Codiaum (plant photo)

Common types

Codiaeum belongs to the Euphorbia plant family. It includes 17 varieties, which in nature have different heights, shapes and colors of leaves. Some varieties are successfully grown in home flower beds, but subject to strict compliance with the recommendations for maintenance.

This flower can be seen in many apartments or offices.

Please note: it is very difficult to achieve flowering of this plant in an apartment or office - for this it is important to observe ideal conditions. Most often, codiaum is acquired for the decorative properties of its foliage.

This flower has dense leathery leaves. They come in different shapes (wide oval, lobed, oblong) and colors, each with its own unique pattern. The leaves usually combine two shades - green and burgundy.

Description of the known types of codiaum:

• Codiaum mammi - is a lush bush with oblong leaves, wavy at the edges. Each leaf is twisted slightly along the central vein, thereby creating an unusual shape for the entire plant. The color of the flower is bright, usually on the leaves dark green and bright red shades are combined, pink spots and yellow veins are added to them;
• Codiaum mix is ​​the most popular type of flower for growing at home. It has a large number of subspecies, from which varigatum can be distinguished. The leaves of this plant have an oblong pointed shape, their length can reach 20-30 cm. The bush has a variegated color, combining maroon leaves with bright green or yellowish veins;

Tamar leaves resemble the feathers of an exotic bird

• Codiaum Sunny old - has lanceolate, pointed leaves. They are light green in color, but the tops and veins are bright yellow in color. In appearance it resembles a gold variety. Young leaves are spotted yellow-green. Old plants of this species have red and burgundy blotches and veins;
• Codiaum crispam is a well-cultivated variety. Narrow leaves are also painted in variegated tones, while they have a curling shape. This flower is often called "curly" because of this feature;
• Codiaum tamara - leaves of a flower of a light green shade with dark veins and blotches, sometimes have yellowish spots. The shape is elongated, with wavy edges and a pointed end. This variety was named in honor of the Englishwoman Tamara, who conquered the heart of the Asian emperor.

At home, only variegated codiaum is grown. This type has many varieties and subspecies, so choosing the right option for an apartment or office is not difficult.

Interesting fact: codiaum and croton are different species of the same family. They are often confused due to the similarity of their leaves. If codiaum is grown for decorative purposes, then croton is often grown for medical and household purposes.

Optimal conditions and care

Florists disagree about the difficulty of growing codiaum. Someone considers it an easy plant to grow, others declare capriciousness and exactingness to growth conditions. The creation of favorable conditions in any case will have a beneficial effect on the condition, growth activity and decorativeness of the plant.

• Lighting. The lighting that is optimal for each individual grade is selected empirically. They do not put in the sun, south windows do not fit! They prefer the east and west. Direct sunlight rarely burns, but smooths out the characteristic pattern. Veins and spots turn pale, gradually merging with the background.
• Temperature. Moderate temperatures are maintained throughout the year. Heat is avoided in summer - the temperature should not rise above 25 ° C; in winter, cold snaps below 16 ° C are avoided.They can't take a flower out into the street, they protect it from drafts. In winter, the flower pot is protected from cold glass with insulating material.
• Watering. Water gently, in moderation. They try to prevent prolonged waterlogging of the soil. Complete drying out leads to yellowing and leaf fall. The best option is to maintain constant light humidity. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced. They are guided by the room temperature. The lower it is, the less often you need to water. It is contraindicated to use cold water for irrigation!
• Humidity. Dry air leads to a decrease in decorativeness, drying out of the tips of the leaves, and their dropping. Insufficient humidity provokes the colonization of pests on the plant - spider mites and weevils. Frequent spraying is recommended, artificial increase of air humidity in the room. Especially during the heating season.
• The soil. Suitable universal primers for decorative deciduous plants. Perlite and sand are added to loosen. To reduce the risk of root decay - charcoal. The main qualities of the soil are lightness, air permeability, drainage. The soil is independently prepared from rotted compost, turf, leafy soil, peat and sand.
• Transfer. Young plants are characterized by active growth. At first, 2-3 transshipments are carried out in the summer. They try not to disturb the root system, they are transplanted into a pot with a larger diameter along with a lump of earth.
• Top dressing. Fertilizers are applied throughout the year. In spring, summer and autumn - weekly, in winter - monthly. In winter, the concentration of solutions is reduced by 2 times. Mineral complexes and organics are used.

Reproduction methods

Indoor codiaum is propagated by seed or by cuttings.

