The evergreen tree-like shrub called the radermacher is quite popular with gardeners. He can decorate any interior with his lush green crown, while being quite unpretentious in maintenance. More details about all the features of the flower - further in the article.

Botanical description of the plant

Radermacher belongs to the evergreen ornamental-deciduous plants and is a representative of the Bignoniaceae family. This flower was named after the botanist J. Raddermacher, a native of Holland, who described it in the 18th century. The homeland of this flower is the island of Taiwan, which is located in the southeast of China. In the natural habitat, representatives of this genus can grow to a height of 30 m and approximately 1 m in diameter. In indoor conditions, the bush does not grow above 2 m.

Plants from the genus Radermacher are crowned with a beautiful green crown. The leaves are a group of 5 small leaves with a pointed tip, the length of which varies from 2 to 4 cm. Due to this grouping, violent greens are formed, for which this plant is valued. In the wild, the radermacher blooms in the dark. On its crown, large bell-shaped flowers of a snow-white hue with an orange core bloom. The fragrance of the Rädermacher flower resembles cinnamon.

Unfortunately, at home it is very difficult to achieve flowering and with proper care it will take more than 15 years. Because of the unusual leaves, the radermacher is also popularly called an emerald tree or indoor ash, however there are even more exotic names, for example, a Chinese chrysalis or a snake tree. Rarely flowering plants include plants such as: rapis, ficus pumila, Washington, zamia and tetrastigma.

In addition, there is another name that has not received such a distribution as a radermacher, is stereospermum Chinese or sinitsum.

Root system	powerful, well developed
Stem	strong
Leaf shape	medium-sized, pointed at the tip
Leaf color	dark green, less common lime
Flower shape	bell, tubular or calyx
Flower color	white-orange, orange, yellow
Fruit shape	elongated narrow boxes
Fruit color	white
Fruit flavor	inedible

The main types

The genus of the radermacher includes about 17 varieties, however, only 3 species are the most popular:

1. Rädermahera arboreal is a tree that grows up to 5–10 m and is found in Indian forests with low humidity. This species attracts with its blooming crown. Among the stormy greenery, thick branches and trunk, small bud inflorescences, which have the shape of a cone, bloom. Flower petals are bent. On their snow-white texture there is a wide wavy border. The pharynx has a creamy yellow tint.
   

2. Radermacher fiery red is a tree that has a carved crown and leaves no more than 7 cm long. A feature of this species is the appearance of buds of flowers that form on the branches and trunk. The inflorescence brush is crowned with orange-red flowers that resemble a tube in shape. Their edge is protruded, and the flowers themselves exude a pleasant note of jasmine.
   

3. Chinese Rademacher or Titmouse is the only species that grows like a house flower. This shrub, the height of which varies from 1.5 to 2 m, is crowned with a lush crown. On the branches there are groups of dark green leaves. An interesting variety of this species is the Caprica blueberry rudermacher, which combines dark green and light green flowers, which forms a unique mosaic coloring of the crown.
   

Growing conditions

The emerald tree in the wild grows in tropical forests, but it tolerates the dry climate of our homes. For the lush greenery of this flower, certain conditions are necessary that an ordinary gardener can simply follow.

Placement and lighting

For small plants, a windowsill that goes east or west is perfect. Spreading shrubs can be placed near these windows. Although the flower is photophilous, it should not be placed on the south window without additional protection, as direct sunlight can damage a delicate leaf plate. The Radermacher can be placed on the south window only after having pre-shaded it with a matte film or tulle.

Important! Exposing an emerald tree to the north window is not recommended, since a lack of lighting draws thin shoots, and the flower becomes like a vine.

In partial shade, it grows well, but loses its decorative appearance. It is worth remembering that the duration of daylight hours should be no more than 12 hours. In cloudy weather and in winter, when natural light is not enough, the plant needs additional lighting. For illumination use special lamps.

Temperature mode

The optimum temperature for indoor ash is + 22 ... + 25ºС in the summer and + 15 ... + 18ºС in the winter. If your thermometer rises above this indicator in the summer, then you should not worry, because the radermacher tolerates hot weather well, however, it is worth adjusting the humidity in the room. But in winter, lowering the temperature below + 14ºС is unacceptable, as this will lead to the death of the plant.

