Croton flower: popular types and varieties, features of care at home

Possible difficulties

— Due to a lack or excess of light, the leaves lose color.

— Due to direct sunlight, burns appear on the leaves.

— Due to dry air or soil, the tips of the leaves turn brown; if the temperature is too low, the edges of the leaves become brown. For the same reasons, the lower leaves fall off.

— Brown tips of leaves indicate a lack of moisture in the substrate and in the air, and if the edges of the leaf blade are also colored this color, it is necessary to increase the ambient temperature.

— Large leaves easily absorb dust, and they are wiped with a soft, damp sponge at least 2-3 times a decade.

— With low air humidity, codiaum is easily attacked by pests and diseases.

— At a temperature of 12°C, dulling of the surface of the leaves is observed, and with a long stay at 10-12°C, the leaves crumble.

Young leaves are less brightly colored than older leaves. This is normal for the plant.

I'm a fan of variegated plants. I once had a gorgeous codiaum with large leaves in my collection, but it did not survive intensive ventilation. Recently, I began to restore a collection of decorative foliage “pets”. At the top of my wish list is codiaum; I can’t afford to buy a plant now, because... large specimens are sold, and it’s not interesting for a gardener; you want to grow it yourself.

Propagation of branched crotons with narrow leaves (for example, Golden Finger) is not difficult; they can be propagated from cuttings. The situation is more difficult with broad-lobed crotons (such as Bravo or Holuffiana), they only have a stem and large patterned leaves. I read on a gardening forum that there are legends that such a specimen can be grown from a leaf. I asked my friends for a leaf, cut it off with a very small heel, because... alien plant.

I buried the leaf in the ground, made supports for it so it wouldn’t fall over, and built a greenhouse over it. Then I relied on my “light hand.” Usually everything I plant takes root.

The leaf sat unchanged for a very long time, then began to lose color a little.

I took it out, the petiole was not rotten, but there were no signs of roots. I dipped it in a mixture of root and activated carbon. The leaf very quickly turned yellow and became limp.

Question for gardeners: is it possible to propagate codiaum from leaves? If not, how to get a young plant of broadleaf varieties?

Croton pests

Spider mite. These pests leave small punctures and whitish spots on the leaves.

As a preventive measure, regular spraying and wiping the leaves with a damp sponge has worked well. It is recommended to thoroughly wash the affected plant with a sponge and soapy water, then spray it three times with an interval of 7 days with Actellik or Fitoverm (3).

Shield. Insects are noticeable on leaves and stems - they look like brown dry plaques.

The plant should be wiped with a cotton pad soaked in vodka, then washed with a soap solution, adding an infusion of tobacco dust (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of boiling water, boil for 30 minutes, leave for 24 hours, then strain and add 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry soap) . It is also recommended to spray with Actellik (3).

Characteristics and description

Modern indoor croton (codiaum) is a flower with leaves of various colors and shapes. It looks very impressive, which is why it is popular.

Sheet

The croton leaf blade is striking in its variety of shapes.

It can have the shape of an oval, a long twisted ribbon, be in the shape of an egg, or resemble a heart.

Croton leaves can be cut in the most bizarre way, have indentations, or be constricted.

There are also forms with unusual drooping leaves.

The size of the leaves also varies. There are large-leaved and small-leaved forms.

There are also species with different leaf sizes on the same plant: large, older ones on the bottom and small, younger ones on top.

The leaves also differ in texture. They can be leathery, with numerous veins, thin, or practically without veins.

They can be painted in two colors. Most often this is a combination of yellow and brown or yellow and green; it is also possible that the lower leaves are dark burgundy with light spots, and the upper leaves are yellow-green with burgundy spots.

There are specimens painted in five or six colors and shades at once.

Often the color of the leaves depends on age. The older ones are painted in dark tones, and the young ones, appearing both on top of the plant and between the old ones, are more delicate, soft yellow, soft pink or green in color.

Trunk

Like those growing in the wild, ornamental croton grows with an erect, thin trunk and can be tree-like or bush-shaped with numerous branches from the main trunk.

Some species do not have a trunk, but grow from the root in the form of a rosette of leaves or form the same rosette on a shortened, up to 1 cm, trunk.

Flowers

Not all species and specimens of croton bloom regularly. Bright sunlight stimulates active flowering. Most often, flowering begins in late February-early March.

First, a nondescript female peduncle appears. Once bloomed, it lasts for about a week. The peduncle with male flowers grows in April, and the flowers remain on it for about a month.

In appearance they resemble white dandelions with a yellow tint; faded inflorescences are replaced by newly blossomed ones. Newly appeared flowers emit a subtle, pleasant aroma.

During the flowering period, the plant needs a lot of moisture; when the soil dries out, the flowers dry out and flowering stops.

Sometimes two types of flower stalks, male and female, grow simultaneously. In this case, the flowers are cross-pollinated and then seeds are formed. In order for them to start with a guarantee, artificial pollination can be used.

If an adult croton does not bloom at home, it means that favorable conditions have not been created for it. Also, failure to comply with care standards can cause croton diseases.

Description of Croton

In the wild, croton grows up to 3 meters in height. And at home, this indoor plant grows up to 1 meter, and almost all of its species, with the most careful care, do not grow above one and a half meters. This flower is very beautiful and decorative. It can decorate not only our home, but also the lobbies of hotels, schools, medical institutions and various offices. Its leaves, of unusual color and shape, always attract people's attention. Croton has the shape of a small tree, although one should not hope for the rapid formation of a beautiful crown. In order for a flower to grow neat and beautiful, it must be trimmed, thereby forming a lush bush.

