Cordilina: home care for the tropicana

A resident of tropical regions and the owner of bright leaves - cordilina, adapted well to the climate of our apartments. The plant is very elegant and is often used for landscaping and decorating living quarters. Cordilina looks great as a single plant or in flower arrangements. But only well-groomed plants have an attractive appearance. Therefore, before taking a flower, you should familiarize yourself with the rules for caring for it at home.

Description of the appearance and origin of cordilina

The proudly sounding name of cordilin, actually translated from Greek, is very prosaic - a knot. But the plant itself looks very elegant thanks to lush, brightly colored leaves.

You can meet cordilina in nature in both hemispheres. But to be more precise, it is only in tropical and subtropical climatic zones. Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil - in these countries cordilina grows in the form of sprawling trees, reaching a large size - up to 15 m.

Cordilina resident of the tropics found in both hemispheres

Cordilin is attributed to false palms and is often confused with dracaena. And although these 2 plants are very close to each other, differences exist.

1. Cordilina leaves have a petiole, which is absent in dracaena.
2. The structure of the roots also varies. The root system of the cordilina is covered with knots and swellings (which is why the plant got its name), they are white in the section. Dracaena has straight roots, and the slice is yellow or orange.
3. And perhaps the main difference is the number of seeds. The cordilina in the fetus has from 4 to 20 seeds. Dracaena has only one.

Dracaena and cordilina are close relatives

In indoor floriculture, cordilina is a bushy plant growing to a meter high. Of course, cordilina has rather big dimensions, therefore it needs sufficient space. In the conditions of the greenhouse can easily overcome the 1.5 meter bar.

The leaves of the plant differ in size and color. Depending on the type, the leaf plate is narrow linear in shape, broadly lanceolate or saber. Length varies from a few centimeters to a meter. The edge of the leaf can be absolutely smooth or have a small serration. The main background of the leaf is green. And then nature begins to fantasize, applying stripes and strokes of yellow, red, pink and purple hue to the surface. White looks very elegant.

Bright leaves of cordilina are the main decoration of the plant, but their shape and color depend on the species and variety

Flowering plant is very interesting. Inflorescences are large and dense panicles, the length of which can reach up to 1 m. Small flowers are painted in creamy white, red or purple. In home floriculture, cordilina is grown as an ornamental-deciduous plant, because it practically does not bloom in the room.

In nature, cordilina blooms at the age of 8 - 11 years

Once upon a time, James Cook called the cordilina a cabbage tree. It turns out that the local population actively used the young leaves of the plant for food. Mats, rugs are made of old fibrous leaves, brushes are made.

Cordilina is considered a fairly unpretentious green pet. People who are just thinking about cultivating flowers can very well acquire this plant in order to comprehend the basics of indoor floriculture with its help. Cordilina will easily forgive some flaws and shortcomings made by chance, but quickly eliminated. But if you forget about the flower for a long time, it can die.

It’s easy to grow cordilina, the main thing is not to forget about it for a long time

Species and varieties

More than 15 species of cordilin are found in nature, but not all of them are suitable for growing at home. Breeders on the basis of the fittest, bred a sufficient number of varieties that quite coexist in the microclimate of an ordinary apartment.

Varieties common in indoor floriculture - table

Great views and varieties of cordilina in the photo

Cordilina mix

Cordilina Lord Roberts

Cordilina Chocolate Queen

Cordilina purple compact

Cordilina rubra or red

Cordilina kiwi

Cordilina fruticosis, shrubby or apical

Cordilina straight or compressed

Cordilina Tricolor

Cordilina South or Australian

Seasonal conditions

By supporting certain conditions, you will help the plant adapt to the atmosphere of the room and prove itself in all its glory.

An unpretentious plant is tradescantia. The rules for caring for her can be found in the material: rastenija / tradeskantsiya-uhod-v-domashnih-usloviyah.html

How to grow at home depending on the season - table

In summer, cordilin needs to be carried out in the air and sprayed more often

Is it possible to grow cordilina in the florarium?

Of course, it is possible, since cordilina perfectly tolerates moist air. But the size of the vessel should be rather large. The plant will not be suitable for a traditional garden in a bottle, but in an open aquarium or in a showcase-type florarium, cordilin will perfectly coexist with other plants.

Cordilina is a very friendly neighbor, so she is often used in florariums

Landing and transplanting

For young plants, transplantation should be done every year. Adult plants do not differ in high growth intensity, therefore, they are transplanted as the roots develop the space of the pot. This usually occurs 3 years after planting. The procedure is carried out only in the spring, in March - April.

Cordilina is often grown as a tub plant, which makes transplantation very difficult. In this case, every spring you need to change the top layer of the earth to a fresh one. It is also necessary to loosen the soil periodically so that the roots are supplied with oxygen.

The soil for cordilina should be loose and nutritious. A suitable universal soil with a slightly acidic reaction is quite suitable. You can do the preparation of the soil mixture yourself. To do this, you need to combine and mix well the following ingredients, taken in equal amounts:

• humus;
• sheet earth;
• peat;
• coarse sand.

