The birthplace of Tradescantia. The content and reproduction of the indoor Tradescantia

Tradescantia is one of the most popular and common indoor plants. Pots with it are often decorated with windowsills of both private apartments and offices. This plant refers to the family Kommelinovye and has high decorative qualities.

Description of Tradescantia

The homeland of the Tradescantia of the room is the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It represents a perennial herbaceous plant with a long stem. The latter is densely covered with small fleshy ovate leaves. Due to their beauty, Tradescantia has gained such popularity among modern lovers of indoor flowers. In different species of this plant, the color of the leaves may differ.

They occur as flowers with purely green plates, and with two-color or even purple. Both the leaves and the stem are covered with a dense whitish pile. Flowers Tradescantia (photo of this plant can be seen on the page) is not too spectacular. The shade of buds can range from white and pink to blue and purple. Tradescantia grows quite high, losing some of its decorative qualities. Therefore, experts advise to replace it or update it often.

Tradescantia in nature

As already mentioned, the birthplace of the Tradescantia of the room is the American subtropics. This plant was most widely spread in the southeastern part of North America. In the countries of this continent, Tradescantia is considered a malignant weed. In nature it is a ground cover plant with rather rare leaves and a superficial root system. This flower was named so in honor of the world-famous naturalist, experienced gardener and enthusiastic collector - John Tradescant. He served as the chief gardener of the English king and traveled a lot around the world, collecting the most beautiful and interesting plants. It was this researcher who first made a description of the Commelin family, including Tradescantia.

Medicinal properties

Many florists breed Tradescantia, not only for beauty. This plant is actually a real storehouse of vitamins. Leaflets of such an indoor flower as Tradescantia (the birthplace of the plant - hot sunny countries), are applied to the wounds, since they have anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect. In addition, the juice has antidiabetic properties.

Tradescantia and domestic animals

Leaflets of this useful plant are very fond of gnawing cats. Usually the owners will gladly allow them, as there are a lot of vitamins in them. Very often, Tradescantia is installed over aquariums. And so that her branches with leaves fall right into the water. Aquarium fish just like cats, they eat with pleasure.

Types of Tradescantia

In America, you can find a variety of groups of such a flower as Tradescantia (the birthplace of the plant - a place where grows more than 90 of its species). Of course, in the room conditions only a few are divorced. The most popular are the tradescantia virgin, zebrina, riverine and multicolor. Further, let us consider what distinguishing characteristics characterize these varieties.

Zebrina Tradescantia

Tradescantia, the species of which are diverse, usually represents a creeping plant. This kind of exception in this regard does not represent. It is quite a beautiful ampel plant with purple-red stems. The leaves of this species are ovoid, with a pointed tip, reddish-green, with silver veins. Below the plate have a purple hue. The flowers of Zebrian Tradescantia are pink, can reach 1-2 cm in diameter.

Riverine Tradescantia

The shoots of this species are also creeping. They can reach four meters in length. The motherland of Tradescantia is America, where this wonderful plant (when it comes into contact with water or earth) releases roots at the places where the leaves are fastened. Of course, this is preserved in the room. The leaves of this variety can reach 6 cm in length and have an ovoid shape. Their color varies according to the variety. It is very beautiful, for example, the riverside Tradescantia Variegata, which has white-green leaves. At Quicksilver they are silvery-green, and Maiden Blush is appreciated for the bright pink color of young shoots.

Many-flowered Tradescantia

It is also a creeping plant with straight shoots, the height of which can reach 15 cm. The leaflets of this species are ovoid, shiny, from above green, from below violet. One of the varieties is valued for the mottled white-green plates. The flowers of Tradescantia (its photo can be seen below) of this variety is white, growing in large quantities. Hence, in fact, its name took place.

Virginian Tradescantia

It is a direct growing variety, reaching a height of 60-90 cm. The shoots are tubular in shape, and the leaves grow very long (up to 40 cm). Their color is bright green.

How to care for a plant

The homeland of the Tradescantia of the room is a marshy area of the tropics. Therefore, all its varieties are moisture-loving and light-loving. To place a pot with this plant is best on the windowsill. On its leaves and stems must fall at least a little direct sunlight. In the penumbra, Tradescantia (with purely green leaves) will also grow, however, its color will not be so bright.

Water this plant in the summer period of time you need often. The soil under the Tradescantia should be constantly moist. In cold weather, watering is reduced, but not abolished altogether. Dryness of air this houseplant also tolerates very poorly. Therefore, in summer it is sprayed at least twice a day.

They fertilize Tradescantia in spring and summer. At the same time, a special dressing for ornamental plants is used, which can be bought at a specialized store. Make it into the soil with a frequency of once every two weeks.

Transplant rules

As already mentioned, in order for the plant Tradescantia not to be translated, it must be transplanted from time to time. Perform this procedure in the spring. Young plants are recommended to be transplanted once a year, old plants - no more than once in 2-3 years. When transplanting, the flower is cut off at the same time. Also every time under it it is necessary to arrange a good drainage from clay skulls or pebbles.

Reproduction

America is the birthplace of Tradescantia, where it reproduces mostly vegetatively, that is, it releases rootlets from the stem nodes. In the same room, it can be grown from seeds, from cuttings or by dividing a bush. The second method is used most often. You can propagate this plant with the help of cuttings at any time of the year. For this, a planting material with a length of about 15 cm is suitable. Cuttings should be planted 5-8 pieces in a pot. Rooting them occurs very quickly - for several days.

Seeds of Tradescantia are very difficult to obtain, and therefore at home this plant is rarely propagated in this way. Division of the bush is used more often. However, it is possible to propagate Tradescantia in this way only in the spring, that is, when young shoots begin to grow on it.

What problems can arise in the cultivation of Tradescantia?

From time to time, Tradescantia at home begins to look sick and sluggish. The reasons can be different. For example, if the Tradescantia begins to dry out the tips of the leaves, while acquiring a brown color, then you need to increase the humidity in the room or at least remove the pot away from the central heating battery. The cause of such trouble is usually excessive air dryness.

If this is combined with lethargic stems, then the plant simply does not have enough water. That is, you need to increase the frequency of irrigation. If there is too much water, the stem of Tradescantia near the soil itself will turn brown and begin to rot. The lack of lighting is manifested in this plant by the loss of color of the leaves.

Pests and diseases

The flowers of Tradescantia are quite beautiful, but, unfortunately, they are often affected by harmful insects. One of the most dangerous is the spider mite. To his appearance on the leaves, which he damages, in addition to infection, leads to dry air. The sign of the defeat of the plant is a spider mite is the presence in the internodes of a web. Leaves in diseased plants begin to fall.

In order to save Tradescantia from this scourge, it must be rinsed under running water and wiped the leaves with a soap solution. You can also spray the plant with 0.15% solution of "Actellika".

So, now you know that the birthplace of Tradescantia is room - America. Despite the light and moisture resistance, this plant is considered unpretentious for flower growers. In any case, to use it for decorating apartments, offices or balconies, of course, is worth it.