This is how croton blooms

Codiaum is a flowering plant. When croton rarely blooms, an arrow appears with small, inconspicuous flowers of light yellow color. These flowers are not particularly beautiful or decorative, but croton spends considerable energy and nutrients on their flowering. Therefore, flower growers usually remove these arrows immediately.

Croton species

Codiaum variegated is the most common domesticated species of codiaum. It is this plant that gardeners often call croton. There are about 15 species of croton, from which many hybrids have been developed. Different varieties differ in size, color and shape of leaves. Below is a description and photo of the most popular of them.

Petra

Croton Petra has bright green, dense, glossy leaves that are arranged alternately on the stem. They come in oval or lobed shapes. The edges of the leaves and veins are bright yellow. The trunk is branching.

Mrs Eyeston

Croton Mrs. Iceton has broad, short leaves with a rounded tip. The color of the leaves is uneven, has different shades - yellow, red, pink.

Norm

Croton Norma is distinguished by the fact that on its emerald green leaves yellow spots of different sizes and bright red veins clearly stand out.

Goldfinger

Gold Finger variety has very long, thin, green-yellow leaves.

Excellent

Excelent has leaves like oak - large, dense, with veins of different colors. The upper side of the leaf is yellow-green, and the lower side is yellow-purple down to the petiole.

Mammy

Mammy variety has beautiful red-green leaves interspersed with yellow, red and pink. The leaves are wavy, arching, and curl inward.

Gold Sun

Variety Gold Sun - has large oval leaves of light green color with yellow spots of different sizes.

This may be interesting: Caring for Philodendron at home

Croton Zanzibar is also distinguished by its leaves - thin, long, hanging down, and different colors - from yellow-brown and orange to red.

Description

The color of the foliage is incredibly varied: yellow, red, orange, purple, black dots and stripes are combined with lacy silver and bronze patterns.

Such magnificence, apparently, became the reason to call this plant “Joseph’s cloak” - after the name of the biblical character who received from his father, to the envy of his brothers, brightly colored clothes of fine workmanship.

They are called variegated codiaum and croton. This name is considered inaccurate by botanists.

Like many members of the Euphorbia family, the sap that contains Joseph's Cloak Croton is poisonous.

Therefore, it is not recommended to grow the plant where there are small children and pets, and after working with it you should wash your hands well.

When grown indoors, codiaum does not grow above a meter. He is demanding of living conditions, which should resemble his favorite jungle: warm, with bright lighting and high humidity.

However, at home, codiaum, “dressed in crimson and gold,” can not only be grown, but also propagated.

Reproduction

You can obtain new plants using cuttings throughout the year. To do this, the apical young or lignified shoot up to 10 centimeters in length is cut off from the mother bush. The milky juice is removed from the cut site and the wound is treated with crushed charcoal. After this, the cut site is treated with a root-forming composition and placed in a nutrient substrate.

The soil for codiaum should consist of peat and sand in equal volume parts. To quickly form roots, containers with cuttings are placed in a warm room with a temperature of 22-24 degrees. Caring for seedlings involves periodically watering the soil and spraying the plants.

An easier way to obtain new crops is leaf propagation.

In this case, a large leaf is taken from the mother bush, the milky juice is collected from it and dipped in water, and the cut area is rubbed with charcoal.

Next, the leaf is rooted in a moistened nutrient substrate of peat and sand. The vegetative organ is placed under a film, periodically ventilated and moistened. After the seedling has several stems, it is moved to a separate pot.

Croton diseases

Anthracnose. It appears as gray or brown spots on the leaves. The cause is often excessive watering and stagnation of water in the root zone.

For protection, spray the plant three times and water the soil with any fungicide, for example Fitosporin or Alirin (3).

Root rot. The first signs of the disease are the leaves turning pale. And then they dry out and fall off.

The plant must be urgently replanted by removing soft and damaged roots and sprinkling the sections with crushed coal. Add two Glyocladin tablets to the top layer of soil. Spray the plant and water it with Alirin solution (3).

Secrets of caring for codiaum at home

Caring for decorative perennials is not too difficult, especially for the most unpretentious varieties and species. The main conditions for proper cultivation are the use of high-quality nutrient soil, comfortable temperature conditions, optimal humidity levels and timely pruning of the above-ground part.

Requirements for soil and planting pot

Codiaeums grow and develop well in the presence of loose and well-fertilized soil. Purchased soil for flowering ornamental and deciduous plants is optimally suited for this purpose. When preparing it yourself, you should mix an equal amount of turf, leaf soil, peat chips and medium-grained sand.

The soil mixture is pre-frozen or calcined. Drainage based on expanded clay or clean pebbles must be poured into the bottom of the flower pot. The pot for growing a young plant should be of medium size. The flower pot should not be deep. An adult plant is grown in larger pots and flowerpots.

Optimal growing conditions

The heat-loving crop grows and develops at a temperature of 21-25°C. It is necessary to protect the plant from drafts and cold winds. In summer, the plant should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid burns of the foliage. East or west windows are best suited for placing a flower pot. In winter, you can place an indoor flower on a sunny southern windowsill.

