Tradescantia

Home care for tradescantia

An unpretentious plant can be placed almost anywhere in the apartment. However, with a lack of light, its leaves will simply turn green, and if you put a flowerpot on the southern windowsill, they will burn out from the excess of the sun. Therefore, the best place for Tradescantia is the western and eastern windowsills. In summer, the bushes can be placed on an open balcony or on a plot in the garden, shading them from the sun's rays.

Tradescantia has strong shoots, so it can be placed on hanging shelves or planted in tall flowerpots.

Air temperature and humidity

In the warm season to the temperature

With dry air in the apartment, the leaves can be sprayed with standing water at room temperature. However, this procedure is optional.

Watering

Tradescantia care includes regular, abundant watering in the spring and summer. If it is warm in the room in winter, then water the bushes after adding soil. In cool conditions, watering is done no more than once every three to four days, after the soil is almost completely dry.

Watering should be abundant, but so that the soil is not waterlogged and sour. Otherwise, the roots and stems of the flower will begin to rot. Some time after watering, the water is poured out of the trays. Tradescantia is drought-resistant, therefore it can withstand a long time without watering. However, from a lack of moisture, the flower weakens and loses its decorative effect.

Top dressing and soil for tradescantia

The herbaceous plant prefers nutritious and light soils. It is better not to use garden soil, as it may contain pest larvae and fungal spores.

You can buy potting potting mix at a flower shop or make your own. To do this, you need to mix:

• deciduous land - 2 parts;
• turf - 1 part;
• humus - 1 part;
• sand - 1/2 part.

Before use, the mixture must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.

When caring for Tradescantia in the spring and summer, do not forget to feed it. For this, ready-made organic and mineral fertilizers are used. It should be borne in mind that organics are not suitable for varieties with variegated leaves. They can lose their color. In autumn and winter, the plant does not need feeding.

Transplant and pruning

Young bushes grow quickly, so you need to transplant more of them into a pot every year. Adult specimens are transplanted no more than once every two to three years. Drainage must be poured into the bottom of the pot.

The indoor flower quickly loses its decorative appearance, since the stems become bare as they grow. The situation can be corrected by minor pruning and pinching of the shoots. It is recommended to do this during transplantation.

How to transplant Tradescantia

We have already mentioned that this plant grows rather quickly, covered with many creeping stems, and the soil is depleted over the years and loses its nutritional properties. That is why from time to time, Tradescantia needs to be transplanted into a larger pot with a new substrate.

The soil

Experienced gardeners recommend giving preference to store-bought earthen mixtures, since they are made taking into account the characteristics of a particular type of plant and contain all the substances necessary for growth and development. In addition, garden soil often contains pest larvae, which, once in a favorable environment, will begin to multiply and parasitize on the plant. If you nevertheless decide to make the substrate yourself, use a mixture of leaf, turf and humus soil.To protect the plant from insects, it should be pre-steamed or calcined in the oven.

Transplant Tradescantia by transferring it into a larger pot

Pot selection and planting

Tradescantia has a shallow root system and therefore does not need a deep pot. Give preference to wide hanging flowerpots, in which it will be easier for the bush to grow. Planting is carried out as follows: a drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the pot, which prevents stagnation of water, then it is half covered with a substrate and a seedling is placed in it. Next, the flowerpot is completely filled with soil, sprinkled with a small amount of sand and watered abundantly with clean water. In order for Tradescantia to take root in a new place faster, add liquid fertilizer to the water in the proportions indicated on the label.

Landing in open ground

Tradescantia garden varieties are recommended to be planted in partial shade, as prolonged exposure to sunlight can burn delicate leaves. The plant grows well in any soil, but light, well-drained, slightly acidic soils are preferred. Seeds should be sown in early spring, in March or early April. Cuttings, the roots of which have reached 2-3 centimeters, are best planted in early spring or late autumn. Seedlings require abundant watering and regular feeding. Tradescantia is a frost-resistant plant, therefore it winters well without special shelter. An exception can be made only for small cuttings planted in open ground in late autumn.

Tradescantia - types and varieties with photos

All types of indoor flowers are very similar to each other. It is easy to determine the variety only in variegated plants.

Tradescantia Zebrina

The hanging, striped or zebra-like flower variety is most common among home growers. Mexico is considered her homeland. The species is distinguished by creeping or hanging stems that tightly cover small ovoid leaves. The leaf plates are colored red from below, and two silvery stripes run along them from above. Zebrina's slightly reddish shoots reach forty centimeters in length. During the growing season, purple flowers form on the plant.

Of the varieties of Zebrina, it can be noted:

1. Purpusii - indoor tradescantia is distinguished by leaves, which are painted dark purple on both sides.
2. The Quadricolor variety is a garden plant with four-colored leaves. It seems as if they are streaked with whitish, pink, dark green and silver strokes.

