Ugandan clerodendrum is distinguished by fragrant blue flowers of an original form resembling a fragile butterfly. The flower is unpretentious and it is not difficult to grow at home. We will find out what conditions are necessary for the successful cultivation of clerodendrum and what should be the care.

Botanical description of the plant

Ugandan Clodendrum is an evergreen, lianoid shrub of the Iasnatkovye family native to the tropics of South Africa and Asia. The height of the bush can reach 2 m, the shoots are thin and elongated. The leaves are oval, no more than 10 cm long, dark green in color with a bluish tint.Flowers with long and curved stamens, five-petalled, pale blue, are located on the tops of young shoots. Their shape resembles an elegant butterfly, which gave the second name of the flower in the people "blue butterfly". Ugandan clerodendrum blooms magnificently, all summer, the aroma of flowers is delicate and pleasant.

What conditions do you need to create at home

For the normal development of the flower, it is necessary to create conditions as close as possible to the environment of its natural growth. The plant is photophilous and loves warmth. Caring for clerodendrum in the summer is different from leaving in the cold. The plant rests in winter, it is kept in a cool, but bright room.

Lighting

The place for clerodendrum is chosen from the south, southeast or southwest side. The more light, the better, only direct rays of the sun in hot weather can leave burns on fragile leaves.

Did you know? In ancient Greece, clerodendrum was used in religious ceremonies in honor of the goddess Aphrodite. Its name in Greek means "tree of fate."

Ventilation

It is recommended to ventilate the room regularly, but carefully to prevent sudden changes in temperature and drafts.

Temperature mode

In the summer, the optimum temperature will be from +20 to + 25 ° С. In the cold autumn-winter period, the flower rests at a temperature of about + 15 ° C.

Air humidity

Like all tropical plants, clerodendrum in the hot summer loves moisture. He must be sprayed daily with soft, warm water, preferably in the evening. In the cold period, after the end of the active vegetation stage, the plant does not need high humidity.

How to care at home

Caring for clerodenrum at home is not difficult, it is quite unpretentious, does not require special attention, a lot of effort and time. Standard watering, top dressing, pruning, transplanting - the entire basic set of care, as with most indoor plants. With the right choice of place and ensuring the temperature regime, the plant develops very quickly and blooms beautifully.

Important! To ensure the necessary humidity, it is recommended to place the pot with clerodendrum in a small tray filled with expanded clay or pebbles and pour a little water to cover the expanded clay layer.

Watering

Watering is one of the most important care procedures. The development of a flower depends very much on it. The frequency and intensity of irrigation depends on the temperature in the room and the stage of development of the plant. During the active vegetation and flowering, in the warm season, water often, but in moderation, trying not to overmoisten the roots. They are guided by the upper layer of soil in the pot, if it has dried up 3 cm in depth, then it must be moistened.At the end of the period of active growth and lowering air temperature, I rarely water a flower with a small amount of water. Use only standing, soft water, always warm, not colder than the air temperature in the room. It is convenient to water using a watering can with a surface watering method or a sprinkling method using a spray nozzle.

Fertilizer application

For rapid growth and beautiful flowering, clerodendrum needs top dressing. The first fertilizers are applied in the spring at the beginning of the active vegetation stage. Then, regularly, they continue to feed at least twice a month until the beginning of autumn. Suitable special complex fertilizers for flowering ornamental plants in liquid form. In autumn and winter, feeding to the clerodendrum is not necessary.

Important! With a lack of sunlight, it is necessary to use special phytolamps for the normal development and flowering of clerodenrum.

Pruning

Pruning is necessary to form a beautiful bush. If it is not carried out, then long and flexible shoots will need a vertical support. Leave one main shoot, cutting the apex at a height of 50-70 cm, and remove all lateral processes. When new lateral shoots appear, their tops are nipped, so that a regular-shaped bush with a lush crown is gradually formed. Pruning is done in early spring before the start of a period of active growth. It is also necessary to periodically remove dry shoots.

Transfer

The transplant is carried out once every two years in early spring, after the pruning procedure. The new pot can be used from any material, the easiest option is lightweight and inexpensive plastic. It should be larger with a mandatory drainage layer. It is necessary to transplant carefully, together with the old soil on the roots, so as not to harm the root system, using the so-called transshipment method. After, they fill the pot with fresh light soil with good breathability and neutral acidity, lightly tamp and moisten.

Video: clerodendrum transplant

Breeding

The reproduction of clerodendrum occurs in two ways:

• cuttings
• seeds.

The first method is simpler and less time consuming.

Cuttings

For propagation by the cuttings method, it is necessary to cut 2-3 shoots one year old and place in a container with water. Cuttings are prepared in spring-summer and placed in a bright and warm place. After a few weeks, roots should appear and the cuttings can be planted in the ground. You can also place the cuttings not in water, but in a container filled with a mixture of wet sand and peat. After the appearance of young leaves, the stalk is transplanted into a pot in a permanent place. For propagation of clerodendrum adult shoots can be used as cuttings after pruning.

Video: propagation of clerodendrum by cuttings

Seeds

The seed propagation method is considered ineffective and time-consuming. In late February - early March, seeds are buried just a few millimeters in moist soil prepared from a mixture of peat and sand. The container is placed in a warm and well-lit place, covering the top with a film. The soil is periodically moistened and aired in a mini-greenhouse. The first shoots do not appear soon, after about 2 months. Young plants dive and transplant into separate pots. With this method of propagation, clerodendrum will blossom only after two years.

Growing difficulties

With the right conditions at home and proper care, the Ugandan clerodendrum will delight you with beautiful flowering. But if some mistakes were made in the care, then some problems may arise during cultivation.

The most common problems and how to deal with them:

• Clerodendrum does not bloom - lack of sunlight. It is necessary to rearrange the pot in a lighter place.
• Leaves fall - Too dry indoor air. Regular watering and spraying of the shoots will help.
• Pale leaves with dry tips - too hard water. Use filtered water for irrigation.
• Brown spots on the leaves - the room is too cold. It is necessary to move the flower to a warmer place.

Did you know? On the island of Java, there is a belief that clerodendrum brings good luck to young girls and women, and on the African continent it is used in wedding ceremonies.

Why does not bloom

The reason that the clerodendrum does not bloom may be too dark or cold, lack of fertilizer, as well as improper pruning. Inflorescences arise at the tops of the run, with excessive pruning, peduncles can be removed. The key to lush flowering is considered to be a mandatory 2-3 month rest period in late autumn - early winter, at a temperature of + 15 ° C. After resting, the clerodendrum will blossom at full strength.

Diseases and Pests

If the watering is too plentiful or the drainage is of poor quality, the clerodendrum can get root rot. The root system affected by the disease rots and the plant may die. It is necessary to remove the affected roots, transplant the flower into fresh, disinfected soil and do not fill it in the future. Carrodendrum leaves contain essential oils that repel many insects.

But still he has enemies that can cause harm:

To destroy pests on the leaves will help a warm shower and insecticide treatment, such as Actellik, Microcin.

So, we can conclude that caring for a tropical "tree of fate" is no different from caring for most houseplants. Everyone can grow this magnificent flower, provided that he has a bright and warm corner in his home. It is enough to adhere to all recommendations and avoid gross mistakes in care, and your house will be filled all summer with the pleasant aroma and beauty of blue butterfly flowers.