Seed material must always be fresh. To begin with, the seeds are poured with warm water (50-60 degrees) for half an hour, then taken out and left to swell for a day, wrapped in a moistened napkin.

While the seeds are being prepared, make up the soil mixture

It is important that it is drained, nutritious, slightly acidic, with high parameters of water and air permeability.

The seeds are buried in the substrate by 1 cm, watering is carried out in the lower way through the pallet until the first shoots appear. When the seedlings acquire 2-3 leaves, you can safely transplant the young plant into small separate pots.

Most often, the grafting method is used at home. To do this, a stalk 8-15 cm long is cut from the top, washed under running water so that all the milky juice comes out completely, and then dried under natural conditions for a couple of hours. After all the manipulations, the cutting is placed in warm water in order to root it.

To avoid decay of the roots, you can add a little coal to the vessel, or you can tint the water with pharmacy blue. It is advisable to create greenhouse conditions in the container - cover it with plastic wrap or glass in order to maintain high humidity and the optimum temperature for germination at +25.28 degrees Celsius. To place the container, choose bright places, but such that they do not get direct sunlight.

Usually, rooting takes 2-3 weeks, as soon as the roots grow 2 cm, you can move the shoot to a permanent place of residence.

Experienced growers advise to propagate codiaum with leaves, for this they are cut into two parts, buried with cuttings in the ground and covered with a bag, periodically watering and sprinkling. After 2.5-3 months in a comfortable environment, the plant takes root and roots appear.

Croton is a beautiful spurge with bright leaves

Croton is a deciduous shrub from the Euphorbia family. So far, it is not known to many connoisseurs of exotic flora. Sometimes you can hear the name "codiaeum croton".

They are identical, so it is advisable to look for it under one of these names. The plant is distinguished by large bright leaves with an unusual pattern.It is home to islands in the Pacific Ocean, from Australia to India.

Croton care is quite simple, so the plant is suitable even for novice florists.

Botanical description

Croton is a perennial with branched shoots. In its natural environment, it is capable of reaching 3 m in height, but when grown indoors it rarely exceeds 70-120 cm.The plant has dense, erect stems with many side processes. They have large petiole leaves.

Leaf plates can be of various shapes: from lanceolate and oval to three-fingered. The edges of the leaves are usually even or slightly wavy. The leaf plate has a pronounced relief pattern along the veins. The veins are often outlined with variegated lines. The color of the leaves is dark green with yellow, white or pink stains.

During the flowering period, small paniculate inflorescences are formed in the leaf axils. On a dense peduncle there are several whitish or yellowish buds with long anthers.

Signs about Croton

The croton plant, like all euphorbia, requires careful handling. Its juice can be toxic to pets.

It also irritates the skin, so all procedures with a flower are best done with gloves.

Croton is considered a plant with powerful energy. It cleans the house from negative fluids, protects it from "energy vampires" and increases the owner's self-confidence. A flower should be got by indecisive people, pessimists, as well as those who strive for career growth.

Types and varieties of plants

In nature, there are several dozen species of croton, but only variegated croton is used for indoor cultivation. On its basis, several hybrid varieties have been bred, their photos are found in the catalogs of many stores. The most interesting varieties are the following:

• Peter. The plant forms a sprawling bush with many lateral branches. Leathery foliage is located on the shoots alternately. An oval or lobed leaf blade is bright green in color with yellowish specks and stripes along the veins.
• Excellence. Three-lobed, accrete leaves resemble oak leaves. Green and yellow stripes and spots are intertwined on the surface of the leaf plate. On the reverse side of the sheet, pink shades prevail.
• Zanzibar. The leaves of this variety are strongly narrowed and have a compacted base. The bright green surface has yellow, orange and burgundy stripes.
• Mrs. Aiston. The variety forms a small tree or a spreading bush with large leaves. On the green leaf plate, burgundy and pink spots are present, as well as golden streaks.

Croton care

For indoor croton, careful maintenance is not required. The plant is considered to be quite unpretentious. It loves light rooms and feels great on eastern or western windowsills. With a lack of light, the leaves turn pale and may fade. In the summer heat, it is still recommended to slightly shade the crown to protect it from burns.

The optimum summer temperature for croton is in the range of + 25 ... + 27 ° C. In winter, as the daylight hours decrease, it is necessary to transfer the flower to a cooler place and keep it at + 18 ... + 20 ° C. If such a difference cannot be ensured, backlighting should be used, since for a plant there is a direct relationship between air temperature and lighting.