Tradescantia Blossfeld

Large-leaved plant native to the tropical regions of Argentina. The variety is distinguished by creeping stems up to sixty centimeters long and oblong leaves slightly pointed at the tops, which are pubescent below. Its stems are red-green in color, and the leaves are pale purple on the seamy side, and dark green with a pomegranate tint on top.

Flowers are formed and bloom at the ends of the shoots. White petals set off purple sepals. Elongated pubescent stamens have a snow-white color.

Among Brossfeld's Tradescantia varieties, Variegata is the most popular. It differs in:

• highly branching stems;
• wide stripes on the leaves of golden and dark green color.

Virginia Tradescantia

Delicate purple-pink flowers

Tradescantia virginsky has straight, branched and knotty shoots up to sixty centimeters long, medium-sized lanceolate leaves and inflorescences in the form of umbrellas.

The variety is frost-resistant, and therefore it is often used to decorate garden plots.

Popular varieties of the Virginia variety:

1. Rubra is a plant with small ruby-red buds and emerald leaves.
2. Coerulea is a bush with pale blue flowers and green leaves.
3. Atrorubra - the variety is distinguished by bright red buds and soft green decorative leaves.

Tradescantia Anderson

Anderson's Tradescantia is a branchy, upright plant with numerous stems ranging from thirty to eighty centimeters long. She has long, lanceolate leaves, the underside of which is purple-green. Small, flat, three-petal flowers can be white, pink, blue, blue, purple.

The most popular varieties are:

• Iris - bush blooming profusely with blue flowers;
• Leonora - a plant with blue-violet buds;
• Osprey - the variety is distinguished by white flowers;
• Purewell Giant is a tradescantia with carmine red flowers.

Tradescantia violet or Setcreasia

South America is considered the homeland of the species. The plant is distinguished by pubescent, elongated, bright purple leaves. Herbaceous perennial has flowing or erect shoots and small original buds. The flowers have three petals and can be pink or crimson.

Tradescantia white-flowered

White-flowered Tradescantia has pointed, bright green, small leaves. They can be decorated with multi-colored stripes. Below, the leaves have pubescence and a light shade. The flowers that resemble a star can be pink or white. However, the variety blooms quite rarely.

Popular varieties:

• Alba is a plant with pale green leaves along which irregular dark green lines run;
• Tricolor - the variety is distinguished by pale green leaves, along the edge of which there are silvery lines, and in the center - pink;
• Albovittata is a bush with green-silvery leaves and white flowers.

Popular types

Due to the fact that the dormant period of Tradescantia is not pronounced, they retain their decorative effect all year round, for which they are especially appreciated by flower growers. The following types are most common in indoor plant growing:

White-flowered Tradescantia (white) is suitable even for the most shaded rooms. This species has long herbaceous shoots with alternating small leaves. The leaf plates are oval, with a sharp top, soft and shiny. There are varieties with bright green, white-green and tricolor leaves. It blooms quite rarely, with small white flowers. Used as an ampelous plant.

Tradescantia white-flowered

• Tradescantia virginiana has erect stems and dark green narrow leaves 2-3 cm long. There are specimens with flowers of blue, pink, white and purple hues. It is often used as a garden species.
• The delicate tradescantia of Blossfeld is distinguished by large peduncles and juicy, pronounced pubescent elliptical leaves up to seven centimeters long. The upper side of the leaf is olive green, the lower side has a lilac tint. The flowers are pink. Slow-growing species, recommended for group flower arrangements.
• Violet Tradescantia (setcreasia) is a plant with lodging creeping stems and oblong, pointed leaves of green-purple color. The reverse side of the leaf has a more pronounced purple color. The leaves are pubescent. The pink flowers contrast brightly with the dark foliage. This species needs good lighting, otherwise the shoots will stretch out and the color will fade.
• Riverine, or myrtle-leaved Tradescantia grows well in semi-shaded places. The beautiful creeping purple stems are covered with many leaves, bright green above and purple below. White flowers on long purple pedicels are collected in paired curls. It is used as a ground cover and ampel plant.
• Tradescantia sillamontana is a compact, weakly branching plant with shoots no more than 40 cm long. The leaves are large, dense, with dense light pubescence of a silvery shade. The flowers are blue or purple, axillary. Drought-resistant species.

Tradescantia Sillamontana

• Anderson's tradescantia is the name of a group of hybrids with flat flowers collected in inflorescences at the ends of the shoots. The color of the petals is varied, there are varieties with semi-double flowers.Branching stems have bright lanceolate leaves.
• Small-leaved tradescantia is the smallest species. The round leaves do not exceed 0.6 cm in length. Despite the apparent fragility, the plant is unpretentious, grows quickly, and develops well under artificial lighting.

