Planting shrubs is a great way to add dramatic variation in height and texture to your landscape. In addition, such a wall can become a hedge that will hide the yard from prying eyes and zone the space. Today we’ll look at shrubs that bloom pink, their names and photos.
Description of the plant
Cordilina is a representative of the Asparagus family. In nature, it is found in all regions with subtropical and tropical climates.
This is a tree or shrub with thick and strong roots and lanceolate, sword-shaped or linear leaf blades.
Attention! At home, cordyline grows extremely slowly.
The annual growth is 10-15 cm. In height, as a rule, the plant does not exceed 1.5 m. With age, the lower leaves of the shrub die and fall off, as a result of which the plant becomes similar to a palm tree. Flower growers value cordilina for its spectacular foliage and unpretentiousness.
Features of the monstera plant
The homeland of a powerful vine with carved leaves and a climbing stem is the humid tropics of South and Central America. The regions where natural monstera grows are famous for their impenetrable jungle. This is the most fertile place for a vine, since long, fleshy shoots need support so that large leaves can reach towards the light.
Monstera is a flower whose generic name is translated from Latin as “monster”. The specific term “deliciosa” means “delightful”, “attractive”. It would seem an impossible combination - a “delightful monster”! However, how can one not admire such a creation of nature, where the foliage enchants, and the numerous aerial roots are alarming.
The bizarre grooves and holes in the leaves are surprising. Researchers in the description of the plant explain differently why perforations occur. Their versions:
- Lightens the weight of large leaves.
- The appearance of slits is associated with the absorption of light.
The “delightful monster” rises to a height of up to 20 m along the trunk of the host tree, entwining it with a stem with aerial roots. These thick, cord-like roots grow from the nodes of the main stem and are additional conductors of food.
Indoors, the vine wraps around a strong support and within 4–5 years can grow 3 m in height. In the light, more perforated leaf plates develop. Indoors, monstera leaves reach 0.5 m in diameter.
On the leaf blades of Monstera, namely at the tips of the lateral veins, there are hydrators - special organs through which the plant secretes drops of water. This phenomenon occurs when there is excess humidity, and is commonly called crying.
Most often, droplets appear on the eve of rain. At this time, atmospheric pressure drops and the process of water movement from the roots to the surface of the leaves and stems, where it naturally evaporates, slows down. Monstera cries because it needs to get rid of excess moisture and with little evaporation.
Nature has carefully provided the leaves of many plants of the araceae family with small stomata, through which excess water escapes.
Flowers and fruits
Monstera blooms and bears fruit spectacularly. At the top of the shoot an inflorescence-cob appears with many small flowers. The spadix is surrounded by a white petal-like bract (spread) reminiscent of a large white stool or anthurium flower.
After flowering, tightly seated fruits are also formed - purple berries, aromatic, edible.
To admire the flowering of Monstera, you need to create conditions for it that are close to natural. The plant is placed as close as possible to western or eastern windows. In summer, water frequently and spray regularly. Owners of older specimens of the tropical vine can watch the monstera bloom indoors.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the diversity of the aroid family: Dieffenbachia, Syngonium, Anthurium.
How does it bloom?
Flowering of the plant occurs only in nature, at the age of 8-11 years.
When grown at home, it is almost impossible to admire the extraordinary flowers of this beauty. If this happens, it will be no more often than once every three years.
Cordyline blooms with small white, cream, red or purple flowers, collected in dense paniculate inflorescences reaching a length of up to 1 m.
How to properly transplant a monstera
An adult monstera is transplanted once every 2-3 years, after 5 years of life - once every 3-4 years. Every year, in a flowerpot with an old plant, replace a layer of soil 3 cm high with fresh soil. Choose a monstera pot of approximately the same diameter and height, 3–4 cm larger than before (for a young plant). For an older specimen, a ceramic pot 6–10 cm wider than the previous one is suitable.
The procedure for replanting a monstera so that it does not wither after changing the size of the flowerpot and changing the soil.
- Expanded clay drainage 2–3 cm high is placed at the bottom (gravel or pieces of foam plastic can be used).
- A layer of soil for monstera is poured on top, consisting of a mixture of turf and leaf soil with the addition of sand in a ratio of 3:1:1.
- Having taken the plant out of an old pot with a lump of earth, cut off the inanimate parts and shorten the tangled roots.
- Monstera is placed in the center of a larger pot at the same height.
- Install a support nearby.
- The lower aerial roots are directed into the soil and lightly compact the substrate around.
- Add the required amount of soil.
- Watered.
