Synadenium granta flower. Unpretentious evergreen shrub synadenium. Requirements for the placement of synadenium and lighting

29.06.2020

Read also

Use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine

A common, unpretentious decorative foliage plant of the Euphorbiaceae family. Grows quickly and easily adapts to any growing conditions. The best option for beginners and busy people. Looks decorative and easy to propagate. This article describes in detail how to care for Synadenium Granta at home.

Description and characteristics of the plant

In natural conditions it grows very quickly, forming dense thickets up to 3.5 meters high. As a houseplant, synadenium does not exceed one and a half meters. The bush is branched, the roots go deep into the soil. Thickened, erect lateral shoots are formed on the branches. The stems are covered with smooth, dark-colored skin. The branches are succulent and accumulate moisture in case of drought.

Oval, leathery, dense leaves are held on short petioles. The location on the stem is opposite or alternate. The color is dark, sometimes with reddish spots and streaks. The surface is glossy.

Flowering occurs in the winter months. The flowers are small, forming corymbose inflorescences. Peduncles are elastic, long. The flowers resemble bells in appearance. The edges of the flowers are short and bent. The stamens are long, collected in bunches. The fruit is a three-lobed seed capsule.

Carefully! The milky juice of synadenium is poisonous! If it enters the digestive tract it causes severe poisoning. On the skin - local irritation, allergic reaction. It is recommended to carry out replanting and pruning work with gloves. It is better not to keep it in apartments with small children and pets!

Types for home cultivation

Only two species are suitable for growing in an apartment. They are similar, differing mainly in the color of the leaves.

Features of care and cultivation

They are characterized as an unpretentious flower. But in unfavorable conditions, it loses its decorative effect, grows slowly, and begins to get sick. There are a number of requirements for irrigation regime, lighting, and soil composition.

Lighting and location selection.

Poor lighting leads to a decrease in the decorativeness of leaves. You need a lot of light, but it must be diffused. Direct exposure to the sun is not allowed. The optimal location is east or west. In the north it suffers from lack of light, in the south it quickly gets sunburned. In winter, the lack of light is compensated by using additional artificial lighting.

Temperature.

During the growth phase, during the warm season, it is maintained at 23-25°C. In winter, growth stops and the plant rests. During this period, it is recommended to maintain around 12-15°C, but not lower.

Humidity.

Not sensitive to high or low humidity. Does not require spraying. To remove dust, the leaves are regularly wiped with a damp cloth.

Water with moderately soft, settled water. Wait until the soil surface dries out. Do not allow the coma to dry out completely - if there is a lack of moisture, the plant sheds its leaves. In winter, the quantity and volume of watering is reduced - the need for moisture during this period is lower.

Feeding.

Any complex, universal fertilizers for deciduous crops are suitable. The optimal regime for applying fertilizers is 2-3 times a month. Adhere to the concentration recommended by the manufacturer of the product.

Use neutral soils with an acidity pH of 5-7. The soil for planting is prepared on the basis of leaf soil. Brick chips and peat are used as nutritious and loosening additives.

Transfer.

In the spring. Young bushes - annually, mature ones - as needed. Usually once every 2-3 years, when the roots become crowded. The bottom is filled 3-4 cm with expanded clay or other drainage filler.

Advice! If you are going on vacation, water the synadenium abundantly and move it to a shaded place away from the window. Without supervision, the flower can last up to one and a half weeks. In hot weather, leaf shedding is possible. If this happens, the branches that have lost their decorative appearance are pruned, stimulating the growth of new shoots.

Reproduction methods

Reproduction of synadenium does not cause difficulties. At home, it is grown from seeds and propagated vegetatively by apical cuttings.

Seeds.

Seed propagation is considered a more complex, painstaking task. The advantage is that you can get several plants at the same time. Sowing begins in the spring. Seeds are sown in planting boxes filled with a mixture of peat and sand. Planting depth is 5-10 cm. Keep under a film cover at 18°C. Germination requires full lighting. Seedlings are expected to appear in 1-2 weeks. The first picking is immediately into separate pots in a peat-sand mixture, when the seedlings are 1 cm high. The second picking is when the height of young plants reaches 3 cm. Soil for adult plants is used.

Cuttings.

