Codiaeum Petra is one of the most popular varieties of the genus Codiaeus Motley, belonging to the species Codiaeum from the Euphorbia family.
He won the love among the florists of the whole world thanks to his unforgettable colorful foliage.
Often you can hear another name of the plant - Peter Croton.
In our country, it is even more popular than the official one.
Description
In fact, Croton and Codia are different kinds plants, the first of which includes about 1,200 species, and the second only 17.
Representatives of the Croton species are common in tropical regions all continents. The area of Codiaeum is many times smaller: Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and the western islands of the Pacific Ocean.
In the US and Europe, Codiaeum Motley is called the garden croton, which helps avoid confusion.For some reason, the motley codiame became just Croton.
Fortunately, representatives of both species are growing in fairly similar natural conditions - care errors made because of name confusion are likely to be frivolous.
However, why risk it? When caring for Peter's codiaum, it is worth considering that the plant actually not croton, although it has common features with it.
Kodiai Petra - quite a large plant. Sometimes stem height reaches 4 meters. Large smooth leaves are located on straight branches alternately, but very tightly from all sides.
The shape of the leaves on the same plant can be oval or rounded with a sharp tip or without. Color, as a rule, too diverse: the leaf surface itself may be dark green, and the veins of the scarlet shade and many other variations.
Exactly a variety of shades on the same plant caused the name Codiame motley. Also very popular and florist use such types Kodiuma as: Ekselent, Tamara.
A photo
Croton Peter
Care
For a long time it was thought that the codiaeum was too thermophilic to grow it outside the natural range.
This plant quite capricious and home care requires certain knowledge and skills.
Temperature
The plant is very demanding regarding temperature conditions.
The temperature should not only exceed + 17 degrees, but also to be constant.
At the slightest draft a child of the tropics reacts dropping leaves.
Watering
During the period of active growth, that is, in spring and summer, the plant needs water regularly and plentifully. The soil should never dry out completely, otherwise its occupant simply will not survive.
However, bays for plants too very dangerous, as they can lead to rotting of the roots. Adhering to the golden mean is quite difficult, so it is very important good drainagewhich significantly alleviates the task.
The soil
Petr Peter needs a nutrient rich organic soil. Peat and complex fertilizer will serve as an excellent start. Good drainage is very important for the plant - it should be not less than a quarter of the total substrate.
Light mode
Since the codiaeum is of tropical origin, throughout the year it needs good lighting.
Bright sunlight is good for him. even in a dormant period.
But, of course, not direct, but scattered, and from the midday sun the plant should always be shaded.
In room conditions Croton Petra rarely reaches its maximum size.
Nevertheless, it is difficult to call him small, and there is not always a window sill on which he could fit.
But it is not scary - if the plant is located at a distance of a meter from the window, sunlight will be enough for it. Best fit east and west windows.
In winter, the codiaeum must be rearranged to the most lighted place in the room. If you can buy a special lamp - great. However, you need to make sure that in a new place there were no temperature drops - the plant does not tolerate them.
It is very important to provide Peter's Croton throughout the year. decent lighting. Otherwise the leaves lose their beautiful color and become just green.
It is not enough just to choose the right place. Dust regularly on glass and leaves, as it is capable of retaining up to 50% of sunlight.
Air humidity
Petron's Croton always needs high humidity.
During the period of active growth the leaves should be regularly spray with warm water.
In the winter in our apartments it becomes especially dry due to heating devices and it is necessary to humidify the air even more often.
At the same time, do not forget about the rest period - before each sprayingRunt need to cover the film.
Fertilizers
Spring and summer fertilize the plant once every 2-3 weeks after watering or with it. In winter, the frequency of feeding is reduced up to time in 6-8 weeks. Very important for plants nitrogen fertilizers.
Transfer
In ideal conditions, the garden Croton Peter grows up to 4 meters. Therefore, a young plant needs to be replanted annually in a larger pot (3 cm more in diameter). Earth bed is recommended to leave, so as not to damage the roots.
Adult Croton transplanted no more than 3 times a year.
Breeding
Codiame Petra breed well seeds, leaves and cuttings.
How to do it by cuttings:
- Cut lignified stalk length of 15 cm;
- Dip in warm water with charcoal to wash off the milky juice;
- Dry the stalk;
- Tie the leaves on the handle into tubes to reduce the evaporation of moisture;
- To plant in the stalk in the ground (peat, moss and sand);
- Cover with foil;
- Daily air and moisten the greenhouse with a handle.
Seeds and leaves are propagated in the same way. As soon as the roots appear, the young plant is transplanted to a permanent place of residence.
Bloom
Unlike the leaves, the flowers of Croton Peter do not differ special beauty. They are small and inconspicuous.
Lifespan
Kodiae Petra - perennial plant.
Pests and diseases
It is very easy to prevent pest infestation. You only need to carefully inspect the plant during each irrigation and spraying.
If a timely remove insects, their population will never become so large that the plant can feel it.
Moreover, pests tend to fear codiaum due to its poisonous juice.
If somehow the pests have captured the plant, it will help washing with soapy water and fungicide treatment.
Frequent feeding and watering (no bays) excludes the occurrence of diseases.
It is difficult to call the codium of Peter a very capricious plant, nevertheless, attention should 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.
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