Features of Philippine clerodendrum and rules for caring for it

True fans of indoor plants will appreciate the Philippine clerodendrum. Its lush inflorescences exude an intoxicating aroma. In addition, it looks impressive in home and office interiors all year round. Despite its unique beauty, the flower does not require special attention. The main thing is to follow a few simple care rules and you can “rest on your laurels.” Let's get to know the plant better and learn the secrets of growing it at home.

Caring for clerodendrum at home

How to care for clerodendrum

For healthy growth and full flowering, tropical forest plants need conditions that are as close to natural as possible.
Clerodendrum at home prefers window sills facing south, west or east - it needs bright light, but with protection from direct sunlight. The optimal temperature in summer is between 18-25 ºC; during the dormant period, which occurs in the winter months, the plant needs coolness - no higher than 15 ºC. The air humidity in the room with clerodendrum should be high, so you will have to spray the plant with soft, settled water every night in the warm season, and in winter, remove the flower pot away from heating appliances.

Clerodendrum should be watered abundantly with soft water, but the top layer of soil should dry out between waterings. During the dormant period, soil moistening is carried out according to the following principle: the cooler it is in the room, the less often we water it, but the earth ball should not dry out completely. From mid-spring to the end of summer, clerodendrum is fertilized twice a month with complex fertilizers for flowering indoor plants; no fertilizing is needed in autumn and winter.

Clerodendrum flowering

Depending on the species, clerodendrum begins to bloom in June, and these plants fade in September. It is interesting to observe how white bracts appear on the still bare shoots of Thompson's clerodendrum in early spring, from which crimson corollas up to 2.5 cm in diameter are formed. The beautiful clerodendrum blooms from June to September with panicles of purple flowers, and the fragrant clerodendrum blooms almost all year round. Anyone who has seen clerodendrum bloom will definitely want to see this magic again.

Pruning clerodendrum

Caring for clerodendrum involves mandatory annual pruning of the plant at the beginning of the period of active growth. Caring for Thompson's clerodendrum, for example, in addition to removing dried or weak branches, requires shortening all shoots by a third of the length, which should stimulate abundant flowering, as well as intensive growth and branching of young side shoots, on which inflorescences are formed. Clerodendrum is also pruned in order to form a crown - if you want the clerodendrum to grow as a bush, you need to greatly shorten the shoots when pruning in spring, otherwise you will have to install support for them later.

How to prune clerodendrum to make a tree? The standard form is created as follows: all shoots are removed, except for one, the strongest, which is cut off at a height of 50-70 cm, and then all shoots that appear in the apex area are pinched in order to create a crown due to their branching. If sprouts appear on the stem below the crown, they are removed.

Clerodendrum transplant

Growing clerodendrum requires replacing old soil with new soil from time to time; in addition, an overgrown plant may require a larger pot. Plants are replanted at the beginning of active growth after pruning. Young plants need annual replanting, but older plants need to change the soil and pot once every two to three years. The soil for clerodendrum should be nutritious and slightly acidic (pH 5-6). You can use store-bought soil, adding sand to it, or make your own from peat, coarse sand, leaf and clay soil in equal parts.

Before replanting the plant, the new soil must be disinfected by steaming, oven or microwave. How to transplant clerodendrum? Take a pot 2 cm in height and 2 cm in diameter larger than the old one, place a layer of drainage three centimeters high in it and transfer the plant from the old pot to the new one, being careful not to damage the root ball. Add the required amount of new substrate to fill the voids in the pot and water the plant. If your clerodendrum needs support in the future, dig it in when replanting so that you don’t have to stick it into the pot later, damaging the roots of the plant.

What is clerodendrum

The name of the plant is translated from Greek very simply: kleros - “fate”, and dendron - “tree”. This plant became popular in the 19th century, when tropical galleries and winter gardens were in great fashion among aristocrats. Climbing woody vines could be used as living partitions or a beautiful vertical backdrop.

In those days, this plant was more often called volcameria; now the name clerodendrum is more common. Even in ancient Rome, temples of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, were abundantly decorated with its flowers. Even our ancestors knew a flower that received the name “innocent love” from them.

The plant belongs to the Verbena family, known for its beautiful flowering. In addition, our hero is famous for its delicate aroma, which intensifies in the evening.

