Legume family. Homeland Australia.
At home, Australian Castanospermum australe is grown - an evergreen tree with a dense crown and erect shoots, reaching a height of up to 30 meters in nature (in room conditions, old specimens grow 2.5-3 m). The leaves are opposite, dark green, pinnate, each segment up to 15 cm long, 15-17 leaves on an adult leaf. Leaflets are oval in shape, pointed at the end, slightly wavy along the edge. Inflorescence - axillary panicles. The flowers are bicolored, red-yellow, with long stamens, five-membered calyx and corolla, 3-4 cm long. Flowering in room conditions does not occur. The fruit is a pod 10-20 cm long, the seeds are dark brown. Leaves and seeds are poisonous.
Room chestnut care
Temperature: moderate in summer, preferably in the upper range of 24-26 ° C. In winter, it is advisable to keep indoor chestnut in a cooler but bright room with an average temperature of about 18 ° C, but not lower than + 12 ° C. Kashtanospermum does not tolerate heat well, the proximity of heating systems with a lock, especially in conditions of lack of light.
Lighting: Bright diffused light, shading from the direct sun during the hot summer is about 12 to 4 p.m. But on the east or northwest window, direct sunlight is not scary for a room chestnut, but very useful.
Watering: Plentiful from spring to autumn. The plant is watered with soft water only when the top layer of the earth in the pot dries, preventing overdrying. In winter, rarer, depending on the temperature, the earth should dry out thoroughly, but not dry out completely. If you doubt watering, then keep in mind that the plant will endure drying out more easily than overflow.
Fertilizers: annually in spring and summer, once every 2-3 weeks, fertilizers are fed for decorative and flowering plants.
Air humidity: Kashtanospermum loves moist air, in nature it grows along the channels of rivers and streams, so it can be sprayed and a warm shower can be arranged, but at the same time, carefully protect the ground in the pot from water (for example, wrap it tightly with cling film). You need to spray with soft settled water.
Transplantation: carried out in 2-3 years, large old plants are not transplanted, but replace the top layer of the earth. The soil should be slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5-5.9. Room chestnut needs nutritious and well-drained soil. Approximate soil composition: 2 parts of leafy land, 1 part of light sod land (to collect moles in the field in spring) and 1 parts of large washed river sand. Instead of sand, vermiculite, fine expanded clay is suitable. It is not bad to add finely chopped pine bark to the ground. The pot doesn't have to be tight or too spacious - look at the photo of the room chestnut - it's the perfect pot size. Calculate the height of the pot so that a layer of drainage fits at the bottom.
Reproduction: Semi-woody cuttings from mid-summer and seeds.
Growing problems
- Low light: Plants may lack light if they stand far from the window. But even on a bright windowsill in winter, there may be a lack of light if the temperature is high. In this case, the shoots and internodes are pulled out, the leaves pale.
- Chestnospermum can be attacked by a spider mite, especially if the air is too dry and hot. It is worth looking for a tick on the leaves if you notice that the leaves turn yellow, or there are light dots on the leaves. You can fight the tick by increasing the humidity. You can also wash the plant with a flea zoo. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times, after a week.