Insufficient lighting negatively affects the decorative appearance of the plant - the foliage loses its bright color and becomes uniformly green. Croton loves bright, but fairly diffuse lighting and high humidity. The foliage should be wiped on both sides with a damp cloth. Once a week in the morning, spraying is carried out with warm and settled water with the addition of growth stimulants “Zircon” and “Epin-extra” or “Immunophytophyte”.

Planting and replanting indoor flowers

It is advisable to replant adult and well-developed plants every two or three years, after the root system becomes crowded in the flower pot. The new flower pot should be slightly larger in volume than the previous flowerpot. As a rule, the diameter of the new planting container exceeds the previous flowerpot by 5 cm.

Before replanting an indoor flower, the soil needs to be well watered. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment, preserving the earthen coma. You need to add fresh nutrient soil to the new planting container:

• one part of turf land;
• one part of leafy soil;
• one part of humus;
• one part peat;
• one part medium grain sand.

Watering and fertilizing

Codiaums need to be watered all year round, quite regularly and relatively abundantly. For irrigation activities, soft and settled water at room temperature is used. You need to water the flower as the top layer of soil dries, avoiding stagnation of water in the pan. Decorative perennials need high air humidity, so it is necessary to regularly spray with soft and settled water. Once a month it is recommended to give the tropical plant a warm shower. If necessary, you can place the flowerpot on a tray with well-moistened expanded clay or wet pebbles.

Technology and timing of pruning

In order for the decorative indoor codiaum to correctly form its crown independently in home gardening conditions, it is necessary to periodically prune it, as well as competently pinching the aerial part. Such timely measures contribute to very active branching of the plant. You need to trim the shoots with a clean and sharp tool, after which all cuts should be thoroughly treated with sulfur or crushed activated carbon. It is quite possible to use cut shoots as cuttings for independent propagation.

The first pinching is done after the above-ground part reaches a height of 15 cm. All subsequent pruning and pinching are carried out as the vegetative mass grows and develops, every 20 cm. All leaves that have dried, fallen off or thickened the bush must also be removed. Pruning can be done regardless of the time of year, and the croton itself tolerates such regular procedures completely painlessly.

Main varieties of croton

What gardeners mean by the name croton is actually codiaum - a perennial plant from the family Euphorbiaceae . It is grown indoors for its beautiful foliage, since its inflorescences are unremarkable. The plant is easy to care for, light- and heat-loving. Since it comes from the tropics, it needs constant moistening and spraying. Does not tolerate direct sunlight and dry air. Let's look at the most famous types of codiaum.

Dragon look

The plant is native to America. Adult specimens take the form of a tree with a very thick trunk. They are unique due to their unusual red resin, which is called “dragon’s blood”. It is in great demand in folk medicine because it has an anesthetic and antiviral effect.

Dragon croton resin is used in the treatment of dermatitis, ulcers, and wounds. This is a strong pain reliever. Helps with fractures, strengthens the immune system. “Dragon’s blood” is also used in the manufacture of varnishes.

Croton Cascarilla or Eutheria

In nature it grows in the form of a small, neat tree. The name croton means bark in Spanish. It is this component of the plant that has the greatest value. The bark exudes a pleasant, sweetish aroma. Aromatic cascarilla oil is produced from it.

Croton has medicinal properties. Effective for problems with the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. Due to its antiseptic properties it can be used for skin inflammations. Another use of the bark is to make liqueur flavoring.

Spiny Croton

In appearance, as well as area of ​​application, the species is very similar to dragon croton. It’s just a little smaller in size. The resin from the plant is used to make varnishes. The thorny variety is distinguished by its beautiful leaf color, combining green and red shades.

Similar: Geranium varieties with photos and names.

Laxative croton

Grows in tropical regions of Asia. Depending on the conditions of the natural environment, it develops in the form of a lush shrub or evergreen tree. Its main valuable quality is the seeds, from which an oil with a unique composition is made. It gives a laxative effect, which is where the name of the species comes from.

Croton is used in folk medicine, homeopathy, and cosmetology. They treat eczema, chronic constipation, and herpes. Also applied in case of a snake bite. In cosmetology, oil is added to peelings. All components of the plant are poisonous; 20 drops of oil are lethal to humans. Therefore, it is important to strictly adhere to dosages.

Variegated Croton

As the name suggests, its main difference is the spectacular combination of colors. This is the main species that became the progenitor of indoor hybrids. Depending on the variety, Codium variegatum may have spiral-shaped, wavy, oval, lobed, asymmetrical leaves. The coloring contains at least two colors. But mostly it’s a fireworks of colors. The main shades are green, red, brown, pink, yellow.

Absolutely all variegated crotons, varieties of which have different sizes, shapes and foliage colors, are distinguished by inconspicuous inflorescences. They are collected in inconspicuous brushes of white and cream shades. The plant does not bloom every year and only under favorable growing conditions.

Popular varieties

Tamara Branch

Croton Tamara Branch has elongated leaves that are shaped like feathers. The tips of the leaf plates are spiral. The foliage color is whitish-light green, and like most varieties it is spotted.

Variegatum

Codiaum Variegatum is the ancestor of all cultivated varieties of the genus. In the wild, it grows either as a shrub 1.5 m high or as a tree that grows up to 4 m. At the same time, on a windowsill it grows only up to half a meter.

Variegatum forms large leaves up to 30 cm long. Dense leaf plates are arranged alternately on the stem. Stem growth is very slow.

Zanzibar

Codiaum Zanzibar is distinguished by thin and long leaves. The color of the leaf blade is uneven, but most of it is green with small yellow dots.

