Tree of love aichrizon: care, reproduction, possible problems

Aichrizon belongs to the genus of succulents and in appearance resembles the well-known Crassula. The plant prefers bright, diffused light; in winter it needs a cool hibernation. In April or May, aichrizon produces golden inflorescences; the flowering period lasts about 2 months. Proper care of the plant will help avoid problems in the form of diseases and pests. If you want to propagate a flower, the cutting method is best.

Description and types of plants

Externally, aichrizon looks like a small tree with thickened leaves. Residents of the Canary Islands, where the plant can be found in natural conditions, nicknamed it the “tree of love.” Airhizon received this name because of the shape of the leaves, reminiscent of a heart. The succulent is not found so often in apartments due to its capricious nature. You can create a favorable environment for a flower if you have the necessary knowledge.

General features of succulent:

• the height of airchizons at home does not exceed 40 cm, while their crown has the same diameter;
• the stem of the plant can be straight or curved;
• Airhizon readily branches;
• the leaves are collected in rosettes, which gives the flower additional splendor.

Depending on the variety, the color of the leaves can be variegated or monochromatic. Succulents with streaks of yellowish, bluish, and purple colors are often found. The leaves are covered with short fluff on top.

All aichrizones emit an unpleasant aroma, which is noticeable when the leaves are damaged. A description of the types of succulents grown in home culture will give a rough idea of ​​them.

Sedumfolia

A subshrub with thin straight stems and medium-sized leaves of light green color. The edges of the leaf blades are painted scarlet or pinkish. The decorative value of a succulent increases during flowering. The plant is very decorated with racemose inflorescences consisting of golden flowers that look like stars.

Home

The hybrid is distinguished by the bluish color of its leaves, collected in apical rosettes. Varieties of aichrizone domestica with a light border on the leaf blades have been developed. The flowering of the hybrid lasts up to six months.

Betancourt (or Winding)

A succulent with a shrub type of growth up to 30 cm high. The crown consists of lush rosettes. The diamond-shaped leaves are covered with a light edge. During flowering, golden umbrella inflorescences are formed.

Loose

This species has long-petioled, diamond-shaped leaves covered with a grayish coating. During flowering, large clusters of yellow or orange flowers appear on the succulent. There is a short edge on the stems and leaves.

Spot

Herbaceous variety. The maximum height of the plant is 40 cm. Airhizon dotata has brown stems and slightly pubescent diamond-shaped leaves. During flowering, the bush is decorated with loose shields consisting of small bright yellow flowers.

Helpful advice! Those who keep a succulent as a decorative element of the interior are advised not to let it bloom. If you do not remove the inflorescence at the formation stage, the plant will later shed the leaf rosette on which the flower cluster appears. As a result, unsightly bald spots will appear on the tree. A blooming “tree of love” also looks spectacular, but then it will take a long time to recover.

Air care

In the house, the plant remains decorative for up to 5 years, then it is replaced with a young specimen. The good condition of the aichrizon largely depends on care. The flower feels best in the winter garden, where it can exist without losing its shape for much longer. Home care includes creating and maintaining an environment favorable to the plant.

Lighting

In nature, aichrizon grows under the canopy of tall trees. The plant needs bright but diffused light. On a northern windowsill, the succulent will feel uncomfortable, the shoots will begin to stretch, and the color of the leaves will fade. It is best to place a pot with a plant on a western or eastern window. Periodically, the aichrizon is turned to the window glass with the other side so that the crown grows evenly. On the southern windowsill, the flower is shaded by covering it from the sun with a sheet of white paper or gauze.

Temperature

In the warm season, room temperature will be comfortable for the plant. In the summer, you can take the flower out into the garden or place it on an open balcony. Wintering is important for the aichrizone. In autumn, the plant goes into a dormant state, stopping growth. If the room temperature is not reduced, the succulent will begin to shed its leaves. If the shoots are warm in winter, they will stretch out and the bush will become ugly.The ideal temperature for winter is 8-10 °C. During this period, it is better to place the pot with the plant close to the window glass and keep the window slightly open.

