Eucalyptus

The genus Eucalyptus includes more than 600 species of evergreen trees and shrubs up to 100 m high. A typical phenomenon for eucalyptus - heterophyllia is differences in the shape, size and structure of leaves on the same plant. The bark is diverse and very decorative: smooth, fibrous, scaly, folded, and beautifully colored. The leaves are odorous (contain essential oils), the adult formed leaves are regular, petiolate, located with an edge to the light, so the eucalyptus does not shade the soil. The flowers are bisexual, with many white, yellow or red stamens, in axillary inflorescences or singly. The corolla and calyx in the form of lids fall off when the flower blooms. Ashy eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea) is a species whose young leaves are ash-gray, so they are used in compositions of cut flowers. Darlympleana eucalyptus (E. darlympleana) is one of the most stable species of small size. It is characterized by a very beautiful bark in spots, with age it becomes white. Leaves in juvenile age are ovate bronze, old dark brown-green in color, drooping. Newly appeared shoots of a reddish hue. Fig-leaved eucalyptus (E. ficifolia) with young leaves of oblong shape, green, old ones acquire a lanceolate shape and a darker green color, with a light central vein. The bark is quite dark. Eucalyptus Hun (E. gunnii) is a stable species with characteristic rounded silver-blue leaves at an early stage of growth, old - lanceolate, sage-green.

The genus Eucalyptus includes more than 600 species of evergreen trees and shrubs up to 100 m high. A typical phenomenon for eucalyptus - heterophyllia is differences in the shape, size and structure of leaves on the same plant.

The bark is diverse and very decorative: smooth, fibrous, scaly, folded, and beautifully colored. The leaves are odorous (contain essential oils), the adult formed leaves are regular, petiolate, located with an edge to the light, so the eucalyptus does not shade the soil. The flowers are bisexual, with many white, yellow or red stamens, in axillary inflorescences or singly. The corolla and calyx in the form of lids fall off when the flower blooms.

Ashy eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea) is a species whose young leaves are ash-gray, so they are used in compositions of cut flowers.

Darlympleana eucalyptus (E. darlympleana) is one of the most stable species of small size. It is characterized by a very beautiful bark in spots, with age it becomes white. Leaves in juvenile age are ovate bronze, old dark brown-green in color, drooping. Newly appeared shoots of a reddish hue.

Fig-leaved eucalyptus (E. ficifolia) with young leaves of oblong shape, green, old ones acquire a lanceolate shape and a darker green color, with a light central vein. The bark is quite dark.

Eucalyptus Hun (E. gunnii) is a stable species with characteristic rounded silver-blue leaves at an early stage of growth, old - lanceolate, sage-green.

Cultivation

Many types of eucalyptus are characterized by rapid growth, they are used as an ornamental crop in parks and gardens, in single and group plantings, as well as for fixing soils, as branches for bouquets (they are preserved for a long time). The bark of eucalyptus contains valuable tannins, and the leaves - essential oil, widely used in medicine, perfumes. Eucalyptus can be grown in pots on balconies and terraces, and in unfavorable conditions indoors. In warm climates, they are planted in the ground in June-July. Use seedlings in containers or with a lump of earth, because the plants do not tolerate well a transfer. In this case, the root neck should be located approximately 5 cm above the ground level. The soil should be well-drained, loose, deep, preferably neutral or slightly acidic, but not too fertile. For growing in pots and flowerpots, use a mixture of 2/3 of leaf humus and 1/3 of peat with the addition of 500 g of organic fertilizers per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once a month, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15-20 g per bucket. Eucalyptus tolerates frequent pruning very well, it is carried out to maintain its shape and restrain growth.

Many types of eucalyptus are characterized by rapid growth, they are used as an ornamental crop in parks and gardens, in single and group plantings, as well as for fixing soils, as branches for bouquets (they are preserved for a long time). The bark of eucalyptus contains valuable tannins, and the leaves - essential oil, widely used in medicine, perfumes. Eucalyptus can be grown in pots on balconies and terraces, and in unfavorable conditions indoors. In warm climates, they are planted in the ground in June-July. Use seedlings in containers or with a lump of earth, because the plants do not tolerate well a transfer. In this case, the root neck should be located approximately 5 cm above the ground level. The soil should be well-drained, loose, deep, preferably neutral or slightly acidic, but not too fertile. For growing in pots and flowerpots, use a mixture of 2/3 of leaf humus and 1/3 of peat with the addition of 500 g of organic fertilizers per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once a month, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15-20 g per bucket. Eucalyptus tolerates frequent pruning very well, it is carried out to maintain its shape and restrain growth.

Location

Plants of the genus Eucalyptus are light-loving, grow well in the open sun.

Temperature

Along with resistant species (eucalyptus Hunna), there are also more whimsical ones (fig-leaved eucalyptus, ashy eucalyptus), in winter they need a temperature of at least 4 °C.

Watering

It is necessary for plants planted in pots and young eucalypts on the site, especially immediately after planting in a permanent place, as well as during periods of prolonged drought. Adult plants are usually resistant to a lack of water in the soil.

Transplant

It is produced in the spring once every 1-2 years, depending on the development of the plant, using pots of increasing size.

Reproduction

Plants of the genus Eucalyptus are propagated by seeds, allowing them to mature for 1 year or more in a dry room. The germination time depends on the species. Seeds are sown in February-May at a temperature of 13-15 °C. After germination, the seedlings are allowed to grow stronger and transplanted one at a time into cups, constantly maintaining the soil in them in a moist state. Before planting the following year in spring and summer, they are occasionally transferred to larger containers. The main condition is constant moistening of the soil.

Diseases

Stereum purpurea affects the leaves, giving them a silvery color. The disease leads to the fall of leaves and even to the death of entire branches. In adult plants, the affected parts are removed, and young plants should be discarded. Seedlings and seedlings are susceptible to rotting of the root neck. Treat with appropriate fungicides. Among the pests, worms and copperheads are dangerous, which provoke yellowing, deformation, and falling off of shoots. Only young plants can be treated with appropriate insecticides, or the most accessible parts of adult plants can be treated.

Acquisition

The most common types can be found in gardening centers and specialized nurseries. Given the rapid growth of plants, it is recommended to purchase small specimens, without signs of diseases and pests.