Codiaum Petra

The green plant with large yellow veins looks great. This compact bush grows up to half a meter in height. Large, veiny leaf plates grow alternately and point upward. A special “accessory” is the bright yellow veins, which make the flower even more extravagant.

Mrs Eyeston

As an adult it resembles a mini tree. When young, the leaves have a delicate creamy tint. As the leaves on the tree mature, they first turn yellow and then bright green. Mrs. Eyeston amazes with its originality, since on one plant you can see all the colors at the same time.

If you care for the plant correctly, the entire tree will be covered with variegated foliage. The plant loves good lighting, but avoids direct sunlight; an extra portion of ultraviolet radiation can lead to burns.

Excellent

This oak-leaved compact indoor flower looks unusual: a bright emerald-colored top with yellow blurry spots, and below the leaves are a crimson shade. Each leaf blade is clearly outlined with brown veins. The flower stands out not only for its original color, but its leaves are shaped like oak leaves.

The perennial loves abundant watering. It should be watered when the top layer dries out. Excess water is immediately removed from the pan to avoid rotting of the roots. This variety is most popular among gardeners.

Mammy

Codiaum Mammi has narrow leaf blades, coquettishly twisted in spirals. The orange-red color of the leaves always lifts the mood, and the dark emerald stripes dividing the plate in two give the flower some intimacy.

Mammy looks bright. Yellow veins mixed with red ones add some severity to the leaves. Such a decorative element will decorate any interior.

Sunny star

The leaves are colored in warm sunny colors. The olive tip and edging at the edges make the foliage more defined. The young leaves of Sunny Star have a beige tint. As they “grow up,” they become scarlet and sunny yellow with pink splashes.

With insufficient lighting, the indoor plant begins to stretch and loses its attractive variegated shades.

There are also other varieties:

• Codium Mix. A variety that has many varieties. The mix with sharp edges on the tops of the leaves looks very original;
• decorative Gold San with yellow veins on a green background is very demanding in terms of lighting;
• the elongated glossy leaves of the Golden Ring are decorated with a scattering of spots as if they were gold;
• Gold Star looks like a branched bush with green plates bordered with gold;
• a beautiful and unpretentious plant with narrow leaves, Pictum Spot, is ideal for an apartment;
• the Nervia variety is good for decorating a workplace, as it helps to achieve recognition and increases perseverance;
• the decorative deciduous shrub Vilma is valued for its variety of variegated shades and unique leaf shapes;
• The rare variety Eburneum is also called the “white chimera”, since the color of the leaf blades has a milky tint. As the leaves mature, they turn pinkish;
• Spray champagne has oblong thin leaves, on which small spots are located, like splashes;
• The main decorative feature of Croton Aucubofolia is the color of the leaves. The plant blooms with delicate fluffy balls, which are collected in inflorescences. In order to enjoy the bright colors of Aucubofolia, bright lighting is necessary.

Types and varieties of codiaum

Breeders know about 17 varieties of the described plant, but at home they mainly grow variegated codiaum and its varieties . The classic species grows in the southeastern part of Asia in the tropical zone.

When developed in natural conditions, the plant has the appearance of a tree, its height reaches up to 4 meters. The leaves of the crop are leathery, up to 30 centimeters in length; the color of the leaf blades depends on the characteristics of the particular plant. Next, let's get acquainted with the most popular varieties of flowers.

1. Codium Mammi differs from other varieties in its narrow and small leaf blades with wavy edges. The leaves curl along the central vein. The colors of greenery can be very diverse; on one plant there are leaves of red and green color with pink splashes and yellow veins.

1. Croton Excelent has lobe-like leaves of green color and yellow veins. The inside of the leaves is red with brown veins.

1. Codiaum Mrs. Iceton has broad but short leaves. The leaves of young crops are cream-colored; with age they become pink or red with numerous yellow spots. Some crops also have dark, almost black or yellow leaves.

1. Croton Mix has many subspecies. The leaves of this crop with sharp edges are up to 20 centimeters in length. In some varieties, the size of the leaf blades reaches 30 centimeters.

1. Codiaum Sunny Star is distinguished by green leaves with yellowish tips. The leaf blades are slightly pointed, lanceolate in shape. Young leaves on this plant have a greenish color with yellow spots and the same veins.

1. Croton aucubifolia is widely used in indoor floriculture. The leaves of this plant have an uneven color with yellow and green tones. The leaf blades are quite narrow.

1. Codiaum Tamara has feathery leaves with a combination of white and green shades.

1. Codium Zanzibar can decorate any interior. This culture has narrow, long, lance-shaped leaves with curves. The leaf blades of Zanzibar are purple, yellow and green. Many gardeners choose this particular codiaum; caring for it at home is quite simple. This culture is quite beautiful, but rarely blooms.

1. Croton Petra differs from other varieties in its lined shoots with large, veiny leaves in an alternate arrangement. The leaf blades on this plant often contrast. Moreover, most of the vegetative organs are olive in color with variegated yellow spots along the veins.

1. Codium Gold Sun is a decorative indoor flower with beautiful variegated foliage. The variety needs sufficient lighting. The height of the plant does not exceed 30 centimeters.

Advice! Based on the given descriptions of species and varieties, you can select codiaum for growing indoors.

Subspecies

A huge number of hybrid forms are known in culture. Some varieties and forms:

Codiaeum variegatum var. genuinum diff. Genuine - the leaves are flat, entire, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, the apex and base are pointed. On the upper side of the leaf, especially along the central vein, golden or silver painting is noticeable. Sometimes the leaf has a reddish tint.

