Japanese Aucuba is a popular variegated plant that is grown both in the garden and at home. Each grower will enjoy caring for the crop. In return, she will thank the green foliage with an extraordinary color, lush flowering and an easy process of reproduction.
Aukuba, or the golden tree, native to the forests of East Asia, grows everywhere in Japan, the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus and the Himalayas. A small plant with variegated foliage.
Flower in a pot
Appearance story
In the home interior, the flower was already found in the XVIII century. Especially with such a plant, the inhabitants of Japan were lucky, where it grows everywhere, taking part in the annual events of the indigenous population. The export of culture from the country was initially strictly prohibited - people tried to protect it as much as possible. Even then, it was appreciated for its magical healing properties.
Additional Information! When, a little later, the plant appeared in Europe, problems occurred with selection: the flower itself was female, a male was needed for pollination. Robert Fortune, a botanist, after some time, managed to get such a seedling, and the issue was resolved.
Description
The description of the culture always begins with the leaves of the aucuba - a magnificent green crown is covered with golden dots, like droplets of precious metal. Some called the plant "sausage" because they saw in numerous dots something resembling a cut of sausage.
Important! Some varieties have plain foliage, while the shrub at the same time looks like a wax figure. Among flower growers, a decorative look is usually grown.
Healing properties
The aucuba plant has not only a beautiful appearance. There are active substances in foliage that bring incredible benefits to both man and the world around him:
- Destruction of harmful bacteria and microorganisms in the room,
- Regulation of air microflora to the necessary indicators,
- A quick helper for people with injuries and burns, tumors and frostbite.
- Creating a peaceful and warm atmosphere at home.
Note! All parts of the flower are poisonous, therefore, when compiling a recipe, you must strictly adhere to the recommended proportions.
Common varieties
The types most often come on sale:
- Hillieri
- Variegata,
- Goldiana,
- Crotonifolia,
- Dentata.
Crotonifolia
Aucuba Japonica Crotonifolia is a fairly lush shrub with a diameter of up to 3 m. The foliage is glossy and reaches 20 cm in length. The form of yellow speckles is different for the arotuba of Crotonifolia, so uncomplicated drawings are found on the leaf. The plant has different male and female specimens. Fruits after flowering are red and oblong.
Shrub crotonifolia
Hillieri
The foliage differs in narrower forms, monophonic, serrated along the edge, dark green.
Hillieri
Variegata
Very bright foliage, light green. A scattering of gold spots glistens on it.
Variegata
Goldiana
Very similar to Variegata, but the leaves are slightly larger in volume.
Goldiana
Dentata
The foliage resembles a Holly culture, bright green with a serrated edge.
Dentata
Home care
Aucuba home care includes:
- Watering,
- Feeding
- The formation of the bush due to pruning,
- Providing the necessary conditions at rest.
Temperature and lighting
The flower will grow well, both in the sun and in the shade. He does not like the scorching sun. Even in the shade, the brightness of the leaves will not be affected.
In winter, the temperature of the content should be 6-12 degrees, otherwise the foliage will begin to blacken and fall.
Important! It is better to put the pot on the northern windowsill - there will be no scorching sun, thereby the foliage will be reliably protected.
Watering, spraying and humidity
Watering is plentiful, but not excessive, especially in summer and spring. Before watering, the topsoil should dry out a little. If water has collected in the pan, it is worth pouring.
It is not necessary to spray the culture, it is necessary to wipe the leaves from dust. In the room where the flower is located, strong humidity is not allowed.
Soil and top dressing
In the care of aucuba, top dressing is very important - with its correct and timely administration, the foliage will be bright and saturated.
From March to early September, fertilizer is administered once a week. You can use top dressing bought at a store for ornamental plants, once a month indulge your favorite organic matter - slurry. The soil must be loosened so that air and moisture pass easily.
During rest
Japanese Aucuba care at home during dormancy is different. All processes in the plant are slowed down or even suspended. Therefore, from October to February:
- The flower "rests" in a slightly heated room,
- Air temperature - from 8 to 12 degrees,
- Watering carefully, allow the soil to dry out,
- Feeding is not needed.
Pruning
Held in March to form a beautiful crown and remove bad shoots. Young sprouts need to be pinched - so it turns out a dense crown. If the branches were cut from the top, they can go for propagation as a stalk.
Bloom
It comes from March to April, same-sex.
Flower
Types and forms of flowers
Aucuba flower is a soft red-brown inflorescences that are collected in panicles. Before flowering, the sex of the plant is difficult and almost impossible to determine. Fruit - small berries, become either orange or red (rarely white and greenish).
How care is changing
Care continues as needed with active growth and development: weekly top dressing and regular watering.
Breeding
It happens of different types:
- Cuttings - cuttings of last year’s growth are used,
- The seeds
- Air layering
- By sheet.
At home, the easiest way to use the vegetative method is rooting the cuttings.
Seed germination
Aucuba propagation by seeds is often found in open ground under natural conditions, but cultivated varieties are not bred this way - in this case it is very difficult to get a good seed, the culture itself will lose all its characteristics.
Rooting cuttings
The optimal harvesting period is considered to be either March or the end of summer or the beginning of autumn. The shoots are cut with a sharp knife, 2-3 leaves remain on them. Root them in a prepared, well-moistened soil or soil mixture. Cover the container with a transparent film. Periodically ventilate, spray, keep it at a temperature of 20-22 degrees. After 2-3 weeks, dive the sprout in a separate pot.
Cuttings rooted
Air lay
Layers begin to form from branches with aerial roots in the lower part. In this case, you should drip a twig, water it well. Soon it will take root.
Transplant after purchase
Aucuba transplant after purchase is made in a small pot. It is necessary to plant in a substrate, suitable soil for ornamental plants or a mixture of turf, deciduous land and peat (1: 1: 2). Planting a seedling is carried out in slightly moistened soil, which subsequently needs to be a little tamped.
Important! Culture does not need frequent transplants. If the flower is ripe, then it is permissible to transplant it once every 2-3 years. The roots are very thin and brittle, so you should be very careful in the process.
Growing problems
With proper care, aucub practically does not cause problems with cultivation. There are some points worth paying attention to.
Foliage blackens
Dropping foliage and buds
The flower does not have enough moisture, so it discards the foliage to distribute the nutrition process. It is worth adjusting the watering.
Pale leaves
Most likely, the lighting is excessively bright. It is necessary to transfer the pot to partial shade.
Dried tips
Inadequate watering and humidity. First, the leaves begin to turn yellow, then dry. You must either turn on the humidifier or spray the flower.
Leaf fall
Not enough nutrition. In this case, the leaves are smaller at first, then they begin to fall.
Pests
Most often, the plant is attacked by diseases associated with active damage to the plant by a spider mite. Another pest is thrips.
The luxurious appearance and the presence of useful properties make aucuba (golden tree) a valuable shrub among others. Exquisite foliage shimmers colorfully in the sun and is able to heal burns and inflammation of the skin.