Watering and spraying

Homemade aichrizon is often watered with a small amount of settled water. Succulent plants store moisture in their leaves and can easily tolerate drought. The interval between watering should be such that the soil has time to dry to the middle of the pot.

The “Tree of Love” itself will tell you that it’s time to give it water, reducing the turgor of the leaves. Rare and abundant watering will negatively affect the plant. In this case, the roots of the succulent will begin to rot. In winter, the frequency and volume of watering is reduced. Aichrizon does not need spraying.

Transfer

The succulent is compact in size, so it does not require a large pot. The aichrizon is replanted annually, each time increasing the size of the planting container by 2 cm. The soil for planting is made up of several components:

• 3 parts of turf soil;
• 1 hour humus;
• 1 tsp leaf soil;
• 1 tsp sand.

A layer of expanded clay must be placed at the bottom of the pot. The drainage layer will protect the roots from stagnant moisture.

Feeding with fertilizers

Aichrizon is fed from spring to late summer. Once active growth stops, nutrients are no longer needed. Liquid fertilizer for succulent plants is used as fertilizing. Succulents need a reduced concentration of minerals, and especially nitrogen.

Trimming

You can form an aichrizon in the form of a bush or tree. The cutting method also depends on the chosen shape. If you want to get a bonsai-like plant, remove the leaves and branches at the bottom of the stem.You can give the crown an interesting shape by pinching the shoots. Blooming aichrizon is not disturbed by pruning until the end of flowering. The bush is formed from several stems, also pinching their tops to give the succulent splendor.

Reproduction methods

Reproduction of aichrizon is carried out in two ways - by seeds and cuttings:

1. Seeds are germinated in a mixture of soil and sand. Planting material is slightly buried in the ground. Cover the top of the container with glass or film until shoots appear. Sowing is carried out in the spring. The seeds will take approximately 2 weeks to germinate.
2. Cuttings allow you to get new succulent specimens faster. Apical shoots 8-10 cm long are used as cuttings. The cut must first be dried. The material can be rooted directly in the ground. Suitable substrate for succulents or vermiculite. The container with the cuttings is placed in a bright place, protected from direct sunlight. The substrate is periodically moistened. You will have to wait about a month for the roots to appear.

How to propagate aichrizon is decided by its owner. The seed method is usually used if there are no cuttings at hand or you need to get a new variety.

Diseases and pests

If you care for the plant well, it will remain healthy. Suitable watering, proper lighting, and cool wintering will maintain the immunity of the aichrizon at the proper level. A weakened succulent can be harmed by various insects and diseases.

The following can live on a flower:

• mealybug;
• spider mite;
• scale insect;
• nematode.

At home, it is advisable to use safe insecticides that are low toxic to humans, for example, Fitoverm. This remedy has a wide spectrum of action."Fitoverm" is effective in the fight against mites, scale insects, and mealybugs. The drug is diluted according to the instructions. To spray, it is better to take the plant out into the open air. The drugs Nemafos, Bazamid, Phosfamide, and a saturated solution of potassium permanganate will help get rid of the nematode.

Rot is a dangerous disease. Not only the roots, but also the leaves of the plant can rot if there is excess moisture. In both cases, the plant must be transplanted into fresh soil, having first disinfected the pot. All affected parts of the flower are removed and the sections are dried. The roots are soaked in Previkura or Ordala solution. The above-ground part is treated from gray rot with a solution of copper sulfate according to the instructions.

If a flower's leaves fall off, the reason lies in improper maintenance. The cause of leaf fall may be:

• exposure to bright sun;
• drying out of the earthen coma;
• excessive watering;
• wintering in a warm room.

Aichrizon also loses leaves during flowering. Forming inflorescences takes a lot of energy from a succulent.

According to popular beliefs, the appearance of the aichrizon reflects the general furnishings of the house. If a friendly and harmonious atmosphere reigns in the home, the flower will look healthy and lush. There is also an inverse relationship. The gift of aichrizon will bring happiness and prosperity to the house. Mutual understanding will come to the household, and there will be no reason for quarrels.