Codiaeum

Codiaeum appeared in Europe in the first half of the XIX century. Widely grown varieties are descended from Codiaeum variegatum, which is characterized by variegated leaves and various shapes and sizes (usually elliptical, sometimes narrow and long, almost lanceolate, sometimes three-lobed or with wavy edges, the ends are often pointed). In most young plants, the pattern on the leaves is green and yellow, while in adult specimens it takes on various shades of red: from creamy to orange. In summer, flowers may appear that do not have of great aesthetic value. Codiaeum are popular, though not the easiest to grow houseplants. Often the plant loses a few leaves in winter, but in the spring, it again produces new shoots. Let's name the most famous varieties of croton: 'Sunny Star', 'Norma', 'Petra', 'Bravo', 'Luisa'; there are other compact varieties that are usually used in compositions ('Golden Finger', 'Golden Sun', 'Golden Star').

Codiaeum appeared in Europe in the first half of the XIX century. Widely grown varieties are descended from Codiaeum variegatum, which is characterized by variegated leaves and various shapes and sizes (usually elliptical, sometimes narrow and long, almost lanceolate, sometimes three-lobed or with wavy edges, the ends are often pointed). In most young plants, the pattern on the leaves is green and yellow, while in adult specimens it takes on various shades of red: from creamy to orange. In summer, flowers may appear that do not have of great aesthetic value.

Codiaeum are popular, though not the easiest to grow houseplants. Often the plant loses a few leaves in winter, but in the spring, it again produces new shoots. Let's name the most famous varieties of croton: 'Sunny Star', 'Norma', 'Petra', 'Bravo', 'Luisa'; there are other compact varieties that are usually used in compositions ('Golden Finger', 'Golden Sun', 'Golden Star').

Location

Codiaeum require a very well-lit place, since the intensity of leaf color depends on the level of illumination; they can even be exposed to the sun, but during maximum sunlight exposure, it is necessary to refrain from spraying the leaves.

Temperature

The optimal winter temperature is approximately 15 °C, and in summer you should try to maintain a temperature of no more than 25 °C. Changes in temperature can cause leaves to fall off. At home, if you constantly keep the leaves moist, the plant can be placed close enough to heating devices.

Watering

In summer, Codiaeum are watered regularly, even 2-3 times a week, in winter-once every 4-5 days, while reducing the amount of water. Be that as it may, the soil should never completely dry out, but stagnation of water in the pot should be avoided. Watering is best done with warm water. Plants are often sprayed, but they should not be exposed to direct sunlight. To increase the humidity, you can also put the pot in a tray with pebbles or expanded clay, maintained in a moist state.

Transplant

It is carried out in the spring, in March or April. Always use a slightly larger pot than the previous one, filling it with good fertile soil.

Care

The leaves are cleaned by spraying them with water, or using a damp cloth. Periodically use lustrating solutions.

Reproduction

In spring, apical cuttings are taken from twigs and placed for rooting in a very humid environment at a temperature of 24 °C. At the site of the cut, milky juice is released. To stop this process, the cut surface is treated with coal dust. It is also useful to use commercially available phytohormones-drugs that stimulate root formation. When the plants lose their formed leaves, they reproduce by offspring or cut and transplant apical cuttings into the soil.

Diseases

Codiaeum are susceptible to tick infestation, so from time to time they inspect the leaves for the presence of thin white cobwebs. In this case, the plant is cleaned with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol, after which it is treated with appropriate acaricides. It is useful to make more intensive spraying with water: with high humidity, ticks multiply worse. On the reverse side of the leaves and in the sinuses, worms can start (primarily powdery and brown). The leaves should be cleaned and treated with oil-based insecticides (anticoccides). Excess or lack of both lighting and watering can cause damage to the plant (folding of leaves into a tube, the appearance of dry leaves, stains, rot). If there is insufficient nutrition, then the newly appearing leaves are smaller.

Codiaeum are susceptible to tick infestation, so from time to time they inspect the leaves for the presence of thin white cobwebs. In this case, the plant is cleaned with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol, after which it is treated with appropriate acaricides. It is useful to make more intensive spraying with water: with high humidity, ticks multiply worse.

On the reverse side of the leaves and in the sinuses, worms can start (primarily powdery and brown). The leaves should be cleaned and treated with oil-based insecticides (anticoccides).

Excess or lack of both lighting and watering can cause damage to the plant (folding of leaves into a tube, the appearance of dry leaves, stains, rot). If there is insufficient nutrition, then the newly appearing leaves are smaller.

Acquisition

Codiaeum can easily be purchased all year round in flower shops and gardening centers. Choose branched specimens with the most beautiful leaves. It is best to buy in the spring, because during this period of the year the microclimate in the house is most favorable for the adaptation of the plant.

Varieties and types Codiaeum is widely used as an ornamental plant for landscaping interiors. From the most common species, Codiaeum variegatum (Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum), many varieties with various leaves in color and shape have been obtained. 'Mrs Ayston' has dark green oval-lanceolate leaves, with a cream pattern on the young and well-defined red and pink spots between the veins in the old ones. In the variety 'Ayston red', the foliage is very dark, and if the plant is in an intensely lit place, the leaves are even darker in color, almost black. Variety 'Ayston yellow' it is characterized by a yellow tint of foliage. 'Eureka' - a variety with a broad leaf plate; gradually, approximately from the center, the leaves taper. It is characterized by a red or yellow pattern along the veins and edges of the leaf. Codium aucubaefolium (C. aucubaefolium) is a species with bright green glossy foliage with an uneven bright yellow pattern. There are small croton varieties that are particularly suitable for growing in mixed compositions. The leaves of the "Golden Star" are quite small, lanceolate, with a pattern or spots of bright yellow color, "spreading" almost all over the leaf. The 'Golden-fingered' pattern is located parallel to the veins. In the variety "Golden Moon", the leaves are wider than in "Gold-fingered"; a yellow pattern on young leaves runs along the veins, and later begins to spread over the entire area of the leaf plate. 'Grubel' is a variety that often forms not one, but several stems. The pattern on the leaves is yellow or red, mostly along the central vein.

Varieties and types

Codiaeum is widely used as an ornamental plant for landscaping interiors. From the most common species, Codiaeum variegatum (Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum), many varieties with various leaves in color and shape have been obtained. 'Mrs Ayston' has dark green oval-lanceolate leaves, with a cream pattern on the young and well-defined red and pink spots between the veins in the old ones. In the variety 'Ayston red', the foliage is very dark, and if the plant is in an intensely lit place, the leaves are even darker in color, almost black. Variety 'Ayston yellow' it is characterized by a yellow tint of foliage. 'Eureka' - a variety with a broad leaf plate; gradually, approximately from the center, the leaves taper. It is characterized by a red or yellow pattern along the veins and edges of the leaf.

Codium aucubaefolium (C. aucubaefolium) is a species with bright green glossy foliage with an uneven bright yellow pattern.

There are small croton varieties that are particularly suitable for growing in mixed compositions. The leaves of the "Golden Star" are quite small, lanceolate, with a pattern or spots of bright yellow color, "spreading" almost all over the leaf. The 'Golden-fingered' pattern is located parallel to the veins. In the variety "Golden Moon", the leaves are wider than in "Gold-fingered"; a yellow pattern on young leaves runs along the veins, and later begins to spread over the entire area of the leaf plate.

'Grubel' is a variety that often forms not one, but several stems. The pattern on the leaves is yellow or red, mostly along the central vein.