Some species are quite easy to care for and can even be grown in the yard in well-lit areas. For example, the beautiful clerodendrum, which is sometimes called sea, grows even on the southern coasts, not afraid of the burning rays of the sun and salty splashes of water.

But it would be more correct to say that this is a rather capricious flower that is not so easy to grow correctly in an apartment or house. It is equally demanding on lighting, humidity, watering, temperature; in general, if you want such beauty to live next to you, you will have to follow some rules. Until recently, only a couple of varieties of clerodendrum were available to our flower growers, but now their range is very wide, so the plant is gaining popularity again. Isn't this a reason to study in detail the principle of growing an exotic beauty?

This plant is native to the tropical regions of Asia, South America and Africa. In the wild, at least 400 varieties are known; they are found in the form of trees, shrubs or vines, and can be evergreen or deciduous. In addition to the lush, beautiful flowering, this plant has one more feature: its branches are very flexible, but become woody over time. This will allow you to give the crown any shape that your imagination suggests.

The most common varieties

Among the many varieties of the tree of fate, it is worth highlighting several of the most beloved by our flower growers for their relative ease of care and visual effectiveness. Let's look at them in more detail:

1. Mrs. Thomson's clerodendrum (Clerodendrum thomsoniae). It has thin, smooth shoots with a high growth rate. With age, the vine trunk becomes covered with dense woody bark. It is a deciduous plant and most often sheds most of its leaves in the winter. Clusters of inflorescences consist of white, heart-shaped flowers with bright red corollas. The leaves are large, juicy green in color, oblong, pointed in shape, and can reach 12 cm in length. Mrs. Thomson's Volcameria grows very quickly when grown indoors, flowering time is from March to June inclusive.
2. Clerodendrum splendens. An evergreen non-deciduous shrub with liana-like shoots. The leaves are almost round in shape, up to 6 centimeters wide, about 8 cm long, with a heart-shaped base, wavy edges and an oblong apex. Corymbose and racemose inflorescences, located in short axils, are collected from red scarlet flowers. With proper care, it will delight you with brilliant blooms all year round.

Growth and flowering of Ugandan clerodendrum - video

Varietal diversity in the photo

Seasonal growing conditions - table

Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Lighting	Well-lit areas of the room with the possibility of shading from direct sunlight. The best place for growing is on east and west windows.		You can move it to a south window or provide additional lighting.
Temperature	+18…+25 °C			+15…+18 °C
Air humidity	To ensure an adequate level of humidity, spray the plant with settled or filtered water every evening.		In dry, sunny weather, spray the plant with settled water every evening. During rainy, cold periods, reduce spraying to 2-3 times a week.	Move the pot with clerodendrum away from heating appliances. Spray the plant with settled water every evening or use automatic humidifiers.
Watering	Abundant, only with settled water. The top layer of soil in the pot should dry out between waterings.		Moderate, as needed. Do not allow the earthen ball to dry out.	Rarely, with a small amount of water, but not allowing the earthen clod to dry out. Reduce watering when temperatures drop.

Among other things, your flower may need support so that the growing vine does not fall to one side, risking falling from the window. This can be a stretched wire or twine, as well as a spacer of any convenient shape.

Types of clerodendrum

In total, more than 300 varieties have been registered in the genus, but not many are used in indoor floriculture.

Clerodendrum of Mrs. Thompson (Thompson). The most popular species is a deciduous woody vine with thin, smooth shoots. Dense dark green foliage grows up to 12 cm in length. The leaf blade, swollen between the veins, has an oval shape with a pointed end. In March-June, loose clusters on long peduncles rise above the vegetation. White, bell-like bracts surround small scarlet buds. Long white or cream stamens protrude from the center. Externally, the flower is very similar to a moth with long antennae.

Mrs. Thompson's clerodendrum

Clerodendrum Ugandan. The evergreen vine grows shoots up to 2 m in length. They are covered with broadly lanceolate dark green leaves, between which grow loose panicles with small bluish-purple flowers. The stamens on these flowers are especially long and blue. The lower petal is enlarged and has a darker shade. The variety requires brighter lighting and abundant watering.

Clerodendrum uganda

Clerodendrum brilliant. An evergreen shrub with long climbing stems. The leaves on it grow oppositely or in whorls of 3 pieces. The almost rounded leaf blade reaches 8 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The edges of the leaf are wavy, the base resembles a heart. Short flower stalks with dense clusters of scarlet-red buds grow from the leaf axils. In favorable conditions it blooms all year round.