Additional Information! As a result of crossing the main species, many spectacular varieties were obtained. Variegated specimens are especially in demand.

Surprisingly good is the variety of riverside Tradescantia Maiden’s Blush, which means “Bride's Blush”. Differs in the pink color of young leaves, which turn green over time.

Tradescantia Maiden's Blush

Another spectacular variety with a pronounced variegation is Tradescantia Nanuk. The leaves are brightly colored, against a white-pink background, green stripes of different color saturation.

Tradescantia is readily used in room design. Both groups of the same species and combinations of different plants look harmoniously. Tradescantia with light foliage contrast effectively with the dark leaves of the Black Prince ficus or Black Dragon coleus. Instances of deep purple color stand out against the background of light green syngonium leaves.

The unpretentiousness and variety of varieties allow you to experiment with the placement of the flower, using various racks, hanging baskets, high shelves. Thus, you can create whole cascades of plants in rooms.

Care rules

This houseplant is not demanding in care and maintenance, so even a novice florist can grow it.

• The best location would be a window sill on the west or east side, where there is good diffused light and no direct sunlight.
• On the south window, it will be necessary to provide shading at noon, otherwise the leaves will receive severe burns and the Tradescantia will lose its original decorative effect.
• It is not necessary to place it on the northern windowsills - from the lack of light, the leaves become pale.

It is best grown in light, loose soil with a neutral acidity level. You can prepare such a soil mixture yourself, mix coarse sand, sod and leafy soil in a 1: 2: 2 ratio. You can also use a commercially available decorative deciduous substrate.

Lighting

The minimum duration of a LED day is 10 hours. With its lack, the leaves become faded and lose their original color.

In summer, this condition is ensured by natural light; in winter, fluorescent lamps are used.

Humidity

The flower must be sprayed regularly

Home-grown Tradescantia requires high humidity. It has a positive effect on the growth and development of the flower. The optimal level is 70-80%. To maintain it, in the spring and summer, frequent spraying is carried out - every day in the evening. Additionally, a container with water is installed in the room.

Temperature

This species needs a moderate temperature regime - within 10-16 ° С. When kept on a balcony or loggia in the autumn-winter period, the flower can tolerate a decrease to 5 ° C. At lower rates, foliage and shoots begin to wither and the plant dies.

Watering

Moistening the soil is carried out taking into account the following rules:

• the soil should not be allowed to dry out, which can lead to drying out of the roots and aboveground parts;
• moisturize every three days in spring and summer;
• in the autumn-winter season, the frequency is reduced to 3 times a month.

Watering is necessary with settled water at room temperature. The next day, it is worth carrying out surface loosening to prevent the formation of a crust, which will make it difficult for moisture and oxygen to penetrate to the roots.

Top dressing

Basic care includes regular fertilization throughout the growing season. For nutrition, they use ready-made preparations for decorative deciduous plants. Frequency - every 14 days.With the arrival of autumn, when Tradescantia enters a resting phase, they stop feeding.

Landing

For planting, use a wide flowerpot up to 10 cm high and always with drainage holes at the bottom. The soil is taken purchased (for decorative leafy indoor flowers) or prepared independently.

The best time for planting is early spring, when the buds have not yet begun to bloom.

• A couple of handfuls of expanded clay or pebbles are poured onto the bottom of the container, which will ensure a good outflow of excess liquid.
• Then it is half filled with a fertile mixture.
• The roots are lowered so that the root collar remains above the soil surface.
• After that, the earth is poured to the top of the flowerpot, tamped and watered.

Transfer

Plants are transplanted in the dormant stage

Before transferring a purchased flower to a common room with other vegetation, it should be transplanted

It is important to carry out this procedure after the end of flowering. It is not advisable to transplant flowering tradescantia, t

because she will not be able to bear the stress and will die.

Purchased land for ornamental deciduous plants is suitable for replanting. It is better to take a pot of plastic or porcelain - such containers retain moisture longer. Its size should be 2-3 cm larger in the diameter of the previous flowerpot.

The transplant is carried out by the method of transshipment of an earthen coma. All voids are covered with soil, then watered and the flower is placed in a warm place with diffused daylight.

Transplanting is necessary as for purchased flowers, sometimes it is required for home specimens:

• if the container has become cramped and the roots look out of the drainage holes;
• in case of decay of the root system;
• moldy soil mixture;
• transplanting is also required after wintering in order to stimulate the growth of new roots and green mass;
• the need to replace the old substrate with a fresh one every 2-3 years.

For adult specimens, aged from 5 years, it is enough to remove the top layer of the soil and fill it with a fertile composition.

In landscape design

When developing site designs, it is important to position the plants so that tall specimens do not overlap undersized ones. Tall varieties are best planted in the background: after a couple of years they acquire a beautiful rounded shape with cascading shoots, and their small flowers always attract butterflies, which additionally decorate the bush

When decorating a garden, flower growers like to plant Tradescantia in the neighborhood of geyher, variegated sedge, hosts, ferns and astilbe.

