Among indoor plants, the place of honor is in the evergreen radermacher (Radermachera). This type of tree or shrub is from Taiwan, from the island’s natural environment. For the first time the plant is described in the works of the Danish botanist Jacob Radermacher (XVIII century), and the name is given in his honor. On the European expanses, the appearance of the radermacher is dated only by the twentieth century. Let's learn how to properly care for and propagate this exotic plant that can conquer anyone.
- Description
- Growing conditions
- Temperature
- Air humidity
- Lighting
- The soil
- Breeding
- Cuttings
- By scraps
- Seeds
- Care
- Watering
- Top dressing
- Transfer
- Diseases and pests
Description
The distinctive features of the Rydermaher: beautiful ornamental foliage, rare flowering in the home. Height in nature - up to 30 m, and the width of the trunk - 1 meter. The leaves of the tree are twice pinnate, 20-70 cm long, and 15-25 cm wide, bright green, less often mottled, sharp at the ends. The flowers are yellow or gray-yellow, in the form of bells, the diameter reaches 7 cm.
Growing conditions
The plant is vulnerable if comfort is disturbed. Although it is believed that the Chinese radermahera unpretentious to the conditions, and care for her is simple. 
It is important to learn some of the few rules and follow them to achieve results.The most important thing is the right lighting.
Temperature
The temperature for the growth of the reader can be with differences, but within reasonable limits. Indoor air should not be too hot - up to + 20 ... +25 ° C, and in winter - 10 ... 14 ° C heat, not lower than + 11 ° C. The heat is transferred well, if the humidity is high. And the coolness is considered useful in the cold season: hardens and gives resistance to diseases, endurance. Drafts adversely affect the radermahera, and therefore it is important not to place it near air conditioners or air vents. Air needs fresh.
Air humidity
But the humidity does not matter, dry air is possible. But still moderately wet - more comfortable. For this purpose and for the hygienic purpose, the Chinese tree is often bathed under warm drops of a sprayer, a summer shower, and also placed on a tray of wet claydite, pebbles, and moss. But during this procedure, the bottom of the pot should not be in the water. If we are talking about the soul, then during its potted land it is important to cover it so that excess moisture does not spoil the plant. And if you "bathe" in the winter, after the procedure, the radermaher should be put in heat until the foliage is completely dry. 
Lighting
At home, the Rydermahera prefers a well-lit place, and the sun's activity should not be strong: the shade from a light curtain or a matte film is welcome. To the light fell on the crown from several sides, you can take out the plant on the glazed balcony or loggia. In general, there are two comfortable sides - east and west. For the south will have to try so that the foliage is not burned in the sun. This kind of damage is fraught with the death of a Chinese tree.
But in the cold, due to the lack of sunlight, the plant may lose its decorativeness: internodes will be pulled out, as a result of which the branches will become similar to liana. To replace daylight or fill it with a day, use special fitolamps or fluorescent lamps. And in order for the plant to develop evenly, it must be turned in different directions towards the light, especially in the first year of development.
The soil
The soil is preferred fertile, loose and free-breathing.Well, if it is a mixture of turf and foliage with peat and humus. Everything is taken in equal parts, except for foliage, its portion is doubled. You can add large river sand, as well as a handful of pine bark. And just suitable land for decorative flowers and plants: roses, palm trees, citrus. 
Breeding
Radermakhera can multiply in several ways: seeds, cuttings, layering. Consider each of them separately.
Cuttings
The breeding of the radermacher in this way is relevant for the beginning of the summer season (from May to June). The top of the shoots, a complex leaf with part of the stem and interstitial, cut off by 8-10 cm, rooted in a container covered with polyethylene with peat and wet sand poured in the middle in the ratio 1: 1. Under the film, in a package or under a glass jar, cuttings are sprayed with water if necessary, maintaining the temperature at a maximum of + 22 ... +25 ° C and constantly airing it. The place should be well lit.
By scraps
This method is suitable for adult woody bushes and implies a cut of the stem (1-2 cm), further wrapping with moistened moss and cellophane and periodic water spraying. The material is aerated and watered so that the moss does not dry out.When the roots appear and fill all the space in the film, the layers can be separated and planted in a permanent place - in a pot with a diameter of 14-16 cm. The plant will develop well when the root system increases to the maximum acceptable size for planting. Because it is necessary to cut off the layouts then. 
Seeds
Seeds to get almost impossible, because the tree rarely blooms. Therefore, this method is not quoted, considering also the fact that it is not easy to grow a new shrub from the seeds. When breeding in this way, sprouts appear on the 10th day after planting in a richly moistened soil with fertilizers and under a film (glass jar). After 2-3 weeks, planting material can be transplanted. 
Care
Now consider the necessary answers to the question of how to care for the radermahera, so that the plant is healthy and beautiful. And, first of all, it is important to clarify here that due to the rapid growth of the Chinese radermacher it is necessary to regularly cut and pinch.Only then will it be that charming lush bush that everyone likes. 
Watering
For the plant during the warm months plentifully watered soil is important, and the water should be at room temperature and separated. As soon as the soil in the pot has dried, immediately you need a little, but water. In the autumn, it is not necessary to water the Rydermahera in such quantities: in cold weather, the earth in the pot should always be wet, but moderately. After drying, the top layer of soil can be watered after 2 days.
Top dressing
Immediately after watering, fertilizer is applied to prevent the roots from burning. From the beginning or middle of spring to the beginning of autumn, the procedure is repeated every half month. Useful complete fertilizer for decorative leafy flowers in the ratio of 1-2 drops per 1 liter of water. An insufficient amount of fertilizer can provoke weakening of the shoots, tarnishing and shallowing of the foliage. 
Transfer
The optimal time for transplanting a young rodermacher is spring.Although for older plants, the determining factor will be the lack of space for the roots in the tank. Most often it will be once every 2-3 years. An indicator in such a case is the lethargy of the plant and the unusual color of foliage. Florists recommend initially to choose pots, wider no more than 2 cm in diameter from the previous ones, with drainage up to 3 cm. The roots are shortened during transplantation, and the top of the shoots can be pinched.
Diseases and pests
Radermahera is quite resistant to diseases, but it can be affected by aphid, mealybug and spider mite. 
To combat them, apply the insecticide "Aktellik" or "Aktar", repeating the procedure in a week. Pests before spraying can be cleaned with a soaped sponge. Some gardeners destroy shoots with foliage that have turned yellow from aphids and mites. The same fate awaits the leaves with a fluffy bloom from a mealy worm. For heavily damaged areas treatment with alcohol is relevant. 
Among the pests that plague the plant is the scythe. Her shoots turn yellow, and then die off.