Air humidity

The flower tolerates high humidity only in hot summers, when the air warms up above + 25ºС. In such conditions, the flower needs a warm soul, which is carried out once every 7 days. After water procedures, the flower must be kept warm until it dries. Ensure lush greens will help regular spraying (several times a week).

Important! For spraying, it is necessary to use water with well-purified soft water, so that no foliage does not form, because it is not recommended to wipe them.

Home Care

When a place is chosen, and the conditions for good growth have already been created, you should determine how to care for the flower.

Watering

As a houseplant, Radermacher prefers moderate watering, and the signal for the next watering is the drying out of the top soil layer. In winter, when the temperature of the content decreases, watering also decreases, so moistening the soil must be done 2-3 days after the drying of the upper soil. The water is used only at the room temperature.

Watering the plant is carried out both directly under the root, and with the help of an additional container with water in which the pot is placed. When using the latter method, it is important that the roots do not contact directly with water, so a drainage layer must be laid on the bottom of the pot.

Important! Overmoistening and drying out of the soil should not be allowed, as this will cause the leaves to fall.

Top dressing

Indoor ash loves nutritious soil, so it needs regular fertilizer. It is applied directly during irrigation, which will protect the root system from burns. Fertilizing from mineral fertilizers is recommended not more than a couple of times every 30 days during the growing season. But with the onset of cold weather, when watering decreases, the plant ceases to fertilize.

Crown formation

If you decide to grow a radermacher like a tree, then you need to periodically pinch the tops of young shoots depending on the growth rate. The plant responds very well to such a procedure, it begins to branch abundantly and a beautiful green crown is formed.

Transfer

Young plants should be replanted annually, and upon reaching 5 years of age, the transplant is done no more than once every few years. You can determine the need for transplantation by analyzing the root system - it should braid the entire land lump and take the form of a pot. The best time of the year for a transplant is the first half of March. The capacity for landing should be chosen one size larger or so that one finger enters. In such a pot or pot, the plant will develop a crown, not a root system.

Did you know? Under favorable conditions, the flower is able to grow in the house for more than 15 years.

When choosing a container for the radermacher, a pot with large holes at the bottom should be preferred. This choice is due to the need for free circulation of air and water, since excess moisture is not recommended for this plant. The snake tree loves a nutritious and airy land, so the substrate for roses, citrus or palm trees is better suited for it. However, you can use a mixture of equal parts of humus, woody earth, sand, to which add leafy soil and pine bark.

The latter components are added in a ratio of 2: 0.5. Expanded clay can be used as a drainage layer, however, the thickness of this layer should not be less than 3 cm. During transplantation, they try not to damage the root system, but if it has grown very much, it can be cut off. Drainage is poured into the selected container at the bottom, then it is covered with soil, so that the pot is 1/3 full. Using the transshipment method, the flower is transplanted into a new pot.

Find out when you need to transplant indoor plants.

However, before transplanting, it is necessary to allow the root system to dry for several hours. If necessary, you can pin young shoots or cut off unwanted branches, which can later be used for reproduction. The emerald tree is watered for several days along the edge of the pot and carefully monitored so that direct sunlight does not fall on it. When the flower adapts to a new capacity, it is returned to its old place.

Video: Raidermaheri transplant

Breeding

Radermacher can be propagated in three main ways:

• cuttings;
• layering;
• seeds.

Cuttings

During transplantation or in the period from May to June, you can prepare cuttings for breeding indoor ash. Cuttings are cut at least 15 cm long, where there is a rosette and a group of leaves, as well as part of the stem. Such a stalk is immediately planted in a small container filled with peat and sand in equal proportions, or you can use filler-vermiculite. After planting, the plant needs to provide greenhouse conditions, while there should be a moderate temperature and a sufficient amount of light. The flower is provided with regular watering and ventilation.

Did you know? Emerald tree began to grow as a home plant only in the 80s of the twentieth century.

