Heptapleurum - This is a fast-growing plant that is directly related to the genus Araliaceae. About 10 leaflets extend from the petioles. The shiny leaves are oval in shape, and they are pointed at the tips. The flowers look like whitish panicles, but flowering occurs very rarely in an apartment. In nature, this plant is found in all, without exception, the southern regions of the planet. It comes from Tropical Asia. There are only 3 types of this plant:
- Geisha Girl - woody heptapleurum with rounded green leaves;
- Hayata - leaves have a gray tint;
- Variegata - This form is variegated.
Heptapleurum is very similar to sheffleroyas these are closely related plants. Because of this, they can be easily confused. The main distinguishing feature is that the shefflera grows exclusively in the form of a tree, and in the heptapleurum, the growth point on the main stem can be removed, and then it will form a branched bush. If this procedure is done with the shefflera, then the plant will simply die. Also, the foliage of the heptapleurum has a smell, something similar to geranium, and the sheffler does not have this feature.
Content
Caring for heptapleurum at home
This plant is not capricious and unpretentious. Therefore, it can be safely grown in a city apartment.
How to water
Watering should be plentiful in the warm season. However, make sure that the water does not stagnate in the ground, because this can provoke the leaves to fall off. It is necessary that the soil dries well between waterings. In winter, the plant has a dormant period, so watering should be slightly reduced.
Lighting and location selection
This is a very light-loving plant, but it needs shading from direct sunlight (especially on hot days in summer). Forms with variegated leaves especially need bright lighting, since the foliage can turn completely green from a lack of light. They are often used to compose compositions with other house plants, they feel great in the winter garden, and they can also decorate an office or living room. This plant just needs to be protected from cold air and drafts. In the event that drafts are often observed in the room where the heptapleurum is located, then the plant's reaction to this will be the falling of the leaves.
Temperature regime
A moderate temperature is required during the warmer months.With the onset of winter, it should be slightly lowered, but at the same time it should not drop less than 17 degrees.
Air humidity
Needs high humidity. Therefore, the foliage should be sprayed as often as possible, and also washed from time to time (for hygienic purposes). If the humidity is too low, the leaves will begin to dry and die off.
Earth mix
For planting heptapleurum, you can purchase a ready-made soil mixture at any flower shop. You can also do it yourself at home. To do this, you will need to mix leaf, humus, peat and turf soil and add river sand. Everything must be taken in equal shares.
Transplant features
The transplant procedure must be carried out annually in the spring. In the event that the heptapleurum is rather large, it will be very difficult to transplant it. In this case, experienced florists recommend carefully replacing the top layer of the substrate. Do not forget about a good drainage layer.
Pruning
Large, overgrown plants need systematic pruning. It is held in the springtime. Those heptapleurums that grow in the form of a tree need good support, because in an apartment they can reach a height of 200 centimeters.
Top dressing
The plant should be fed in the spring-summer period 1 time in 2 weeks. For this, organic or mineral fertilizers are used. In winter, fertilizers should not be applied to the soil.
Pests
Can settle mealybug, aphidas well as red spider mite... However, this only happens in the case of improper care.
Reproduction methods
It is quite simple to propagate this plant with stem cuttings, which are cut from the top. For rooting, they should be planted in a substrate consisting of peat and sand. Then the cuttings should be removed in partial shade and provide them with high air humidity and warmth.
Heptapleurum is also grown from seeds. Seeds are sown in loose and warm soil. And then they remove the container in a warm place with high humidity. After the seedlings grow up, they are transplanted in different small containers.
This plant has a very spectacular appearance, and therefore it is able to decorate almost any room. Since it is undemanding in care and not capricious, it can be easily grown by beginner flower growers who do not yet have sufficient experience in this exciting activity.