Cut apical cuttings about 12 cm long with 4-5 healthy leaves. The cut on the plant and the base of the cutting are treated with charcoal powder. The cuttings are dried for 1-2 days in a dry, ventilated, shaded place. The appearance of a whitish film on the cut indicates that the cutting is ready to root. Planted in a sand-peat mixture with the addition of crushed coal. The depth of the base of the cutting is 2-3 cm. Keep in a bright place, the temperature is maintained at 20°C. Roots appear in 2-3 weeks.

What pests and problems might you encounter?

Synadenium is considered a persistent plant. Not susceptible to pest attacks. Sometimes affected by common pests of indoor flowers. Most often, gardeners have to deal with mealybugs. Less commonly - spider mites, whiteflies. According to some reports, a scale insect can settle on synadenium. According to observations, the scale insect does not move to synadenium even in close contact with an infected flower. More often than not, problems arise due to gross maintenance errors.

Dropping leaves	Associated with a sharp change in conditions of detention. Loss of leaves occurs due to a sudden change in temperature, acute lack or excess of moisture, after transplanting or watering with cold water. If a large number of leaves are lost, rotting of the roots is possible.	The decorative appearance of the plant is restored by pruning and adjusting the growing conditions. The flower quickly grows new shoots. When rotting occurs, damaged roots are cut off, sprinkled with coal powder, and transplanted into fresh soil.
The leaves are falling	A sign of lack of moisture in the soil.	After watering, turgor is quickly restored.
Pulling out the stems	Acute lack of light.	To restore decorativeness, pruning is carried out. The intensity of pruning depends on the condition of the plant.

Synadenium is an excellent option for those who love large plants, but do not have enough time to care for them. Unpretentiousness, decorativeness, resistance to pests and negative factors are features that are especially valued by flower growers.

What does synadenium look like?

The shrub has succulent, fleshy stems that become woody with age. The leaves are large, obovate, with clearly visible veins, rounded at the apex. The color of the leaf blades of the species plant is light emerald, but a variegated variety with burgundy foliage, Synadenium Rubra, is very popular in cultivation.

The flowers are small, dark cherry, grouped in a corymbose inflorescence at the crown of the flowering stem. In indoor conditions, seeing synadenium bloom is extremely rare.

The plant intensively secretes milky sap in places where it is damaged or cut, which is considered poisonous because it causes burning and allergic reactions when it comes into contact with the skin or mucous membranes.

Correct transplantation of synandenium

The plant is replanted in the spring once a year or every other season. Young specimens need annual replanting, adults - as the root ball enlarges.

Under natural conditions, synadenium is accustomed to poor soils, but the succulent develops much better in a fertile and loose substrate consisting of turf soil, humus, peat and river sand, taken in equal quantities. Store-bought soil for succulents and cacti is also quite suitable. At the bottom of the flower container, a layer of expanded clay drainage is required.

The pot for synadenium is chosen to be plastic or clay, there is no significant difference, the plant grows well in any container. However, the watering regime will be different, because the earth mixture dries out faster in a clay vessel.

Synadenium is a fast-growing succulent. If its owner, during transplantation, sets the task of restraining the growth of a flower, then he slightly trims the roots and plants it in an old container, changing only the substrate. Otherwise, choose a new pot with a 2-3 cm larger diameter.

Requirements for placement in the house

Lighting plays an important role in the development of synadenium. Bright diffused light is required to maintain the normal healthy appearance of the flower. A few hours of direct sunlight per day is allowed. The plant feels great on a south-facing window sill, lightly curtained by a curtain during the midday hours, as well as on well-lit eastern or western windows.

The lack of light affects the appearance - the shoots of synadenium stretch out and turn into long leafless sticks with a small tuft of leaves at the very top, like a palm tree. Although some gardeners like this succulent, and they deliberately try to create a plant with such a crown.

The temperature preferences of synadenium are rather high, and for its growing season the most suitable room temperature is 24-26 degrees Celsius. Winter maintenance allows lower thermometer readings in the room where the succulent grows, but not less than 10 degrees above zero.

Succulent care

Synadenium is considered an unpretentious houseplant to care for.