Add brick chips and pieces of charcoal to the finished mixture. These components will help to avoid acidification of the soil and give it great friability.

The pot is selected based on the size of the cordilina. For large specimens, stable clay containers are suitable, for smaller plants - plastic pots. Drainage holes required! The size of the pot should be larger than the previous one, given the fact that an adult plant rarely needs a transplant. But do not think that too much new packaging is good, it is not. To master a large pot of cordilin will be to the detriment of the leaves. And the liquid will often stagnate in the roots, which should not be allowed.

Clay pot suitable for planting large specimens

Step-by-step flower transplantation into new soil

1. Pour drainage and prepared soil mixture into the prepared pot.
2. Gently remove the cordiline from the pot, slightly shake off the old earth. Forcibly rid the roots of the soil is not necessary.
   

   Forcibly shake the soil from the roots of the cordilina is not worth it

3. Set the flower in a new pot, add the substrate on the sides and lightly tamp it.
4. Watering, waiting for the water to completely saturate the soil and drain the leaked liquid from the pan.
5. We put cordilina in diffused bright light.

If you purchased cordilina in a store and want to transplant, give her a week and a half for acclimatization. After that, transfer it to a new pot, filling the voids formed on the sides of the tank with a nutrient substrate. And next spring, you can make a full transplant with replacing the substrate.

Do you need support for cordilina

Usually cordilina does not need support, as it has a very strong stem. But if, for some reason, the stem of the plant is very thin, and besides, it is bare, then it is quite acceptable to tie it to the support. It can serve as a simple bamboo stick.

Cordilina has a stable stem and does not need support

Care

No matter how unpretentious the cordilina may be, she needs to ensure proper care.

How to water and feed

Spring and summer watering of cordilina is abundant, the land should be in a slightly moist (but not over-moistened) state. Water must not stagnate in the sump. Before the next wetting, the top layer of the soil mixture should dry 3 cm in depth. The approximate watering schedule during this period is 2 - 3 times a week. But it is worthwhile to make a correction, taking into account the temperature and humidity level of the air. In addition, the shape of the cordilina sheet must be taken into account. Wide-leaf species need more frequent watering, as they evaporate moisture faster than narrow-leaved ones.

In winter, cordilina is watered less often - about 1 time per week. If the plant hibernates in cool conditions - soil moisture control should be kept under strict control.

Cordilin is fed all year. Only the frequency of fertilizer changes. In the period from April to September, when there is active growth, the flower is fertilized 3-4 times a month. From October to March they feed the plant 1 time per month. As fertilizer, universal dressings for decorative foliage are used, preferably in liquid form.

Getting enough moisture and nutrition cordilina pleases with bright colors

How to care during the flowering period

Cordilina blooms only in nature. This happens at the age of 8 to 11 years. Flowers adapted for home cultivation do this extremely rarely, and then only in the conditions of a botanical garden or greenhouse, if comfortable conditions are created that are close to natural.

At home, cordilina blooms very rarely

Rest period

In order for cordilina to accumulate strength for active growth in the new season, she needs peace. An exotic plant is resting in the autumn-winter period, and it is not worth disturbing it at this time. Air temperature decreases, watering frequency decreases, but occasionally it is necessary to feed.

Place the content should be bright, but does not need special illumination of cordiline.

Cordilina rest period takes place in a cool and bright place.

Does cordiline need pruning or pinching

As such, both procedures are not needed. After all, the plant grows slowly and does not branch. But to maintain an attractive appearance, you need to remove dried lower leaves with sharp scissors. And for an old plant, pruning is a way of rejuvenation and the ability to get a new plant by rooting the top.

Care mistakes and what to do to fix them

It often happens that out of ignorance, a novice florist makes mistakes that lead to a loss of attractiveness by a plant. If cordilina looks dull or its leaves become stained - this is a signal that you are doing something wrong.

Why does the flower dry or turn yellow, the plant faded and other reasons + how to fix it: table

How cordilina signals errors in care - photo gallery

Cordilina leaves turn yellow from a lack of nitrogen

Dry tips on cordilina leaves indicate low humidity

If cordilina is in a draft, the edges of the leaf turn brown

Diseases and Pests

Cordilina refers to plants that are resistant to various diseases and pests. Perhaps the worst disease for any plant is root rot. The flower grower, trying to cheer up the drooping flower, begins to water it abundantly, which ultimately leads to a sad end - the plant dies. Вовремя выявленный симптом поможет быстро справиться с проблемой.

Болезни и вредители: учимся вовремя выявлять — фотогалерея

Обнаружить паутинного клеща легко — он оплетает листья паутинкой

Если листья растения покрываются сладким налётом, значит растение поражено щитовкой

Лист растения, заражённого трипсами

Тля любит селиться на молодых листьях

Так выглядит растение, погибающее от корневой гнили

Способы размножения кордилины

Кордилина размножается 4 способами, 3 из которых — укоренение верхушечного или стеблевого черенка, корневыми отпрысками и воздушными отводками, не представляют особой сложности. Семенное размножение не пользуется большой популярностью, но ради интереса, можно попробовать и его.

Rooting cuttings

Обычно этот метод применяют к старым растениям, требующим омоложения.