Codiaeum variegatum var. ovalifolium diff. oval-leaved - the leaves are oblong-oval, flat, entire, rounded-blunt at the tops and at the base, with pronounced golden-yellow areas on top and along the veins.

Codiaeum variegatum var. picturatum diff. decorated - resembles the previous one in leaf shape, but the “second” leaf is narrower and elongated, rather elongated-lanceolate.

Codiaeum variegatum var. recurvifolium diff. turned-leaved - has wide, almost oval leaves, their edges are turned outward.

Codiaeum variegatum var. tortile diff. tortoiseshell - the leaf blade is deltoid or heart-shaped at the base, elongated at the top, linear with a slightly pointed apex, leaf spiralization is weakly expressed. The leaves of various forms of this variation are distinguished by their variegated color: against an olive-green background, a reddish central vein, along which there is a golden stripe, and irregularly shaped spots of the same color scattered on both sides of the central vein stand out clearly. One plant may have leaves that are completely golden or have a reddish tint.

Codiaeum variegatum var. trilobium diff. trilobed - the base is wedge-shaped or deltoid, the leaf blade is tripartite. The color of the leaf is varied: there are forms with golden central and lateral veins, which are emphasized by spots of the same color. Other plants have wide golden stripes along the central and lateral veins.

Codiaeum variegatum var. volutum diff. wrapped - the broadly lanceolate, elongated leaves are rolled inward towards the stem, as a result of which the plant takes on an almost spherical shape.

Codiaeum variegatum f. angustifolium form narrow-leaved - leaves are narrow, linear, 15–20 cm long, 0.5–1.0 cm wide, apex slightly elongated. Golden spots are scattered randomly on a green background; the veins can also be painted the same color.

Codiaeum variegatum f. appendiculatum Celak

appendage-like shape - attracts attention with the original shape of the leaves. The broadly ovate or lanceolate-ovate leaf blade narrows at the apex, forming, as it were, a second petiole, on which a second leaf blade is formed, resembling the main one in shape, but smaller in size.

The color on both sides is green, although there are also variegated forms.

Codiaeum variegatum f. crispum cv. Spirale form curly cultivar Spirale - leaves petiolate, prostrate, rather long and narrow, oblong or linear-lanceolate, twisted into a spiral. Within this variety there are plants with different shapes of the leaf blade: linear-lanceolate leaves with golden veins forming a reticular pattern on a green background; leaves of the same shape, but spiral-curled with a golden central vein; leaves are lanceolate, extending from the stem at an angle of 30–45 °, rounded, along the central vein there is a golden stripe of indeterminate shape; the leaves are longitudinally lanceolate, more or less spirally twisted, with golden spots diffusely scattered across the green background.

Codiaeum variegatum f. lobatum has a lobed shape - the leaves are simple, quite large (18–22 cm long, 7–10 cm wide), the leaf blade is three-lobed, the central lobe is elongated, the lateral ones are shorter, separated from it by a deep notch. The base of the leaf is narrowed. The leaves are green with yellow stripes and spots.

3.Types of croton:

3.1.Croton Tamara Branch

Bright ornamental bushes up to 1.5 m high with erect, weakly branching stems, densely leafy oblong, lanceolate, hard leaves with large white and green spots.

3.2.Croton Excelent

Spectacular variegated plants with oblong, three-lobed leaves, colored emerald green. A distinctive feature of the variety is the presence of yellow, pinkish or red stripes on the leaf blades, located mainly along the leaf veins.

3.3.Mrs. Iceton's Codeium

Variegated plants with strong, erect, unbranched stems bearing bright, variegated leaves of a wide variety of shades. The leaf blades are glossy, hard, lanceolate. Unlike other crotons, this variety retains foliage along the entire length of the trunk and does not expose its lower part.

3.4.Croton Mammi – Codiaeum mammi

Beautiful plants with oblong, brightly colored leaves. The shades of the leaves are predominantly dark in color. The edges of the leaf blades have graceful curves, making the plant appear lush and curly.

3.5.Croton Zanzibar

Long-leaved codiaum with long, gracefully drooping leaf blades, dark green in color with longitudinal yellow, burgundy, purple or pink stripes and small contrasting specks on the surface.

3.6.Croton aucubifolia

Spotted plants with oblong, lanceolate leaf blades, which sometimes take on a vague three-lobed shape in mature plants. The leaves are glossy and green with small yellow spots on the surface.

3.7.Croton Nervia

Weakly branched, erect bushes with lanceolate, entire green leaves. Along the veins, the leaf blades have light yellow, wide stripes diverging from the center. The central vein is often highlighted in pink.

3.8.Croton Tiglium or laxative

This variety does not have a bright, beautiful appearance, but it has healing properties and, as the name suggests, is used as a laxative. The plant is an evergreen tree with lanceolate, green, glossy leaves. The lower surface of the leaf plates is painted in a lighter shade. During the flowering period, plants form small oblong inflorescences with inconspicuous flowers, which over time turn into rounded fruits. When ripe, the fruits acquire a yellowish-orange hue.

3.9. Croton curly

The main distinguishing feature of curly croton is its leaf blades with beautiful, curved edges. Leaf shades include green, yellow, pink, red, burgundy.

The leaves of three-lobed codiaums have two rounded projections on the sides - lobes.

