, golden with black fragments, or maroon with pink spots.

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 leaves can be heart-ovate or elongated-lanceolate.... The codiaum variagatum is presented in 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 codiaum is a plant with characteristic three-lobed leaves. Their lateral lobes are shorter than the central one and are less pointed. Coloring can be monochromatic or variegated. In length, the sheets grow up to 22 cm, and in width up to 10 cm.
3. The appendage croton has both green and variegated leaves, consisting of two plates. The upper plate, as it were, hangs down from the lower one, connecting with it with a thin bridge.
4. The colored codiaum is widely used by breeders to create numerous hybrids.

Croton: home care

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

Lighting and temperature control

In order for the plant to delight 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 will appear on the leaves in the form of spots. In winter, Croton will feel good on the southern windowsills.

Codiaeum is a thermophilic 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 scorching sun and strong winds.

Air humidity

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

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

Another prerequisite for caring for codiaum is regular wiping of the leaves. It is recommended to carry out this 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 does not stagnate in the roots. With an excess of moisture in the flower, the roots begin to rot, and with its lack - 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 deciduous plants. Bushes are fed after wateringotherwise the fertilizer can burn the roots.

Craton flower - transplant rules

Young plants are replanted every year, and adults as the pot fills with the root system. Transplanting 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 the codiaea 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 there are no insect larvae and harmful microorganisms in the soil, it is recommended to ignite it or spill it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Croton must be planted 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 onto expanded clay, then the roots of the plant are placed, which are sprinkled with new soil in a circle.

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

When replanting 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 Home Grown Croton will be transplanted into a container with a diameter of 25 cm, transplants are coming to an end. After that, only the top layer of soil will need to be renewed in the pot every year.

Reproduction of croton at home

There are two ways to propagate codiaum:

• cuttings;
• seeds.

Propagation by cuttings

With this method, it is easiest to cut off the top of the bush 6-10 cm long and root it. If you need to get several young plants at once, then the shoot is cut into several parts... Moreover, each segment should have one healthy leaf and one internode.

The milky juice flowing out of the cut is washed off with water, and the stalk dries up 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 colder water, the planting material will start to rot.

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

Croton propagation by seeds

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

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

After the seedlings appear, the glass is removed, and the container with the seedlings 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 required 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 Croton does not like the conditions of detention.

Irregular watering, dry indoor air, and occasional spraying can cause spider mites, scale insects, or mealy worms to appear on the flower leaves. In the early stages, pest control can be done 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 under the shower so that water and solution do not get into the soil. If there are already a lot of pests on the plant, urgent treatment with special chemicals is required.

Codiaum

Why does codiaum shed its leaves?

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

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

Why do leaves dry?

The drying lower leaves of a flower are 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 is low in humidity. If the leaves not only dry, but also fall off, then the plant is overdried and its roots lack moisture.

Why did Croton drop the 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 moved to a warm, well-lit place., water and spray regularly, stop feeding. For a while, it is recommended to put on 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. A negligent attitude towards a plant can lead to the appearance of pests, diseases, and even its death.... In order for Croton to delight with its decorative foliage all year round, it needs to be surrounded with attention and care.

The houseplant Croton is a very graceful bush of exotic origin, which is distinguished by unique leathery leaves with the most unique shape (there are specimens with asymmetric, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, whole-edged, three-lobed and other forms). Lush leaves are formed on young shoots, represented by light yellow-green shades, which soon become more saturated, going into a green and burgundy palette. For this reason, the kraton flower quickly turns into a brightly dressed autumn forest, turning the indoor interior into a real greenhouse.

Croton care at home

All varieties and hybrid plant varieties are characterized by pronounced leaf venation. As for flowering, it does not cause much delight among flower growers, because inflorescences appear droopy and axillary with nondescript creamy flowers.

