Polyscias

 
полисциас

Araliaceae family. It is native to tropical areas of South and East Asia. About 80 species are common in nature. In culture there are:

  • Balfour's polyscias "Polyscias balfouriana" is a shrub with leathery dark green round-shaped leaflets covered with light green or grey speckles, about 5-7 cm in diameter. Some varieties have a white or yellowish border along the edge of the leaf .
  • The shrub polyscias, "Polyscias fruticosa," is a tall shrub with two- and thrice-pinnate leaves. Leaf segments from rounded to narrowly lanceolate, with a serrated edge. It blooms with small nondescript whitish flowers. Varieties with variegated leaves look especially impressive - having a white canvas along the edge of the leaf.

Polyscias - care and cultivation

This cute houseplant can be grown all year on windowsills, without shading, as long as they are not oriented to the hot sunny side. Polyscias grows quite quickly, at home about 80 cm in height, or a little more, it tolerates pruning well, and important methods of plant care include loosening after heavy watering and periodic inspection for the possibility of ticks. When airing, remove the pot with the flower from under the window!

Temperature: Polyscias prefers a temperate to warm climate. In summer, the optimal temperature for growth is 24-26 ° C, at night 18-20 ° C. In winter, it is desirable to cool the content at 18-20 ° C, at least 16 ° C, or rearrange the plant on a lighter windowsill.

Lighting: Bright diffused light, light partial shade in summer, direct sun from November to the end of January, especially necessary for variegated forms. Contrary to the name of this plant, polyscias grows better in a very bright place, protected from direct sun in the afternoon until 17 o'clock.

Watering: Polyscias are watered moderately in summer, when the soil dries well in the upper part of the soil. In winter, when the temperature drops, it is limited, when almost all the soil has already dried up. With warm maintenance, as in summer as the soil dries. Water for irrigation should be soft (boiled or filtered), room temperature.

Fertilizer: From May to August, they are fed with complex fertilizer for ornamental and deciduous plants, once every 2-3 weeks.

Air humidity: Polyscias is very demanding on air humidity. Prefers about 70-80% humidity. In winter, the main problem is the heat from the heating system, but since the polyscias has a rather compact crown, you can easily solve the problem with a wide tray with wet pebbles and spraying.

Transplant: Transplanted annually to create good drainage. The pot does not need to be taken too large, and the holes in the bottom must be mandatory. Soil: 1 part of turf, 1 part of humus, 1 part of sheet earth and 1 part of coarse sand (small pebbles, zeolite granules). More soil options:

  • 2 part of the universal soil from the store, 1 part of the coconut substrate from the briquettes and take dry biohumus (from the bags) in the amount recommended by the manufacturer (approximately 1/8 part).
  • 2 part of the top peat, 2 parts of the loam (garden land), 1 part of the vermiculite.

Breeding: Stem cuttings in spring. Cuttings are rooted quite difficult, so it is better to cut them in early March, with the growth of sunny days and use a soil-heated mini-greenhouse and phytohormones.

By the way

The genus name Polyscias, translated from Greek means: polys - a lot and skias - a shadow. Obviously, this is due to the fact that plants of this genus grow in the moist and shady forests of Asia.

Despite this, cultivated mainly variegated forms are very photophilous, but do not tolerate direct sun. Lighting should be equally good at all times of the year.

Polyscias is one of the rare plants with vertical growth - it stretches up, but rarely needs support. Lateral shoots are located at a very acute angle in the central axis of the stem. The plant is formed by pruning, it not only enhances bushiness, but also leads to thickening of the trunk. By the way, polyscias is widely used as potensai, trees are formed from it in a bowl.

By the way

Polyscias is certainly a rather demanding plant. If the conditions are violated, it dries and sheds leaves. In too hot conditions with a lack of illumination, the stems are exposed in the lower part, the plant loses its decorativeness.

Of course, the main requirement is air humidity. Polyscias does not tolerate dry air in winter or summer. And, in addition, it tends to be affected by a spider mite.

Another condition of this plant is a uniform temperature throughout the year, without sharp drops and drafts.

Strict requirements for watering - excessive watering and complete drying of the soil is not allowed, you should not water it with hard or cold water. The soil should be loose, breathable and liquid permeable.