Trimming

Probably every owner of Codieum sets the goal of growing a beautiful bush with an evenly leafy crown. This can be achieved by pruning. Formation begins in the spring. In a young plant, it will be enough to pinch the top; this procedure causes branching. In an old plant, the crown is formed by pruning shoots and removing excess branches.

To prevent fungal diseases, the cut area should be sprinkled with crushed coal. Cut branches are used for cuttings. Different varieties need to be pruned based on their characteristics. Codiaum Petra does not branch too much so that a beautiful lush bush grows; several pieces of future beauties can be planted in one pot.

Reproduction methods

Many gardeners dream of purchasing codiaum for their mini-garden. Reproduction of this flower occurs in two ways - seed and vegetative.

It is almost impossible to grow a plant using seeds. This is due to the fact that at home codiaum bears fruit extremely rarely, and the seeds of this flower are very difficult to find in the store. In addition, the process of growing from scratch will be very long and labor-intensive.

Since the codiaum flower reproduces by seeds very slowly, flower growers use stem and leaf cuttings.

Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is best done in the spring, starting in April. But experienced gardeners, with proper care, can carry out cuttings at any time of the year.

The process goes like this:

1. A cutting 10-15 cm long is cut from the top of the plant;
2. The segment is washed under running water in order to wash off the milky juice of the stem;
3. After washing, the cuttings are dried naturally for 2-3 hours;
4. To root a section, place it in warm water;
5. Coal or pharmaceutical blue is added to the water - this will help avoid rotting of the roots;
6. The plant must be placed in a greenhouse (made of glass or polyethylene), closer to sunlight, but without direct rays;
7. After 2-3 weeks, the roots will grow a couple of centimeters, and the shoot can be planted in a pot.

To speed up the process of root formation on cuttings, their lower part can be treated with a special agent - heteroauxin or phytohormones.

Rooting cuttings in stages

Propagation using leaves

Another method of cuttings is using leaves

It is important that part of the shoot with a bud is cut off along with the leaf.

Leaf propagation process:

1. The leaf with part of the shoot is cut in half;
2. Each part is buried 2-3 cm into the ground;
3. A greenhouse is created (the easiest way is to put a plastic bag on the pot);
4. Every day the shoot is sprayed and ventilated;
5. After 2-3 months, the cuttings will give roots, and they can be planted in different containers.

As soon as new leaves appear on the segment, they can be replanted. The growth of new shoots and leaves means that the cutting has not only given roots, but also gained enough strength for further growth and development.

Please note: different types of codiaum are cut in the same way. This is another plus of the plant, which greatly simplifies the task of gardeners.

Care

When growing the codiaum variegum plant, care at home will require fulfilling a number of requirements.

Lighting

All forms and varieties of “Joseph's cloak” need bright, mostly diffused, lighting.

Windows facing west or east are considered the best for codiaums.

On the southern windows, shading is necessary - otherwise there will be burns, and on the northern windows - additional lighting so that the motley color does not disappear.

Temperature

Croton needs a warm habitat, without drafts and sudden transitions from heat to cold, with an even annual temperature variation.

Optimal ranges are 20-22 degrees in summer and 18-20 degrees in winter. In any case, the temperature should not drop below 16 degrees In cold soil the plant rots.

The soil

“Joseph's Cloak” feels good in loose, fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction.

Ready-made soil mixtures are suitable for palms and ficus.

You can also mix equal amounts of turf, leaf (or peat) soil and washed river sand.

A few more recipes suitable for croton:

• Garden soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 3:1:1;
• Turf soil with small amounts of sphagnum and sand;
• Turf, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1.

Before filling the planting container with soil substrate, a drainage layer of expanded clay, broken bricks and pieces of charcoal must be poured onto its bottom in order to prevent stagnation of water and rotting of the root system.

Transfer

When replanting a grown plant, choose a slightly larger pot, 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

Croton will not like an overly spacious “apartment”.

When replanting variegated croton, they try to transfer it without destroying the earthen ball.

The frequency of transplants depends on the age of the croton and the intensity of its growth.

As a rule, young specimens require an annual change of “home”. With age, the interval between transplants will be 2-3 years or more.

It is recommended to replant codiaum purchased in a store into a “home” container with a drainage layer and fresh soil mixture, freeing its roots from the transport substrate.

Humidity

Croton is a true child of the tropics and needs year-round high air humidity: ideally it should be 70-80%.

Such a plant must be sprayed with soft water - regularly, daily, especially since it has practically no rest period.

A monthly shower useful , as is placing the container on a tray with wet pebbles.

Watering

For regular, abundant watering of the “Joseph’s cloak,” you need soft , well-settled, not cold water.

When dosing, it is important to follow the principle: “water, but do not overfill.”

Ideally, the soil does not dry out more than 2 cm, and water does not stagnate in the pan.

Those gardeners who understand the language of plants well focus on the barely noticeable drooping of the codiaum leaves: as soon as this occurs, watering is needed, and quite generously.

Top dressing

From April to August, croton should receive weekly fertilizing with fertilizers for variegated or decorative deciduous plants. Alternating organic and mineral fertilizing also gives good results.

In the autumn-winter period, the frequency of fertilizing (after watering, on wet soil) is reduced to once a month.

Bloom

In the summer , under favorable conditions, crotons can bloom with inconspicuous shaggy bunches of balls.

Flowering, pollination, and ripening of codiaum seeds are a subject of interest to breeders who develop new varieties.

