A plant like leptospermum paniculata is directly related to the genus Leptospermum, as well as to the myrtle family. In nature, it can be found in the southeast of Australia and New Zealand. From the Latin language, the name of the genus itself literally translates as "thin seed". Therefore, a large number of flower growers know this plant as a broom-shaped (paniculate) fine-seeded plant. And this plant is also called the New Zealand tea tree or manuka.
Paniculata Leptospermum is an evergreen shrub that can form into a compact tree with regular pruning. Differs in dense branching, small lanceolate leaves and with a pointed curved tip, which are densely covered with shoots. Abundant flowering. Double or simple flowers of leptoospermum in diameter can reach 1 centimeter, and they are painted pink, white or red. The foliage contains a large amount of essential oils. If it is damaged, a strong lemon scent will fill the room.
In southern regions with mild winters (temperatures no lower than 5), this plant is grown in gardens and is considered quite unpretentious. However, if it is grown indoors, then certain rules should be followed, otherwise the shrub will die.
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Caring for leptoospermum at home
Illumination
It is a light-loving plant, which requires an illumination level of about 6000–7800 lux for normal development and growth. In the warm season, it can be taken outside, where it will feel normal even in direct sunlight. However, the soil in the pot should not be allowed to overheat. If there is not enough light and additional lighting for the plant, then all the leaves or part of them can fly around it.
Earth mix
Suitable soil should be slightly acidic or acidic. When preparing it with your own hands at home, it is necessary to combine turf, humus, peat and sand, taken in a ratio of 2 (3): 1: 1: 1. You can also use a commercially available earthen mixture designed for heather, azaleas and rhododendrons.
Fertilizer
It is necessary to feed the plant during intensive growth 2 times a month. To do this, use a weak solution of fertilizer for azaleas, but if you use the dose recommended on the package, then the root system is likely to burn out.
How to water
This is a very demanding plant for watering.In no case should you allow both the drying of the substrate and the stagnation of water in it. So, if the earthen lump dries up completely, then the leptoospermum will die within just a few hours. If liquid stagnates in the substrate, then the roots can begin to rot quite quickly. The best humidity is when the soil inside the pot is moist enough, and its top layer is slightly dry.
Use soft water for irrigation. So, it is recommended to add a little citric acid to hard water (just like for azaleas).
Humidity
Needs high humidity both in warm and cold seasons. Therefore, systematic spraying is recommended.
Temperature regime
The plant has no special temperature requirements in summer. In winter, however, it must be rearranged in a fairly cool (from 4-10 degrees) and bright place.
Pruning
Pruning does not harm the plant. With the help of regular pruning, you can form a crown of any shape. But it is important to remember that the buds are formed on young growths (of the current year), and if you do a deep pruning, then flowering may not come. Experienced flower growers recommend this procedure either before the beginning of intensive growth, or at the end of flowering.
Transplant features
The transplant should be done quite carefully. Transfer recommended. It is highly undesirable to disturb the root system of the leptoospermum. Even if it is grown in a bonsai culture, root trimming should be done as little as possible and only lightly trimmed. Experts also advise to refrain from loosening the soil. This is because the roots are located close to its surface, and can be damaged.
Bloom
If the plant is properly cared for and placed in favorable conditions, then its flowering will last from 2 to 3 months. Moreover, it is observed in the spring-summer period. If flowering is early, then, as a rule, by the beginning of the summer period it is already over. In this case, it is quite possible that the tree will bloom again in winter, but the flowering will be weak.
This plant is self-pollinating and when it fades, it produces rather hard seed pods that ripen throughout the year.
Reproduction methods
It can be propagated in July by cutting off green cuttings. If you use special substances that stimulate root growth, then rooting will be significantly accelerated (from 2 to 3 weeks).
Seeds can be sown throughout the year. The container must be covered with glass. The sprouts appear relatively quickly. After the cotyledons are formed, the seedlings stop growing for 14–20 days. During this time, most of them, as a rule, die. A tree grown in this way will begin to bloom only 5–6 years after sowing.
Diseases and pests
Most often settles spider mite... For preventive purposes, it is recommended from time to time to treat the plant with phytoverm or another means of similar action.
Popular indoor-grown species
Leptospermum scoparium (Leptospermum scoparium) is very popular, but if you wish, you can buy round-leaved Leptospermum (Leptospermum rotundifolium);
Tips for Buying Adult Leptospermum
While in a flower shop, the first thing you need to do is examine the leaves carefully. So, it very often happens that a flower is sold with completely dried foliage. A live healthy leaf has a gloss, and the one that has dried is matte. And you should also pay attention to the branches of this shrub. Healthy young branches have a red tint. In the event that the branches are already dry, they will have a gray tint. Under no circumstances should you purchase dried leptoospermum. The fact is that it will not be possible to bring him back to life, no matter how hard you try.
Very important! Leptospermum paniculata (manuka, New Zealand tea tree) and malaleuca (Australian tea tree) are very similar in appearance, but they are completely different plants, despite the fact that they belong to the same myrtle family.