Clerodendrum brilliantus

Clerodendrum Wallich (Prospero). Large, dark green, oval-shaped leaves grow on long, flexible, reddish-green branches. Their length is 5-8 cm. Large inflorescences with snow-white flowers bloom between them. The bush itself is quite compact, but capricious. It needs long daylight hours and high humidity.

Clerodendrum Wallich

Clerodendrum philippines. This variety, still rare for our country, is distinguished by an intense aroma of flowers, in which notes of vanilla and jasmine are mixed. In the evening the smell intensifies. A dense corymbose inflorescence blooms on a long peduncle. The buds look like tiny (up to 3 cm in diameter) roses. The width of one inflorescence reaches 20 cm, so it really resembles a bouquet. The shoots are covered with dark green velvety leaves of a wide oval shape. Flowering begins in the second year of life.

Clerodendrum philippines

Clerodendrum bunge. The Chinese species grows especially quickly. The plant grows light green, broadly oval leaves, which are collected in whorls. Beautiful spherical inflorescences of small pink buds bloom on the stems. From a distance the flower looks like fireworks. Flowering continues all summer.

Clerodendrum bunge

Clerodendrum speciosum (the most beautiful). A spreading bush up to 3 m high consists of branched tetrahedral shoots. This evergreen plant is covered with large, heart-shaped leaves with short, soft hairs. They grow on reddish petioles. From June to September, purple inflorescences with a darker, lilac-red corolla are pleasing.

Clerodendrum speciosum

Clerodendrum inerme (unarmed). An evergreen shrub with long vines is covered with oval emerald leaves with a raised central vein. It blooms with white, moth-like flowers with long purple stamens. An interesting variety is inerme variegated. It is distinguished by lighter (light green) spots on the leaves, which create an exquisite marble pattern.

Clerodendrum inerme

Clerodendrum Schmidt. The shrub or small tree is distinguished by dense shoots and bright green oval leaves with a wavy edge. During the flowering period, many brushes are formed on drooping peduncles. They bear snow-white flowers. They exude a pleasant sweetish aroma.

Clerodendrum Schmidt

Photo gallery

Clerodendrum flowers are collected in a group in a basket. The inflorescences are multi-flowered, corymbose, up to 20–22 cm in diameter. The corolla has a regular funnel shape. In their natural environment, flowers have 5 petals; decorative ones belong to the double variety. The flowers are very reminiscent of small roses, the edges of the petals of which are openwork (in decorative species), which gives the flower a more voluminous and weightless appearance. The aroma of flowering is very pleasant, sweetish.

Root system	fragile
Stem	straight, slightly drooping
Leaf Shape	heart shape
Leaf color	light green
Flower shape	symmetrical, corolla-shaped
Flower color	white, white-pink

Reproduction

The plant can be propagated in two ways:

By cuttings

It is considered the easiest way. This breeding option is carried out in the spring. The apical part of the stem with 3-4 internodes is cut off from the main bush.

For rooting, planting material is left in a glass of water or in a special substrate. To speed up the process, the plant can be covered with transparent polyethylene. The temperature should remain above twenty degrees Celsius.

Seeds

This method is a little more complicated than the previous one, but no less effective. Seeds are planted in February - March in containers with substrate and covered with film. In this way, greenhouse conditions are created.

To avoid stagnation of moisture, the seeds must be watered and ventilated periodically. Also, seedlings should have good lighting.

After two months, the first sunrises will appear, and when they grow four leaves, they are transplanted into small containers. After good rooting, the seedlings are moved to larger pots and accustomed to new conditions.

Recommendations for purchasing and adapting clerodendrum

At the time of purchase, you must carefully inspect the product. The leaves should be clean and undamaged, and the soil should be slightly moist. It is recommended to choose clerodendrum with many buds and a couple of blooming flowers. This presentation indicates the health of the plant and that it was in appropriate conditions.

If you bought a bush in winter, you don’t need to immediately get rid of the packaging at home. He must stand in it for several hours and get used to the room climate.

The purchased plant should be quarantined (place the “newbie” as far as possible from other flowers) and provided with comfortable conditions (more on lighting, watering and temperature below). Can be treated with an insecticide (for example, Aktara).

When to repot:

• After the adaptation period (1-2 weeks) - if there is no need to do this earlier.
• Immediately:
• if the specimen is imported (most likely, it is planted in a special substrate for transportation);

if the roots are peeking out of the drainage holes of the pot;

• if the appearance of the plant quickly deteriorates.