In the usual practice of home floriculture, the resulting buds are removed so that the codiaum does not waste energy on the development of flowers.

The very intention of the croton to bloom indicates that the plant is happy, it wants to live and reproduce here.

Reproduction

In indoor culture, codiaum is propagated vegetatively: by cuttings and layering.

Propagation by cuttings: The best will be apical cuttings 10-15 cm long , with at least two pairs of leaves, cut with a sharp knife in January-April.

The cut areas are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. The milky juice is washed off, the lower cut of the cutting is treated with a root formation stimulator and placed in soil with a temperature of 25-26 degrees.

Cover with plastic wrap, ventilate regularly, moisten the substrate, and spray the cuttings.

The standard rooting period is a month.

Reproduction by air layering: With this method of propagation, choose a fairly long branch , bend it to the surface of the soil, sprinkle it with it and fix it.

After the buried branch takes root and produces new shoots, it is separated from the original plant.

Propagation of codiaum using cuttings

With this method of propagation, a lot will depend on the chosen cutting itself; you need to decide which part of the plant to take the cuttings from and what time to choose for this.

All months are suitable for propagation, with the exception of January-February, since this is the resting time for the plant. Rooting of cuttings during this period will be weak, or may not occur at all.

The best time to root cuttings, of course, is spring.

Suitable cuttings:

• apical shoots with an active bud;
• stem shoots with one leaf;
• You can use the woody part of the plant without buds at all.

In general, you can use almost any part of the plant. The main condition is the correct cutting of the cuttings themselves.

Each of them must have:

• length - 6-12 centimeters, no less;
• thickness - 7-8 millimeters;
• or at least one leaf, and for apical shoots - a couple of leaves, so that they take root better.

You need to examine the plant and identify those shoots that can be used for cuttings.

Codiaum is a poisonous plant, but the poison is contained only in the sap of the plant. It can cause an allergic reaction and even a burn on the skin.

Therefore, all cutting work should be carried out only with gloves, and then wash your hands with soap after fiddling with the flower.

Stages

Having decided to start cuttings and choosing a suitable mother plant:

• determine the shoot in order to cut the apical part. In addition, stem shoots are selected that are suitable for obtaining several cuttings.
• The cuttings are carefully cut off and laid out on paper so as not to confuse where the top is (for those that do not have a crown)
• The cuttings should be kept in warm water for several minutes to allow the milky juice to drain. Afterwards, you can lightly treat it with wood ash so that the juice does not stand out.
• 1-2 leaves are left on each cutting for adequate nutrition and faster rooting. To better retain moisture, the leaves are sometimes tied and rolled into a tube, which helps retain water in the leaf.

• Cuttings on cuttings must be kept in the air to dry, and then treated with a root growth stimulator (root or zircon). Thanks to these preparations, not only does the root system form better, but the cuttings are also saturated with useful microelements, which are so necessary during establishment;
• Rooting is carried out either in prepared soil or in water. When rooting in the substrate, you need to cover the cutting with a jar or plastic bottle. You can also make a small greenhouse out of film. But in any case, we must not forget about daily ventilation of the shelter.
• When rooting in water, you need to monitor the temperature and quality of water in the jar with the shoots. A healthy and powerful root system will be ensured by maintaining the water temperature from 24 to 30 degrees.

If all necessary conditions are properly met, the roots begin to germinate in three to four weeks.

Possible problems during cultivation and methods for eliminating them

• Loss of turgor in leaves. Spray the leaves with warm water and analyze the conditions. The reason may be insufficient watering - wet the lump; in waterlogging, because without air access, the roots cannot consume water - carefully remove the entire lump from the pot, wrap it in paper to remove excess moisture, and let it dry; in a very cold coma, for example, in winter on a cold windowsill or after watering with cold water, the roots cannot consume cold water - move the plant to a warm place, water with warm water.
• The appearance of brown spots on the leaves. The reason often lies in non-compliance with the watering regime. If the coma dries out too much or with systematic waterlogging, the roots suffer, and as a result, necrotic spots form on the leaves. Such stains will not disappear; they should be carefully cut out so as not to spoil the decorative effect, and be sure to adjust the watering. If the roots are not seriously damaged, these measures are sufficient; the roots will gradually recover. It is better to avoid replacing soil; do it in extreme cases; after such a transplant, the plant needs resuscitation.
• The leaves have lost their gloss and become whitish. The reason may be severe spider mite infestation, which is observed in dry air, overdrying or overheating of the plant. Normalize conditions, arrange weekly warm showers, and in case of severe damage, treat with acaricides.
• Falling leaves. Typically, leaf fall is a consequence of hypothermia of the plant, strong drafts, drying out of the coma, or severe mite infestation. Normally, with age, the lower leaves naturally fall off due to old age; this process occurs intensively with a lack of light.
• Dry tips of leaves. The reason is that the air is too dry. Increase air humidity.
• Light dry spots on the leaves. These are sunburns. Such spots will not recover; remove the plant from direct sun.
• Loss of variegation. Occurs due to lack of light. Move the plant closer to the light.

Common codiaeum diseases and their treatment

The most common diseases of the codiaum flower:

• Anthracnose.
• Root rot.

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that appears as gray and or gray-red spots. For treatment, it is necessary to apply a course of treating the plant and soil with a fungicide with a break of 10-15 days. Recovery will occur after 3-4 times of disinfection.

