What are Schmidt's clerodendrum and other species of this plant?

Klerodendrum (often incorrectly called "klerodendron") is a resident of hot and sunny places, of course, its exotic appearance can leave few people indifferent. Therefore, from the rainforests this stunning handsome man moved to our apartments and houses.

Its flowers resembling a butterfly are so charming that designers try to use it whenever possible, especially since it is great for vertical gardening. In this article, we will talk about the types of this flower and about the proper care of it. Also watch useful video on this subject.

Features

This unique plant, of course, has many features, for example:

• a bewitching, unique aroma emanating not only from flowers, but also from its leaves;
• this is a seasonal plant, that is, periods of active growth and dormancy are clearly expressed;
• spraying Clerodendrum, which he needs daily, should be done only in the evening;
• after flowering - in the autumn-winter period, Clerodendrum can remain without leaves, with bare branches and this is normal, since the plant is deciduous;
• constant cropping is needed.

Variety of varieties

There are an incredible number of varieties of clerodendrum. And each species has its own distinctive features and its own characteristics.

Calamitosum

It grows low (60 - 75 cm tall) and compact bush. The shape of the leaves of Kalamitosum is elongated with zigzag edges, the flowers are pure white, consist of five petals. The peculiarity of this species is that the stamens are also snow-white. He has a very delicate aroma, pleasant, especially intensified in the evening, flowering he has throughout the spring.

Paniculum or Panicled

The paniculum is also known as the Pagoda., a tall tree (up to 12 meters high) with large leaves in the shape of a heart, suitable for cultivation in conservatories and greenhouses. In its special inflorescences, clear tiers are visible, similar to the roofs of Pagodas. Loose and fertile soil, high humidity.

Fragrant or Filipino

A low shrub (evergreen), its leaves and shoots are covered with fluff. White-pink flowers exude an unusual aroma (citrus plus violet), there is even a hybrid with large double flowers, such inflorescences as a lush bouquet of roses look. The Philippine Clodendrum grows very quickly green mass, so it is even decorative during dormancy.

Indicum or Champagne Spray

Champagne or indicum sprays are a rare enough sight., is a shrub with long pointed leaves, loves the sun, but can grow normally in partial shade. It got its interesting name for the specific similarity of inflorescences with spray of champagne - small white flowers are located on thin long legs - as if drops of champagne are scattered in different directions.

Heterophilum

Medium-sized shrub, long elongated leaves of light green color, Heterophilum inflorescences collected in a lush bunch of delicate white flowers with long stamens. This species has small spines on the branches.

Splendans or Shiny

Splendans - a low evergreen shrub with curly shoots and oval leaves. The red flowers of the Brilliant Clerodendrum are collected in brushes - panicles, the stamens of the flowers are also red and a juicy contrast is obtained against the background of green leaves. It blooms long and plentifully.

Trichotomum

Deciduous low tree with long oval-shaped leaves. Creamy-white Trichotomum flowers (similar to asterisks) are collected in unusual inflorescences - umbrellas. And after flowering, dark blue berries (drupes) appear in pink cups. It can grow both in open and in closed ground.

Schmidt or Chain of Glory

Schmidt shrub with very dense shoots, bright green leaves with wavy edges. It blooms very effectively - just a waterfall of small white flowers (0.5 m long), and the flowers are shaped like a snowflake, they smell very nice. He does not like bright sunlight, it can bloom 2 times a year.

Fireworks or Quadricular

Kvadricularare (Fireworks) is a beautiful shrub with unusual foliage - green color on top, and burgundy on the reverse side, a long leaf with a sharp end. Flowering (2 to 3 months) occurs in winter, the inflorescence is simply unrealistic - the flowers are collected in a bunch in the form of elongated and elongated legs (lilac), and at the very tip they open (in the form of white buds) and get a frozen firework.

Musical notes or Morning Kiss

Musical notes - a small shrub with elongated leaves. This species does not require formation - he himself knows how to grow. Its bud shape is actually similar to musical notes - quarters. The opened flower is white with burgundy or pink stamens, flowering occurs year round.

General care rules

Despite this diversity of species, the rules for caring for Clerodendrum are basically the same. Let's dwell on the most important:

• Seat selection - It is worth choosing a window from the south or west side (this is the most favorable place and a guarantee of flowering).
• Watering - good watering is vital, it is necessary to maintain regularity (about 2 times a week). The water should be exclusively room temperature, sedimented (ideally - rain or melt). The leaves of Clerodendrum are perfectly adapted to absorb moisture with their entire surface, therefore it is necessary to spray them daily (in the evenings), to some extent spraying works even more important than watering.
• Humidity - so that our plant is always comfortable, so that there is no problem due to dry air, it’s worth putting the pot of Clerodendrum in a special tray with expanded clay or gravel and periodically pouring water into it - this manipulation along with spraying the plant will create the necessary microclimate.
• Temperature mode - temperature differences are extremely undesirable, very small ones are allowed - up to 4 degrees. In summer, a good temperature is 23-25 ​​degrees, and in winter (at rest) 12 15 degrees will be enough to correctly flower buds.
• Pruning - since Klerodendrum grows very quickly, you can’t do without this procedure, especially since only due to constant pruning (annually in early spring) can any desired shape be formed.TIP: Also, thanks to the correct pruning (shoots need to be shortened by a third), lush beautiful flowering is obtained, because inflorescences will be formed on new shoots.
• Top dressing - It is best to feed the plant with special complex fertilizer (once every two weeks). It is worth noting that it is better to make a lower concentration of fertilizer than advised in the instructions than to overdo it - you can burn the root system.
• Breeding - It is easiest to propagate Clerodendrum with cuttings (they take root quickly in the water), you can also grow new plants from seeds (also easy), it just takes more time.
• Priming - you can use a ready-made substrate for flowering plants and add a little sand to it (no more than 5%); at the bottom of the pot before planting, it is necessary to pour a layer of drainage (you can even on the third part of the pot); expanded clay, clean gravel or even broken brick will be suitable as a drainage layer.
• Transfer - Young plants (up to 5 years old) can be replanted every year in early spring, while the pot should grow every time in diameter by 3 cm. During the transplant, do not forget to trim (1/3 of each branch). Plants older adults can be transplanted about 1 time in 5 years. Transplantation is carried out only by transshipment, as the roots are very fragile.

  If you just bought Clerodendrum in a store, leave it alone to adapt for two weeks, and then you will need to transplant it into normal ground.

• Pests - any plant, unfortunately, can suffer from harmful insects, such insects as whiteflies, mealybugs, aphids and spider mites may appear on the Clerodendrum.

  It is very important to notice them and take action as soon as possible. The plant is first washed with warm water, and then treated with Actellic or Fitoverm. For prevention, it is worth at least 1 time per month to put Clerodendrum under a warm shower.

Read more about how to carry out proper home care for Thompson's clerodendrum, read in our material.

Conclusion

Clerodendrum, of course, beckons to itself, and attracts the eye. Of course, I want to have such beauty at home to enjoy plenty of beautiful flowering. Moreover, according to legend, this plant can very well affect the fate of a person, give love.

It is worth giving every day quite a bit of time (several minutes) and you will be guaranteed the pleasure of contemplating the fantastic flowering and enjoying the pleasant aroma of Clerodendrum.