If you pinch a flower once a year or every six months, the bushes will look more compact and thicker. Landing on the bank of the pond will be a good solution: Tradescantia will grow and bloom magnificently. This will beautify the garden pond, since the other plants that usually live in it do not have such aesthetic characteristics. After the Tradescantia has faded, remove the cups. If this is not done in time, then the seeds will spill to the ground and give new growth, which will not benefit the shape of the bush.

Care

To get lush blooms and strong foliage, it is important to remember to care for the Tradescantia. The principles of cultivation are quite simple, since the flower itself is unpretentious.

Watering

The plant loves abundant watering, with a lack of moisture, the flowers wither, its growth stops, and in extreme cases it can dry out completely.

Top dressing

Often, Tradescantia fertilization is not required. They feed only the strong shoots that have appeared once and again when buds appear. Thanks to such activities, the plant will feel comfortable for a couple of years, after which it is possible to add mineral fertilizing again.

Diseases

This inhabitant of the flower bed is not afraid of insects and is not very susceptible to disease, so he does not need to make special compositions for prevention. If, nevertheless, the leaves of this inhabitant of the garden covered spots, then most likely he suffered from fungal diseases.In this case, the tips of the foliage turn brown, a light bloom may appear, and the buds sometimes change shape to an irregular one. To get rid of this ailment, you will have to use fungicides.

Wintering

To successfully survive the winter cold, it is advisable to cover the flower. For all its frost resistance, it needs protection. This is best done with fall foliage. It is placed in large quantities on top of the plants. Usually this is enough for a comfortable wintering of Tradescantia.

See below about the features of the garden tradescantia.

Diseases and pests

Timely start treatment at the first signs of illness

During growth and development, a houseplant can be damaged by various parasites and infections. If you do not take urgent measures for treatment, it is unlikely that it will be possible to save him at an advanced stage.

Popular types

There are dozens of varieties of this plant in nature, but only a few representatives of the genus are most in demand on the territory of Russia.

• Anderson. Dense bushes of this selection variety can reach a height of 80-100 cm. The branches are characterized by increased fragility. Leaves up to 20 cm long are located on them. They are painted in a rich green color, and the flowers can be blue, white, pink or purple.
• Virginskaya. This variety has a more modest size: the average height of the bush reaches 30-40 cm.On erect, strong stems, arrow-shaped leaves of bright green or dark color are attached. It blooms in pink, bright red or light blue flowers. Virginia Tradescantia in planting and care is undemanding, which means it is suitable for most regions of the country.
• Long-rhizome. A miniature representative of the genus, which rarely exceeds 10 cm in height. On the juicy fragile shoots are light green leaves and flowers of delicate blue and pink color. This species is characterized by increased resistance to drought.

Giant. Such a Tradescantia is a perennial garden flower that, despite its name, grows no higher than 40 cm. You can recognize this variety by its wider leaves and fluffy sepals.
Ohio. This is one of the largest species, its bushes in natural conditions often reach 1-1.2 m. The leaves of the plant are large, wide, covered with a light whitish bloom. There are villi on the sepals. The buds are often pink or blue, but there are also white buds.
Subaspera

Such tradescantia on the street will surely attract attention. Its zigzag stems can reach a height of 1 m.The leaves of this plant are wide, bright green, often glabrous, but may have villi

The flower petals are light blue in color.

The leaves of this plant are wide, bright green, often bare, but may have villi. The flower petals are light blue in color.

When garden tradescantia blooms

With good care, the plant begins to bloom in the spring with the onset of warm weather. The flowering period ends in late autumn. Thanks to this feature, the perennial is widely in demand among flower growers and landscape designers.

Diseases and pests

The plant is susceptible to numerous attacks from pests. Of the most common pests, several organisms can be distinguished.

Aphids - can be detected by the leaves, which are blackened. The insects themselves have a light green color, it is problematic to consider.

Undesirable organisms can be found in internodes, also on the inside of the leaves. Treatment and disposal of pests must be carried out using insecticides: treatment of the infected surface will destroy harmful creatures (Fufanon or Karbofos is suitable at the rate of 20 drops per liter of water).

Speaking of flower diseases, it is impossible to single out something specific. Let's analyze the main mistakes of novice florists.

1. Lack or excess of lighting, which is the energy for Tradescantia. It is sometimes difficult to maintain a balance, but you need to listen to the external signs of the leaves: if the stems are stretched, and the leaves do not grow, there is not enough light.
2. A brown color at the base of the leaf indicates a lack of moisture. But it must be remembered that an abundance of watering also leads to disastrous consequences.

For more information on caring for Tradescantia, see the next video.