Tradescantia Species And Cultivation

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Woman's gossip

According to the horoscope, the zodiac sign Gemini (May 21 - June 21) patronizes plants: asparagus - feathery, dense-flowered, asparagus; ferns - hearty, humpbacked blehnum, ear-shaped mnogoryadnik; feathery palms, graceful callisia, purple netcreasia, ivy, tradescantia zebrine. Many plants from the Kommlevye family, to which Tradescantia belongs, are considered one of the most unpretentious crops used for landscaping rooms with hanging vases, baskets and other ampel structures. Scientific name

Tradescantia(Tradescantia) received in the XIX century. named after the English botanist and naturalist of the early 17th century John Tradescant - the gardener of the Duke of Buckingham and the founder in London of one of the first botanical gardens, as well as the Museum of Natural History. This plant was popularly given the nickname "woman's gossip" - because of the stems hanging from the pot, densely covered with lanceolate leaves sticking out in all directions, and so strongly intertwined that they are difficult to separate from each other, it is difficult to find the end or beginning of the branch - like the same gossip; and you don't know where that came from. The birthplace of Tradescantia is South and Central America, where, in natural conditions, "woman's gossip" is common in the swamps of the tropical forests. This is a plant accustomed to wet soil and poor lighting,it spreads there in all directions with its branches on the surface of the earth, strengthening with roots. At home, Tradescantia blooms during dry periods, sometimes it is observed in indoor conditions (April - August). Inflorescence is a curl with small purple or pink (less often white) flowers, in paired curls. In room culture, there are a very large number of rather close species (about 80) of tradescantia, which even botanists can hardly distinguish. In addition, breeders have recently created many varieties, incl. and variegated. In room culture, there are a very large number of rather close species (about 80) of Tradescantia, which even botanists can hardly distinguish. In addition, breeders have recently created many varieties, incl. and variegated. In room culture, there are a very large number of rather close species (about 80) of tradescantia, which even botanists can hardly distinguish. In addition, breeders have recently created many varieties, incl. and variegated.

White-flowered Tradescantia (T. albiflora)- originally from Brazil. This is one of the most common types. The stem is round, succulent, dark green, covered with small (5-6 cm) pointed ovoid leaves. The upper side of the latter is bright green, the lower one is somewhat lighter, pubescent at the base. There are several forms. So, the form of the white-flowered tradescantia species - f.albovittata - is white-striped: leaves with white stripes on a light green background. Its whitish-green leaves have an alternate arrangement. The latkensis form differs from the previous one in stripes not white, but pinkish. The "tricolor" form has pink stripes in the center of the leaf, and white stripes on the sides. Form Aurea - with yellow leaves (golden stripes on a white background). It grows well in low light from artificial light sources. Its shape is highly prized Rocheford silver - with white spots. This very unpretentious plant does not bloom often: its small snow-white star-shaped flowers stand out clearly against the background of foliage, it is actively used for landscaping dimly lit rooms (it is also good for north-facing windows).

Riverside Tradescantia (Tr.fluminensis) came to us from the swampy subtropics of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay. It is similar to white-flowered, but more graceful and bright, the leaves are somewhat darker, smaller. In this species, the stems and the lower part of the leaf surface are purple, the flowers are small, white. The plant is very shade-resistant, grows at any temperature, but regular watering and spraying is necessary.

Blossselfeld's Tradescantia (Tr.blossfeldiana)- originally from Argentina; there one plant is capable of forming huge clumps over a large area. This species has creeping, pubescent stems, easily rooting in short internodes. It has rather fleshy, highly pubescent leaves (in shape from narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptical): their upper side is dark green in color with a reddish tint, and the lower side is mauve (almost purple), leaves up to 10 cm in size. Numerous peculiar in shape mauve flowers are located at the ends of the shoots. In

Tradescantia navicular (Tr navicularis.) From Peru - herbaceous plant with creeping stems and leaves are ovate-shaped navicular, dvuhryadnoraspolozhennye, leathery, sukkuletnye, margin pubescent, red flowers.

