Pilea

The genus Pilea includes 400 species of herbaceous tender annual and perennial evergreens with unattractive flowers, but very decorative leaves. Some types are used as ampel. Pilea cadierei is a semi-succulent species (plant tissues accumulate a large amount of water) with pointed oblong-oval dark green leaves with numerous silvery spots. The bushes are usually very branchy. They are easy to maintain in a compact state by pinching and pruning accordingly. The 'Tiny' variety is characterized by its miniature size. The large-flowered pilea (P. grandiflora) is a species with large, wrinkled green leaves. Spruce pilea (P. spruceana) is a creeping or erect (depending on environmental conditions) species with small pubescent serrated leaves with bronze, silver or red spots. The Norfolk variety is smaller than the botanical type, its oval leaves with raised silver stripes are colored in shades from bronze to blackish-green. The coin-leaved pilea (P. nummularifolia) has creeping stems with rounded light green leaves.

The genus Pilea includes 400 species of herbaceous tender annual and perennial evergreens with unattractive flowers, but very decorative leaves. Some types are used as ampel.

Pilea cadierei is a semi-succulent species (plant tissues accumulate a large amount of water) with pointed oblong-oval dark green leaves with numerous silvery spots. The bushes are usually very branchy. They are easy to maintain in a compact state by pinching and pruning accordingly. The 'Tiny' variety is characterized by its miniature size.

The large-flowered pilea (P. grandiflora) is a species with large, wrinkled green leaves.

Spruce pilea (P. spruceana) is a creeping or erect (depending on environmental conditions) species with small pubescent serrated leaves with bronze, silver or red spots. The Norfolk variety is smaller than the botanical type, its oval leaves with raised silver stripes are colored in shades from bronze to blackish-green.

The coin-leaved pilea (P. nummularifolia) has creeping stems with rounded light green leaves.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Pilea are grown at home in pots and flower boxes, separately or in compositions. In the summer, they can be put out in the open air, in the shade, in a place protected from the wind, but in the fall, they must be brought back to the house. In spring, the pilea is transplanted into a new pot, using a sifted organic substrate of leafy, humus, peat earth and sand. The optimal pH value (soil acidity) is 5.5-6.5. In spring and summer, once every 15-20 days, a mineral complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. In late winter or in June-July, pinching is performed to stimulate branching.

Plants of the genus Pilea are grown at home in pots and flower boxes, separately or in compositions. In the summer, they can be put out in the open air, in the shade, in a place protected from the wind, but in the fall, they must be brought back to the house. In spring, the pilea is transplanted into a new pot, using a sifted organic substrate of leafy, humus, peat earth and sand.

The optimal pH value (soil acidity) is 5.5-6.5. In spring and summer, once every 15-20 days, a mineral complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. In late winter or in June-July, pinching is performed to stimulate branching.

Location

It should be sufficiently lit in winter and shaded in spring and summer.

Temperature

The minimum temperature in winter is 11-12 °C for pilea, the optimal temperature for active growth and development is 16-18 °C.

Watering

In the warm season, they are watered quite often, and in winter watering should be sparse.

Transplant

Transplanted in spring, in pots slightly larger than the previous ones, until the diameter of 12-13 cm is reached.

Care

Remove the damaged parts and clean the leaves with a damp cloth. Lustrating solution is used with caution. Pinch the shoots if they grow too large to give the plant the desired shape.

Reproduction

Propagate in spring and summer by cuttings. In spring, apical cuttings are taken (you can use the parts obtained by pinching) and planted in containers or boxes filled with peat and agroperlite. To maintain high humidity, they are covered with a piece of transparent plastic film and put in the shade. After the roots are formed, the seedlings are transplanted into pots one at a time. Light shading is recommended.

Diseases

In a very humid environment, leaf spots caused by fungi of the genus Septoria may appear. Fungi of the genus Botrytis provoke rotting of the most delicate parts of the plant, simultaneously with the appearance of gray plaque. These infections are eliminated by reducing humidity and treating them with fungicides. Root rotting can be caused by various fungi or nematodes, usually living in the ground, through which excess moisture does not seep well. This can be prevented by paying more attention to the choice of soil for growing and watering. Plants are damaged by worms. They are removed with a brush, and then the plants are processed anticoccidal drugs.

Acquisition

Unlike other species, it is quite easy to find Cadierei pilea in flower nurseries and flower shops. Choose plants with beautiful colors, well-formed and compact, paying attention to their healthy appearance.