Useful properties of tradescantia
Tradescantia has long been appreciated not only for its original beauty, but also for the baggage of useful properties. The medicinal properties of Tradescantia are known to many gardeners. It is valuable as an excellent remedy for stopping bleeding, heals wounds, cuts and minor scratches well.
To treat the above skin lesions, you should apply a fresh leaf to the damaged area and wrap it with a bandage. It will quickly stop bleeding and heal the scratch, reducing bruising and swelling.
Also, preparations based on Tradescantia are effective in treating gastrointestinal diseases, throat diseases and ARVI.
Did you know? An infusion of tradescantia leaves has a positive effect on the treatment of tuberculosis.
If you often chew a leaf of tradescantia and rub the juice into your gums, you can get rid of periodontal disease.
For colds, you need to use a decoction of tradescantia (20 cm of a stem with leaves, 200 ml. - chop the tradescantia and pour hot water, leave for 2 hours). With diabetes and various kinds of injuries, an alcoholic infusion of Tradescantia is useful (20 cm of the stem of Tradescantia per 500 ml of vodka - leave for 2 weeks). With diabetes - 1 tsp. dilute in 50 ml. water and drink 3 times a day for 15 minutes. before meals. For injuries, lotions and rubbing with this infusion are useful.
Tradescantia is a beautiful plant and often irreplaceable. It combines an aesthetically beautiful bush with a large supply of medicinal properties. It will be a great addition to your existing collection of beautiful houseplants.
Types of indoor plants tradescantia and photos
The genus of Tradescantia includes about thirty different species.
Homemade tradescantia
Tradescantia, which are grown as indoor, are of the following types:
White-flowered tradescantia
White-flowered tradescantia also has such names as tricolor tradescantia and uridis tradescantia
In another way, it is also called "tricolor tradescantia" or "uridis tradescantia".
The plant is native to South America.
Creeping stems. The leaves are wide and oblong, ovoid, pointed at the top, smooth on both sides.
The length of the leaves is about 6 cm, the width of the leaves is about 3 cm.
The color of the leaves is green or silvery, with a glossy sheen.
The flowers are small and white, the bracts are white.
There are several varieties of this type of tradescantia:
- Albovittata - only white stripes on the leaves.
- Tricolor - the stripes on the leaves are lilac-pink and white.
- Aurea - green stripes, yellow leaves.
- Aureovittata - longitudinal golden stripes on the leaves.
Blossfeld
The plant is native to Argentina.
Stems are creeping and ascending. The leaves are oblong, elliptical, pointed at the top, covered with white hairs at the bottom.
The length of the leaves is about 8 cm, the width of the leaves is about 3 cm.
The color of the leaves is greenish-red above, purple below.
The flowers are small, pink.
The most common variety of Blossfeld's Tradescantia is variegata or variegated. Its peculiarity is the presence of a small amount of yellow and green stripes on large leaves, while the pattern on the neighboring leaves is the same.
Striped tradescantia
The striped tradescantia also has the names Hanging Tradescantia and Hanging Zebrina
Another name is "hanging tradescantia" or "hanging zebrina".
Stems are smooth, drooping or spreading, often becoming reddish in color. The leaves are elongated, ovoid.
The length of the leaves is about 8 cm, the width of the leaves is about 5 cm.
The color of the leaves is green with silvery stripes on top, red on the bottom.
The flowers are small, purple.
Riverine tradescantia
Another name is "myrtle leaf tradescantia".
The plant is native to Brazil.
The stems are creeping, colored red, covered with green spots. Leaves are ovoid, smooth.
The length of the leaves is about 2.5 cm, the width of the leaves is about 2.5 cm.
The color of the leaves is green above, red below.
The following varieties are known:
- Variegata - beige stripes.
- Quicksilver - white stripes.
Garden tradescantia
In the photo, Tradescantia is garden
Tradescantia, of course, is better known as a houseplant, but a species of this plant has been bred that can overwinter outdoors in cold conditions. This is Anderson's Tradescantia, this name combines the varieties derived from the Virginia Tradescantia.