Venezuelan Tradescantia (Tr. Venezuelens). The name itself speaks of where this plant comes from. In its abundant clumps, small egg-shaped leaves of a pale green color look great. At

tradescantia virginina (Tr. Virginina)from North America - a low plant with shortened stems - narrow linear two-row leaves, in which the plate is folded along the midrib, and at the top it grows together in the form of a shuttle. There are long thin hairs at the base of the leaf blade. Due to its unpretentiousness, Tradescantia requires almost no maintenance. It grows well on windows of any orientation. But species and varieties with a striped color are best placed in brightly lit places: then the pattern takes on clear outlines. A bright location is required for good strong specimens. When a multi-colored tradescantia is placed (the upper part is green, the lower one is red, violet or purple) in partial shade, the contrast of its color becomes more noticeable. Plants with a uniform (green) color are not demanding on lighting and do well in significant shading (at temperatures not lower than 14 ° C). Tradescantia is satisfied with a variety of soil mixtures (but a light substrate with good drainage is better). The optimal composition for its cultivation is considered to be a mixture of sod and leafy soil, humus and sand (2: 2: 2: 1). In summer, watering should be regular and abundant (excess water must drain, otherwise the brightness of the leaves decreases). The plant responds well to low rates of mineral and organic fertilizers, which are reasonable to apply with each watering (but can be fertilized once a month). In winter, when the plant is not so active, it is watered as the topsoil dries up, but foliage is often sprayed. At this time, it is advisable to keep Tradescantia away from heating systems:it prefers cool conditions (10 … 15 ° С), but does not tolerate drafts (cold air can cause discoloration of leaves). Among the pests of Tradescantia, we will name aphids, which can attack young leaves, causing them to slightly discolor. Spider mite also causes discoloration of the leaf blade, preferring rooms with low air humidity. Plants inhabited by these pests are recommended to be treated with soapy water, more often sprayed with water. The sometimes observed browning of the tips of the leaves is possible due to damage by insects, but rather it is a lack of watering or increased dryness of the room air. Usually the plant is renewed every 3-4 years when it begins to shed leaves at the base. You can pinch the stems (at a length of 70-80 cm) to delay the moment when the Tradescantia begins to "go bald". But usuallyplants older than two years of age grow more slowly and often begin to lose their decorative effect and attractiveness, so they should be periodically renewed (replaced with younger ones). An interesting phenomenon testifies to its adaptability and desire for survival: when the stems dry out, starting from the root, then a juicy twig with green leaves lives for a long time at the end of the dry stem. Under these leaves, which encircle the stalk at the bottom, there is a swelling ("nodule") with small root buds. Near the latter, transparent hairs are noticeable, which, apparently, trap water droplets, thereby contributing to the formation of roots. As soon as this nodule comes into contact with moist soil, rooting will take place. You can just break off a piece of the shoot in 2-4 knots at the Tradescantia, but it is better to cut the branch under the knot of the stem,the lower end must be removed, put into water. After 10-20 days, filamentous roots will appear, after which the seedlings can be planted in any soil. If a cut off twig of Tradescantia with 2-3 leaves is immediately planted in moist soil or sand, the roots will appear in 3-4 days. Rooted petioles can be planted in a long box painted with green paint, and two slats need to be nailed along the edges. Then pull a wire between them and tie a few ropes along which to start the branches of Tradescantia. Then the plants will stretch upward, forming a green wall - a screen (sometimes up to 3-4 m high). By the way, when the exposure and aging of the stems begins, the plant can be restored with abundant pruning. Tradescantia, growing back, quickly develops numerous leafy shoots up to a meter long. This plant is suitable for growing in hanging vases and for decorating windows, columns and walls of any height. It looks best as a mixture of several types of plants, represented by differently colored leaves. It is good to place Tradescantia on a flat surface as a ground cover crop, for example, when decorating a winter garden: when planted in the ground, the plant grows rapidly, forming a solid bright green carpet with its clumps, and sometimes whole thickets with rising ascending shoots. Also, this type can decorate the soil surface in large vases with a large tree. This is an excellent plant for landscaping premises with artificial lighting. It is good to place Tradescantia on a flat surface as a ground cover crop, for example, when decorating a winter garden: when planted in the ground, the plant grows rapidly, forming a solid bright green carpet with its clumps, and sometimes whole thickets with rising ascending shoots. Also, this type can decorate the soil surface in large vases with a large tree. This is an excellent plant for landscaping premises with artificial lighting. It is good to place Tradescantia on a flat surface as a ground cover crop, for example, when decorating a winter garden: when planted in the ground, the plant grows rapidly, forming a solid bright green carpet with its clumps, and sometimes whole thickets with rising ascending shoots. Also, this type can decorate the soil surface in large vases with a large tree. This is an excellent plant for landscaping premises with artificial lighting. This is an excellent plant for landscaping premises with artificial lighting. This is an excellent plant for landscaping premises with artificial lighting.