“What a charm, just like Chinese lanterns!”, I thought, admiring the white bracts of the still unopened clerodendrum flowers, which could be seen from the window of the pharmacy located next to the house. The bright red tongues of flowers that appeared later from white boxes gave this chic liana an even more solemn and festive look. Well, what a fellow this klerodendrum !!! Care at home for him is not so difficult. Let's talk about him.
Let's meet first
Native to Africa and South Asia, Clerodendrum (Volcameria) is one of the oldest domesticated plants. Even in the days of the Roman Empire, this flower was considered the sacred patron of the weaker sex. It was grown in order to win the indulgence and favor of the goddess Venus. Currently, there are more than 100 different types of this fairly powerful vine, which canclimb to a height of more than 4 meters. The most common specimen is Thomson's clerodendrum: it is his buds that resemble Chinese lanterns.
Filipino Clerodendrum is notable for its rosy creamy flowers, collected in large caps of inflorescences, sometimes reaching a size of 20 cm. Against the background of velvety green heart-shaped leaves, these inflorescences look like festive bouquets. Despite the name, this miracle of nature grows on the edges of forests in Japan and China. When blooming, its inflorescences emit a rather strong, jasmine-like aroma. Unlike Thomson's clerodendrum, which blooms in April-May, Philippine can bloom throughout the spring-summer season with short breaks. Its bracts do not resemble Chinese lanterns. Pink-burgundy in color, they become invisible after the flower opens.
Another variety of this creeper, which deserves attention because of its most delicate flowers, is Wallich's clerodendrum. For the white, six-petaled flowers falling from the bracts with long stamens similar to the eyelashes of an innocent girl, this handsome man was nicknamed the "bride's veil." Its inflorescences resemble a bouquet of white lilacs or a brush of bird cherry. This flower is native to the Himalayas. It can also be an ampelous shrub that looks great in hanging planters. Unlike the two previous varieties, the leaves of this plant are long, glossy and wavy, resembling kelp algae. The tart aroma of flowers of this handsome man will not bother you with his presence, ashe is rather weak.
"Bad" or not?
The easiest to care for (and therefore the most common) is Thomson's clerodendrum, which, along with the Philippine, is a deciduous liana. The main feature of the care of these two varieties is the dormant period during the winter months. At this time, the plant can be shaped by pruning. Clerodendrum losing foliage in winter, home care requires appropriate care. Usually grown at a temperature of 18-25 degrees, in winter this vine needs to lower the temperature to 13-16 and reduce watering. If this rule is not followed, your handsome man will not bloom. Clerodendrum Wallich is not a deciduous vine, so he does not need a winter rest period.
Water and fertilize
For all clerodendrums, the watering regime is very important, since all plants of this species are very fond of drinking. When the earthen coma is dried out, the leaves quickly wither and fall off. As for the lighting of a plant such as clerodendrum, home care for it involves the absence of direct sunlight (placement - on the north window). This shade-tolerant moisture lover does not tolerate direct sun, in which its leaves turn yellow and fall off.
Clerodendrum Wallich needs year-round monthly fertilizing with iron preparations, as well as those containing the whole complex of other minerals. It is recommended to feed the other two species 2 times during the growing season. In winter, feeding should be stopped - at this time, the klerodendrum is resting. Care inhome conditions for this plant is simple, subject to the rules, the main of which are described in this article.