Watering and fertilizing

The main problems are caused by a violation of the watering regime: the succulent does not tolerate waterlogging and immediately reacts with drooping leaves, and as a result of constant overwatering, the root system rots. Therefore, it is necessary to water the plant only after the top layer of the substrate has completely dried.

However, complete drying out of the soil mixture should not be allowed when growing this particular species from the Euphorbiaceae family, whose representatives easily lose and restore leaf turgor. In contrast, synadenium drops leaves that have lost their elasticity and no longer returns them to their previous state.

The foliage dries up and falls off, and in its place another, young one will grow, but subject to all the rules of care. Often, to restore an attractive appearance to a succulent, you simply have to trim off the leafless stems to stimulate the growth of young leaves.

Overfilling is also undesirable, especially in low temperatures. The root system in a waterlogged substrate easily rots. Air humidity is not significant in growing this flower. Feed synadenium during the growing season once every 15 days with a mineral complex for succulents and cacti. In winter, the plant rests and feeding is stopped.

Trimming

A certain role in the decorative appearance of a succulent is played by pruning, which cannot be avoided when growing synadenium plants. The tops of young specimens are pinched to stimulate the growth of side shoots, and older specimens are pruned at the beginning of the growing season. Mature flowers older than 5 years of age will require radical rejuvenating pruning by cutting off 2/3 of the length of the stalks or “to the stump”, leaving 10-15 cm of the height of the main stem from the soil level.

Attention! All work with transplanting and pruning synadenium must be done with rubber gloves to avoid contact of milky juice with mucous membranes or skin.

Plant propagation

The most commonly used method of propagating synadenium is by cuttings left after spring pruning, although the shoot can be cut at any other time of the growing season; it will take root easily even in ordinary water.

The cut of the cutting is thoroughly washed under running water until the milky juice stops secreting. Then it is dried for several hours and buried in a peat-sand mixture. Some gardeners treat the rooted end of the cutting with a root formation stimulator, but many consider this procedure optional. The plant easily grows roots, and it is not at all necessary to cover the top with a glass jar or polyethylene.

New leaves that appear at the top of the cutting indicate that rooting was successful, and the young plant is transplanted into a substrate for growing adult synadeniums.

Growing succulents from seeds is much less common than cuttings. For sowing, a substrate is prepared from leaf soil and sand, taken in equal parts. Sow to a depth of no more than 5-10 mm. Bowls with crops are placed in a corner of the house where the air temperature is constantly maintained at least 18 degrees Celsius.

After 1-2 weeks, seedlings sprout. When they rise to a height of 1-1.5 cm and form 2-3 true leaves, they are picked for the first time. The second picking is done when the seedlings grow to a height of 3-3.5 cm, and they are transplanted into independent pots when they are already well established.

Possible diseases and pests

The main problem when growing synadenium is waterlogging, under conditions of which fungal and bacterial infections become more active. The succulent's root system and stem base rot. However, the lack of moisture also affects the health and appearance of the plant - the trunk wrinkles, the leaves wither, turn yellow and fall off.

Insufficient lighting also affects the decorative appearance of synadenium - the pagons are unnaturally elongated. The plant often reacts to errors in care by dropping leaves - with a sharp drop in temperature, using cold water during watering, an unexpected gust of icy air from an open window, a sudden change in light when changing the location of the flower.

It’s almost impossible for me personally to pass by a houseplant I like. Especially if on the way you met an unfamiliar rascal. It is a matter of honor for me to find out who I liked so much and how to grow it.

I guessed from the milky sap that the stranger with the spreading green foliage was from the numerous spurge family. And I learned everything else from his owner.

Synadenium ( synadenium) a separate genus of the family Euphorbiaceae. It grows naturally only in Africa. It is a bushy succulent. The height of the plant can reach up to 4 meters.

About 20 species of synadenium are known, of which the most widespread in home floriculture is Synadenium granta. The species S. grantii was named after the Scottish navigator James Augustus Grant, who explored the territory of Zanzibar and the eastern coast of Africa in the 60s of the 19th century. The naturalist collected several valuable botanical collections and published scientific articles in journals of the time.

The leaves of Synadenium granta are green in color with pronounced dark green veins. There are varieties with reddish leaves. Over time, the trunk becomes covered with tree bark. It blooms with small red flowers-caps, which are located on a short peduncle in the form of an umbrella. True, at home this happens extremely rarely.