If clerodendrum blooms, you need to wait until the end of flowering and only then replant it from a store-bought substrate.

In stores, flowering plants are sprayed with stimulants. Without them, the “new settler” weakens. Spraying with Epin will improve adaptation.

It will also be interesting: Clerodendrum - care at home and types of flowers with names?

Description

Clerodendrum (lat. Clerodendrum) is a liana-like or shrub plant characterized by lush and long-lasting flowering. Translated from ancient Greek, the word “clerodendrum” is translated as “tree of fate,” and the entire history of the species is shrouded in many beliefs and legends. For example, the natives of the island of Java believed that a donated branch of a plant could dramatically change a person’s destiny, giving him some important chance.

Among the ancient Romans, volkameria was considered a love amulet and was presented as gifts to the goddess Venus, being the main decoration of her temples. In European countries, the peak of popularity of clerodendrum occurred in the mid-19th century, when the plant began to be actively grown in greenhouses and flower beds. A little later, it became the object of close attention of breeders, who, by crossing different species, obtained a large number of beautiful varieties.

Clerodendrum is a member of the Lamiaceae family and is found in the natural environment in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as on the islands of the Indian Ocean and Australia. Among the wide variety of species, there are both evergreen and deciduous forms, while vines can reach 4 m, and shrubby representatives of the genus grow up to only two. The tetrahedral stems of the plants have smooth olive or red-brown skin and are covered with opposite petiolate leaves of bright emerald color. The shape of the leaf blades depends on the plant variety and can be heart-shaped, oval or ovoid. The length of the leaves varies from 8 to 20 cm, and the edges can have a solid or finely toothed structure. The surface of the plates has a clear veining with clearly visible depressions along the central and lateral veins.

8 photos

The inflorescences of clerodendrum consist of small and very beautiful flowers, located in the tips of the shoots or leaf axils and have a corymbose or paniculate type of structure. Thanks to their long peduncles, they look very elegant and look like lush bouquets. The calyxes are bell-shaped and divided into 5 lobes, and their diameter can reach 2.5 cm. The corolla is painted in contrasting colors, and long and thin stamens grow from its middle, often reaching 3 centimeters.

The flowering period for most volkameria lasts from April to September and is accompanied by a very pleasant aroma. Moreover, not only flowers smell, but also leaves, and each type has its own unique smell. The bracts of clerodendrum are quite large and remain on the bush until dormant, giving others the impression of constant flowering. After flowering, most plants produce orange fruits that are oblong, reach 1 cm in length and contain one single seed.

Varieties

There are many varieties of this amazing indoor plant, but they all look beautiful:

1. In the photo - Thompson's clerodendrum - one of the most popular varieties. It is a climbing bush that can reach 2-2.5 m in height if you grow it in a pot. If it grows in a flowerbed, then the height can be 3-4 m. Thompson's clerodendrum begins to bloom in early spring or early summer, and there may also be a repeated flowering period in the autumn. It has large, white, heart-shaped inflorescences with a bright red edge. The inflorescences may have a paniculate or axillary form. Thanks to such unusual flowers, this variety is very popular.
2. Clerodendrum the Fairest or Javanese - this variety in natural conditions can reach a height of 3 m, and at home it grows to 0.8-1 m. Its distinctive feature is a long flowering period. The leaves have a heart shape, and the inflorescences are apical paniculate with small flowers of bright red color.
3. Clerodendrum fragrant is a shrub that grows up to 1-2 m with large green leaves with an unusual serrated edge, and the surface of the leaves is velvety. The inflorescences are spherical in shape and the flowers are white with a slight cream or pink tint. This variety of exotic vine is the most fragrant.
4. You can find a photo of Ugandan clerodendrum - this variety is quite rare in home gardening. But it has a number of advantages, which include its drought resistance. This variety also has another name - “Blue Butterfly”. He got it thanks to the unusual shape of the petals, which look like butterfly wings. Its flowers are light blue, and the fifth petal is a slightly darker color. And long stamens complement these petals, making them even more butterfly-like. Clerodendrum Ugandan looks very beautiful and impressive.
5. Clerodendrum Wallich - this variety is grown in pots because this variety has an ampelous shape. Its flowers are large and white.
6. Clerodendrum Prospero - or also called "Nodding Jasmine". It has bright green leaves with lighter colored calyxes. This variety has white flowers with long stamens that hang down like grapes.
7. Clerodendrum Bunge is a shrub with rich emerald heart-shaped leaves and a rough surface. Its flowers are small, pink, and collected in corymbose inflorescences.
8. Thornless clerodendrum or Inerme - grows in natural conditions up to 3 m in height. Its leaves are pointed and have a length of 6-10 cm and a smooth surface. At the very top of its shoots, white flowers with long pink stamens bloom, which looks very beautiful.