The inhabitant of the tropics needs high air humidity. Ideally, it should be 80%. Bushes feel great in the winter garden. To achieve such an indicator, you can use any means: spray the crown, wipe the leaves from dust, bathe the plant in the shower, place aquariums and trays with wet pebbles nearby.

Croton should be watered often and abundantly. It is recommended to use purified, warm water. The soil should not dry out, but excess water in it is not acceptable.

Fertilizers begin to be applied in early April and continue until mid-autumn. This is done twice a month, using mineral complexes for plants with decorative foliage.

In order for Croton to remain attractive, it is necessary to periodically prune. When the stem reaches the required height, its tip should be pinched. This contributes to the formation of lateral shoots and the formation of a denser growth.

Botanical description of the plant

The flower belongs to euphorbia cultures, is poisonous. The homeland of the plant is Melanesia, India, Polynesia, northern Australia, southeast Asia. Wild codiaum grows up to 2.5 m.At home croton is 65-115 cm high.

Croton species

Indoor flower with broadly ovate, notched, three-lobed, obtuse, pointed, oblong-lanceolate, asymmetric leaves. There are green, yellowish foliage with orange, pinkish, red, purple stripes or spots. The shade of the crown may vary. In summer, paniculate inflorescences with long anthers form in the leaf axils. The flowers are small, pale yellow in color.

Croton (Latin name Codiaeum) is a perennial evergreen of the Euphorbia family. It occurs naturally in tropical and subtropical forests of Australia, Oceania (Polynesia), India, as well as some islands of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Philippines, etc.). Due to the amazing color of the leaves, the flower is sometimes called "The Cloak of Joseph" by the people.

Did you know? Codiaum is the original name of the plant, probably coined by its discoverer - the Dutchman Georg Rumfius, who studied orchids on the Ambon island in Indonesia in 1654 and saw the original shrub there. The locals called the perennial with the beautiful word “codibo”, although today “codiaum” is more likely associated with the Greek “codeia”, which means “head”.

Despite the fact that the plant came to Europe in the second half of the 17th century, the real fashion for it began only three hundred years later. Together with Dieffenbachia and Dracaena, Croton initially began to be grown by gardeners from the Netherlands, and from there he began to conquer the world.

Important! Like other Euphorbiaids, codiaum is poisonous. It is not advisable to keep such a flower for people who have pets (especially cats)

Croton juice can also cause serious irritation to the skin, so pruning and transplanting the plant must be carried out with protective gloves.

An interesting botanical feature of codiaum is the ability to change color and shape of leaves depending on environmental conditions. It is on this amazing property that active selection work is based, aimed at developing new varieties of decorative flowers.

Pests, diseases

With good care, the plants do not get sick, but if the rules of keeping are violated, pests appear on them. The risk of attack by parasites increases with untimely watering, insufficient air humidity and when the leaves are rarely washed with water. Red spider mites appear in the case of excessively dry air.The leaves acquire a pale yellow color, whitish spots appear on their surface. If you do not take any measures, the foliage will fall off and the flower will die.

To combat ticks, you must:

• wash each sheet with a tobacco-soap solution;
• wash off the remaining solution with water;
• treat with one of the biological agents to combat ticks;
• increase air humidity.

Another small pest, the scale insect, attacks the plant when the air in the room is too dry and warm. Brown plaques appear on the stems and foliage. The leaves gradually dry out and fall off.

Codiaum Tamara

Measures to combat the scabbard:

• process the leaves with a solution containing tobacco, kerosene, soap;
• rinse after processing with warm water;
• treat with Actellika.

Problems arising when growing croton, and how to fix them

1. Leaves lose their variegated color. Adjust lighting.
2. To eliminate leaf burns, rob the flower from direct sunlight.
3. With low air humidity, there is a risk of leaf damage by pests.
4. Brown edges on the leaves indicate an extremely cold room temperature.
5. When the temperature drops to 12 ° C and the flower remains in this temperature regime for a long time, the leaves fade and fall off.
6. Dry air and insufficient watering result in brown discoloration of the tips of the leaves. Codiaum needs regular spraying and wiping of the leaves with a wet sponge.
7. Slow growth and the appearance of small leaves indicate a lack of nutrition. The flower should be transplanted into a large container or fed.

Pests and diseases

Pest prevention is easy. You just need to carefully inspect the plant during each watering and spraying.

If insects are removed in a timely manner, their population will never become large enough for the plant to feel it.

Moreover, pests tend to be wary of codiaum due to its poisonous juice.