SYNADENIUM. CARE

Lighting. Loves bright diffused light. Due to its deficiency, the synadenium is stretched, and when exposed to direct midday rays, burns are possible.

Temperature. Withstands temperatures down to +10°C. In summer it grows well outdoors, but also feels good indoors.

Watering. Although synadenium is classified as a succulent, when the earthen coma dries out, the leaves quickly curl up and fall off. Therefore, water moderately, making sure that the soil does not dry out. Air humidity does not play a special role.

Trimming. The plant grows very quickly. The branches are trying to take over more territory on the windowsill. So that the plant branches better and does not form a hedge ( By the way, synadenium in Brazil is grown precisely for this purpose), it is pruned throughout the year.

The milky sap is poisonous, do not allow it to come into contact with mucous membranes.

Feeding. In the spring-summer period, you can apply complex fertilizers no more than once a week.

Transfer. At the beginning of the year in spring, the plant is transplanted into a larger pot. A drainage layer is placed at the bottom. The soil should be loose, with a neutral Ph environment.

Soil composition: leaf soil, peat and sand (1:1:1).

Reproduction. It is easily propagated by cuttings 10-15 cm long. After pruning, the cuttings are dried and then planted. But it’s better to put it in a glass of water so that the milky juice comes out, and then root it in a mixture of peat and sand.

Synadenium granta can respond to unfavorable external conditions by dropping leaves. Possible reasons for this behavior are a sudden change in illumination, overwatering or drying out.

Synadenium from the Euphorbiaceae family belongs to succulent plants. An exotic representative of the flora came to the windowsills of apartments and houses from the tropical and subtropical zones of arid Africa.

In literature and in everyday life you can often find another name for a flower - love tree(why the plant is called this still remains unknown for certain).

Description and popular types

Synadenium in the wild is represented by succulent trees and shrubs with thick, erect stems and dense oval-shaped leaf plates, which are attached with short petioles. The arrangement of glossy, leathery leaves is opposite or alternate. In the wild, the genus has about 20 varieties, of which only two are common in indoor floriculture:

Blooming synadenium

Tree of love or Euphorbia palmata in its natural habitat it blooms in the winter season, when peduncles of varying lengths develop from the upper axils of the leaves, depending on the species.

The arrows are crowned with umbrella inflorescences, consisting of small red flowers, which are shaped like bells. Over time, in place of the flowers, seed pods are formed, divided into 3 segments.

At home, witnessing the flowering of synadenium is very rare.

Features of growing a flower and creating optimal conditions

Despite the fact that the flower is an unpretentious indoor crop, in order to grow a healthy exotic plant in the house, you should take into account a number of its features and create growing conditions close to natural ones.

Requirements for the placement of synadenium and lighting

A native of Africa loves lots of bright but soft light, which he can receive through windows of eastern or western orientation.

If you install a pot with synadenium on the windowsill of southern windows, you should organize shading during the midday hours, when active sunlight can cause burns on the beautiful leaves of the flower.

In winter, when daylight hours are reduced and the temperature remains at the same level, it is recommended to provide artificial lighting to prevent the plant's shoots from stretching.

Temperature

During the period of intense flower growth, the optimal temperature regime is 22-25°C. With the arrival of autumn cold, if it is not possible to install an additional light source, it is recommended to reduce the room temperature to 15°C.

Carefully! The critical minimum for synadenium is 10°C.

Humidity

The drought-resistant succulent adapts perfectly to dry indoor air and does not need to additionally increase the humidity level.

As a hygienic procedure, the purpose of which is to clean the shoots from dust, wiping the leaves with a damp sponge.

Soil requirements

Synadenium is not picky about soil composition and does well in a loose substrate with a neutral reaction. You can prepare the soil mixture yourself by combining equal parts of peat, sand and leaf soil.

Succulent care

Synadenium, the care of which consists of standard measures, will delight the grower with its decorative appearance and excellent health for the care and attention provided.

Watering

Synadenium, being a succulent. It is drought-resistant and can tolerate lack of moisture for several weeks.