Having found a photo of clerodendrum, you will see that it will be a wonderful decoration for any interior. Each variety has its own amazing properties that will appeal to any gardener. You can see recommendations for home care and photos of clerodendrum.

Pruning when forming a clerodendrum crown at home

When replanting, you can combine this process with pruning the flower shoots. Long and weak shoots are removed, and they can be pinched to give the plant a more luxuriant shape.

The formation of the crown of clerodendrum is very important, since this flower belongs to vines, its size can reach 2-3 meters, which is not always appropriate in an apartment. And only regular pruning will help maintain the shape of a decorative bush or tree.

The simplest pruning of a plant is to remove 1/3 of the length of woody shoots. This annual pruning of clerodendrum promotes abundant flowering.

When grown at home, this vine is usually given the shape of a medium-sized bush. To do this, at the beginning of spring, all shoots are cut to a size of 7 cm from the growth point. Then the plant begins to grow actively, new young shoots with leaves appear and the result is a nice flowering bush.

History of origin

Currently, scientists cannot say exactly where this plant came from. The first mentions of Clerodendrum were in Ancient Rome. This flower was presented as a sacrifice to the goddess of love, Venus. People of that time believed that if this particular flower was sacrificed, the goddess would give true and eternal love.

But the first description was written only in the 17th century by the botanist John Volkamer. It was in honor of him that the name Volkameria was received, and the flower received the prefix “fragrant” due to its delicate aroma.

Difficulties in growing

Philippine clerodendrum is not sensitive to a large number of diseases and pests that a houseplant may suffer from, however, during the growing process it can be attacked by:

• spider mite;
• scale insect

To eliminate these ailments, it is necessary to carry out the following procedures:

• wash the plant under a hot shower. The water temperature should be about +45. +50°C;
• treat the flower with chemicals and insecticides.

Changes in the appearance of a plant can occur as a result of improper care:

1. Lack of flowering may occur due to improper wintering of clerodendrum. For it, it is necessary to take a break from flowering, reducing watering to a minimum in winter and moving the flower to a room with a temperature of +12. +15°C for 1–1.5 months.
2. The lack of new buds in the spring may occur due to the lack of proper lighting in sufficient quantities.
3. Also, a flower may not bloom due to the fact that it lacks nutrition from the substrate in which it grows. Accordingly, Philippine clerodendrum needs to be transplanted into a new suitable soil.
4. Root rot can cause the death of a flower. This phenomenon is possible when watering too much and the soil does not dry out enough. To save the plant, it must be transplanted into a new container, removing damaged areas of the rhizome.
5. Yellowing of leaves and leaf fall are the cause of lack of watering.

Possible problems

IMPORTANT! Excessive watering can cause problems with the roots - their rotting and lethargy of the plant. If the plant stretches out and becomes as if transparent, this is also a bad sign: you should fertilize it as soon as possible, since clerodendrum does not have enough nutrients in the soil.

When winter comes, the leaves may begin to fall due to low temperatures, but this is even useful; if the plant does not overwinter, it will not understand when it should bloom, and the flowers will disappear for a long time. Insufficient watering leads to yellowing of the lower, older leaves and their complete death.

Clerodendrum - a flower for a good mood

It is interesting that clerodendrum began to be grown as an indoor flower relatively recently, acquiring the well-deserved love of flower growers

Interior designers also did not ignore this touching and delicate plant. It looks great in winter gardens and interiors with a touch of romance.

They say that contemplating its flowers not only brings aesthetic pleasure, but also gives thoughts a positive attitude, relieves stress and excessive irritability. I confirm!

The plant has several popular names, for example, “innocent love” or “volkameria”. At first it seemed strange to me that the main nickname was the “tree of fate,” although in structure my clerodendrum is a pronounced liana. It needs support and space, then flexible branches with dark green embossed leaves can stretch up to 3 meters.