Shoots are straight, branched.
The leaves are lanceolate, purple and green.
The flowers are collected in an inflorescence in the form of an umbrella, can be white, pink, blue or purple.
The best varieties:
- Leonora - blue or purple flowers.
- Osprey - white flowers, blue center.
- Iris - the flowers are bright blue.
- Innocence - white flowers.
- Sweet Kate - dark blue flowers.
- Red Grape - crimson flowers.
How to care for the selaginella plant at home can be found here.
See interesting and beautiful photos of the houseplant Fatsia.
What other varieties of Tradescantia are known
In addition to the above varieties of indoor tradescantia, the following are also found:
- Rainbow Hill - leaves are lilac on top, green with white stripes below, flowers are lilac or white;
- Gold Wing - yellow-green leaves;
- Maiden's Blush - new leaves are white or pink, old leaves are pink-white with green ends;
- Yellow Hill - leaves are green with beige, white or yellow stripes on top, green below.
How to grow properly at home
How to choose and prepare soil and pot
Growing Tradescantia at home requires organic-rich, well-drained land. It is recommended to take garden, leaf or sod soil as its basis. Perlite or sand must be added there to provide moisture and air access to the root system.
A pot for growing Tradescantia is selected with large drainage holes, a small height. The plant has a small root system, so even flat bowls are suitable for it.
How to plant
When grown indoors, Tradescantia prefer slightly cramped conditions. Planting or transplanting a plant should be done in the spring. A young bush requires an annual transplant into a new container, but adults need such a procedure once every 3 years.
Often, experienced growers replace transplanting with transshipment, placing Tradescantia in a new pot with an old clod of earth, so as not to injure the roots once again. Previously, a layer of drainage from expanded clay or broken brick is laid on the bottom of the vessel. A layer of nutritious soil mixture is poured on top and the plant is set, sprinkled around the perimeter with the same soil.
Conditions of maintenance and care
Tradescantia, although it is an undemanding plant, needs to comply with certain maintenance rules. Otherwise, it is exposed to pests, and immunity to diseases decreases.
Temperature regime
Almost all types of tradescantia are thermophilic and require maintaining the room temperature at +20 - +24 ° C throughout the year. The plant does not tolerate a decrease in this indicator less than +10 ° C.
Illumination
Green-leaved varieties of Tradescantia grow even in partial shade. But for variegated ones, good lighting is required. They should be exposed to direct sunlight for several hours every day.
Spraying and watering
Tradescantia needs spraying when the heating is on or when the air temperature is high. The procedure is carried out in the morning, ensuring good air circulation.Before dark, water droplets should have time to evaporate from the leaf plates and not cause decay.
It is not recommended to spray varieties with pubescence on the leaves. In this case, use a humidifier or simply place an open container of water next to it. Scaphoid Tradescantia generally prefers dry air and does not require additional humidification.
Bloom
The flowering period of Tradescantia occurs at any time of the year, but most often it occurs in the summer. Many varieties are grown as decorative deciduous, so it is recommended to pinch the buds that are forming so that the flower does not waste extra energy.
Top dressing and fertilization
From early spring to early autumn, Tradescantia is fed every 14 days using a complex fertilizer. In winter and autumn, the frequency of such procedures is halved or stopped altogether.
Pruning
Regular pruning helps not only maintain the shape of the crown, but also rejuvenate the Tradescantia. To form lateral shoots, it is recommended to pinch the tops of the shoots. When green-leaved shoots appear on variegated plants, they are immediately removed.
In winter, the air temperature in the room can be reduced to 15-18 ° C, thereby providing a dormant period for Tradescantia. However, this procedure is optional. At this time, the frequency of watering is also reduced so as to prevent the earthen coma from drying out.
Garden tradescantia - what kind of plant is it, how to plant it correctly
The plant in question is a shrub flower. It usually reaches about half a meter in height. The plant received such a romantic name thanks to the surname of a biologist who first introduced European countries to this native of Virginia.
