Sinadenium is a lush evergreen shrub from tropical African forests. It forms a sprawling green crown and amazing inflorescences. The small genus is represented by 20 species, of which only the grant synadenium and its decorative varieties are a flower. Florists often call it simply "milkweed" or "tree of love." This easy-to-care plant attracts with its malleability and attractive appearance. It can take the form of a miniature bush on the windowsill or a tall tree to the ceiling.
Plant description
Euphorbia synadenium forms sprawling thickets up to 3 m high. Annual growth is 20-25 cm. The plant has branched, deep-going roots and succulent stems. Branches are covered with rare lateral processes. They are erect and very thickened. The surface of the stems is covered with a smooth dark green skin. This structure allows you to store moisture and survive in severe drought.
The leaves are attached to the branches with very short petioles. They are located opposite or in turn. The leaf plate has an obovate or oval shape. The leathery, rather stiff foliage is painted dark green and has a shiny surface. There are varieties with reddish stains or spots on the foliage. The length of the leaves can reach 25 cm, and the width is 12 cm.
The most popular among gardeners in comparison with the grant synadenium is the rudena synadenium. His young leaves are completely pink. Later they become dark green and become covered with reddish spots of irregular shape.
In winter, small flowers bloom at the tops of the shoots, collected in corymbose inflorescences on long, elastic peduncles. Small flowers resemble tiny bowlers or bells with short, curved edges. A bunch of long stamens sticks out from the center of each flower. At the place of the flower, a small fruit is tied - a three-lobed achene with many small black seeds.
When breaking stems or leaves, milky juice is secreted. It is very poisonous. If it comes into contact with the skin, the juice causes irritation, and if swallowed, it can cause severe poisoning and even death. To avoid problems, you should limit access to the synadenium to children and animals. Work on trimming and transplantation is carried out in protective gloves.
Breeding
Reproduction of the grant synadenium can be carried out by sowing seeds and rooting apical petioles. The seed method is considered more painstaking, but allows you to immediately get a lot of plants. In the spring, a box with sand and peat soil is prepared. Seeds are deepened by 5-10 mm. The pot is covered with a film and kept in a bright place at a temperature of +18 ° C.
Seeds germinate within 1-2 weeks. At a height of only 1 cm, seedlings dive into separate pots. The second pick is carried out at a height of 3 cm. Now the plant is ready for independent growth in soil for adult plants.
In order to propagate the synadenium by cuttings, it is necessary to cut the tops of the stems up to 12 cm long. Each should have 4-5 healthy leaves. The cut site is crushed with crushed charcoal and left to dry for 1-2 days. When a whitish film forms on the cut, you can root the stalk in the soil. A mixture of peat, river sand and charcoal is prepared for planting. The stem is buried by 2-3 cm. The pot with a seedling is kept in a bright place at an air temperature of at least +20 ° C. The rooting process takes 2-3 weeks.
Synadenium transplant
Young synadeniums are transplanted quite often, every 1-2 years. Gradually, the period is increased to 4 years, and the adult trees of the synadenium completely replace the top layer of soil in the tub. Pots are chosen steady and deep, to prevent capsizing and provide the roots with space. With a lack of soil in tight pots, the leaves can wilt and fall. A thick layer of large drainage material is poured onto the bottom. The soil should be light and fertile with neutral or weak acidity. You can make a soil mixture of:
- brick chips;
- sheet land;
- river sand;
- charcoal;
- peat.
When transplanting, they try to free the roots from a part of the earthen coma to prevent excessive acidification and depletion of the soil. You can remove some of the roots.
Care Rules
At home, caring for the synadenium is quite simple. More work will have to be done to restrain the rapid growth of this exotic giant. Lighting for euphorbiace should be scattered. Under direct rays or with a sharp increase in daylight, the leaves may turn yellow, become covered with brown spots or curl. But in shady places young juicy leaves quickly grow. A pot with a synadenium is recommended to be placed in the eastern, western and even northern rooms.
The air temperature throughout the year should be quite high (+ 23 ... +26 ° C). In winter, you can keep the plant in colder rooms (up to +10 ° C), although the dormant period does not require milkweed. Drafts and cold snap are also undesirable for him, they lead to the dropping of leaves. At high temperatures, lighting and irrigation frequency should be increased and vice versa. Otherwise, the branches will stretch out and become bare.
The synadenium flower needs moderate watering. It is adapted to periodic short-term droughts. The soil should dry by 1-2 cm. Water for irrigation needs to be soft, without chlorine. The liquid should evenly moisten the soil, and its excess freely leave the pot. Excess water from the pan must be poured.
Euphorbia synadenium is adapted to low humidity and feels normal even in winter with hot radiators. It is useful to periodically bathe the undergrowth under a warm shower to rid it of dust.
Since the synadenium is actively growing, in spring and summer it needs to be fed three times a month. Fertilizer is greatly diluted so as not to burn the roots, you can add top dressing to water for irrigation. Fertilizers for cacti are best suited.
Pruning a bush or a synadenium tree will often have to. Pinch still young plants so that they grow stronger. Later pruning forms a beautiful crown and removes too high shoots. After pruning, the lateral branches begin to grow much more intensively. It is important not to forget about the precautions during the work on the formation of the crown and to use protective equipment.
Sinadenium is distinguished by excellent immunity. Only with severe flooding of the soil can root rot develop. The poisonous plant does not suffer from parasite attacks, and does not need protective measures against them.