I have Thompson's clerodendrum (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) growing, and my friends' Philippine one has taken root quite well. Having become interested, I learned that there are also tall species that fully justify the word “tree” in the name:

• most beautiful;
• fragrant;
• Ugandan.

All types of clerodendrum have a subtle, pleasant aroma with a unique shade, which is attributed to antidepressant properties.

Clerodendrum has several popular names, for example, “innocent love” or “volkameria”. onlineplantguide

Description of the Philippine variety of clerodendrum and its origin

One of the most fragrant and elegant representatives of the Clerodendrum genus is the Philippine variety. The flower has large (about 15 cm) green heart-shaped leaves with a serrated edge. They are rarely located on long, erect and slightly hairy shoots. The surface of the leaves is velvety, with small tubercles, “pressed” veins are clearly visible.

The main aesthetic advantage is the dense large inflorescences (scutes), consisting of a dozen white-pink flowers (up to 3 cm in size). As you can see in the photo, the flowers look like small peonies or roses. Clerodendrum has a long flowering period.

Natural habitat is the tropical forests of China, Japan and, of course, the Philippines. There its height reaches 2 m. Volcameria fragrant has been cultivated for a long time, but it is not yet very popular in home floriculture, although there are more and more admirers every year.

It will also be interesting: Clerodendrum Ugandan - caring for the plant at home?

Diseases and pests

Clerodendrum has excellent immunity and rarely gets sick. Therefore, developmental anomalies are more often caused by errors in care than by infectious diseases. Below is an overview of the most common problems, as well as possible causes and solutions.

• If clerodendrum leaves turn yellow and wither, then the problem is most likely due to insufficient watering. In this case, it is recommended to carefully trim the yellowed foliage and switch the plant to a regular moisture regime.
• If the leaves, along with the buds, dry out and fall off, then the reason may lie in the excessive dryness of the room air. To eliminate it, it is recommended to use humidifiers and spray the plant more often.
• If the leaf blades are covered with brown spots, it is most likely a sunburn. In this case, it is necessary to either shade the plant or create diffused light for it. This can be done using gauze or a tulle curtain stretched over the window.
• A large distance between two adjacent internodes and a bare stem are often the result of insufficient lighting. In such cases, it is recommended to place the plant closer to the sun or organize additional illumination with a phytolamp.
• A long absence of flowering is often caused by improper organization of the dormant period or unbalanced feeding. To make the plant bloom, replanting it in a fresh substrate and obligatory sleep during wintering will help. To do this, from the second half of October, the flower is transferred to a cooler room and watering is reduced. Some species completely shed their foliage at this time, which should not cause concern: after a winter rest and spring pruning, the plant will quickly increase its green mass and become even more beautiful.
• Chlorosis, the main symptoms of which are a decrease in color intensity, the appearance of yellowness and a change in the shape of leaf blades, is often the result of a lack of one or another microelement in the soil. The disease is not fatal and can be easily cured by applying a complex of mineral fertilizers.
• Powdery mildew is often the result of watering with very cold water, so for moisturizing you should use only liquid warmed to room temperature.

As for pests, clerodendrum is most often attacked by whiteflies, scale insects and spider mites. The reason that contributes to their appearance is too dry air in the room. You can completely get rid of insects using modern insecticides. It is recommended to carry out the treatment in two or three passes, taking a week break between them.

If it is not possible to purchase special medications, then you can try traditional methods. To do this, clerodendrum is watered with infusion of onion or garlic. Most pests cannot tolerate their specific smell and leave.

To learn how to grow clerodendrum, watch the video below.

Kinds

The clerodendrum genus includes many species and varieties

But not all of them are suitable for breeding at home. Three types are considered the most popular.

Thomson's clerodendrum (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Thomson's clerodendrum (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

It is also called Mrs. Thompson's clerodendrum. The variety has the appearance of a vine with smooth thin stems. The leaves are dark green, with clear veins and smooth edges, up to 12 cm long.

There are inclusions of darker or lighter shades on the leaf plate. Snow-white flowers with a scarlet corolla form small tassels and bloom from early spring to June.

The plant quickly increases in size in apartment conditions and rarely complains about its health.

Clerodendrum splendens

Clerodendrum splendens

Clerodendrum splendens

The variety is presented in the form of a shrub with climbing stems. The leaves are almost round, with a pointed tip and a wavy edge. Length – up to 8 cm.