Croton: how to care at home

The home plant croton is characterized by a certain whimsy to the conditions of detention. In addition, such an exotic creature can bring a lot of unexpected surprises to its owners. Therefore, before studying the question: "Croton plant: home care", be sure to pay attention to the following points:

• In the leaves of croton contains poisonous juice, which, if ingested, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, contact dermatitis and other negative consequences. When caring for a plant, it is important to follow basic safety rules and use gloves;
• In addition to basic spraying the leaves with a sprayer, home care for croton includes obligatory rubbing of stems and leaves using a damp sponge. In the summer, you need to arrange a monthly warm shower for the croton flower;
• Croton reacts negatively to contact with cold water or drafts;
• During the growing season, the plant may develop strange shapes and patterns. There is no scientific explanation for such phenomena yet. It is believed that the flower is characterized by a high degree of mutability, due to which there are a large number of hybrid forms and varieties in the world. They are distinguished by both the shape of the leaves and the color;
• The appearance of the first nondescript inflorescences can take a lot of strength from the flower. Therefore, if you do not intend to breed unique varieties from inflorescences, be sure to remove flowering buds or stalks as they form;

Croton care at home

Take care of the plant at home quite difficult... A novice florist can witness poor growth and defective flower development, which can be attributed to many reasons.

It is known that croton needs enhanced lightinghowever, direct UV baths are often detrimental to the growth of young shoots. Such procedures can be carried out only in the morning or before sunset. Given this feature, in the summer it is better to place a pot with an exotic creature on the north window. In winter, it is necessary to take it out into an open space with bright diffused light. Comfortable temperature range varies between 20-22 degrees Celsius in summer, and not lower than 16 degrees in winter.

As for watering, then such a procedure must be performed carefully, otherwise too much moisture will cause stagnation of water and the formation of various fungal microorganisms or rot. Watering is carried out in such a way that the earthen lump always remains slightly moist. The water temperature for irrigation should not be too low. Also, the liquid needs to be filtered or defended. Comfortable moisture readings are extremely important, so the grower should regularly spray or wipe the leaves with a damp washcloth. Warm showers are recommended during summer. However, it is important to be careful not to allow water to enter the container with the plant.

As a fertilizer complex mineral preparations are used to grow croton at home. The procedure is performed from April to November, twice a month. In winter, a one-time make-up is sufficient. In order for the crown to be beautiful and lush, it is important to regularly cut off the shoots of an adult flower, and pinch a young plant that has reached 15 centimeters in height. The second pruning is carried out when it reaches 20 centimeters. After trimming adult flowers, the cut is treated with a composition based on sulfuric or charcoal powder.New peduncles or flower buds are cut off because they greatly exhaust croton and at the same time have no decorative value.

Features of transplantation at home. Winter care

Caring for a croton plant at home includes the obligatory transplantation of young shoots. In the case of young specimens, such a procedure is carried out twice a year, with adults - once every two years. In the latter case, it is necessary to constantly increase the diameter of the growing container by 2 centimeters. If the diameter of the pot reaches 25 centimeters, further transplantation cannot be performed, but it will be necessary to remove the top layer of soil from the container to replace it with a new substrate. The optimal soil composition consists of:

• turf land;
• peat land;
• leafy land;
• river sand;

The consistency should be equal.

When re-planting, it is advisable not to shake the earthen lump, but simply to transfer it from the old container to the new one.

As for caring for croton in winter, first you need to rearrange the flower pot on the southern windowsill. Then you should reduce the intensity of watering, while maintaining the same moisture levels. It is also important to carry out regular water treatments, spraying and wiping the leaves with a damp sponge. It is important that such events are held much less frequently than during the warm season. Warm showers are prohibited. right up to the summer. Mineral complexes should be used as top dressing. Fertilizers are applied no more than 1 time per month. In addition, some experts are of the opinion that the procedure is generally optional.

Croton - reproduction of a croton flower at home

In most cases, flower growers breed a croton plant. by seed method... If you want to breed a hybrid variety, preference is given to propagation using leaf or stem cuttings. It is important to understand that croton seeds are characterized by a rapid loss of germination. For this reason, it is best to sow freshly harvested seeds. You should also take into account one feature: a long period of time can pass before the appearance of the first shoots, while generative reproduction does not allow preserving the varietal characteristics of croton. When planting large seeds, it is better to warm the planting material in water at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius and leave it for a day to swell. After that, you can start sowing, deepening the seeds one centimeter into the ground.