Bends

Only adult emerald tree can be propagated using air outlets. An incision is made on a stiff trunk and wrapped in moss, which has previously been moistened, and the notch is wrapped with polyethylene to form a greenhouse effect. This place must be constantly kept wet until the roots appear. When the root system fills the entire space of polyethylene, the shoot is cut off and planted in a separate pot with a diameter of 15 cm.

Seed cultivation

Seeds are sown in the nutrient soil, which is previously fertilized. The container with seeds is covered with glass or stretch film, providing greenhouse conditions. In addition, they provide optimum temperature and lighting. Seedlings are periodically watered, and after a few weeks new shoots will appear. Transplanted mature shoots into separate pots when they already have several leaves.

Growing difficulties

Among the most common problems encountered by gardeners are:

• the leaves of the radermacher turn yellow and fall - this indicates that the plant is deficient in sunlight. For restoration, the flower must be rearranged to another place where there will be more light, because the emerald tree does not belong to shade-loving plants;
• the color of the leaves changes, and later they fade - the plant does not have enough moisture, therefore, it is necessary to increase the frequency of watering. However, with excess moisture, the leaves can lighten and at the same time be depleted;
• the gap between the leaves becomes larger, and the leaves become smaller and paler - there are not enough nutrients in the soil or its composition was incorrectly selected during the transplantation. Very often this problem can be observed with a shortage of sunlight;
• the crown of the tree is extended, and the trunk becomes thinner - this happens if the conditions of the plant are not properly observed in the winter, when it rests. It is placed in a bright but cool room.

In addition, florists often ask why the ends of the leaves dry on the flower of the radermacher and what should be done? This phenomenon may also be accompanied by blackening of the sheet plate. The cause of this phenomenon may be a reduced temperature in the room or direct sunlight on the plant.

Read also about how to plant indoor flowers in a pot.

Also, if heavy soil was chosen during planting, and watering was quite plentiful, then black or gray rot spreads throughout the plant, while a brown border appears on the leaves and the shoots rot at the top of the plant.

Disease

Indoor ash is quite resistant to various diseases, however, with an incorrect irrigation regime, the root system begins to sour and root rot spreads throughout the plant. If the flower is slightly damaged, it will be enough just to transplant it into a new airy and nutritious soil and a new pot. However, it is first necessary to clean the roots from the soil and remove the affected areas.

So that the disease does not spread, they are treated in a solution of fungicides. And those areas that have been trimmed are additionally sprinkled with chopped activated carbon and allowed to dry. However, if the disease has spread throughout the flower, then you should get rid of it as a whole (with a pot and ground).

Important! To prevent the spread of root rot, the soil and the tank must be sanitized first. This can be done with boiling water.

Pests

Radermacher is attacked by such pests as:

• spider mite - a spider web appears on the bottom of the leaf plate, while they begin to turn yellow and fall, since these parasites feed on the plant's juice;
• aphid - deformation of young leaves and shoots at the top of the plant;
• powdery worm - fluff appears, which in appearance resembles cotton wool.

To combat these pests, various specialized preparations can be used that can be bought at any flower shop. One of the most common is Fitoverma, which processes the plant several times with an interval of 7 days. However, if it does not help, then after 3 treatments you can change the drug Decis or Actara.

Heavily damaged leaves can be cut. Among folk methods of controlling parasites, one can distinguish a soap solution. However, after such treatment, it is necessary to rinse the plant additionally under a warm shower.

Omens and superstition

A lot of popular superstitions are associated with this plant. For example, according to the teachings of Feng Shui, he is able to have a beneficial effect on the house and helps fight sorrow and boredom. For people who seek to know themselves and engage in spiritual practice, the emerald tree will help open the spiritual chakras and other channels that connect the soul and the higher world. However, even under favorable conditions, this plant can die, people say that it took away damage or the evil eye from its owner, and also saved it from a serious disease.

You will be interested to know whether it is possible to keep a monster flower at home.

Radermacher is not only a beautiful and unpretentious plant, but also a great addition to your harmonious life. It can make your home more comfortable and clean, as well as strengthen family ties, because according to popular beliefs, it helps family members to tune into each other. The tropical origin did not interfere with the cultivation of radermacher as a home flower. With proper care and living conditions, this plant is able to please you with its beauty for long years.

Video: review of the radermacheri