Aichrizon: proper care, reproduction, diseases, flowering

Air care at home

The leaves of the bush resemble hearts in outline. If you tear or cut off a piece of a leaf, you will notice an unpleasant odor. Under no circumstances should children or animals be allowed to taste them - this can lead to poisoning.

Location and lighting

On the one hand, aichrizon loves good lighting. Daylight hours for a succulent should be 12-14 hours. But on the other hand, the plant categorically does not accept direct sunlight. Therefore, if it is not possible to keep the pot on the east or west window, but only on the south, be sure to shade it with gauze or tulle so that the light is diffused. Otherwise, sunburn cannot be avoided.

You can also save the flower from incineration by moving it a little further from the window. Make sure there are no radiators, heating devices or household appliances nearby. And the normal, uniform development of the crown will be facilitated by regularly rotating the pot so that all leaves receive an equal amount of light. It is enough to do this once a week.

Temperature

In the spring-summer period, the Tree of Love will do well at an air temperature of +20-25°C. But in the cold season, it is better to move the flower pot to where it is cooler. It is advisable that day and night temperatures in winter do not go beyond +8-10 degrees.

In a warmer room, the aichrizon will begin to stretch and lose leaves. If it is not possible to provide coolness, illuminate the plant - let it think that summer is continuing.

In the summer heat, when the thermometer rises above 25 degrees, it makes sense to take the tree out into the air. Just choose a place protected from drafts and precipitation.

Watering

Please note that aichrizon is not a “water drinker”. Try not to overdo it with moisture. Watch the leaf blades carefully: when the soil in the pot is half dry, the leaves will begin to lose their elasticity. Press on them, and as soon as you feel lethargic, this is a signal to water. In summer, naturally, this needs to be done more often - about once a week, and in winter much less often - about once a month.

But don’t add too much moisture at once. This can cause the roots to rot. And be sure to take purified water. If you overdry the plant, the leaves will wrinkle and wither.

Air humidity

There is no need to spray the air around the plant to increase air humidity. But in summer, you can practice a warm shower by washing the leaves with tap water. The water should not be hot, but pleasant to the hands. Just don’t even think about rinsing the air in winter—you’ll kill the succulent.

The soil

The roots of aichrizon are not particularly long or powerful. Therefore, he doesn’t need a deep pot. Choose no more than 12 cm in height. Be sure to line the bottom of the container with crushed expanded clay drainage. Then a mixture of leaf soil, purified sand and humus, taken in equal parts. The plant will be grateful to you if you supplement the soil mixture with pieces of birch charcoal. And you need to add a little more turf soil than the volume of the resulting mixture.

Feeding and fertilizers

The Tree of Happiness needs to be fed only in spring and summer. Buy fertilizer for succulents. It is desirable that there is as little nitrogen in it as possible. Apply along with watering, maintaining an interval of 2 weeks. During the dormant period, aichrizon does not need feeding.

Transfer

There is no need to disturb the succulent particularly often by transplanting it. Typically, young plants are replanted after a year or two, and adults - about once every 4 years. But look at the circumstances: as soon as in the spring you notice that the pot is overfilled with roots and they begin to crawl out of the drainage holes, start replanting.

Choose a clay pot 2 cm in diameter larger than the previous one. The Tree of Love will not take root in a container that is too large. Transfer the plant along with a lump of earth into a new pot and fill the empty spaces with soil mixture. After transplanting, do not rush to water the bush. Wait 4-6 days.

Types and varieties

There are no more than 15 species, most of which are successfully grown as indoor plants. Aichrizon is an amazing compact shrub with unusual foliage and flowers. Indoor aichrizon will easily win the hearts of both beginners and experienced gardeners.

Aichrizon sedum-leaved

Another name for the species is aeonium. This is a compact shrub up to 40 cm high, with low stems, most of which are densely covered with foliage. A characteristic feature of the species is the appearance of the bush and the shape of the leaf. The leaf blade is smooth, oval, elongated, sticky, with a slightly pointed end, shaped like grapes. The leaves are densely planted at the top of the stem. The length of the sheet plate does not exceed 15 mm, width 6 mm. The color of the leaves is green-yellow with red splashes.

Racemose inflorescences, reaching approximately 10 cm in length, are formed at the ends of peduncles. Yellow flowers bloom in mid-late spring, flowering lasts no more than two months. A distinctive feature is that after flowering the plant sheds its leaves, thereby entering the winter dormancy phase.

Aichrizon point

The branched reddish stem reaches a height of up to 30-40 cm. The leaves are diamond-shaped, covered with characteristic fluff, and have long petioles. Blooms densely, with yellow star-shaped flowers at the ends of long, sinuous peduncles.