1. Подойдёт верхушечный или одревеснелый стеблевой черенок длиною 7 – 9 см. На нём обязательно должен быть 1 или несколько лиственных узлов.
   

   Верхушечный черенок кордилины должен иметь междоузлия

2. Укоренение производят во влажном песке или смеси торфа и песка.
   

   Стеблевой черенок можно укоренять таким способом

3. Чтобы процесс прошёл удачно, ёмкость с черенками накрывают пакетом, для образования внутри парникового микроклимат.
4. Температура укоренения не ниже 25°С.
5. Ухаживать за черенками просто — парничёк периодически проветривают и увлажняют почвосмесь.
6. Через месяц появляются корни и черенки готовы к пересадке в отдельные горшочки. Почвосмесь нужна как для обычной посадки.
   

   Укоренённые верхушечные черенки кордилины

Кроме того, верхушечные черенки легко укореняются в воде. Жидкость придётся менять несколько раз за весь процесс, чтобы она не позеленела и не заплесневела.

Черенок кордилины можно легко укоренить в воде

Укоренение корневых отпрысков

Этот метод считается одним из самых лёгких. Его совмещают с процессом пересадки и проводят весной.

1. Кордилину извлекают из горшка и отделяют корневые отпрыски с помощью остро отточенного ножа.
   

   Корневые отпрыски отделяются от материнского растения

2. Каждую часть высаживают в подготовленный горшок, наполненный почвосмесью для укоренения черенков.
3. После того как детки обзаведутся собственной корневой системой и выпустят первые листочки, их пересаживают в субстрат для взрослых растений.

Воздушные отводки (корни)

Если у кордилины оголилась нижняя часть ствола и она потеряла декоративность, то верхушку можно укоренить с помощью следующего метода.

1. На границе, где заканчиваются листья и начинается одревеснелый голый ствол, выберите участок с междоузлиями для наращивания корней.
2. Острым ножом на выбранном участке делается несколько неглубоких косых надрезов длиною 2 – 3 см, идущих сверху вниз.
3. Чуть раздвинув края надрезов, на обнажившуюся ткань с помощью кисточки наносится стимулятор корнеобразования, например, Корневин.
4. Чтобы ткани не срослись, в разрез нужно вставить кусочек спички.
5. Теперь нужно зафиксировать плёнку, свёрнутую к кольцо вокруг ствола, на несколько сантиметров ниже надрезов.
6. Образовавшееся пространство наполняется мхом сфагнумом и увлажняется.
7. После этого верхняя часть плёнки фиксируется над разрезами.
   

   Such a device will help to grow roots without separating the apex from the stem

8. With periodic moistening after 1.5 or 2 months, a root system is formed.
9. Wait until it is sufficiently developed and cut the trunk roots.
10. Plant the plant in a separate pot.
11. If the cordiline does not have enough stability, you can fix the support nearby. When the root system has mastered most of the pot, the support can be removed.

Seed propagation

This method is used infrequently. Seeds are generally accepted to propagate only the original species of cordilina.

Cordilina fruits on the plant do not last long, birds peck them

1. In February or early March, fresh seeds are sown in a mixture of turf land and sand. For better germination, they are soaked in Epin or Zircon.
2. Seed germination is uneven. The first shoots may appear in a month, the last - in 3.
3. To maintain a constant temperature of 25 - 27 ° C, build a hotbed, you can use the lower heating.
4. When the seedlings grow to 5 cm, they are transplanted into separate pots with a diameter of 7 cm.
5. Further cultivation occurs at a temperature of 21 - 24 ° C.

Reviews on the cultivation of cordilina

I have two types of cordilina. I do not know the exact name of the varieties, but one is ordinary green (the most common), the second with purple leaves. Both grow in the southern room a meter from the window. Watering is moderate. The temperature, of course, is higher than +18. Both are alive and well. Yes, in the heat I regularly spray. In short, hassle-free hypers absolutely. Good luck

Very rarely met flawless-looking cordilin !!!! In the greenhouse, even many dry up ... ..-, it is the tips of the leaves that dry ..

Sowed all the seeds, and 2 got out and then it disappeared, but one grows. She is like grass now, planted in April. It grows for a very long time, but it is interesting to watch!

I was presented with a small cordilka for the New Year, I transplanted it, watered it, fed it, but still it threw off all the leaves, and even the cats nibbled, there was only one stump, I thought it was bent over, I took the pot out of her sight and forgot, and a month climbed back into the nightstand where she stood, I look she gave three sprouts, took out a watering, and hid it away from cats, they grow slowly

I have such cordilina easily rooted in water without the use of any stimulants. Moreover, the old, gummy parts of the stem gave easier roots, and the young tops strove to rot. In the lower part of the stem, which remained in the pot, sleeping buds should also wake up. Consider, from one plant you got two.

Cordilina is becoming a favorite among flower growers and is increasingly appearing on sale. Compact or tall plants adorn our apartments and delight the eye at work. A wide variety of varieties with bright colored leaves will help revive even the most boring corner of the room. And the unpretentiousness of the plant will not cause much trouble.