The optimum temperature range for full germination is 22 degrees Celsius. Until the emergence of shoots, the soil is regularly watered using the bottom irrigation method. If the seedlings give a third leaf, they should be planted in separate pots with a diameter of 7 centimeters or more. In this case, the care becomes similar to the care of an adult flower.

If we are talking about vegetative propagation of croton, then here you need to root an apical 6-10 cm stalk. However, if you intend to cut several cuttings, the shoot is cut into several parts so that at least one internode with one healthy leaf remains on each cut. Lignified or semi-lignified cuttings take root in a special way.

Before carrying out the procedure, it is necessary to wash off the poisonous milky juice with water, after which the sections should dry slightly in the air, for three hours. The leaves on the upper part of the apical cutting are shortened parallel to the veins in half, and the leaves from the lower part are removed. After that, the cuttings are transferred to a prepared container with warm water, which is heated to 23-30 degrees Celsius. This will avoid rotting the cuttings. When the planting material gives two centimeter roots, it must be placed in a special substrate for croton.

First of all, after planting, it is necessary to provide increased soil moisture around the cuttings using the spraying method.It is quite simple to find out that the propagation was successful: if the cuttings have begun, the elasticity of the leaf will be restored;

What pests and diseases threaten croton. Dealing with dangers at home

Like many other representatives of the tropical flora that are grown at home, the croton plant can be susceptible to various diseases and pests. Among them:

• Dangerous insects... Croton is often eaten by dangerous mealybugs, nematodes, scale insects and spider mites. In most cases, the flower is attacked by ticks. Why this pest loves croton so much is unknown. But the fight against it often forces the grower to make a lot of effort and take many radical measures. Sometimes powerless owners simply throw out the plant, because cannot find a suitable solution for the problem. However, it is important to understand that adherence to the basic rules of care will allow you to avoid such consequences and keep the flower in good condition. Ticks appear due to the lack of regular baths in the summer, so if you are the victim of such an attack, blame yourself and do not repeat the same mistakes in the future;
• Plant dropping leaves... If the flower has dropped its leaves, this most likely indicates a lack of ability to accept liquid. This behavior is typical for extended storage in cold conditions. It is enough to rearrange the flower pot in a warm room with an abundance of light and a comfortable humidity regime, and the situation will change dramatically. Refuse to use dressings and thoroughly spray the leaves, covering the leaves with a transparent bag or cap;
• The plant dries up... If the flower begins to dry quickly, and especially when it comes to the lower leaves, do not worry. In most cases, this phenomenon is noticed with the gradual exposure of the lower part, which is a natural process for growth and development. Low air humidity often results in yellow leaves. For this reason, care must be taken to ensure that the room where the flower grows always has an optimal humidity within 70%. If the edges of the leaves dry out and brown spots form on them, the room most likely needs a rise in temperature. If the leaves begin to fall off, everything is explained by the lack of an optimal supply of moisture;
• Croton began to shed leaves... If the flower sheds its leaves intensively, then this can be explained by the following reasons: a chronic lack of watering and an uncomfortable temperature range;

Croton varieties for home cultivation

There are several varieties of croton that can be grown at home. Among them, the motley croton is in great demand, which can change the color and shape of the leaves, depending on the surrounding influence. Due to this feature, the variety is often used for experiments and breeding new hybrids. Among them:

• Croton variegated variegatum;
• Mrs. Aiston;
• Peter;
• Black Prince;
• Disraeli;
• Excellent;

Depending on the specific species, the features of the content can vary greatly. Nevertheless, the basic rules of care, including watering, lighting, feeding and breeding subtleties, remain the same for all varieties. Considering them, you can grow a truly beautiful and lush ornamental plant that will turn the ordinary interior of your home into a real work of greenhouse art. In this case, the room will become bright, stylish and irresistible.