Outwardly, the shrub looks very attractive. It has long, pointed green leaves with thin longitudinal grooves. And the flowers, which bloom quite a lot, have inflorescences consisting of three rounded petals. The shade of the petals ranges from pink to purple. Tradescantia is notable for the fact that it blooms from May to September. Moreover, the flowering phase of one flower is short-lived, but due to the fact that there are many of them, and they do not bloom at the same time, the bush looks presentable for such a long time.
Another plus of the garden tradescantia is that it is perennial. Over time, the bush grows, becoming more magnificent and richer.
- Most often, the plant is propagated by seed. If you have harvested them, do not delay with sowing, the freshly harvested material germinates faster and better.
- Sowing can be carried out both in autumn and spring. But if you decide to plant seeds before the winter period, then take care of the insulation of the plantings. First of all, choose a suitable container - a wooden box is best for this purpose, in the bottom of which you need to drill several holes. After planting, cover the container or place it in a closed greenhouse, so the plants can survive the winter cold.
- Garden Tradescantia does not like heavy soil. Therefore, the soil for planting it must be light and loose, as well as supplied with the necessary nutrients. If the soil in your area is poor, mix the soil with complex fertilizer before planting.
- And do not forget to spill the earth well with water, and during growth, do not allow the earthen coma to dry out.
- The calculation of the planting distances is as follows - about one centimeter between the seeds of one row, fifteen to twenty centimeters between the rows.
How to properly care for your garden tradescantia
So, in order for the plant to delight you with its appearance, observe a number of care requirements:
Watering.
Tradescantia is a moisture-loving lady, so it must be supplied with water regularly, especially in hot weather. In the cold season, the volume of irrigation decreases commensurately.At the same time, you should not water the flower too often, even if this procedure will be less frequent, but of better quality;
Top dressing.
It is carried out in the most critical life periods of the bush. The first time the soil is enriched at the planting stage, if the original soil is poor in nutrients. Further, top dressing is added in the spring, during the period of active growth. When buds begin to form, fertilizer is applied again;
Loosening.
Garden Tradescantia loves loose soils and does not tolerate the neighborhood of weeds, so do not be lazy to remove them in a timely manner and loosen the soil around the base of the bush;
Warming.
The flower must be prepared for wintering. To do this, as soon as it fades, it is necessary to cut off the flower legs, and then sprinkle the entire bush with peat. Above, gardeners form a "fur coat" of spruce paws. Such insulation will be enough for a successful wintering.
Even if the care is correct and timely, the first flowers can be expected no earlier than the second year of the plant's life.
There are three ways this flower can be propagated:
- With the help of seeds.
- Cuttings.
To implement this option, you will need to cut one of the bush cuttings with leaves, and then place it in a container of water at room temperature. As soon as the roots appear, plant the young Tradescantia in a small box of nutritious soil and leave in a warm room. When the plant grows up and gets stronger, it can be planted in open ground.
- By dividing the bush.
The third option is considered to be the simplest. But, when carrying it out, do not forget that the root system of the tradescantia is extensive, therefore, when digging a bush, take a good supply in the distance. It is best to breed the plant in spring or autumn.
Reproduction
You can propagate Tradescantia Anderson by seeds, cuttings, or by dividing the bush.
Sow seeds directly into the ground in the spring, but if you wish, you can grow sprouts in a greenhouse. Cultivation is carried out according to general rules.
Some varieties bloom already in the first year of life. But as for hybrid varieties, for example, Stravberry ice, the flowers from the seeds may not turn out quite the same as in the photo from the package.
You can also divide the bush only in the spring, and before the appearance of new branches. If the shoots are too long, then shorten them to a length of 15 centimeters. Trim the roots if necessary.
The easiest way to reproduce is by cuttings
Please note that there should be at least two, and preferably three growth points on the handle.