They determine whether the roots are cramped in the pot or whether the monstera needs to be replanted by the quality of the substrate. If the water stagnates, an unpleasant odor is felt and a white or green coating appears on the surface of the soil. At the same time, the roots rot and the growth of shoots and leaves weakens.
Varieties and species with names and photos
The plant unites about 20 different species, differing in size, shape and color of the leaf plate. The following are especially popular.
Straight variety
The most unpretentious look . It reaches a height of 3 m.
It has linear or lanceolate leaf blades with slightly serrated edges, colored green or purple. Leaf length is 60 cm, width - 3 cm. It is distinguished by a high, straight stem, covered below with the remains of dying leaves.
Feels comfortable in cool rooms.
Red
Palm lily or Cordyline rubra is a valuable ornamental plant. Can grow up to 4 m.
It has leathery, slightly concave, lanceolate leaves that are dark green with a reddish tint. Leaf length 50 cm, width 4.5 cm. Blooms in summer with lilac flowers. It does not require special care.
Apical
The most popular species for home cultivation. It has a straight thin trunk, which can sometimes be slightly branched. It reaches a height of 2 m.
It has green lanceolate leaf blades with a crimson, red, pale pink border or stripes.
When kept indoors, it remains compact for a long time and does not have a trunk.
Sheet length 50 cm, width 10 cm.
Fruticosis
A plant with one or several thin trunks up to 1.5 cm in diameter. The leaves are lanceolate, veined, 50 cm long and 10 cm wide.
The length of the petiole is 15 cm. In nature it has a green or variegated color with a purple tint. Blooms with loose cream panicles .
Mix
This is not the name given to a specific variety, but to species and varieties of Cordyline collected on one pallet under one name, denoting mixing.
Australis
Incredibly spectacular, yet undemanding, the plant is especially loved by gardeners.
It has rich green or striped narrow leaves up to 3 cm wide and compact attractive bushes. Outwardly it resembles a dracaena .
Mambo with scarlet or purple leaves
The plant has a thin trunk and an unusual color range of leaf blades, which can be rich green, scarlet, bright red, burgundy or purple. At home, the height does not exceed 1.5 m.
With proper care, it can delight you with gorgeous white or red-purple flowers.
Also called king tree.
Southern dracaena
The tallest type . In its natural environment it grows up to 12 m.
It has a rigid, widening trunk and sword-shaped leathery green leaves with a wide central vein of light color. It blooms with white flowers with a pleasant aroma, collected in meter-long panicle inflorescences. Sheet length 90 cm, width 7 cm.
Terminalis
It is distinguished by large lanceolate leaves of various shades: from soft pink and green to brown or burgundy. In nature it grows up to 3 m in height.
It has erect stems, which become bare in the lower part over time, while maintaining an attractive appearance.
Tango
A variety of cordyline apex.
They are small and neat trees with lush tufts of leaves of a non-trivial brown color with white veins and scarlet edging. Moreover, with age, the plant does not lose the splendor of the rosette and its beauty.
How to properly care for monstera?
When bringing such beauty into your home, you need to consider that this tropical plant grows large even indoors. This means that as you grow, it will take up more and more of your space, and the rise in height is stopped only by the ceiling level. Then it becomes more difficult to care for the upper leaves.
Monstera care at home
air layering monstera
Monstera is distinguished by its high ability to develop aerial roots that extend from the trunk of the plant. The plant throws out quite a lot of them, and these roots grow to a great length. They are designed to secure the plant to support points or in the soil.
Long ago, tropical forest pioneers mistook the monstera's aerial roots for the long tentacles of an unknown monster. But in truth, these shoots are very fragile and are of great importance for the life of the vine ; rough handling of them should be avoided and any damage should be avoided. If the wall near the monstera is rough or textured, the roots may become firmly attached to it. If these adventitious roots are long enough, they should be directed to the pot for rooting.
A liana, especially a large and heavy one, cannot do without support; for this, special supports decorated with coconut fibers are usually purchased. For growing plants, a smaller support is also suitable.
Suitable lighting and temperature levels
In its natural environment, monstera grows in shady but sufficiently lit areas.
After all, direct sunlight leaves burns on the leaves, and the lack of light slows down the growth of the beauty, up to a complete stop. This, of course, will not lead to death, but the appearance of the plant will deteriorate and the decorative effect will decrease. The temperature comfortable for the successful development of monstera ranges from 10 to 24 degrees above zero. The plant is resistant to sudden temperature changes. The warmer the air, the faster the monster grows, provided there is sufficient humidity.
In a cold room, the plant stops developing and goes into a dormant state until the air temperature becomes comfortable.
Watering and fertilizing regime
Monstera comes from the tropics, which means it loves high humidity. It is necessary to periodically moisten the leaves of the plant, because they constantly saturate the room with moisture. Therefore, the leaves of the vine are wiped with a damp cloth, and for a glossy shine, water and milk are mixed.
An actively growing plant needs light watering; do not allow the substrate to become dry. When entering a dormant state, minimal watering is recommended.
For good growth and maintaining high decorative properties, the monstera is fed in a timely manner using fertilizers with organic and mineral substances. In the summer, fertilizers are applied weekly, with the onset of cold weather - 1-2 times a month.
How to replant?
Monstera has a high growth rate, so the growing vine must be replanted annually, sometimes every two years.
When replanting, it is better to exercise extreme caution, because the vine is very delicate, plus you should remember about the fragile aerial roots. Upon reaching 5-6 years of age, the plant acquires enormous dimensions, which means that replanting should be stopped. From now on, you can limit yourself to regular replacement of the top layers of the substrate.
An adult plant requires a wide and deep pot, because the root system of the plant is very powerful and voluminous. In a cramped pot, the monstera slowly dies.
Good drainage is placed in the lower third of the pot, the remaining volume is filled with a mixture of the following components:
- peat 1 share
- turf 1 share
- humus 1 share
- sand1 share
As you understand, everything is taken in equal proportions and mixed. Or buy a special substrate in the store.
Is pruning necessary?
Monstera is pruned once at a young age to begin the formation of a voluminous spreading plant. Repeated and final pruning can be done for more branching.
It must be taken into account that the pruned vine is suitable for growing only in large rooms, and it needs good and strong support.
Benefits, harms and properties
According to superstitions, cordilina has a positive effect on creativity and, being a true peacemaker, maintains a warm atmosphere in the house, helps restore the aura, neutralizes quarrels and suppresses gossip.
It is recommended to keep Cordilina in houses where strangers often come : thanks to her, the owners will never feel tired and empty after the guests leave.
In the teachings of Feng Shui, cordilina combines the energy of wood and fire. By placing it in the corner of the room, you can activate the Chi energy. In addition, the plant belongs to the Yang type and is not recommended for placement near working and sleeping places. The optimal part of the house for cordilina is the south or east side.
Pruning a domestic palm tree
Removing weak and diseased shoots contributes to the rejuvenation and formation of the plant . Thanks to pruning, the lateral buds begin to grow, and the cordyline creates a dense leafy crown.
You should take a sharp and clean knife and trim the top of the bush. It is important that the cut part is no shorter than 6 cm, has leaves and is woody. Then the cut areas must be sprinkled with coal powder. After 14-20 days, fresh shoots will appear at the cutting sites.
The cut top can be rooted in water or a damp mixture of peat and sand, and after the roots appear, plant it in a small pot.
Propagation by seeds
Help : with the seed propagation method, the varietal characteristics of the parent plants are lost, so it is suitable only for species plants.
Seeds are sown in early March in turf soil mixed with sand. They sprout unevenly and germinate for quite a long time, within 1-3 months, but the grown trees are fully adapted to home conditions.
Now you have the necessary information about this chic and unpretentious plant that can decorate your home or office and create a peaceful atmosphere in it. All that remains is to choose the type of cordyline that is most attractive to you.
Diseases and pests
Monstera is little susceptible to disease and is rarely affected by pests. The most common pathology is root rot. One of the reasons is infection by soil fungi. The leaves turn yellow, lose their elasticity and fall off. The problem is aggravated by improper care of the monstera, a pot that is too large for it, and a decrease in air temperature. You can save a diseased plant by replanting it in fresh soil.
Monstera variegata and other varieties of tropical vines are more susceptible to “care diseases”:
- Brown leaf edges indicate that the plant is kept too cool and wet.
- If there are no light spots or holes, then there is probably not enough light or nutrients.
- Small and dark upper leaves in combination with yellowed lower leaves appear with insufficient watering.
Monstera, although rarely, is still damaged by scale insects, spider mites, and thrips. A small number of parasites can be dealt with by washing the cuttings and leaves with a stream of water and wiping with diluted alcohol. In case of mass pest infestation, chemical protection agents are used: Aktara, Iskra, Aktellik, Fitoverm.
Monstera is a vigorous or compact vine with beautiful leaves. Caring for the plant is simple, exciting, and brings the joy of communicating with a green friend. With the help of a pet, you can create a cozy “tropical paradise” in your apartment. The luxurious green leaves of Monstera are a rest for tired eyes, absorbers of the ubiquitous dust and a powerful source of oxygen.