Aichrizon prostrate or loose

The indoor plant aichrizon friable grows no more than 40 cm in height. The highly branched trunk is quite flexible, so many representatives of the species are used in bonsai decoration. The leaves are muted green in color, fleshy, diamond-shaped, opposite, on short cuttings, sprouting densely in the upper part of the trunk and branches. The cuttings are so short that the leaf literally hugs the branch. Dense planting of leaves gives the plant a spherical shape.

Due to the external similarity of the outline of the leaf blade to the shape of a heart, the shrub is called the tree of love. Aichrizon prostrata blooms with yellowish star-shaped flowers collected in racemose inflorescences. Flowering lasts about six months, during which the plant sheds some of its leaves, and sometimes entire branches.

Aichrizon sinuous

The height of the miniature tree does not exceed 15-20 cm, the trunk is highly branched, with foliage collected at the ends of the trunk and branches into dense rosettes. The leaf blades are light green, dense, fleshy, diamond-shaped, with characteristic white hair on short cuttings. The flowers are beige in color, bloom in late spring, and the flowering period can be about six months.

Aichrizon home

It is a hybrid obtained from Aichrizon sinuous and punctate. A small plant in the form of a shrub or tree, no more than 30 cm high, with a spherical crown. Green, fleecy, dense leaves, about 1 cm wide, are collected in dense rosettes at the ends of the stem and branches. During the flowering period, long (up to 20 cm) peduncles with paniculate inflorescences at the ends are formed. Long flowering lasts from spring to late autumn. The yellow flowers are small, with a pleasant smell, and delight with their appearance only if the plant is properly cared for.

Flowering aichryzon

If you create favorable conditions for life - a pot of suitable size, cool wintering, not too frequent watering - the aichrizon will definitely thank you and bloom with red or yellow panicles. Typically, flowering begins in April-May and continues until September-October.

Do not be alarmed that as the flowering process progresses, the bush will begin to shed its leaves. This is a natural process. After flowering, remove flower stalks and weak stems, and reduce the intervals between watering. In addition, fertilize. In this case, the Tree of Love will quickly restore lost strength.

If you think the leaf fall is too strong, you can trim off some of the old shoots.

Some difficulties in growing

Breeding aichrizon can be associated with some difficulties. Basically, flower growers are interested in issues related to the flowering of a plant; it is with this that problems can arise, and why exactly, a specialist can say only after he has studied all the facts.

Why doesn't it bloom

The main reason why aichrizon does not bloom is that it is not properly cared for. The plant is quite demanding in this regard, so if there is no flowering, it is worth replanting it in a tighter container, making sure that there is no excessive watering and rotting of the roots. And during the dormant period, it needs coolness, so you need to keep the plant where it will not dry out and overheat.

Leaf fall

If your favorite aichrizon begins to wither in the warm season and its leaves fall off, then the problem is either that it has been exposed to sunlight for too long, or that its earthen ball constantly dries out (less often, the reason may be too much frequent watering). If a plant such as aichrizon begins to lose leaves in the autumn-winter period, it means that it is too warm and it is time to move it to a cooler room for the winter.

Aichrizon variegated

However, it also happens that leaves fall when flowers bloom, and this is a completely understandable and natural phenomenon, especially since it is temporary.

Diseases and pests

This flower faces the same dangers as other indoor plants. For example, these could be spider mites and mealybugs. The presence of the latter can be determined by lumps of sticky white fluff on the cuttings of the plant, while the mite leaves thin cobwebs. Both pests are combated with the help of systemic chemicals such as Fitoverm and Aktar.

If the plant is over-watered, rot may appear.

Advice! In this case, damaged leaves and roots will have to be removed, and in the future adhere to the correct watering regime; there are no other ways to combat this.

Aichrizon will certainly decorate the house, and if you believe the popular belief, it will bring love and happiness to it. But for this to happen, you need to properly care for this unusual plant.

How to form a beautiful crown

First, decide what you want to get as a result - a tree or a bush. In the first case, leave one stem, which over time will become powerful and tree-like. And in the second, trim only weak stems, leaving a few strong ones.

In addition, shoots should be pinched. This will prevent them from stretching upward and will increase bushiness. You can give the plant any shape - it all depends only on your imagination.

Perform pruning only during periods of intensive tree growth. This cannot be done in autumn, winter and during the flowering period.

Flowering and dormant period of the plant

Hazel (nut) is a tree or shrub

For experienced flower growers, aichrizon blooms at home when the snow outside has not yet melted. To achieve long and lush flowering, you need to follow a number of rules:

Keep the plant in a tight pot and do not fertilize it in winter.
Water the flowerpot once a month, and in February triple the drought of the flower.
Keep the pot in a cool place where the temperature does not exceed +12 ℃ and there are no drafts.
Provide 12 hours of daylight with additional lighting.