Advice! If the leaves of the synadenium droop, giving up the accumulated moisture, then resuming the irrigation regime will not correct the situation. It is recommended to cut off drooping shoots so that new ones develop faster.

Feeding

The substrate should be enriched with nutrients necessary for the full development of synadenium only during the active growing season, which occurs in spring-summer. Feeding is carried out every 2 weeks using liquid mineral fertilizers for succulents or cacti.

Transfer

Caring for synadenium at home involves transplanting, the frequency of which depends on the age of the plant. While synadenium is actively developing, the crop will need to be replanted annually.

As they grow older, the interval increases to 3-4 years, during which only the top layer of the depleted substrate is renewed.

The procedure is carried out in early March according to the following scheme:

A larger pot is selected.
The bottom is lined with a drainage layer of stone chips or gravel.
The drainage is lightly sprinkled with a substrate, onto which the flower with an old earthen lump is rolled over.
The resulting space is filled with nutritious soil mixture.

Formation of the crown of synadenium

Formative pruning is carried out in early spring, when side shoots are removed and the central trunk is pinched to form a tree.

If the plant develops in the form of a bush, then pruning is still carried out, since it stimulates strong branching. Sanitary pruning, in which damaged, dried shoots are cut off, is recommended to be carried out as necessary.

Important! Synadenium juice is poisonous, so all work with the flower is carried out with gloves.

Protecting synadenium from diseases and pests

A succulent with poisonous juice cannot be called the favorite food of harmful insects.

However, sometimes a weakened plant may experience damage from scale insects, spider mites or mealybugs, which infest indoor flowers when the air is very dry.

As a protective measure, synadenium shoots are sprayed with an insecticide.

With systematic overflows and low temperatures the development of gray rot may be observed, which can be cured in the early stages by transplanting synadenium into a fresh substrate and subsequent treatment with a fungicide according to the manufacturer’s instructions indicated on the packaging.

Attention! Spraying with pesticides should be carried out in the fresh air with a clod of earth previously protected from the possibility of ingress of drugs.

Propagation of synadenium

Euphorbia synadenium propagates by seeds and vegetatively - by cuttings.

By cuttings

During the procedure:

Cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut from the apical shoots.
The cut areas are sprinkled with crushed charcoal, after which the cuttings are dried in air.
After the formation of a film on the cuts, the planting material is buried in a pre-calcined soil mixture of peat and sand by 2-3 cm.
The container with the plantings is transferred to a bright room with a temperature of 20°C.
When shoots begin to appear on the cuttings, indicating rooting, new specimens of synadenium are planted in permanent pots with substrate for adult plants.

Seed method

A more labor-intensive technique, which is carried out by experienced and dedicated flower growers. In the spring, a container for seedlings is prepared, which is filled with sand and peat substrate.

Synadenium seeds are distributed over the surface of the soil mixture, after which they are sprinkled with a 1 cm layer of sand. The crops are moistened and covered with glass. After 10-14 days of being in a bright and warm room, the first shoots appear and the glass is removed.

When the seedlings reach a height of 10 mm, the first dive is carried out. For subsequent procedures in permanent pots, a height of 30 mm is required.

In this video, once again, briefly about caring for synadenium:

Signs associated with synadenium

There are no known superstitions and signs associated with the negative impact of synadenium on the inhabitants of the house where it is kept. But there is an opinion among people that you should not keep the flower in the bedroom, which is explained by its poisonous juice.

Thus, a representative of the tropical flora, synadenium is a spectacular plant that can decorate the home of even inexperienced gardeners who want to landscape the premises.

1. Growing temperature: in spring and summer, the temperature of the synadenium should be 18 - 24 degrees Celsius; in winter, a period of rest begins, which the shrub should spend at a temperature of about 12 degrees Celsius.

2. Lighting: Direct sunlight should not hit the plant during the daytime - only in the morning and evening, every day.

3. Watering and air humidity: Water regularly in spring and summer, drying out the top layer of soil 5 - 7 cm thick between waterings. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering according to the room temperature. There is no need to increase air humidity.

4. Trimming: formative and sanitary - remove old dying shoots, shorten too long stems after flowering.

5. Priming: Tolerates a wide range of soils as long as there is excellent drainage and a neutral to acidic pH.

6. Top dressing: in spring and summer, feed once a month; in mid-autumn, stop feeding and resume fertilizing only in the spring.

