From America and the Mediterranean came to us from the cypress family cypress. On sale there is a large-fruited cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) - this species differs in comparatively small size (it was specially deduced as a room culture), ideal for indoor floriculture.
In the shops cypresses are found in a variety of forms - tonsured in the form of a small tree, shrub, in the form of a pyramid. Cypress is very similar to a living herringbone, only in miniature, so this plant can be given for the New Year. Sometimes on New Year's Eve in stores cypress sprinkled with special sparkles, so it looks more festive and more like a Christmas tree. However, such a plant is not worth buying, as shines harm it, it is better to give preference to cypress in its natural form, without any glitter and toys. A cypress, if desired, can be decorated with colorful rain or paper toys. These decorations are easy and do not harm the plant.
Cypress refers to unpretentious coniferous houseplants, but does not tolerate high temperatures and dry air during the winter season. Cypress develops rapidly. Cypress can become an original and unusual decoration on New Year's Eve, instead of decorative cypress will require a little attention and love.
Caring for cypress
Lighting. As for location and lighting, cypress houseplants like diffuse bright lighting with shading from the direct, bright rays of the sun, especially in the summer. For the winter, the cypress must be placed in a bright room. If in the summer the cypress was not kept on the open window sill, then for the winter cypress should be placed as close to the light as possible, where it is kept until the onset of spring. If the cypress lacks light, then it begins to stretch and lose shape. Excess of light leads to yellowing of the leaves, which inevitably leads to their falling off. The room where the cypress is contained should be ventilated.
Temperature. In winter, the cypress is contained in a moderately cool room with a minimum temperature of 5 degrees, the optimum temperature is 8-10 degrees. From the end of spring until the end of the summer season, the plant is advised to grow outdoors, while protecting from drafts, and it is imperative to provide shade. Do not place cypress plants near to heating devices, since hot air for cypress is harmful.
Watering. From spring and until autumn, you need to water the cypress. In winter it is moderate. Take care that the earthen does not dry out and over-moisten it, it has a harmful effect on the coniferous plant, especially the over-drying. In winter, watering directly depends on the temperature of the content, if the cypress is kept at 8 degrees, then water should be watered once every ten days, if the temperature of the content is close to 12-14 degrees, then watering is carried out in five to seven days once.
Top dressing. Cypress - plants that need fertilizing, in the period from May to August feeding takes place every thirty days. For fertilizing is taken liquid mineral fertilizer special for indoor plants. Take half the recommended dose. In winter, feeding depends on the temperature of the contents and is carried out every three to five weeks.
Air humidity. To maintain moisture cypress is recommended in spring and summer regularly sprayed. With a warm winter, the plant also needs to be sprayed in the morning and in the evening, always with warm water, if the cypress is kept in a cool room, then it is not necessary to spray. It is better to keep the cypress in a moderately humid room, but there should be no excess moisture. If cypress is kept in cold conditions in winter, then water should be applied after the substrate has dried completely.
Transfer. Transplant cypress plants can be in the middle of spring, young - annually, more adults - as needed. Transplant them carefully, while trying not to damage the roots of the plant, as the cyparus can not be traumatized. Therefore, it is recommended to transplant the plant with a partial substitution of the substrate. Completely transplant with replacement of the substrate is advised, if this is necessary. During the dive, only the land that is freely separated from the roots is replaced.
For the cypress is taken the following composition of the earth: turf land, sand, peat (in the same number), leaf land (one part more). Cypress grows well in loose ground, during transplantation it is not necessary to deeply bury the root neck in the ground, this plant will begin to die. At the bottom of the tank must be good drainage.
Reproduction. Reproduction by lignified cuttings is possible not only in spring, but also in summer. This process of reproduction is laborious enough, this is due to the fact that cuttings are difficult to take root. Therefore, it is advisable to use root stimulants. The soil temperature should be approximately 18 o C. In addition to the temperature regime, the humidity of the air must be high.
Seeds, these houseplants multiply less often, as a rule, in the spring.
Difficulties in growing
The leaves turned yellow. This is due to the dryness of the air, lack of water, a lack of nutrients, a surplus of calcium.
The tips of the leaves became brown. Perhaps, the plant is kept in a room with dry air, lacks watering, or cold air acts on it.
What carries the danger:
- dry air;
- lack of water (the drying of the soil leads to the death of the plant);
- lack of light;
- lack of nutrients, including calcium;
- the effect of cold air.
All these factors lead to yellowing, withering and falling leaves. Either the tips of the leaves become brown.
Pests
The spider mite is affected mainly by excessively dry air. There is a web in the leaves and between the twigs. The leaves wither and crumble. To combat, use 0.15% solution of the actinic (the solution is prepared as follows: 1 liter of water, one or two ml) in the form of spraying.
Shields and falsities. These pests suck out the cell sap, so brown plaques appear on the surface of not only the leaves but also the stems. And as a result, the leaves dry and crumble. It is mechanically impossible to assemble all the pests from cypress, so the plant is advised to wash or spray with a 0.15% solution of the actinic (diluted: 1 liter of water, one or two ml). It is necessary to conduct such a procedure more than once.
To deal with these "enemies" of cypress, you can use a warm shower, soap solution and spraying with the use of a solution of actinic. For recovery, moist air is mandatory!