Types and cultivation of Rocissus at home

Roicissus is a popular indoor liana native to the rainforest. For the amazing shape of the leaves in Russia, it was called the home "birch tree". For all its unpretentiousness, the flower is distinguished by its high decorative effect.

The birch Rhoicissus is a related plant of the cissus family, which includes over three hundred species of lianas, shrubs and dwarf shrubs. But cissus is distinguished by a more complex structure of the leaf plate, the shape of which is not only dissected.

The origin of the name of the flower is associated with the Greek word kissos, which means "ivy" in Russian. Roicissus has nothing to do with ivy, it got its name from their visual resemblance to them. In appearance, the stems of the plant resemble vines. They are indeed capable of growing up to two meters. At the same time, the leaves remain green all year round. Shoots are often covered with short-hair tendrils. It is they who help the plant to cling to the protruding support elements and braid them. Shoots are characterized by a fairly rapid growth. They reach their limiting value in a short time.

Rocissus blooms in the summer and occurs only in natural conditions: unremarkable umbellate inflorescences with a mass of very small light green flowers appear on the bushes. But the leaves on the "birch" grow really gorgeous: large, diamond-shaped, with a pronounced similarity with the leaves of a real Russian birch. However, the shape may be different, depending on the type of plant (grape, rounded, finger)

Growing lively curly decor yourself is easy enough. Especially considering the fact that the culture is growing rapidly, is unpretentious in maintenance and serves as a real decoration of the interior and landscape. Shoots of a herbaceous perennial in natural tropical conditions can grow more than 3 m.

There are several main types of plants.

This species has a long stem (1.5-2 m), giving thin shoots and succulent leaves of grassy color. From the outside, their color resembles an emerald, and from the inside, they are lighter in tone. Stems and foliage are covered with a shallow reddish-red edge. Small antennae are visible on the stems. It is optimal to grow such a roicissus in flowerpots; with its use, columns are effectively decorated and phytowalls are created.

The climbing plant grows up to 2 meters in length and implies growing on supports. Varieties are inherent rapid growth and the presence of beautiful decorative leaves, which are like grapes.

This species differs markedly from the rest of its representatives. It got its name from the shape of the leaves that resemble fingers. Finger rocissus is often used in indoor phytodesign. Bright foliage from the inside is covered with a short pile with a pronounced redhead.

This type of plant has the simplest form of leaves - rounded, with a wavy edge. The color of the leaves is dark green, the front surface is glossy, with an attractive shine, from the inside there is a small edge in the form of typical reddish villi. When flowering in nature, inflorescences with miniature creamy buds appear on the branches.

This vine is distinguished from other species by the unusual structure of the leaf plate. It consists of 3 parts. The leaves are framed with a coarse toothed edge. Their upper side is deep green, and the bottom is somewhat paler. In the tropics, yellowish flowers with a barely noticeable green tint bloom on the plant.

The home "birch" was very popular with admirers of decorative cultures. In indoor conditions, it demonstrates rapid growth, unpretentiousness and the ability to serve as a wonderful natural decor.

Rocissus soil can be made from 2 parts of garden soil, a similar amount of turf, 1 part of humus and an equal volume of coarse sand. Such a mixture will allow moisture to pass through to the required extent and contribute to the nutrition of the plant roots. With self-preparation of the soil, it is supposed to disinfect the components using manganese or high temperature. If there is no way to make the necessary soil with your own hands, you can find it in gardening stores.

A spacious and stable container is needed to accommodate the plant. It should be borne in mind that it will have to be periodically changed, because the "birch" grows very actively during the growing season... Young plants require transplanting at least twice a year. For grown-up specimens, it is supposed to replace the pot with a larger one every year. When the plant is in a container with a diameter of 30 cm, it can no longer be transplanted, limiting itself to annual renewal of the surface layer of the soil. Transplanting a very mature plant is usually quite difficult due to its impressive size. You do not need to transplant it, but simply add about 3 cm of fresh substrate to the pot.

This culture does not welcome contact with direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burns. When a liana is disturbed by bright light, this becomes noticeable in its appearance: the color of the foliage brightens significantly, spots appear on the leaves, the usual gloss disappears, and wilting begins.