7. Reproduction: stem cuttings, sowing freshly harvested seeds in spring.

Botanical name: Synadenium.

Synadenium flower - family . Euphorbiaceae.

Origin. South East Africa.

Description. Synadenium is a low, thin-stemmed succulent shrub or tree. The stems branch at the base, and when damaged, a white sap resembling rubber is released. The leaves are arranged alternately, thick, green, lanceolate, glossy, up to 15 cm long. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, pink, collected in inflorescences - apical corymbs. Currently, varieties have been bred with burgundy specks on the leaves or leaves that are completely burgundy.

Height. The synadenium plant grows quickly and in its natural environment reaches a height of 3.5 m.

2.Caring for synadenium at home

2.1.Growing - how to trim, pinch

Does not require special care and is suitable for growing by novice gardeners. In autumn, plants may lose some foliage - this is normal. Stems that are too long can be cut off after flowering.

2.6.Soil for synadenium

For growing, ready-made soil for succulent plants and cacti with an acidic or neutral pH and excellent drainage is suitable.

2.7. Diseases and pests

Rot occurs due to insufficient drainage. Plants may lose some leaves if there is insufficient light.

Insects that can harm the flower are mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects.

Insects - pests

Insect name	Signs of infection	Control measures
Mealybug or felt	The surface of the leaves and shoots is covered with a fluffy, cotton-like white coating. Plants lag behind in development	Folk remedies: spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Infusions of tobacco, garlic, cyclamen tubers, alcohol treatments, and pharmacy tincture of calendula have worked well. Chemicals: green soap solution, Actellik, Fitoverm.
	Inconspicuous cobwebs on the leaves, yellowing and falling leaves with extensive damage. The surface of the leaf plates becomes dead and covered with small cracks. Plant development slows down.	Traditional methods. Plants can be washed in the shower and left in the bathroom in a humid atmosphere for half an hour. Irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp every week for 2 minutes. Chemicals based on pyrethrum, sulfur powders, Fitoverm, Actellik.
Scale insect and false scale insect	Sticky droplets on the leaves, small yellow spots on the surface of the leaf blades. When scale insects become widespread, they cause leaves to dry out and fall off. Flowers slow down their development	Folk methods of struggle. Spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Scale insect larvae do not like garlic infusion; they also use pyrethrum-based products. Chemicals. Fitoverm, Aktellik, Fufanon.

2.8.Feeding synadenium

In order to get strong and healthy plants, it is enough to feed synadenium monthly with fertilizers for succulents. During the dormant period, plants are not fed.

2.9.Temperature

Euphorbia synadenium enjoys good light and room temperature during the growing season. During the winter months, you can give the plant a cool dormant period at a temperature of about 12° C.

2.10.Lighting

Can take sunbathing in the morning and evening hours. On hot summer days, shading from the scorching rays of the sun is necessary. In autumn, in cloudy weather and in the winter months, you can put it in the most illuminated place. Variegated species lose color and turn green when there is insufficient light.

2.11.Spraying

Plants of the Euphorbia family tolerate fairly dry air and do not require spraying.

2.12.Purpose

It develops quickly and will eventually require a lot of free space to grow.

2.13.Note

All parts of the plants are very poisonous - synadenium should not be kept in places where children or animals can reach. Be careful when working with the plant - the milky sap irritates the skin of your hands. After work, you must wash your hands thoroughly.With age, synadenium loses its lower leaves, but does not lose its attractiveness, since a green crown forms at the tops of the stems.

2.14.Hydroponics

Some species grow well in hydroponics.

3.Varieties:

3.1. Granta - Synadenium grantii

An evergreen shrub or even a small tree, which in its natural habitat can reach 10 m in height. The stems are erect, thick, branched, smooth, and often bare at the bottom. The leaves are thick, broadly lanceolate, glossy, entire, on short petioles, arranged alternately. The shades of the leaf blades are varied and include green, burgundy or brown tones. Plants with stripes and spots on the leaves are often found. The inflorescences are apical, axillary, branched, with small burgundy or pink flowers.

