Kodieum (Latin Codiaeum) - a genus of plants of the family Euphorbiaceae. Croton - comes from Southeast Asia. In nature, it grows up to 3 m in height. Name of the plant comes from the Greek (kodeia) - "head".

 

Croton - herbaceous perennials or evergreen trees and shrubs. The leaves of Croton dense, leathery, wiry, petiolate, can be pointed or blunt, lanceolate, linear or ovoid shape. Inflorescences axillary, hronopodibne. The flowers are small. Croton grown as a decorative foliage plants.

Lighting. Croton requires bright but diffused light. On the northern windows may require additional fluorescent lighting, and the southern Croton will need to put away from the window to the plant did not get a burn. Best Croton grows on the western or eastern window sills. Insufficient light leads to fading pattern on the leaves, so variegated types need a longer daylight hours.

Temperature. Croton require a stable temperature, as soil and air. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 18 °С, so the pot should be placed near heating appliances, but it is necessary and to maintain high humidity. Be taken to avoid drafts. In summer, the temperature should be near 22 °С.

Watering. During the year the soil does not provide dry - water needed Crotone immediately after drying the top layer of soil in the pot. Water for irrigation which are soft and warm, and before that left standing overnight to settled as much lime.

Humidity. Croton required daily spray as high humidity - one of the basic conditions for its cultivation. If spraying is not enough, you can put next to a pot of Croton container of water. From time to time you can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. The water has a cream for at least 24 hours.

Feeding. Winter Croton feed monthly diluted twofold serially mineral and organic fertilizers. The rest of the week and also fed alternately.

Circumcision. Croton must pinch to crone came volumetric and beautiful. First time pinch on the outer bud when the plant Doros to 15 centimeters. Then every 20 inches.

Transplantation. Better to take a small pot. At the bottom pour drain and substrate consisting of compost, peat, sand, turf and leaf in equal parts. You can add charcoal. Transplant needed Crotone each year, if the plant is young. Older plants are transplanted in 2-3 years. Croton can not be transplanted, and to handle.

Propagation. Cuttings suitable apical and parts stems. Before planting the cuttings, you must give the milk to drain the juice in place of the cut, and the cut have to do with a sharp knife or blade. Zywiec washed in warm water, treated with stimulant prypudryuyut root and powder charcoal. Cuttings are planted one in small pots with a mixture of peat and sand. The temperature should be 24-26 °С, cuttings regularly sprayed and wet soil. Within 30-40 days the plants are rooted, after which they were seated in the substrate of equal parts of sand, peat, humus, leaf and sod land. At the bottom of the pot need to fill drainage.

Toxic!!! Croton containing poisonous sap, which hit the skin may cause severe irritation and swallowing - Diarrhea and vomiting. After working with the flower you want to wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure that children do not chew the leaves and rubbed his eyes after a plant.

Pests. Croton suffers from thrips, mealy scale insects, spider mites and quadraspidiotus perniciosus.

- leaves fade. In Croton is the case, as in the case of an excess of light, and in the lack of light;

- the tips of the leaves korychneviyut. Croton is in a room that is too dry or air dry earth com. It is necessary to increase the humidity or water the flower;

- korychneviyut leaf margins in Croton. This is too low temperatures;

- brown spots on leaves. It burns. Croton is direct sunlight;

- the leaves are falling. In Croton is the case or from hypothermia or from drafts;

- blind new leaves. This is natural. Bright leaves become over time.