You can germinate cuttings throughout the warm season. The root panicle forms on them equally quickly both in the ground and in the water. However, it is best to germinate the cuttings in small greenhouses.
An important question is how the plant hibernates
It is important for flower growers to preserve this perennial, to protect it from frost. If the cuttings are planted in the ground at the beginning of summer, then the plant will overwinter normally, although for safety reasons you can cover it for the winter.
If you planted the cuttings in late summer or early autumn, then for the winter the plants should be dug up, transplanted into pots and left in the house for the winter. In the spring, plant them in open ground again.
It will be useful to know that Anderson's Tradescantia easily tolerates frosts up to 34 degrees in a snowy winter. If there is little snow, then the plant may die in a frost of 15 degrees. In order not to worry all winter, just in case, insulate these bushes in the fall.
Answers to readers' questions
What is the lifespan of a plant?
Tradescantia is not kept for more than 2-3 years. It loses its decorative effect, many branches become bare, so a new plant is regularly grown at these intervals.
Is this flower poisonous?
Most types of Tradescantia are not poisonous. Many ornamental fish lovers set the pots on stands above the aquarium so that the branches of the tradescantia descend into the water, and the fish happily pluck the leaves in the water.
Tradescantia pallidum contains a small amount of toxic substances. It can cause redness of the skin.
Why do the leaves turn yellow (dry)?
The main reason for this phenomenon is the drying out of the soil, which Tradescantia does not tolerate. Stagnation of water in the pot is also possible. For rheo, this reason may be watering with cold water.
How does the plant overwinter?
Tradescantia winters well under normal room conditions, but it must be kept away from heating appliances and continued regular spraying, limiting watering, but not allowing the earth to dry out. If there is a glazed loggia suitable for wintering plants, then it is better to put the geranium there and spray it only once a week.
Room Tradescantia care
Tradescantia flower photo
If you have an aquarium in your house, you can place the flower near it so that the shoots can sink into the water. There they form a unique green rug. It is also noteworthy that the plant has medicinal properties. It is able to purify the air and neutralize electromagnetic radiation.
Home care for Tradescantia is not difficult. If you cut off a leaf from a plant and put it in water, it can live from a few months to several years (with the addition of nutrients). Nevertheless, in order for the plant to develop well and show its unique decorative properties, it is necessary to provide it with favorable conditions.
Lighting
A window on the west or east side is ideal for a plant, where the light, although bright, is diffused. It can also grow remarkably well on the north window. On the south - the flower will need to be shaded during hot hours.
It is worth noting that varieties with a normal green color are not as demanding as varieties with a variegated color. The most shade-tolerant species is the white-flowered houseplant Tradescantia. In the warm season, the flower can be taken outside or transplanted into the garden.
Temperature
In summer, the temperature should vary between + 22-25 ° C. In winter, it is optimally above + 12 ° C. The plant is not very fond of sudden temperature changes and drafts.
Humidity
Garden Tradescantia should be taken care of regularly, despite its unpretentiousness. The plant is quite hygrophilous, so every day, especially in hot weather, you need to check the moisture content of the soil.
In winter, the frequency of watering should be reduced. But the earth must not be allowed to dry out. Also, the flower can be sprayed from time to time, but this is not a mandatory moment.
Tradescantia: appearance, origin, distribution
In nature, Tradescantia is a perennial herbaceous creeping plant with long, straight or branched shoots and oval or elliptical leaves arranged alternately on the stem. Flowers are mostly inconspicuous, small, white, pink or blue, arranged in clusters at the top of the shoot or in the axils of the leaves. In decorative floriculture, Tradescantia is prized for the beauty of the foliage, not the flowers. For the first time a botanical characteristic of this plant was given by the gardener of the English king Charles I - John Tradescant, whose name became the basis for the name.
Tradescantia is a perennial herbaceous creeping plant with long shoots.
