Clerodendrum Ugandan: description, rules of care and reproduction

Clerodendrum Ugandan grows in the tropical forests of Africa and Asia. Nevertheless, the plant feels great in an ordinary apartment.

Opposite dark green leaves (maximum length 10 cm) are ellipsoidal. They are slightly wrinkled and pointed towards the end. The veins are pronounced. Touching the leaves leads to the fact that the plant begins to emit a specific, not very pleasant smell, saturated with essential oils.

The shoots of a young clerodendrum are flexible and soft, but as they mature, the plants become more rigid and resemble wood. In the wild, they reach 2.5 m in length, turning into a real liana and entwining nearby shrubs and trees.

The flower is small (about 2.5 cm) and consists of 5 light blue petals. The central one is slightly darker. Very long stamens, curved and slightly curled, give particular attractiveness. Due to the fact that the petals are also curved, a resemblance to a butterfly is created. Flowers are collected in small bunches.

In order for the plant to grow quickly and please with abundant flowering, certain measures must be taken to keep it in the apartment.

The plant needs an abundance of light. Direct hit of rays will not bring discomfort or harm to him. The ideal location is a southwestern or southern windowsill. In spring and summer, it can be transferred to an outdoor terrace or balcony.

If you leave Ugandan Clerodendrum in the northern part of the house, there will be little light for it. This will lead to a complete lack of flowering.

Compliance with the required temperature regime is the key to good growth of clerodendrum. The plant likes hot summer. In winter, he needs coolness: 12–16 ° C. This condition will allow the clerodendrum to rest and gain strength before the next flowering.

The natural habitat is the tropics, which are characterized by a hot and humid climate. It is necessary to create appropriate conditions in the apartment. Dry air is contraindicated for a plant, therefore, at any time of the year, it is necessary to ensure good moisture and regular watering. The easiest way to achieve this is to fill a pallet with damp expanded clay or pebbles and place a planter with a flower on it. Keep in mind that this is additional needed hydration, not the main watering.

Use soft, settled water that has reached room temperature. During the growing season, the plant needs maximum moisture. Pay attention to the condition of the potting soil. If it is slightly dry on top, watering is necessary.

It is important to show a sense of proportion: do not flood the plant. Although it loves moisture, a large amount of water will lead to acidification of the soil. The consequence of this will be the decay of the root system.

When clerodendrum has faded, it will need less water. For a dormant plant, watering is reduced as much as possible. Be careful during this period and do not allow the substrate to dry out. Otherwise, it can cause the death of the flower.

It is not very convenient to keep a liana plant in the apartment, so pruning is done. It is necessary, since flowers are formed only on young shoots. Another advantage of the procedure is the increase in bushiness. The plant will give additional branches, while maintaining compactness and aesthetic appearance.

Pruning can be done in the spring, when there is active growth, or in the fall after flowering. Be careful. 1/2 or 1/3 of the shoot is removed. With minimal pruning, the crown can be shaped like a long curly vine. In this form, Clerodendrum looks good in a hanging planter as an ampelous plant. To form a tree and give it the shape of a trunk, leave the central shoot and periodically pinch the side branches.

Fertilization is an important condition for proper maintenance. Top dressing is done 2 times a month from spring to autumn. For abundant flowering, the plant needs potassium and phosphorus, so before buying a product, pay attention to the content of these elements in it. Nitrogen fertilizers will cause the formation of greenery, but will negatively affect flowering. After the clerodendrum has faded and falls into a dormant state, no fertilization is needed.

The plant needs a transplant. Its intensity is determined by the age of the clerodendrum. Annual transfer to new pots is required for young plants. For mature people, the procedure can be carried out once every 2-3 years.

The soil should be nutritious, loose, slightly acidic, and allow air and moisture to pass through well. It is better to purchase ready-made soil that meets all the declared characteristics. If you want to prepare the mixture yourself, then you will need the following components, taken in equal proportions:

• peat;
• humus;
• turf or leafy land;
• river sand.

A drainage layer (4–5 cm thick) must be placed on the bottom of the planter to prevent moisture stagnation. The transplant is done as carefully as possible, since the plant is very delicate. Roots that are too long can be pruned. If a fairly large pot is chosen, then the plant will grow very quickly. The final stage of the transplant is tamping and good hydration.

A characteristic feature of the plant is that it reproduces well. The easiest way to propagate clerodendrum is by grafting. Just 1 internode on the workpiece is enough for it to give roots.

• The material is taken in mid-March. The length of the cutting is about 5 cm. If it is taken from the middle part of the plant and the top is a cut, and not the crown with leaves, then it must be shortened to the point where the internode with leaves begins. Otherwise, this part can rot.
• No need to put it in water to root a workpieceas is done with many other plants. The cutting must be processed with Kornevin. It stimulates root formation. So that the composition is well fixed on the cut, the workpiece is first dipped in water, and then in the mixture.
• The prepared material is immediately planted in well-shed soil. and crushed it to prevent the formation of voids.
• Next, you need to create a greenhouse effect. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is by placing a glass with a handle in a zip bag.
• The workpieces need bright lighting. Remember to ventilate daily.

You can also propagate clerodendrum by seeds. The optimal time is March. After sowing, the soil is well moistened and covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect. It is necessary to create favorable conditions for germination: warmth and an abundance of light. Every day you need to arrange a short airing.When the first leaves appear, a dive is made.

Insects can harm the plant.

• If you notice that the leaves of the clerodendrum have begun to fade, a cobweb has appeared, it means that the plant has been attacked by a spider mite. Try washing the leaves with soapy water. If the method does not help, you will have to process it with a special insecticidal agent.
• Falling foliage, stopping growth indicate the appearance of aphids. A small greenish pest can be seen with the naked eye. Severely affected areas will have to be removed. Then treat the plant with Aktara.
• A white bloom on the leaves indicates that a whitefly has started. You can fight this pest using drugs that destroy aphids.

For information on the rules for caring for Ugandan Clerodendrum, see the next video.