Secrets of the care and maintenance of Radermachera, nicknamed indoor ash

general information

Radermachera (lat. Radermachera) got its name in honor of the Dutch scientist who found it in the forests of Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and has 16 species in the genus. In the natural environment it lives up to 20–30 years, but even at home it can delight the owner for decades.

Expert opinion

Mokhov Andrey Petrovich

Graduated from KubSAU, specialty: agronomy

Chinese Radermachera (Radermachera sinica) is the only representative of the genus among indoor plants.

You can buy Radermachera online or at a flower shop. The price depends on the size and starts from 500 rubles for a tree 20–25 cm high. A plant about a meter in height will cost about 2,500 rubles.

The china tree is similar in appearance to ash, ficus, hibiscus, laurel and coffee tree.

The snake tree, despite its name, is not poisonous. Moreover, it perfectly purifies the air.

Radermacher flower: general characteristics

Radermacher belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and, according to modern classification, the genus of the same name includes more than 15 species. Radermacher came from East Asia and was first described by the Dutch botanist J. Radermacher.

In natural conditions, Radermacher is a large, powerful tree with a lush crown, the trunk of which can reach 1 m in girth. Wild emerald trees grow up to 30 m in height.

In indoor floriculture, only 1 species has been successfully domesticated and has taken root well – Radermachera sinensis. This tree is distinguished by its more compact size and unpretentious character. The trunk of the blueberry is straight, covered with light gray bark. The height of the bush in indoor conditions rarely exceeds 1.5 m.

The homemade Radermachera is especially decorative due to its emerald green carved leaves, thickly covering the drooping branches. Small thickenings, so-called lentils, form on the branches of the plant, which give the bush an exotic appearance.

It is noteworthy that wild varieties bloom regularly. Their blossoms are incredibly beautiful and at night envelop the space with the intoxicating aroma of jasmine, cinnamon and cloves. Indoor Radermacher blooms rarely and only in conditions as close as possible to the native climate of the island of Java.

Photo gallery

It has a main trunk and several horizontal shoots that become woody over time. Their surface is smooth and covered with gray-green bark.

A distinctive feature of Radermachera are the “lentils” - small oval thickenings on the branches.

Long oval or ovoid leaves grow close to each other. They are glossy with jagged edges. Initially they have a light green color, but over time they darken from the middle.

The emerald tree almost never blooms indoors. The first buds on it can be seen only after 10–15 years. In the wild, they appear in the summer directly on the trunk or in the axils of the leaves and are very similar to bells. The color is white, cream or yellow-orange.

Expert opinion

Mokhov Andrey Petrovich

Graduated from KubSAU, specialty: agronomy

The flowers open only at night and emit the scent of cloves, cinnamon or jasmine.

Types of Radermacher with photos

As mentioned earlier, of the more than 15 varieties, only Radermacher sinensis has been successfully cultivated. But other species are also of decorative value, although they can only be found in their native places, botanical gardens and greenhouses.

Chinese Radermachera (Radermachera sinica)

The most easy-to-care variety with a straight, even trunk and bright leaves. If you provide the flower with favorable conditions, it may bloom with bell-shaped yellow flowers. Flowers open closer to night. The bush grows quickly and can significantly increase in height over the course of a season.

Ignea (Radermachera ignea)

Radermachera Ignaea is also called fire red or jasmine tree. This large spreading tree grows up to 20 m in height. During flowering, the trunk and branches of the plant are covered with upward-pointing tubular flowers that are fiery red or orange in color.

Radermachera ramiflora

This is an elegant tree with a thin trunk that reaches a height of 30 m. The girth of the trunk of this spreading tree rarely exceeds 30 cm, which is one of the main distinguishing features of this species. The leaf blades of Radermacher Ramiflora have a smooth leathery surface, they are large, gray-green in color. During the flowering period, the crown is decorated with yellow flowers, and then large fruits appear in their place, the size of which can reach 70 cm.

Radermachera kunming

This variety grows only in Thailand. It is a compact bush no more than 60 cm high. The leaves of Radermachera Kunming are light green and bloom profusely. The flowers of the plant are white with a yellow center.

