Diplomacy is an evergreen plant from the tropical part of Latin America. It belongs to the Kutrov family. In the literature, the names of diplomacy and mandeville are identified. This is due to the fact that different botanists discovered and named the species of one plant at a time. Diplomacy attracts gardeners with clean paints. Lush foliage greens and huge bright flowers make this liana an indispensable plant in interior decoration and landscape design. Taking care of dipladenia is not difficult, but you can achieve the best appearance by observing some rules.
Botanical Description
Diplomacy is a perennial plant with a branched, gradually numbing rhizome. The stems resemble a flexible vine up to 2 m long. Young branches grow vertically, so in the first years the plant resembles a bush and does without support. Old branches are covered with a light brown rough bark.
The dipladenium flower has petiolate leaves located opposite on the branches. On oval or ovoid leaflets there is a pointed edge. Bright green sheet plates are cast in a glossy sheen. The central vein is clearly visible on them. The length of the foliage is 5-15 cm.
The flowering of diplomacy begins in the first year after planting. Single flowers bloom on the tops of young shoots and in the axils of the leaves. They can be painted white, yellow, pink or red. The diameter of the flower is 8-12 cm, it has the shape of an open funnel with five separate lanceolate petals. The flowering of each bud lasts about 10 days and is accompanied by an intense sweetish aroma.
Types of Diplomacy
The genus has about 40 types of diplladation, at home they grow and bloom perfectly. The following decorative types are most popular among flower growers:
Diplladies are brilliant. A flexible vine reaches 4 m. It is covered with oval leaves with a blunt edge up to 20 cm long. Flowers have wide raspberry-colored petals with a yellowish core.
Diplomas of Sander. A compact houseplant with small, pointed leaves. It produces many pink flowers along the entire length of the vine.
Diplomacy loose. On the liana many short lateral processes are formed. Medium-sized foliage is painted in gray-green. Snow-white flowers with pointed petals are collected in loose apical inflorescences. The plant is resistant to temperature changes and quickly grows green mass.
Diplomacy Bolivian. Elegant indoor plant with a short pile on the stems. Small leaves are painted dark green and have a shiny surface. Large pink flowers are twisted in the shape of a funnel. The slightly wavy edges of the petals have a light border. Flowers form loose brushes of 5-8 buds.
In addition to the main species, breeders bred several decorative varieties:
- yellow diplomacy (yellow, alamand);
- diplomats white large-flowered (cosmos white);
- diplomatic pink profusely flowering (super druper);
- diplases with red-white flowers (pickle star).
The offer of diplomatic missions is constantly expanding; new decorative hybrids appear annually.
Growing plants
Reproduction of dipladion is done by a vegetative method. At the beginning of spring, apical cuttings of 8-12 cm long are prepared. Each should have 3-4 leaves and a stem node. If lateral shoots are present on the handle, they must be removed. Immediately after pruning, the shoot is rooted in moist sand and peat soil.
To avoid excessive drying of the soil, seedlings are covered with a film. You need to air the greenhouses daily. Before rooting, the plants are kept in a bright place at a temperature of + 25 ° C. The roots appear quite quickly and after a month the seedlings can be transplanted into the ground. For the first transplant, use pots with a diameter of 12 cm.
Transplant Rules
A transplantation at home is done every 1-2 years. The plant is actively increasing its crown and updating the soil gives access to the necessary mineral and organic substances. The soil for diplomacy should have a slightly acid reaction. To compile it, use the following components:
- sheet earth;
- leaf humus;
- turf land;
- peat;
- sand.
In the spring, the vine is removed from the old pot and they are trying to free it from an earthen coma. Red brick fragments or expanded clay and fresh soil mixture are poured into a new pot. It is not necessary to ram the soil heavily so that air enters the roots. Loosen the soil monthly.
Home Care
Diplomacy in care requires some effort. At home, a flower grower will cope with it with little experience in growing tropical plants. For creepers you need to pick up a bright room, but protect it from direct sunlight. Suitable eastern window sills or southern rooms away from the window. In the northern rooms will need additional lighting. In summer, it is recommended that diplomacy be taken to the balcony or to the garden. Without fresh air, it develops worse.
The optimum air temperature is + 20 ... + 26 ° C. The hotter the room, the brighter the greens and flowers. Diplomacy does not tolerate sharp fluctuations in temperature and drafts. From autumn, it is necessary to gradually lower the temperature and provide a cool winter for the liana. In the winter of diplomacy, it needs a period of rest and rest from flowering. Slowing of growth occurs at an air temperature of + 15 ... + 17 ° C. Cooling below + 12 ° C can lead to the death of the plant.
A tropical guest needs abundant and regular watering. Drying of only the topsoil is allowed. Water is taken purified and settled. To get rid of excessive rigidity, lemon juice is added to it. The water temperature should be a few degrees warmer than air. Excess fluid that collects in the pan should be poured 15-20 minutes after irrigation. In winter, watering is halved.
The glossy peel on the leaves of the dipladation protects against excessive evaporation, so the plant does not need high humidity. However, periodic spraying is welcome. For spraying, it is recommended to use soft water so that the limescale on the leaves does not spoil the beauty of the plant. You can also wash the vine from dust under a weak warm shower.
Since the early spring of diplomacy needs regular feeding. During the formation of buds and flowering, universal mineral fertilizers are applied weekly. If the dipladenia does not bloom, this may be due to a lack of nutrients. Top dressing is diluted in a large amount of water and introduced into the ground, avoiding contact with leaves and stems.
Diplomacy needs regular pruning, because the flowers bloom only on young shoots. The best time for this procedure is autumn, after flowering is complete. Old branches are shortened by 2/3, the side shoots are cut in half. From the base, the liana stretches up, so you need to immediately take care of the support. Usually use special stands or install near the wall. Diplomacy is not suitable for ampel growing and horizontal gardening.
Diseases and Pests
With frequent stagnation of water, the formation of root rot is possible. You can try to save the plant by replacing the soil and treating the roots with fungicides. In advanced cases, cuttings are cut, and the old vine is destroyed.
On the juicy crown of diplomacy, scale insects, whiteflies and spider mites are most common. Attacks of parasites are promoted by heat and dry air, therefore, periodic spraying with ordinary water serves as a good prevention. To get rid of parasites, use solutions of insecticides (Karbofos, Aktara and others).
