Clerodendrum Specozum and Specisissimum: description, features of planting and further care of the plant, as well as a photo of the flower

Among flower growers, clerodendrum is in special demand, one of which remains a special zoom.

Such popularity is caused by abundant and fragrant flowering, unpretentiousness in terms of care, easy rooting and the possibility of giving a different shape.

Florists often call this popular flower "tree of fate", "bride’s veil", valcameria or "innocent love."

The history of the appearance of this beautiful plant, as well as the varieties and rules of care, can be found in the article.

Botanical Description and History

Homeland plants Malaysia and part of the African continent. Clerodendrum specosum is a hybrid that was obtained using Thompson's clerodendrum and brilliant. The culture is distinguished by long thin stems of pale red color and large, hard, pubescent leaves. They are heart-shaped and dark green in color.

Inflorescences are racemose, formed by scarlet flowers, which have long stamens and lilac-pink cups. After flowering, they remain on the bush for a long time, giving it a decorative look.

Clerodendrum specosum is characterized by rapid growth. Subject to all conditions, flowering can last continuously throughout the year.

The plant does not form seeds, as it propagates exclusively by cuttings.

Variety of plants - Specisissimum

This variety has a second name - prickly clerodendrum. Its shoots reach a length of 3 m, they are curly and tetrahedral on a cut. The sheet plate is large, wide, rounded, the edge is wavy. Petioles are 1.5-2 cm long; their color is red.

Flowering is plentiful, and lasts from June to August. Inflorescences are apical, have the shape of a panicle. The calyx is purple-coral, and the corolla's petals are dark red.

Photo

Below you can see a photo of the plant.

Landing Features

The first step is to prepare the substrate. It can be bought at the store or made with your own hands.
Before planting, disinfect the substrate by calcining in the oven.
Place drainage at the bottom of the tank using coarse expanded clay, pieces of polystyrene foam and clay shards.
Set the plant, straighten the roots and cover with a nutrient substrate.
Water the flower and install it on the windowsill with excellent illumination, but without direct sunlight.

Soil requirements

The soil for planting clerodendrum specosum should be fertile and loose, pH-5-6. To prepare the substrate at home, it is necessary to connect in equal parts such components:

sheet earth;
garden land;
coarse sand;
peat.

Lighting and location

Clerodendrum specosum is a photophilous culture, so place a container with it on a window of an eastern or western direction. If you grow a flower on the south side, then provide him with additional shading. Otherwise, the sheet plate will begin to turn yellow and fade.

Do not grow plants on the windowsills of the northern windows, as flowering suffers from this. It will be weak or not come at all.

Care

Watering

The culture in question responds positively to soil moisture, as it is moisture-loving. If the plant blooms year-round, then water it 3 times a week. During dormancy, hydration is reduced to 1 time per week. To do this, use purified and settled water at room temperature.

Top dressing

If flowering lasts all year round, then nutritional formulations should be applied once every 3 weeks. Use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers or complex mineral. Organic compounds are also approved.

Transfer

Before transplanting, you must carefully select the container. To do this, consider the size of the root system.

Do not select too spacious a container, as this will inhibit flowering. The pot should be wide and heavy, because the active growth of green mass will lead to capsizing.

A transplant is performed every year in the spring. Procedure:

Fill the tank with drainage and soil.
Trim the shoots to 1/3 of the length.
Extract the plant from the old pot and transplant into a new one.
Continue flower care as usual.

Pruning

Pruning stems promotes active branching, compact bush formation and abundant flowering. Use sharp scissors or pruners to trim. All damaged stems are also removed. Treat the cut points with activated carbon powder.

Common Diseases and Pests

Of the parasites, clerodendrum specosum affects:

spider mite;
aphid;
whitefly.

To combat parasites, use soapy water and insecticides.

Of the diseases, rot is a danger. Immediately after their detection, you need to remove the affected parts, and then treat the bush with a fungicide solution. It is recommended to transplant the plant into a new disinfected substrate.

Breeding

The species of clerodendrum under consideration propagates exclusively by cuttings. Planting material should have 2-3 internodes with kidneys.

Procedure:

Cut the stalk from March to July.
Dip cut material for planting in an activated carbon solution.
The next day, change the water for fresh.
As soon as the roots are formed, the petioles should be planted in separate containers to make a cap from a plastic bottle.
If you use too small a capacity for planting the cuttings, then after the plant has begun to grow, transplant it by transshipment into a more suitable container.

Detailed video instruction on the nuances of plant reproduction:

Possible problems

The following problems are possible with the buildup of clerodendrum speciosum:

The leaves fade and turn yellow - normalize watering the plant.
Brown spots form on the sheet plate - the flower is too close to the direct rays of the sun, resulting in burns.
The edges of the leaves dry out and the flowers fall - increase air humidity.
Very long internodes, and the shoots are poorly covered with leaves - increase daylight hours and the amount of sunlight.
Lack of peduncle in spring - arises due to the fact that the grower could not provide the plant with a "cool" period or did not make fertilizer.

Clerodendrum specosum is a common culture that is most often chosen for decorating homes, offices and other institutions. The basis of its advantages: long flowering, easy care and strong immunity.