If in some way the pests have captured the plant, then washing with soapy water and treatment with a fungicide will help.

Frequent feeding and watering (without bays) excludes the occurrence of diseases.

Peter's codiaum can hardly be called a very capricious plant, nevertheless, attention must be paid to it. If you follow the basic rules of care for this variety of garden croton, it will delight with its variegated foliage for many years.

If you follow the basic rules of care for this variety of garden croton, it will delight with its variegated foliage for many years.

What is the difference between codiaum and croton?

Now let's dwell in more detail on why codiaum and croton are so often confused with each other, what are the similarities and differences between these two plants.

The main difference between codiaum and croton is that the former is more likely to belong to decorative deciduous crops, and the latter to wild ones. It should be understood that codiaum is a domesticated relative of croton. Today it is represented exclusively by indoor crops, which can grow and develop on windowsills without any problems. Croton, despite the similarity of botanical characteristics, is most often found in its natural habitat.

Although both plants belong to the same euphorbia family, they have certain differences - for example, crotons can be represented by both trees and shrubs, while codiaums are exclusively bushes.

And one more difference is that the codiaum performs only decorative functions in the interior and serves to decorate the room, while crotons can be used in some other directions. For example, some varieties are used in medicine, perfumery, tobacco blends and liqueurs.

Before us are two completely different representatives of the flora. This is what many sources say. Plants have completely different areas of application, moreover, there are certain species differences in front of them.Let's talk about the main differences between codium and croton and how to care for an indoor flower?

In the photo is the codiaum plant: home care, description and photo ...

Crotons are more common in their natural habitat, and they are also used in several other ways. The genus, numbering over a thousand wild-growing species, is represented by both tropical shrubs and trees, or common herbaceous plants.

There are several varieties of croton, which have found application in medicine. Croton oil, which has laxative properties, is obtained from the seeds, and a spicy aromatic mixture is prepared from the bark. In this case, special technologies are used, given that all parts of the plant are poisonous.

It is believed that the name "Croton" comes from the name of a city located in southern Italy. In it, Pythagoras at one time founded his own school. Or maybe in one of the adverbs this word is translated as "bush".

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with Neoregelia: caring for a flower at home

The scientific name is codiaum, translated from Greek meaning "head". Also called "Joseph's cloak". The names fully reflect the beauty of this type: traffic light, fireworks of colors, sun star, golden sun.

In a number of countries, this houseplant is the keeper of the hearth and is able to cleanse the room of negativity. In addition, by influencing the emotional state, the flower soothes and promotes pleasant relaxation.

Diseases and pests

Spider mite

• External manifestations: red spiders infect the lower part of the foliage. First, small white dots appear, then a thin cobweb. The leaves turn pale, dry.
• Reasons: dry air.
• Treatment: humidify the air daily, treat the bush with Aktara (4 g / 5 l), Fitoverm (2 l / l), Fufanon (0.5 ml / 5 l), Aktellik (2 ml / l ), "Apollo" (2 ml / 5 l), "Neoron" (5 ml / 2.5 l) or a solution of 100 g of soap, 20 g of tobacco, 5 l of water.

Shield aphid

• External manifestations: white or brownish insects 1.5-2 cm in size. Adult bushes are often affected. If not properly cared for, dark spots appear on the leaves. The larvae spread throughout the bush.
• Reasons: soil acidification, contaminated soil.
• Treatment: replace the soil, disinfect the container, wash the plant with a soapy sponge, carry out three treatments with Iskra M (5 ml / 5 L), Tanrek (1 ml / 2 L), Aktara (4 g / 5 L) with at intervals of a week.

Mealybugs or hairy lice

Mealybugs

• External manifestations of Croton's disease: sucking insects 3-6 mm in size, leave a white cotton-like bloom on foliage and stems.
• Reasons: waterlogged air.
• Treatment: pick up insects with your hands, treat the bush every 5 days with insecticides - "Karbofos" (3 g / 4 l), "Aktellik" (2 ml / l), "Intavir" (8 g / 10 l), "Agravertin" ( 5 ml / 0.5 l). Take care of the flower until the insects disappear completely.

Anthracnose

• External manifestations: the fungus penetrates the tissues, red, gray spots appear.
• Reasons: over-watering.
• Treatment: destruction of the affected parts, treatment with antifungal drugs - "Acrobat" (20 g / 5 l), "Ridomil" (25 g / 5 l).