In this case, the container with the "birch" must be moved to a less sunny place. If there is an opportunity to choose, a pot with a plant should be arranged on the windowsill of the eastern or western window opening. This variety needs a lot of lighting, but this should not be intense, but diffused.

It is also comfortable for the roicissus to be in partial shade for a long time. In general, excessive sun rays can disturb him only from the south side of the window. If the flower is placed far from the window and there is additional lighting nearby, working for several hours a day, there will be no harm to it.

The flower does not welcome high humidity, but it is recommended to spray the foliage periodically. It is especially important to do this during the heating season, when the air in residential square meters becomes very dry.... Stagnation of water in the flowerpot is not allowed, which can lead to decay of the roots. In a container with a vine, it is imperative to make drainage and provide holes in the bottom.

On average, you need to water up to 3 waterings per week. The frequency depends on the placement of the "birch". If it is located close to the ceiling, where the most sultry and dry air is, then the flower will have to be watered more often. When a guest from the tropics lives on the windowsill, a couple of watering will be enough.

Home liana actively grows in conditions of low humidity and steadfastly perceives the dry air inherent in urban housing. In this case, it is advisable to spray the plant regularly: this procedure has a positive effect on the beauty of the foliage. It becomes greener, there is no drying of the leaves at the edges. Roicissus periodically needs to arrange a warm shower, gently removing dust and dirt from the foliage.

In the warm season, the flowerpot can be placed on the balcony or taken out into the garden, controlling the illumination by the sun and, if necessary, shading it in the midday heat. In order for the bush to grow sprawling and decorated, it is necessary to regularly pinch the tops of the shoots.

Liana, growing at home, responds negatively to excessive water hardness. Watering is best done using boiled water. You can also water the Rocissus with filtered (settled) water. Its temperature should be fully consistent with the room space.

During the warm period, the plant is shown to be at room temperature in the range of + 18-22 degrees. For the winter, the pot is placed where it is cooler, where the temperature is about +15. Growth is possible at +10, but no less. In the room where the "birch" from the tropics is located, drafts are unacceptable. No need to "walk" the vine on the balcony and in the garden. Plant disease can be the result of such errors.

Due to the rapid growth of Rocissus at home, it actively absorbs nutrients from the soil, which requires owners to regularly replenish these reserves.... Top dressing is needed a couple of times a month. It is better to acquire fertilizers of a liquid consistency. They are usually stocked at every gardening store.

Top dressing of lianas begins from mid to late March, and stops at the end of October. In winter, the resting phase begins for the rocissus. The pot is transferred to a cool room, where the air is warmed up to +15 degrees, watered moderately and occasionally, preventing root rot. During the wintering, additional feeding is not required.

The lashes need to provide support. It must be as reliable and stable as possible.... Usually it is made in the form of a ladder or a lattice. For vines, choose stable and inflexible supports. So the plant can not only get stronger, but also miraculously decorate the room with a fresh green screen. To do this, the plant will have to be guided by a combination of techniques such as garter and pruning.

Roicissus respond well to formation. Cutting long shoots is only necessary for thickening and in an effort to limit the size of the crop. With the arrival of spring, the plant must be examined to identify damaged and thinned shoots. If any are found, then it is advisable to cut them out or shorten them almost to hemp.

"Birch" is a purely indoor culture, it does not like tempering in open areas. Unlike other home flowers, it is not customary to take the roicissus outside or to the balcony in summer.

Roicissus is an absolutely non-capricious culture that is very rarely ill.... But mistakes in caring for it can contribute to a deterioration in the appearance of a flower. Insect pests are a real danger to culture: spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies.

"Birch" can be propagated in two ways.

• Cuttings... It is best to do this in the spring, when the plant releases fresh twigs. The stalk must be carefully trimmed, leaving at least a couple of internodes on it. Prepared cuttings are immersed in a container with a prepared wet mixture of sand and peat. After 12-14 days, the planting material will be ready.
• By shoots... A plant that has rested over the winter is cleaned of old shoots and slightly rejuvenated. The cut branches are lowered into the water in anticipation of the roots. Once they are long enough, you can repot them in pots with a suitable substrate.