To successfully breed a plant in a room culture, you need to know the features of its growth in natural conditions:
- in its homeland, Tradescantia is considered a weed plant, it prefers swampy, highly moistened soils, mainly peaty. They are poor in nutrients - therefore, Tradescantia is unpretentious and does not require frequent feeding;
- a warm and humid climate is ideal for a plant;
- the illumination of the Tradescantia is not important - it easily tolerates both full shadow and bright sunlight;
- as a plant of a tropical climate, in which it does not have periods of dormancy, Tradescantia is in the stage of active growth all year round.
Optimal growing conditions and features
According to experienced growers, Tradescantia is one of the few indoor flowers that requires minimal care and attention.
Soil composition and pot selection
The flower grows well in a wide and shallow planter or pot. In this case, the container must necessarily have holes for moisture drainage. The lack of a drainage system can lead to the death of the plant.
The soil should be nutritious and loose. For planting or transplanting an indoor flower, you can use a universal store soil or a self-prepared substrate. The ideal soil for growing Tradescantia has four main components:
- sod land - 1 part;
- leaf land - 2 parts;
- coarse river sand - 1 part;
- humus - 1 part.
Before planting / replanting Tradescantia, we recommend performing soil disinfection. The finished soil mixture must first be frozen and then calcined in the oven.
Author's advice
Temperature control and lighting
Tradescantia is undemanding to lighting. The flower grows well both in the sun and in partial shade. But the brightness of variegated varieties fades a little when grown in the shade or partial shade.
The plant is thermophilic. Recommended air temperature - from + 23 ° C to +26 ° C. During the rest period, the optimal average daily temperature is +12 ° C.
The flower grows well both in the sun and in partial shade.
Features of watering and humidification
During the growing season, the houseplant is watered abundantly and often, while trying not to overmoisten the soil. Perennial does not like watering through the pallet. The presence of water in the pan leads to root rot.
Winter watering is moderate. Watering the plant is necessary when the earthen coma is completely dry.
Tradescantia has a high drought tolerance threshold. Low air humidity in the room will not harm the decorative culture. However, the flower responds gratefully to sprays and warm showers.
When and how to feed the plant
During the active growing season - from April to October - they are fed with mineral complex mixtures for decorative leafy plants. The interval between dressings is at least 14 days. With an excess of nutrients in the soil, the leaves of the indoor flower lose their shape and brightness.
Correct transplant and pruning
A fast-growing herb should be periodically rejuvenated. Rejuvenation means pruning and pinching the shoots. Pinching young shoots contributes to the correct formation of the crown. Pruning old stems stimulates flower growth.
Ornamental plant pruning rules
Tradescantia loves a little cramped conditions, so you rarely need to replant the flower. If it is necessary to replace the pot or soil composition, the plant is transplanted in early spring.
Features of flowering tradescantia
Tradescantia is distinguished by abundant flowering, but the petals themselves will never be scattered inaccurately throughout the garden. In the afternoon, in the afternoon, in sunny weather, or in cloudy, but already in the late afternoon, Tradescantia flowers begin to curl up and disappear in their seed boxes, like snails in their shells. Thus, you can observe the mystery of the birth of the seed.
In their shape, bells with seeds and buds that have not yet opened resemble huge clusters. They are a complex plexus, so it is rather difficult to determine which "bunch" will turn into a beautiful flower with three petals the next morning. The main advantage, as mentioned earlier, is the long and continuous flowering of the garden tradescantia.
Important! The decorative appearance is affected by the load by the end of the season, if you try to remove the already faded bunches each time.
How to fertilize Tradescantia
From spring to early autumn, feed Tradescantia with fertilizers for decorative foliage plants. Do this every two weeks.
Only add top dressing to wet soil or water for irrigation.
Follow the dosage recommendations that are indicated on the package with the product.
How to trim a tradescantia
To keep the plant neat, cut off its lashes. This can be done in spring, summer and even at the beginning of autumn, while Tradescantia is actively growing.
Elongated Tradescantia /
Prune with scissors, a sharp knife, or just gently break off fairly fragile stems.