Root rot

• External manifestations: leaves turn yellow, dry and fall off.
• Reasons: reduced soil acidity.
• Treatment: treatment with antifungal drugs - "Trichophyte" (25 g / l), "Fitolavin" (12 ml / 5 l), "Fundazol" (5 g / 5 l), "Topaz" (1 ml / 5 l), " Maxim "(5 drops per 0.2 l of water) or" Mikosan "(100 ml / 3 l).

Croton drops leaves

• Reasons: drafts, unmoistened soil and air, sudden temperature changes.
• Treatment: put the pot in a warm place, organize frequent watering, humidify the air daily.

Croton leaves tips dry, brown spots appear

Dry Codeium Leaves

• Reasons: cold, unmoistened air.
• Treatment: Place the flower closer to the heat source, spray the greens regularly.

Croton's leaves fell

• Reasons: not enough sun and warmth.
• Treatment: put the pot in the light, regularly moisten the soil and air. So take care of the croton until it recovers. Do not apply top dressing, put a transparent bag on the bush.

Common types of indoor crotons, their photos and names

As already mentioned, all plant varieties are bred on the basis of variegated croton. The most beautiful of them and the most popular in indoor floriculture include the following varieties:

• Codiaeum Petra is an erect, highly branching plant with dense, leathery, large leaves, alternately placed on the shoots. The foliage of Peter Croton can have an oval, pointed or lobed shape, a bright green basic color, a yellow edging, veins and specks of the same shade;
• Excelent is attractive for its unusual foliage, very reminiscent of oak. It has a bright yellow-green color on the upper surface and yellow-red on the lower;
• Codiaum mix is ​​several croton plants in one pot, on which the variety is not indicated. Therefore, if necessary, in order to establish the exact name of the purchased species, it may be necessary to contact a specialist in this field;
• Mrs. Aiston's codiaum has broad, rounded leaves of medium length. Their green surface is decorated with a cream-colored pattern, with time red, pink and yellow spots appear on it;
• The foliage of Sunny Star has a lanceolate pointed shape. At the base and at the top, it is green, and the middle is yellow. Newly appearing leaves of this codiaum are colored pale green with yellowish specks and a central vein;

• Codiaum Mammi is a very picturesque plant with narrow, small, wavy foliage and a branching erect stem. The color of the foliage on one tree can be green or reddish with pink specks, and light yellow with reddish veins;
• Zanzibar is an unusual croton variety with thin, long leaves in rich green, red, burgundy and orange colors.

At home, they grow variegated codiaum. Varieties are widespread:

Codiaum Sunny Star. Leaves with a tapered end. Young foliage is light green with bright yellow streaks.

Croton Sunny Star

"Aukubolistny". The foliage is unevenly colored. There are yellow and green tones. This croton is narrow-leaved.

Codiaeum Aucubolistic

Codiaum Vilma - multi-colored asymmetric leaves of a yellow-green color.

Croton Wilma

Peter. A flower with yellow spots on the leaves. A large bush with leathery lateral leaves. On the shoots, they are arranged alternately.

Croton Petra

Mummy. A flower with red veins on the leaves, narrow-leaved. If properly cared for, there are bright yellow, green, pink tones. The edge of the leaves is slightly curved.

Codiaeum Disraeli. Lobed leaves of a brown shade. The outer side of the leaf plate has bright yellow spots and veins.

Croton Disraeli

Codiaeum Excellence. The foliage looks like oak. On the surface of the leaves there are clear green, yellow blotches and stripes. The reverse side of the foliage is pinkish.

Codiaum Excellence

Zanzibar. Dense, narrowed leaves of a bright green hue. There are orange, yellowish, burgundy stripes.

Zanzibar

Mrs. Aiston. A compact tree or a sprawling bush with large green leaves grows. On the surface of the foliage there are pinkish, burgundy specks, yellowish stains.

Mrs. Aiston

Black Prince. Dark green leaves with red, orange specks and stripes.

Black Prince

Nervia. Multi-colored greens - leaves of a yellow, pinkish tint. The edges are wavy. There is a central vein on the surface.

Nervia

Croton Tamara. The oval leaf tone can be green. The edges are light green or white.

Croton Tamara

Codiaum Gold Sun. Large variegated foliage. The main color is green, there are yellow streaks. Height over 30 cm.

Codiaum Gold Sun

Codiaum Variegatum Mix is ​​often sold. This is not one variety, but several. Codiaum Mix can be of different colors.It depends on the age of the crop and the conditions for its cultivation. Therefore, compositions with the same varieties often look different.