Among the exotic plants cultivated as indoor plants, there are often species that are quite difficult to care for at home and not every amateur can afford.

But the above does not apply to synadenium, otherwise called the tree of love.

Description

Representatives of the genus Synadenium are found naturally in Southern and Eastern Africa. This genus includes approximately 20 species and. The genus belongs to the Euphorbiaceae or Euphorbiaceae family.
The plant is distinguished by straight, thick stems and fleshy, ovoid leaves. Blooms in summer. The flowers are small, red, and form inflorescences. Two species are grown: Grant's synadenium with green leaves and Rubra's synadenium with burgundy leaves.

The second name of this plant is the tree of love. The origin of this name is unclear.

Did you know? The species Synadenium grantii is named after the British explorer of East Africa, James Augustus Grant, who described it in 1875.

The tree of love grows very quickly (up to 25 cm per year) and can reach one and a half meters in height. Refers to, i.e. accumulates water in its fleshy stems. Typically, indoor synadenium has the form of a bush, but by pruning it can be formed into a tree.

Reproduction

The easiest way to propagate this is through cuttings.

To do this, in the spring, cut off the tops of the stems of an adult bush or tree 10-12 cm long with 4-5 leaves, and sprinkle the cut with crushed charcoal.

The cuttings are dried for 24 hours, and the flow of toxic milky juice should stop.

Important! Synadenium juice, like all euphorbias, is poisonous. Even getting the juice on intact human skin leads to redness and irritation, and getting it on the mucous membranes, and especially inside the human body, can lead to much more serious consequences, even fatal.

The planting substrate is a mixture of leaf soil and sand (one part of each component). It is also recommended to add a little charcoal to this mixture. The prepared substrate is poured into the pot and the cutting is stuck into it, deepening it a couple of centimeters.
The pot is placed in a well-lit place. The seedling usually takes root in 2-3 weeks.

You can germinate synadenium from seeds, but this method is considered more complicated than cuttings. It needs to be sown in spring. For the seeds, a substrate is prepared from a mixture of sand and leaf soil, and the seeds are sown into it.

When sowing, they are buried 5-10 mm. Within one to two weeks, the seeds germinate. The optimal temperature for germination is +18°C.

Soon after the sprouts appear, when they extend 1 cm, the first picking is carried out. When the sprouts reach 3 cm, a second pick is carried out.

Conditions

Representatives of this genus of euphorbia are undemanding to living conditions; they develop well in an ordinary city apartment.

Lighting

This plant feels best in conditions of bright but diffuse lighting, and direct sunlight can cause burns to the foliage. Usually pots with it are placed on window sills oriented to the west or east.

In autumn and winter, in conditions of insufficient light and in a warm room, the branches of the plant can stretch, which worsens its appearance (stretched branches look bald). During this period, it is better (but not necessary) to keep the plant in a cool room.

Temperature

In summer, the optimal temperature range for synadenium is from +22°C to +26°C. This species does not have a clear dormant period, but in autumn and winter it feels good in cooler air, the temperature of which, however, should not be lower than +10°C.

Air humidity

This factor does not have much influence on the development of the plant. To get rid of accumulated dust, its leaves are periodically wiped with a damp sponge or sprayed with water.

The soil

The best soil for synadenium is light soil with a neutral reaction. Usually, a substrate is prepared for planting by mixing equal parts of peat, sand and leaf soil. You can also add some brick chips and charcoal there.

The bottom of the flower pot is covered with a layer of expanded clay to ensure.

Care

Synadenium is an unpretentious plant, caring for it is not difficult. But it is important to know some features of its content.

Watering

Trimming

This procedure can be carried out at any time of the year, but the corrective procedure, with the help of which the plant is given the desired shape, is preferably carried out in the spring. If necessary, remove weak shoots and drooping leaves.

The cut areas are treated with crushed charcoal. Pruning shoots leads to increased branching of the plant.

Transfer

Synadenium is characterized by rapid growth, so the young plant is annually transplanted into a larger pot.
Subsequently, the frequency of transplantation decreases; the procedure is performed once every 2-3 years.

The best time for replanting is early spring. If further growth of the plant is undesirable, it is transplanted into a pot of the same volume. Large mature plants are not replanted, but they periodically replace the top layer of soil in the tub.