Cut off shoots root easily in water. The liquid should contain no more than a third of the plant. After a week and a half, roots will appear. After that, Tradescantia can be planted in a pot of soil.
Young plant with roots / bonjourtangerine.fr
The process can be rooted directly in the ground. To do this, place one or more cuttings in a pot so that only the very end of the stem is in the ground. Until the Tradescantia starts growing, water a little every couple of days. After - as usual.
Cuttings can also be used to rejuvenate Tradescantia. If it stretches too far, and the stems become bare and lose their decorative effect, just grow the flower from the petiole again.
How to transplant Tradescantia
This should be done every year or two. Best in spring.
Use regular all-purpose primer. At the bottom, place a layer of drainage in a centimeter and a half.
Choose pots that are not too deep, but wide. This shape is optimal for the root system of the plant. Tradescantia also looks spectacular in hanging pots.
The diameter of the new container should be a couple of centimeters larger than the old one. When transplanting, transfer the plant along with the earthy clod, shaking it off a little. Fill the empty space in the pot with fresh soil.
How to properly care for Tradescantia
- Place the plant pot in a bright, diffused light, but not under the scorching midday rays.
- From late spring to autumn, take it out to the balcony.
- Water regularly to keep the potted soil from drying out.
- Shower the plant to remove dust from the leaves.
- Feed with fertilizer in the spring and summer.
- Prune to form a nice, neat plant.
- Transplant every year or two into a new pot or rejuvenate the Tradescantia.
Fight against possible diseases and pests
There are times when gardeners think about why the leaves of Tradescantia turn yellow. To determine the cause, you need to regularly inspect the flower, as ticks and a scabbard can start, which will suck the juice from the plant, which will soon cause its death. Leaves can dry out and turn yellow at low air humidity.
Shield
This insect reaches 4 mm in length and looks like a small plaque attached to the lower leaf along the veins. The color is very variable - yellow, red, brown. Leaves are covered with heels, then turn yellow and fall off. Also, sticky discharge from leaves and shoots can be ranked as signs. The pest loves to eat this juice. Removal of the shield is carried out with a rag soaked in soap or alcohol solutions. If the plant is very heavily infected, then you need to treat it with Karbofos, Fufan or Aktellik. If these methods do not help, you need to prune the most affected parts of the plant.
Aphid
This insect can damage very young leaves and shoots. Of the main signs - the leaves begin to discolor and die off, and the shoots themselves become deformed. Aphids suck the cell sap from the flower. The insect prefers to settle on buds and shoots, where it forms a dense cluster around young shoots. Shriveled leaves and yellow spots are one of the signs; the buds fall off. Control methods: wash the tradescantia with soapy water or washing powder.If the plant is heavily infected, then it must be treated with Karbofos or Aktellik.
Sooty mushroom
It settles on top of a leaf or shoots. It looks like a sooty film. The fungus is not dangerous, however, due to the appearance of a film in the plant, photosynthesis and respiration can be disrupted, and this will lead to a general weakness of the flower. The fungus can be removed very easily with soap and water.
Here are some popular methods of pest control. Aphids are eliminated by spraying with a tincture of crushed roots or fresh dandelion leaves. The procedure is repeated for ten days, until the aphids disappear. Scabbards can be removed with feverfew or garlic tincture.
Diseases, pests and treatments
Compliance with the recommendations for flower care will help to avoid the appearance of insects that can harm the plant:
- aphids;
- scabbards;
- spider mite;
- thrips.
Important! If pests nevertheless attacked Tradescantia, insecticides will get rid of them. When a black film appears on the leaves, a sooty fungus infection has occurred.
This happens after harmful insects settle on the plant. You must first get rid of them, and then treat the sheet plates with soapy water.
When a black film appears on the leaves, a sooty fungus infection has occurred. This happens after harmful insects settle on the plant. You must first get rid of them, and then treat the sheet plates with soapy water.
Fungal diseases cause rust stains. At first, spots and stripes are noticeable on the back of the leaves, then they can pass to the stems. Sulfur powder will help cure.