Fulfilling these simple conditions will help you get flowers on the bush as early as April. Frequent fertilization with mineral fertilizers will prolong flowering until October. After dropping the buds, cut off all flower stalks and old yellowed stems. Preventive pruning will help the bush more easily endure the dormant period and recover after winter.

Aichrizon during the rest period

Reproduction of aichrizon

The Tree of Love can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or leaves. Any of the methods will not cause any particular difficulties.

Propagation by leaves and cuttings

When pruning in March-April, you can leave stems about 10 cm long and cut them. Trim at a sharp angle to increase the cross-sectional area. Dry it slightly before rooting, and plant it in a sand-peat mixture only the next day.

Aichrizon easily takes root. You can even put the cutting in a glass of boiled water with the addition of activated carbon, and soon - after 2-3 weeks - you will notice strings of roots.

As soon as the seedlings grow 2-3 leaves, transplant them into shallow pots with soil mixture. The diameter of the containers should be no more than 7 cm. And try to ensure the air temperature is within 18 degrees.

Even a leaf of the plant will take root if you break it off and press it into a damp sand-peat mixture.

In the first month, the soil should be moist and light access should be maximum. When the shoot grows, care for it as you would an adult plant.

Propagation by seeds

You can try growing aichrizon from seeds. To do this, prepare a greenhouse. Pour sand and leaf soil into the container, mix thoroughly, water thoroughly and plant the seeds 5 mm deep. Cover with glass or cover with film and place close to the light. Every day, remove glass or film, moisten and ventilate the plantings. Sprouts should appear in about two weeks.

Pick them up after 3-4 leaves appear, changing the composition of the soil: add the same amount of leaf soil to the mixture of turf and sand. Place seedlings close to each other. Place the box in a well-lit place. And when the plants grow up, transplant them into separate small pots. First, reduce the air temperature to 16-18 degrees, and water the plants every day.

Signs and superstitions associated with the flower

There are many different signs and superstitions associated with the plant. Some believe that it can bloom only in a place where there is complete mutual understanding between spouses and harmony reigns in the family. Hence the name “tree of love” has taken root among the people.

If the relationship in a couple deteriorates and becomes tense, then the aichrison begins to get sick. If there is disagreement in the family, it stops blooming, the leaves dry out, and the roots rot. Therefore, some advise monitoring the condition of the aichrison and, at the first symptoms, urgently establishing relationships with each other. Moreover, this applies to all spheres: emotional, spiritual and intimate. Only after all the “add-ons” will the tree of love become healthy and blooming again.

It is believed that the plant brings attraction, passion, and positive emotions to the couple. Therefore, it should be started by people who have not yet developed a relationship.

If the aichrizon begins to bloom, then it is believed that the only person with whom it is worth living together has appeared in the owner’s house. If the plant gradually withers after the appearance of a roommate, then esotericists advise paying attention to such a sign and not committing yourself to a relationship with this person.

Diseases and pests

Like all succulents, aichrizon is most afraid of excess moisture. If water stagnates in the pot or there is dampness around, then both the roots and shoots will become rotten. The use of nitrogenous fertilizers will lead to a similar effect.

In rare cases, it will be possible to bring a flower back to life after such an extreme event. It is better to take cuttings and try to grow new Trees of Love by throwing away the old soil and disinfecting the pot.

In the summer heat, you may notice spider mites or scale insects on the branches. Immediately treat the plant with commercial insecticides.

Care errors

If you do not care for the aichrizon correctly, it will immediately give alarm signals:

due to the warm wintering, the shoots will become bare;
excess moisture in winter will lead to wrinkled leaves;
poor lighting will be a consequence of elongated stems;
shedding of leaves during flowering is a normal phenomenon; in other cases, this may indicate a lack or excess of moisture, or may occur under the influence of direct sunlight.

Is it possible to save the plant? In the first case, try cutting off the rosette or the top of the stem and re-rooting. In the second, provide the aichrizone with regular but infrequent watering. In the third, add light by moving the pot to more favorable conditions. To prevent leaf fall in winter, move the succulent to a cool but sunny place.

Features of cultivation: transplantation, propagation, flowering

Home care for aichrizon includes an annual transplant. It should be carried out in the spring. You can determine that a transplant is needed by filling the pot with roots. If they are cramped, they should be replanted. Small and weak flower roots should not be planted in heavy soil or a high pot, otherwise they may begin to rot.

It is necessary to prepare special soil, for this you need to take:

peat soil - 1 part;
turf soil - 1 part;
coarse sand – 1 part;
expanded clay or gravel - 1 part.

Mix it all and pour it into clay pots that are no more than 12 cm in diameter. Drainage is placed at the bottom. It is best to use a clay pot because it is highly porous and breathable. Thanks to this, the flowerpot will remove excess moisture and also promote air access to the roots.

A transplant should definitely be carried out if you have just bought a flower. For its favorable growth, it is better to replace store-bought soil.