Axillary inflorescences form red racemes. Flowering lasts almost all year round.

Philippine clerodendrum (Clerodendrum philippinum)

Clerodendrum philippinum

Philippine clerodendrum (Clerodendrum philippinum)

Another variety with an unpretentious character. Philippine clerodendrum is one of the most fragrant: the aroma of the plant combines notes of vanilla and jasmine. The smell is especially noticeable in the evenings. The leaves of the plant are dark green, and the flowers are white with a pinkish tint, the inflorescences are large.

Popular varieties also include:

• Ugandan Clerodendrum, or Blue Butterflies (Clerodendrum ugandense)
• Clerodendrum wallichii (Prospero)
• Fragrant clerodendrum (Clerodendrum fragrans)
• Clerodendrum bungei
• Clerodendrum schmidtii
• Clerodendrum speciosissimum
• Clerodendrum Paniculatum

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Features of the variety

This variety of clerodendrum differs from others in that it is able to bloom throughout the year, without a dormant period. Flowering of clerodendrum philippines begins only in the second year of life. Compared to other varieties, it is not large in size, which makes it possible to grow it at home.

This variety is also appreciated because it is suitable even for novice gardeners. It is easy to care for, resistant to pests and various diseases, and grows quickly. The peculiarities of this variety include its velvety leaves and flowers, the aroma of which is reminiscent of jasmine.

The stamens are tightly hidden far behind the delicate petals, unlike other varieties in which they are exposed far beyond the petals.

There are a huge number of varieties of clerodendrum in the world, including the sophisticated Prospero, the evergreen Ugandan, the fragrant Wallicha, the tropical beauty Bunge, the exotic brilliant, the unusual Inerme, the amazing Speciosum, the exquisite Thompson and the most beautiful.

Features of planting and care

Reviews from flower growers about the nature of the flower are positive: caring for it is easy

Clerodendrum grows in the tropics and subtropics - in humid and warm climates. Therefore, it is advisable to provide similar conditions at home for its comfortable growth.

Temperature

For catharanthus, a comfortable temperature will be 25 degrees in summer and 15 degrees in winter.

The tropical plant prefers warmth, especially during the growing season, when it is actively developing or blooming. It should be grown at an air temperature of +20-25°C.

And in winter, the flower must rest, so temperature readings should not exceed +15 degrees. Only in this case will normal formation of buds for future flowers occur.

Lighting

Growing on a windowsill

Clerodendrum loves the sun and bright, but diffused light. If there is a lack of light, it will begin to lose leaves.

It is better to protect the plant from direct sunlight

This is especially important if you place the plant on a south-facing window: the midday sun can leave burns on the leaves, damage delicate petals, and reduce flowering

It is better to choose a window sill of an east or west window.

Optimal humidity

Flowering plant

Clerodendrum requires plenty of watering, especially in summer. You should not water too often: you need to wait until the top layer of soil in the flower pot dries out.

In winter, watering is determined by the air temperature in the room. If you manage to lower it to the recommended levels, watering is done rarely, just so that the earthen ball does not dry out. If the temperature is slightly lower than it was during the growing season, watering is reduced only slightly.

The tropical guest loves moist air. It is necessary to spray the leaves and stems daily in the summer. It is better not to direct streams of water from a spray bottle onto the flowers. Water for irrigation and spraying must be soft and settled for at least 24 hours.

In winter, indoor air is greatly dried out by heating devices. Spraying in this case is not enough. Place wide bowls of water in the room or buy an air humidifier.

Top dressing

Phosphorus-potassium fertilizer

From spring to autumn, clerodendrum requires fertilization. Feed on average once every 10-14 days. No fertilizing is needed in autumn and winter.

For clerodendrum, alternating mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers is suitable. Fertilizers for flowering indoor plants are sold in flower shops.

Among mineral fertilizers, Agricola is recommended; Fertilize the plant according to the instructions. Organic fertilizers are also necessary to enrich the soil and improve its bioactivity. You can purchase the drug FlorGumat. Fertilizers are applied by spraying the foliage or directly into the soil so that they penetrate into the root system.

During flowering, clerodendrum needs increased phosphorus content

Pay attention to the composition of the purchased products

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Lighting and temperature

The plant is afraid of direct sunlight. It causes burns on the leaves. Therefore, it is better to place it on east or west windows. If the bush is located on a southern windowsill, in the summer heat it should be covered with opaque paper from direct sun.

