Tradescantia

Tradescantia from the family Commelinaceae has about 70 species. Some of them are better known by other names, such as tradescantia zebrina, or Zebrina pendula. This is a very common ampel plant with dark green leaves with two longitudinal silvery stripes, often with a purple tint, and the reverse side of the leaf plates is purple. In summer, lilac or purple flowers with a diameter of 1-2 cm bloom, collected in small brushes. Leaves of the variety 'Chetyrehtsvetnaya' are characterized by the fact that half of the plates are white with reddish spots. stripes that quickly disappear with the onset of winter, but reappear in the spring. Zebrina purpusii is a species with oval leaves, green with a lilac tinge on the upper side and purple on the lower side. They are larger than those of the drooping zebra. In autumn, purple-pink flowers bloom, collected in apical brushes. This type is slightly more stable than the first one. Even if the cold causes irreparable damage to the leaves and stems, the plant will easily recover in the spring.

Tradescantia from the family Commelinaceae has about 70 species. Some of them are better known by other names, such as tradescantia zebrina, or Zebrina pendula. This is a very common ampel plant with dark green leaves with two longitudinal silvery stripes, often with a purple tint, and the reverse side of the leaf plates is purple. In summer, lilac or purple flowers with a diameter of 1-2 cm bloom, collected in small brushes. Leaves of the variety 'Chetyrehtsvetnaya' are characterized by the fact that half of the plates are white with reddish spots. stripes that quickly disappear with the onset of winter, but reappear in the spring.

Zebrina purpusii is a species with oval leaves, green with a lilac tinge on the upper side and purple on the lower side. They are larger than those of the drooping zebra. In autumn, purple-pink flowers bloom, collected in apical brushes. This type is slightly more stable than the first one. Even if the cold causes irreparable damage to the leaves and stems, the plant will easily recover in the spring.

Cultivation

The plant is cultivated as an indoor ampel culture. At a favorable time of year, it can be exposed to fresh air, and in the fall it can be cleaned in the house. Zebrafish can be grown in hanging baskets or other containers. Planting is carried out in the spring in the soil, which is a mixture of sand and peat (1:1), a mineral complex fertilizer with microelements is applied at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil. During the spring-summer period, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer for top dressing is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket.

The plant is cultivated as an indoor ampel culture. At a favorable time of year, it can be exposed to fresh air, and in the fall it can be cleaned in the house. Zebrafish can be grown in hanging baskets or other containers. Planting is carried out in the spring in the soil, which is a mixture of sand and peat (1:1), a mineral complex fertilizer with microelements is applied at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil.

During the spring-summer period, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer for top dressing is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket.

Location

The lighting must be very intense, otherwise the stems are stretched, which leads to a weakening of the zebra and an unsightly overall appearance. But the plant should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Temperature

The temperature is observed not lower than 12-14 °C.

Watering

In the spring and summer period, they are watered abundantly. In autumn and winter, the soil is enough to slightly moisten.

Transplant

It is carried out in the spring using a more spacious pot.

Care

Remove damaged parts and single-colored green leaves.

Reproduction

Apical cuttings easily root at a soil temperature of about 18 °C in a mixture of peat and sand. The roots form in about 10 days. To obtain ampel copies, plant several cuttings in one pot.

Diseases

Green apple aphids and mealybugs can settle on the plants. Aphids are eliminated with the help of special preparations developed to control this pest. Chervets are disposed of with a cloth or cotton swab soaked in alcohol and treated with anti-coccidal drugs.

Acquisition

Plants are easy to find in any retail outlet from a flower shop to a supermarket. Avoid buying tradescantia plants with yellow leaves.