PESTROLIST POLISCIAS – LANDING AND HOME CARE

Thanks to the unique color of the leaves Balciura Pennockii police deservedly considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful variegated varieties, invariably attracting the attention of lovers of decorative leafy indoor plants.

Balciura Pennockii police – Photo

DOSSIER

Balfour Police (Polyscias balfouriana) naturally occurs in Australia (Queensland) and Papua New Guinea. Previously, it was referred to as aralia (Aralia) and panax (Rapah). Named after 19th century British botanist John Hutton Balfour (John Hutton Balfour). Pennockii is often mistakenly referred to as "Pinocchio", although his name has nothing to do with the fairytale character Pinocchio, as it reflects the name of Pennock Growers kennel from Puerto Rico, who introduced this cultivar. Besides ‘Pennockii’, other variegated varieties of Polisias Balfour are known, including ‘Marginata’ - with creamy white leaf edges and 'Variegata’ - with white edging of the leaf blade.

DECORATIVE QUALITIES OF THE POLISCIAS

Pennockii has an original multicolored leaf color, combining dark green, green, light green, ivory and almost white tones. Colors may vary, retaining the characteristic features of the variety: the edges of the leaf blade are painted in the darkest shades, and along the main veins - the lightest. Young specimens have simple leaves., but with age they become ternary.

The cultivar is also valued for its beautiful upright habit and relatively slow growth., allowing for a long time to maintain the size and shape of a small to medium-sized shrub. Polisias tolerates pruning well, therefore, if necessary, with its help, you can form or correct the appearance of the plant.

FEATURES OF GROWING

The variety requires bright diffused lighting or light shading from direct midday sunlight. In conditions of insufficient insolation, variegation is less pronounced, shoots are stretched, some leaves fall off.

The substrate must be kept moderately moist, avoiding severe dryness and gulf. In summer, in the heat, watering is abundant, it is cut in winter, allowing the soil mixture to partially dry out between waterings. It is preferable to use rainwater or not very hard water with a low content of calcium and magnesium salts. The plant reacts positively to high humidity..

The variety is thermophilic, the temperature should not drop below +16 city., optimum - +20-24 city.

Top dressing with complex fertilizers twice a month during the period of active growth has a positive effect on the color of the leaves and the appearance of the plant.

Pennockii propagated in greenhouse conditions lignified stem and semi-lignified apical cuttings, as well as air layering.

Of the pests, the most dangerous are spider mites, scale insects and aphids, of diseases - root rot and bacteriosis.

When working with a plant, it is necessary to consider, that all of its parts contain saponins - substances from the group of glycosides, which can cause irritation to the skin and oral mucosa.

POLICE – BONSAI. VIDEO

© Author: Mikhail MANYAKOV, head of the indoor plant lovers club, Photo by the author and Irina Olshanyuk