Eucalyptus flowers: an amazing creation of nature

Since childhood, people know that eucalyptus is the largest tree in the world. However, there are more than a dozen varieties of it, and only the regal one is so impressive in size. The rest have much more modest parameters, although they can not be called miniatures. Some species are widely represented in greenhouses and botanical gardens - eucalyptus flowers, and any, very attractive and unusual. For amateur gardens, the plant is not very suitable, because it is still tropical and requires maintenance of specific conditions. However, for indoor plant growing, some species are still suitable. And they can often be found in apartments. The reason for buying and growing the tree is again the eucalyptus flowers that will decorate and diversify the home garden. True, it is not always possible to achieve such beauty from the plant, but there are chances.

Charming bloom

What is a flower of eucalyptus? While the bud ripens, it is covered, like a cap, fused into a single whole with lignified petals. Under this cover is a kind of panicle of long and thin stamens. Having ripened, the eucalyptus flowers take off the cap and show the world a whole lush mane of different shades - pink, yellow, white, fiery red. Actually, because of such unusual flowering, the tree got its name: in Greek, "eu" means "beautiful", and "kaliptos" - "closed", "closed".

Origin

The native land of all varieties of eucalyptus is either Australia or Tasmania. All plants are similar: the shape of the crown is pyramidal, the leaves are greenish-gray, creating the impression of a light raid. It is interesting that the foliage changes its color and shape as it grows up. A flower of eucalyptus, fading, forms a box with seeds.

Among the species that can be cultivated at home, it is worth mentioning three varieties:

1. Eucalyptus Gunn (in another transcription Hunni, the scientific name Eucalyptus gunnii).
2. Lemon Eucalyptus (in the botany Eucalyptus citriodora).
3. Ball-shaped (ball-shaped, spherical) eucalyptus, also Eucalyptus globulus.

The principles of growing are approximately the same, although the external differences are observed.

Eucalyptus gunnii

This species comes from Tasmania. In the wild, it grows to thirty meters, at home - not more than a meter and a half. At a young age the tree has heart-shaped rounded bluish leaves up to four centimeters in length; In adult - lanceolate, narrow, up to seven centimeters, dense green. Speaking about the flower of eucalyptus (photo above), it should be noted that the flower spike is flattened, and the flower bud is clavate. Fruits do not look like a box, but a bell.

Eucalyptus citriodora

His homeland is Australia. There, the tree can grow up to 20 meters, with room-grown usually above a meter and a quarter does not reach. The leaves are longer, up to 15 centimeters, and narrow, with pronounced lemon scent.

Eucalyptus globulus

At home is a tall, strongly branchy tree. In the conditions of room cultivation - a relatively low bush, which must be systematically pricked and trimmed. In youth, the leaves are lanceolate, broad, with a wavy, beautiful margin. In an adult tree they curl with a sickle, stretch out and begin to resemble the leaves of a willow. The bark of globular eucalyptus is rejuvenated annually, exfoliating with flaps, under which a new cover is formed. The fruits that give the flowers of this eucalyptus variety have a spherical shape and for a very long time - up to two years - mature.

Light and temperature

Special tropical conditions, none of the eucalyptus species does not require. In the summer, he is 24 degrees in the daytime and 18 degrees at night. In winter - about 15. It is perfectly permissible to move the pots to the glassed balcony. As for light, the plant loves direct rays. Western and southeast windows will suit him perfectly.

Watering and feeding

From spring to autumn, water is enough. The frequency of watering - how to dry the top layer of soil, to the depth of a third of the pot. In winter, watering is more rare: after the drying of the specified volume, half a week is waiting. In moistening, eucalypts do not need, spraying does not require.

During the growing season, eucalyptus is fortified every two weeks by complex universal fertilizers. During the rest period (beginning in September), the fertilizing stops.

Features of growth

It is worth considering that all the eucalyptus - fast-growing plants. Despite the fact that in the room conditions the development of them somewhat slows down, the pace remains impressive. However, at first the tree has only a very thin, brittle twig. In order for it to grow stronger and not break under its own weight, when it reaches a third of a meter in height, the cuttings are tied to the support and plucked to limit growth and stimulation of branching.

In the rest the tree does not cause any special trouble. And if you manage to get an amazing flower of eucalyptus on the grown stalk, your home garden will play with wonderful colors.