Tree fruit (Radermachera xylocarpa)

This variety of Radermachera is very common in India. Unlike other wild species, this plant can grow to only 6-10 m. The tree is densely covered with emerald foliage, among which inflorescences of creamy-white flowers appear during the flowering period. Flowers can appear directly on the trunk from cracks in the bark.

Signs and superstitions

Radermacher absorbs negative energy and helps you focus on important things. It is believed that the tree activates the spiritual chakras and opens channels of communication with a higher power, therefore it is suitable for people engaged in spiritual practices.

Is your Radermacher growing?

If a plant dies unexpectedly, it is believed that it has warded off a strong evil eye from its owner. According to Feng Shui, indoor ash has a beneficial effect on the atmosphere of the home. It is also a symbol of education.

Radermacher cannot tolerate tobacco smoke.

How to form a radermachera in bonsai style

1. Plant it in a small container (take not very fertile soil).
2. Apply fertilizers rarely and in minimal quantities.
3. When replanting, trim the roots.
4. Remove excess side shoots, buds and twigs.
5. Twist, bend and weight the branches using weights and wire until they become woody.
6. Turn the plant with different sides towards the light so that the crown is formed evenly.
7. Cut the bark to age the tree.

Carry out all procedures for forming a tree in the spring and summer and only after it has strengthened in the pot.

Pruning of branches and roots should be aimed at balancing the proportions of the bonsai above and below ground.

Watering rules

For normal development, Radermachera requires well-moistened soil. Water the plant frequently and deeply. Don't wait until the top layer of soil is completely dry.

Also, do not allow water to accumulate around the plant’s root system. Be sure to make a drainage layer in the pot. Water the Radermacher with clean, pre-settled water.

Home care

Caring for an emerald tree does not require a lot of time and effort. The main thing is good lighting and proper care, which has seasonal characteristics.

Winter is the tree's dormant period.

Radermachera grows best in moderate humidity to provide it with the right conditions:

• place the pot in a tray with damp expanded clay, sphagnum or pebbles;
• spray leaves in hot weather;
• Once every 10 days, give the plant a cool shower (cover the ground with polyethylene).

Expert opinion

Mokhov Andrey Petrovich

Graduated from KubSAU, specialty: agronomy

When immersing the pot in expanded clay, moss or pebbles, make sure that the bottom does not touch the water.

The plant loves bright, diffused light. Therefore, place it on southwest or southeast windows. In this case, the leaves should not touch the glass. When placing the tree in the south, make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on it.

Ambient temperature, humidity

From early spring to late autumn, indoor ash requires warm air. Its temperature should not drop to 20 degrees. In winter, the plant feels more comfortable if the ambient temperature is between 10 and 14 degrees.

At the same time, both in winter and summer, the air in the room where this tree grows must be regularly ventilated. Do not forget that Radermachera does not tolerate drafts - when ventilating the room, protect the plant from them.

Chinese Radermachera is undemanding to ambient humidity. Even in a room with dry air it will develop normally. But you will only make it better if you occasionally spray it with warm water from a spray bottle.

It's also a good idea to give her a warm shower. During such bathing, cover the top of the pot with a bag so as not to over-moisten the soil. In winter, spray and bathe Radermacher Kuminga occasionally. Do not rush to return the pot with the plant to the cold window glass - let it dry.

Pruning and crown formation

Radermachera grows quickly, so it needs regular pruning and pinching of shoots. The procedures are carried out in mid-April. At this time, the longest branches are cut by 1/3, and thin and elongated shoots are removed. If you additionally remove the side branches, exposing the main trunk, the plant will take on the shape of a tree.

If you regularly pinch the upper buds, it will look like a lush bush. There is another way of pruning - to a stump. This is a drastic measure, but the plant tolerates it well and soon produces new shoots.

Main types

The Radermacher genus includes about 17 species, but only 3 species are the most popular:

1. Radermachera arboreal - a tree that grows up to 5–10 m and is found in Indian forests with low humidity. This species attracts with its flowering crown. Among the lush greenery, thick branches and trunk, small inflorescences of buds bloom, which have the shape of a cone. The petals of the flower are bent. Their snow-white texture has a wide wavy border. The pharynx has a creamy-yellow hue.

2. Radermacher fiery red is a tree that has a carved crown and leaves no more than 7 cm long. A feature of this species is the appearance of flower buds that form on the branches and trunk. The cluster of inflorescences is topped with orange-red flowers, which are shaped like a tube. Their edges are protruding, and the flowers themselves exude pleasant notes of jasmine.