Aichrizon (tree of love) - signs

Aichrizon is called the Tree of Love or the Tree of Happiness for a reason. He truly brings peace, tranquility and prosperity to the family. An atmosphere of universal love will reign in the apartment during the flowering of the succulent. And if it blooms when no one expected, it means that the relationship that has just begun will develop into a whirlwind romance. The release of panicles from a plant whose owner is a single person indicates the imminent acquisition of a pair. But sudden fading warns that the choice in love fell on the wrong person.

In addition, those who want to improve their financial well-being or win the lottery should definitely have a pot with airhrison.

For all this to happen, the tree must be purchased, but in no case given as a gift. If someone gave you a similar gift, be sure to pay for the flower with a yellow coin.

As soon as you notice dry shoots, cut them off immediately. If the plant starts to get sick, don’t even try to save it - get rid of it quickly so as not to lose money and love.

Many flower growers are inclined to think that aichrizon itself does not attract happiness and prosperity, but reflects the atmosphere in the family. If all is well between members of the household, it develops rapidly and blooms profusely. But with infighting and constant scandals, it begins to slowly die out.

Like any other succulents, aichrizon is easy to grow and looks quite attractive. So be sure to buy a plant. And who knows, maybe love and happiness will settle in your home.

Description of the plant

A perennial plant from the Crassulaceae family, in its natural environment it prefers the rocky terrain of the Mediterranean coast.
Most often found on rocky slopes and rock crevices. The root system is superficial, branched. The aichrizon flower is an evergreen succulent shrub up to 30 cm high. The branched, flexible, juicy, slightly curved stem is covered with delicate greenish skin, and only becomes woody after many years. Sometimes the indoor plant aichrizon is used as a bonsai formation.

At the top of the stem and branches, a “crown” of leaves is formed, giving the bush a dome-shaped, spherical appearance. Bright green, emerald, gray-green, fleshy, fleecy leaves are collected in rosettes in pairs or groups at the top of the branches. The shape of the leaves is varied - heart-shaped, triangular, round. Due to the similarity of the leaves to the heart, the plant is called the “tree of love.” Often there are representatives with various color inclusions in the leaf plate - white, red, yellow.

The flowering period is mid-late spring, and homemade aichrizon is able to delight with flowers for much longer, almost six months. Flowers are formed in groups on long branched peduncles (up to 20 cm). The shape of the flowers resembles a pointed daisy or a star; color – golden or various shades of yellow. A star-shaped flower, up to 2 cm in diameter, has 6-12 pointed petals.

According to signs, aichrizon is able to bring happiness to its owner only if all conditions for maintaining a compact bush are met. With insufficient care, due to damage to the leaf blade or trunk, the plant secretes a clear liquid with a very unpleasant odor.

Since the plant is poisonous, if swallowed it can cause a reaction in the body that resembles poisoning. In the apartment, you should choose a place for the plant that is inaccessible to children and pets.

Crown formation

Achrysona succulents can be shaped like a round or square bush. You can also place a miniature tree in a window box. In both cases it is necessary to carry out formative pruning. Maintaining the contour of the bush is not much easier. The future tree is marked and unwanted shoots are removed.

Maintaining any form is a prerequisite:

Protecting the shoot growth point.
Timely removal of weakened and overgrown shoots.
Trimming shortened branches.

This should be done throughout the growing season.

Succulent native to the Canary Islands

Among flower growers, Aichrizon, which is one of the representatives of the Crassulaceae family, has acquired the nickname “tree of love.” This is due to the shape of its leaf blades, which resemble a heart. The habitat of most succulent species is the mountainous areas of the Canary Islands. The plant is somewhat less common in Portugal, Morocco, Madeira and the Azores.

In nature, the “tree of happiness” most often grows right on the rocks, clinging with its roots to the smallest cracks in the stones

In total, there are currently 15 plant species in nature. These are graceful miniature shrubs, reaching a height of 30–40 cm. Aichrizon readily blooms (even at home), but is still primarily considered an ornamental foliage plant.

Fleshy, dense, heart- or diamond-shaped leaves are colored in a variety of shades of green: from light, pale green to dark, which from a distance can easily be mistaken for black. The color is heterogeneous, interspersed with yellow, white, gray, and reddish. The presence of short, thick “lint” is normal. When leaves are damaged, they begin to emit a very unpleasant odor - a natural defense mechanism against herbivores. During the rainy season, the plant stores moisture and nutrients in them. This helps it survive during the summer drought.

The name of the succulent is derived from two Greek words: ai (“always”) and chrysos (“golden”). It hints at the duration of flowering of the aichrizon.

The buds of aichrizon are collected in a corymbose or paniculate inflorescence. The shape of the flowers resembles a star, painted in a cream, yellow or golden tone. The rosette can be cut off - it does not wither for quite a long time, even without water.