You cannot place a pot with a plant in the shade . If there is insufficient lighting, it stretches out and does not bloom. The best lighting for it is light partial shade. Daylight hours for active flowering should be at least 10 hours. Therefore, in winter, the flower requires artificial lighting in the evening.

The optimal temperature for growing clerodendrum is 18-25ºС. It should not change all year round; in winter the plant does not require its reduction.

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How does it reproduce

The flower reproduces in two ways.

Seeds

To propagate the plant, you can use seeds taken from another domestic clerodendrum flower or, if it is not available, buy it in a specialized store. The breeding procedure is complex and can cause a lot of trouble, and the resulting plant may not retain its species characteristics.

Seeds must be sown in a microgreenhouse in late winter - early spring. The first step is to fill the container with a mixture of turf, river sand and peat, then sow the seeds evenly over the surface of the ground.

Important! Crops need constant lighting. With proper care of the crops (timely watering and regular ventilation), the first shoots will appear in 1.5-2 months. After four full sheets have been formed, they should be planted in cups 6 cm in diameter.

Up to three sprouts can be planted in 11cm pots

With proper care of the crops (timely watering and regular ventilation), the first shoots will appear in 1.5-2 months. After forming four full sheets, they should be planted in cups 6 cm in diameter. Up to three sprouts can be planted in 11cm pots.

Cuttings

When propagating clerodendrum from cuttings, you should remember that hardened and lignified shoots will germinate faster than green ones. The cuttings should be placed in water or moist soil mixture, providing room temperature and good lighting. To prevent the branches from drying out, they are covered with polyethylene. As soon as roots appear and new leaves grow, the plant can be replanted.

Clerodendrum cuttings

Soil and fertilizer

The soil for clerodendrum must be nutritious and at the same time permeable.

The optimal composition of the soil mixture is as follows:

All ingredients are mixed in equal parts.

Clerodendrum, which blooms almost continuously, needs regular feeding. It is necessary to fertilize the soil every 2 weeks. Liquid complex fertilizers for flowering plants are most suitable for this.

Purchased fertilizers are diluted with water according to the instructions, and then the flower is watered. It is necessary that the soil in the pot is moist when fertilizing. To do this, water the plant, and after a few hours, when the soil is well saturated with moisture, fertilizer is applied.

Landing

Before planting or replanting clerodendrum, it is necessary to prepare nutritious soil. To do this, mix leaf humus, clay soil, river sand and peat in equal proportions, or purchase a ready-made substrate in the store. When preparing the mixture yourself, the main thing is not to “overdo it” with peat, since clerodendrum requires slightly acidic soil with a pH level of 5 to 6.5 units. The purchased soil has already undergone the necessary processing and is completely ready for use, but the homemade composition must be thoroughly disinfected.

To do this, the mixture is cleaned of small mechanical debris and vegetation residues, after which it is spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet. Then heat the oven to 200-220 degrees and place the earth in it for 20 minutes. If it is not possible to use the oven, then you can use the following method: pour some water into a pan and stretch a soft, permeable cloth over it. Then a thin layer of substrate is poured over the material and the fire is turned on. After the water boils, the soil is left to be disinfected for 10-15 minutes, then removed and a new portion is poured in its place.

Transplantation of adult individuals is carried out in the spring - as soon as the plant comes out of dormancy and prepares to actively increase green mass. The procedure is carried out as needed, when the plant has grown greatly and there is a risk of the pot overturning. To do this, choose a large, stable container that is 2-4 cm wider than the previous one, form a drainage layer of expanded clay or river pebbles at least 3-4 cm thick at the bottom, and pour a small layer of nutrient substrate.

Then, using the transfer method, the plant is moved to a new pot, while preserving the integrity of the earthen lump as much as possible. Add the missing soil along the edges and compact it lightly. The flower is placed in a calm, moderately shaded place, and after 2-3 days it is carefully moistened. Next, the clerodendrum is removed to its original place and transferred to a general care regime.

Newly purchased plants can be replanted at any time of the year. To do this, the plant is given 2-3 weeks to adapt to new conditions of temperature and humidity, and only after that they begin to replant it. To do this, shake the pot slightly and carefully separate the soil from its walls with a thin stick. Then the plant is replanted along with a lump of earth, placed in the center of a new pot and the missing soil is added.