Signs of root rot are the appearance of faded and soft leaves of the flower. The root system becomes watery and stratified. Very often mold appears on the surface of the soil. To combat this disease, first of all, replace the soil with dry soil, reduce the abundance and frequency of watering. A solution of antifungal drugs (for example, Fitosporin-M or Alirin-B) is poured into a saucer.

The video below describes in detail about codiaum diseases and their treatment:

Such information will be useful for all owners of such an elegant beauty. After all, knowing about the risk of a disease, you can prevent its occurrence.

Reproduction methods

Indoor codiaum is propagated by seed or by cuttings.

Seed material must be fresh. To begin with, the seeds are poured with warm water (50-60 degrees) for half an hour, then taken out and left to swell for 24 hours, wrapped in a moistened napkin.

While the seeds are being prepared, make up the soil mixture

It is important that it is drained, nutritious, slightly acidic, with high parameters of water and air permeability

The seeds are buried 1 cm into the substrate, watering is carried out using the bottom method through a tray until the first shoots appear. When the seedlings acquire 2-3 leaves, you can safely transplant the young plant into small separate pots.

Most often at home, the cutting method is used. To do this, cut a stalk 8-15 cm long from the top, wash it under running water so that all the milky juice is completely released, and then dry it under natural conditions for a couple of hours. After all the manipulations, the cutting is placed in warm water in order to root it.

To avoid rotting of the roots, you can add a little coal to the vessel, or you can tint the water with pharmaceutical blue. It is advisable to create greenhouse conditions in the container - cover it with plastic film or glass in order to maintain high humidity and an optimal temperature for germination of +25.28 degrees Celsius. To place the container, you should choose bright places, but such that they are not exposed to direct sunlight.

Rooting usually takes 2-3 weeks; as soon as the roots grow 2 cm, the shoot can be moved to a permanent place of residence.

Experienced flower growers advise propagating codiaum leaves; to do this, they are cut into two parts, buried with cuttings in the ground and covered with a bag, periodically watering and spraying. After 2.5-3 months in a comfortable environment, the plant takes root and roots appear.

Caring for codiaum at home

According to experienced flower growers, caring for codiaum is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. This shade-tolerant plant will not cause any trouble even for an inexperienced gardener. Next, we will look at all the nuances of care in more detail.

Lighting

It is recommended to place a pot with this flower on windowsills facing the eastern or western part of the world. It is not recommended to place such a plant on southern windows, because intense sunlight in this place can cause burns to its leaves.

Temperature and humidity conditions

The temperature in the room when growing croton in the summer should be stable, corresponding to 20-25 degrees.

With the arrival of winter, the temperature can drop to 18 degrees, but not lower.

The culture does not tolerate exposure to drafts; codiaum sheds its leaves from cold air, so keep the flowerpot with the plant away from open windows and doors.

Despite the fact that Croton is a leaf succulent, it requires a humidity level of 70-75% for normal development. Such indicators can be achieved by regularly moistening the leaves of the plant. In addition, the leaves should be constantly wiped with a damp soft cloth or napkin. To increase the humidity level, place a container with water and expanded clay or pebbles next to the pot.

Watering

The indoor codiaum flower is watered as the top layer of soil dries. The amount of irrigation liquid should be moderate; if it is over-moistened, the crop will begin to shed its leaves.

To prevent stagnation of water, drainage from expanded clay is arranged at the bottom of the flowerpot. Watering the plant must be done with soft or pre-boiled water. You can also use pre-settled tap liquid.

This video talks about the Euphorbiaceae family and how to care for plants of this family, in particular croton:

Top dressing

During the growing season in spring and autumn, the plant must receive additional nutrients from the soil. Feeding is carried out every two weeks. To enrich the soil with useful substances, special water-soluble store-bought fertilizers are used. The working solution is prepared in accordance with the instructions on the package.

How to replant codiaum with proper flower care

Replanting a codiaum flower may be necessary up to 2 times a year. This is due to the rapid growth of the plant and the rapid growth of the root system, which, filling the entire space of the pot, will not have the opportunity to develop further. In this case, the growth rate will immediately decrease noticeably and the leaves will begin to fall. The new container should be 2-2.5 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. As a rule, an adult, fully formed croton is placed in a pot with a diameter of 25-27 cm. Of course, with age, the flower no longer has such an active growth rate, and replanting will be needed less often. It will be enough to update the upper layers of the substrate once every 6-8 months.

In terms of care and transplantation, codiaum at home is quite difficult and even dangerous to health. Be careful! The juice irritates the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, if it gets on the skin, it is necessary to immediately rinse the affected area on the body with running cold water. It is best to use household gloves (nitrile or rubber) when working and caring for such a plant. And, of course, do not start such a plant if there are small children and pets in the house.

Transplanting a codiaum flower at home is usually done in spring or summer. To do this, select a wide (up to 12-13 cm in diameter) and shallow (no more than 17 cm in height) pot, fill the bottom with large expanded clay - a layer at least 2.5 cm thick.

You can also use broken bricks or small gravel as drainage. Then you should fill the container with substrate, without filling 3-4 cm to the top of the pot. Make a small depression in the center and plant the plant so that the roots do not touch the drainage layer. After compacting the soil a little, add the substrate to the very edge of the pot. Pour in warm, settled water. Remember that the pot itself must be placed on a saucer of water, covered with gravel. This will ensure soil moisture during hot periods.

Below is a video on how to properly transplant a codiaum flower at home. Check it out to make the transplant process easier or for general information: