Fatsia: features, reproduction and care at home

Fatsia is one of the most beautiful decorative deciduous plants. She is often decorated with the interiors of halls, lobbies and living rooms, and in Japan and China is used in folk medicine and landscape design. The flower is resistant to most diseases, shade-tolerant and perfect for beginners.

Fatsia (lat. Fatsia) is a small genus of plants in the Araliev family. Under natural conditions, fatsia is an evergreen shrub with few branches or a small lush tree. Japan is considered the homeland, and today the forests of the Far East, China and Taiwan are the distribution area. Fatsia's closest relatives are ivy and aralia, which is why its first name sounded like "Japanese aralia". However, later, to avoid confusion, the plant was given its own name. People often call it Japanese or homemade chestnut.

Fatsia looks very impressive and majestic. It has a massive, but at the same time neat crown, and at home it can grow up to 2 m. The plant is especially proud of its large multi-lobed cut leaves, which have a leathery texture and characteristic gloss. In their shape, they can be heart-shaped or round and consist of 5-10 lobes. The color of the leaves is also varied: they are both monochromatic dark green and with variegated spots and a spectacular border.

The shoots of the plant are rather thin and often bend under the weight of the leaves. This requires the construction of special supports that support massive sheet plates and adjust the shape of the crown.

In addition to high decorative qualities, the plant has a number of medicinal properties. Its decoctions are taken for rheumatism, colds, diabetes and many other diseases, and are also used as a tonic for low pressure.

Moreover, during planting and transplanting, it is necessary to protect the skin of the hands and try to avoid contact with the roots of the plant.

Fatsia is one of the most prominent large-leaved houseplants and is strongly associated with a number of superstitions and superstitions. She is credited with the ability to neutralize bad thoughts and negative emotions, as well as improve the psychological microclimate in the family. It is believed that in the houses where fatsia is grown, there is a positive energy, there is less abuse and quarrels, and the household is always in a good mood. It is rather difficult to say whether this is true or not, but the wise Japanese call fatsia flower of family happiness and gladly decorate their homes with it.

The plant does not bloom very effectively: panicle inflorescences consist of many small white flowers and are not particularly decorative. But since fatsia is grown as a beautiful deciduous plant, this is not so important for her. In addition, during flowering, many growers cut the peduncle and do not allow it to bloom, maintaining the attractiveness of this representative of the flora.

Fatsia fruits appear immediately after flowering and look like small blue-black berries, reminiscent of black mountain ash. Their seeds often do not ripen, and the ripened ones quickly lose their germination and become useless.

The Fatsia clan includes three types: Fatsia Japonica, Fatsia Oligocarpella and Fatsia Polycarpa. However, for indoor growing, only one is used: Japanese Fatsia, or Japanese (lat.Fatsia Japonica).

The main result of the selection was the appearance of variegated plants, differing not only in the shape of the leaf, but also in its size. Several especially popular varieties are characterized by good survival rate at home and high decorativeness.

• Variety "Spider web" (lat. Fatsia Japonica Spider 's Web) is distinguished by large beautiful dark green leaves. They are carved, have a distinct vein pattern and interesting coloring. At the edges of the sheet, it is as if sprinkled with silvery crumbs, which looks very impressive against a dark saturated background. The variety is quite unpretentious and often forgives the owners for minor mistakes in care.

• Fatsia Japonica "Samurai" cultivar It has a beautiful crown with finger-like glossy leaves. "Samurai" grows very quickly and in 2 years is able to reach 1.5 m. The leaves are rounded, heart-shaped base and located at the tops of the shoots. With proper care and creating comfortable conditions, their transverse size reaches 35 cm. The plant is highly decorative and looks great all year round.

• Variety "Variegata" (lat.Fatsia Japonica Variegata) it is also a very popular and unpretentious plant to grow. An adult flower reaches a height of 75 cm, although some specimens can grow up to 90. A characteristic feature of variegated fatsia is leaves with white or yellowish spots, chaotically scattered over the leaf. The plant does not require the creation of specific conditions and grows well at a normal room temperature of 20–22 ° and an air humidity of 60%.

• Variety "Moseri" (lat. Fatsia Japonica Moseri) is the smallest member of the species and is very popular. The plant is a compact bush up to 50 cm high with dense shiny leaves of deep green color. The stem is very weakly branching, due to which the plant does not require a separate place and can be grown on a windowsill along with other flowers. Of all the known varieties, "Mozeri" is the most capricious, therefore it is often planted in aquariums, where it is easier to maintain the microclimate and the necessary humidity.

• It should also be noted the type of Fatshedera Lizei (lat.Fatshedera Lizei). He is a hybrid of ivy and fatsia, and is highly popular with flower growers. The plant is an evergreen herbaceous liana with palmate-lobed leathery leaves and a thin stem that grows up to 5 m.Shoots become woody over time, and the dark green leaves form a dense, luxurious crown. This type includes several interesting varieties, with both plain and patterned leaves, and are used to decorate large halls and lobbies.

Despite the unpretentiousness and good survival rate, fatsia still requires the creation of certain conditions.

The most favorable temperatures for the spring, summer and early autumn periods are considered to be 20-24 °.

In most cases, this is normal room temperature and no additional heating or cooling measures are usually required. Winter is another matter. During this period, the temperature it is necessary to maintain within the range of 16-18 °, and for some varieties and not at all higher than 10-15 °. This is due to the dormant state in which the plant stays from October to March.

However, compliance with the temperature regime is more a recommendation than a mandatory action, and if it is not possible to create such conditions, then this will not be critical for the plant: Fatsia is able to winter safely both on a glazed loggia and in a warm room.

The second important condition for growing a flower is moisture. Due to the large surface of the leaf plates, transpiration processes are quite active. And if the loss of moisture to the plant is not compensated for in time, the leaves will begin to dry out and lose their decorative effect.

To increase air humidity, resort to daily spraying of the flower with soft water at room temperature. In winter, the regularity of humidification is reduced, guided by the air temperature in the room. So, if the room is cold, then the irrigation is suspended for the entire dormant period, and if it is warm, then it is reduced several times.

Fatsia does not tolerate exposure to direct sunlight and should be located at the back of the room. Alternatively, east and west windows are suitable, with the condition of creating moderate shade for the flower. To do this, you can place the plant in the shade of taller species or artificially diffuse the lighting using a tulle curtain or gauze. However, you cannot choose a too dark place for a flower.

The lack of ultraviolet light significantly slows down development, and as a result, the flower may stop growing. That's why large adult plants are usually placed in the shade in order to slightly restrain their growth and preserve decorativeness.

Hybrid varieties with variegated and patterned leaves are considered especially sensitive to lack of lighting, which is why they are recommended to be placed in a brighter room. Less demanding is variegated fatsia, which tolerates shading well and can be grown in apartments with north-facing windows. Most varieties are not too demanding on the level of illumination and are perfectly adaptable to any light conditions.

The following video talks about caring for Fatsia.

Home care for Fatsia includes regular watering, fertilization, and pruning.

The plant needs to maintain constant moisture in the earthen coma and does not tolerate its drying out. If for some reason the flower has not been watered for a long time and has time to wither, then it will no longer be possible to restore the withered leaves. Even with the resumption of watering, they will not acquire the same elasticity, and to maintain the decorative effect of the bush, they will have to be lifted with the help of supports. Excessive moisture also does not bode well for the flower.

At first, its leaves will lose their shape and noticeably soften, and then turn yellow and fall off. So that such troubles do not happen, it is necessary to constantly monitor the state of the substrate, and when the top layer dries to a depth of 1.5–2 cm, immediately water the plant.

In winter, they simply carefully observe the substrate and maintain it in a slightly moist state. If the plant hibernates in normal indoor conditions and is not going to rest, then the frequency of watering is not changed. At the same time, less liquid is introduced and the soil is allowed to dry to a depth of half the pot. It is advisable to use soft and settled water for irrigating fatsia. Hard tap water can cause white streaks on leaves and stems.

Fatsia is fed during the period of active growth, which lasts from April to October. Fertilizers are applied every 2 weeks, using any complex of mineral additives for decorative leafy flowers. Preference should be given drugs with a high nitrogen content, since it is he who contributes to the active formation of green mass. In winter, regardless of whether the plant has fallen into a state of dormancy or continues to be awake, feeding is stopped.

Crown shaping and sanitary pruning are also essential care items for Fatsia. After pruning, the crown becomes much thicker and more luxuriant. In addition, the timely removal of old shoots and branches causes the active growth of new ones, which contributes to the rejuvenation of the flower and an increase in its decorative qualities.

All old, damaged and overgrown shoots that thicken the bush are removed for removal. To stop the rapid growth of the plant, you need to cut off several main stems. Usually, after this, the bush begins to actively build up side branches and practically does not grow upward. Pruning is performed with a sharp disinfected knife, sprinkling the slices with crushed activated or charcoal.

Fatsia belongs to the species that tolerate transplantation very poorly. After planting in another pot, the plant is sick for a long time and does not adapt well to a new place. However, the root system grows rapidly and eventually ceases to fit in the old container. Therefore, the transplant is often a necessary measure and is performed once every 2-3 years.

The problem could be solved by planting a young plant in a pot for growth, however, this method will not work either: the root system, once in a large container, will begin to actively grow, spending all the strength and reserves of the plant to increase its mass. At the same time, the aerial part will receive less portions of nutrients and noticeably slow down in growth. Therefore, the transplant is performed in a pot, which is only 1.5 cm wider than the previous container.

The procedure is carried out by the transshipment method, while trying to preserve the earthen lump as much as possible. To do this, a layer of expanded clay is laid on the bottom of the new pot, which will serve as a drainage, and soil is poured on top. As an earthen mixture, a ready-made universal substrate or a home-made composition is used. It is prepared in the proportion 1X1X1X2 from the following elements:

• humus;
• peat;
• river sand;
• turf.

After transplanting, the bush is placed in the shade and not watered for 3-4 days. Then it is slightly moistened, rearranged to a permanent place and carefully transferred to the general care regimen. The procedure is recommended to be carried out in the first half of March, after the plant comes out of dormancy. If, after 2-3 years, the root system has not grown much and fits well in the pot, there is no need to transplant the plant.

Fatsia can be propagated by cuttings, seeds and air layers.

The seed method is the longest and most labor-intensive, therefore it is not used very often by flower growers. Seed material is usually purchased in a store, since seeds at home ripen very poorly and quickly lose their germination. Sowing is carried out in a loose nutritious soil, evenly placing the seeds on its surface, and sprinkling them with a centimeter layer of earth. Then the substrate is slightly moistened from a spray bottle, covered with foil or glass and placed in a well-lit, warm place.

After the first shoots appear, the greenhouse is dismantled and wait until 2 leaves grow on young shoots. Further, the plants dive into separate containers and are transferred to general care.

Cutting is the simplest and most reliable method of propagation and is done in the spring. For this, a strong stalk with 2-3 swollen buds is cut off from a healthy shoot and its cut is processed with Kornevin. Then it is buried in a moistened sandy-peat substrate to a depth of 2 cm.

A mini-greenhouse is built over the handle, using a glass jar or polyethylene for this, and a temperature of 25 ° is created inside. Rooting occurs rather quickly, and after 1–1.5 months, the first leaves appear on the young shoot. After their appearance, the greenhouse is dismantled, and the plant is transferred to general care.

Reproduction using air layers requires some experience and skills. To do this, an adult shoot is cut in a circle and the place of the cut is wrapped with sphagnum moss, attaching it to the stem with foil. The moss is constantly moistened, and after 2-3 months young roots appear from the incision. Then the shoot is cut just below the resulting roots and planted in a separate container.

Fatsia is quite resistant to many flower diseases, and most flower development disorders are associated solely with care errors.

• If the tips of the leaves of the plant dry out, then the matter is most likely in the low humidity of the air. To correct the situation, you should spray the flower more often and use a moisturizer.
• If suddenly the leaves dropped and began to turn yellow, then the reason often lies in excessive waterlogging of the soil and high humidity. To save the plant, you should remove it from the pot, cut off the roots damaged by rot, sprinkle the wounds with "Kornevin" and plant in a freshly prepared substrate.
• If a flower sheds foliage, then most likely it lacks warmth. In this case, you need to rearrange the plant in a warmer place and ensure that there are no drafts. If only the lower leaves fall, and the rest looks vigorous and strong, then nothing needs to be done: this is a natural process of renewing the green mass.
• If the leaf plate is covered with yellow spots, then, apparently, the plant has received a sunburn. In this case, it is necessary to remove the pot deep into the room or shade the flower.
• Twisted leaves indicate an attack by a spider mite, and the appearance of yellow-brown rounded swollen dots indicates an attack by a scabbard. In such cases, treating the plant with insecticides will help.

You can watch how to care for Fatsia in the next video.