CARE FOR TRADESCANCE – MONTHLY DESCRIPTION

TRADESCANCE: WEED OR LUXURY?

Tradescantia is an amazing plant! Growing fast, breeds easily, not afraid of the direct sun, practically does not get sick. And thanks to the variety of species and varieties, everyone will find their own flower. It can be an instance of classic green, mysterious purple, delicate pink, playful striped, incredibly large or small, with or without interesting flowers… Tradescantia is unpretentious and survives in almost any conditions. With her wild popularity, she scares off some flower growers.. I was also skeptical about the plant, until it settled in my house.

TRADESCANCE: SPRING CARE

It's time to cut a branch somewhere for rooting.. In principle, this can be done at any time of the year., but at this time the growth of roots is much faster.

If you have an adult plant, then its stems at the roots are most likely bare. In this case, the tradescantia needs to be updated.. Transplanting is problematic - the branches are fragile and break easily. Better to re-root them.

Use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears to give the bush the desired shape, and plant the "cuttings" in a new pot with loose soil. Make a cut under the knot (roots will grow from it). Any stalk can take root, if he has a couple of nodes for the growth of roots and new leaves. It is most convenient to use twigs with a length 10-20 cm. Remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem, so that they do not rot.

You can also put the cuttings in water. The main thing is then to place them in a bright, warm place.. Through 3-5 days you will see the roots. Let them grow a little and get stronger, and then plant in the soil.

I plant in one pot 3-5 twigs, so the plant turns out to be more lush. The container is not very deep. There must be a hole in it, so that the water does not stagnate and the roots do not rot. I put a drainage layer on the bottom.

A mixture of universal soil and baking powder is suitable for growing Tradescantia.. I use garden soil with added peat, sand, ash, perlite and vermiculite

TRADESCANCE: SUMMER CARE

From late spring to autumn, my Tradescantia lives on the veranda. Here she has enough light and direct sunlight. Leaves take on a richer color. The bottom turns dark purple, and bright silvery stripes appear on top of them. They seem to sparkle in the sun!

In hot months I water the plant abundantly, as soon as the topsoil begins to dry.

Tradescantia loves spraying. Don't do it on a hot day, if the plant is in the sun. Drops of water can cause burns on the leaves..

When the bush grows up, starting to form it. I cut the tops of the longest shoots. These twigs (about 10 cm) can be gently stuck in the same pot, after making a hole in the ground with a thin stick or pencil.

The plant needs pruning for future splendor. If you want to get a more ampelous effect, then you do not need to pinch.

Once a month I feed with a solution of universal fertilizer, halving the dose. Noticed, that Tradescantia develops well even in the absence of fertilizers, but only in fresh ground.

TRADESCANCE: AUTUMN CARE

When the night temperature approaches zero, I bring the tradescantia into the house. I put it closer to the south windows, so that the direct sun falls on it.

TRADESCANCE: WINTER CARE

I cut watering, I stop feeding.

Water temperature for irrigation should be the same, like indoors, where is the plant.

PROBLEMS WITH TRADESCANCY – LEAVES WILL TELL

CARE FOR TRADESCANCE: VIDEO

© Author: Anna PETROVSKAYA, collector, r. Krasnodar. Photo by the author