3. Radermachera sinensis or sinica is the only species that grows as a house flower. This is a shrub, the height of which varies from 1.5 to 2 m, crowned with a lush crown. The branches have groups of dark green leaves. An interesting variety of this species is Radermachera sinica Caprima, which combines dark green and light green flowers, which forms a unique mosaic coloring of the crown.

Priming

Indoor ash needs loose, fertile soil. You can prepare it yourself: mix turf and leaf soil, peat and humus in a ratio of 1:2:1:1. Add a handful of coarse sand, agroperlite, vermiculite or crushed pine bark.

Expert opinion

Mokhov Andrey Petrovich

Graduated from KubSAU, specialty: agronomy

Before planting the plant in a homemade substrate, disinfect it by heating or freezing.

But it is better to use ready-made soil for decorative foliage plants (roses, citrus fruits or palm trees). Indeed, in this case, the quality of the mixture will be much higher, and the risk of infecting the plant from the soil is minimal.

Radermachera can grow on a nutrient solution.

Video: Radermachera chinensis - the best plant for offices and novice gardeners

Flower growers who take the time to create and maintain an optimal microclimate and properly care for it are pleased with Radermacher, forming a “cap” of dark green shiny leaves. Such a flower will not get lost in the largest collection of indoor plants, also because of its size. Radermachera looks great in spacious rooms, but this does not mean that it cannot be grown in a small apartment.

• Author: Yulia Golova
• Print

27 years old, higher legal education, broad outlook and interest in a variety of topics. Rate this article:

1. 5
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2
5. 1

(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

Share with your friends!

Transfer

Transplantation is carried out in the spring. Young plants undergo this procedure annually, adults - once every 2-3 years. You can determine that the Radermacher plant needs a new pot by its roots: they will entwine the entire container and will be visible from the drainage hole.

The plant must also be replanted 2–3 weeks after purchase. He needs this time to acclimatize in the apartment.

1. Prepare the pot in advance: rinse the old one well or soak the new one in water for several hours.
2. Stir the soil 2 hours before planting to saturate it with oxygen.
3. Water the plant generously the previous day.
4. Place 3 cm of expanded clay drainage at the bottom of the pot.
5. Lay out a small layer of soil.
6. Remove the radermachera from the old pot along with the soil.
7. Remove old and damaged roots; in adult plants, cut them by 1/3.
8. Treat the cuts with a fungicide or crushed charcoal.
9. Transfer the tree along with a lump of earth into a new pot.
10. Add new soil.
11. Water it.

After transplanting, place the pot in partial shade. The plant will look lethargic for the first few days, but will recover later. After that, move it to its usual place.

Reproduction. Table

The emerald tree reproduces vegetatively or generatively . The first method is mainly used because the seeds are almost impossible to obtain on your own. However, they are found in some flower shops.

Expert opinion

Mokhov Andrey Petrovich

Graduated from KubSAU, specialty: agronomy

In the place where the seedlings are located, maintain a temperature of 20˚C.

How does it bloom?

In apartment conditions, it is almost impossible to wait for Radermachera sinensis to bloom . Since she enters this stage of her development only with strict observance of all maintenance rules and not earlier than 10-15 years of age.

China doll blooms with buds that resemble tiny bells in appearance, usually in white, soft lilac, pale yellow or pastel pink. The tips of the petals are curved, the aroma is delicate, slightly reminiscent of the smell of cloves. Its intensity increases at night.

The occurring phenomenon is explained by the fact that pollination of Radermachera is carried out by nocturnal insects.

Fertilizer and feeding

Feeding in the spring-summer period is carried out twice a month. With the onset of autumn it is gradually reduced to nothing. In winter, the plant is not fed. It is recommended to apply fertilizer only a few hours after watering, so as not to burn the roots.

From April to August, feed the Radermacher with a complex fertilizer for ornamental foliage plants, for example, Kemiroy Lux, Agricola, Etisso.

Do you use fertilizers or flower food?

Problems with leaves. Table

If you are going on vacation

There are two ways to save a tree while you are away. The first is to ask relatives or friends, the second is to purchase or design an automatic watering system. To enhance the effect:

• put all the plants in one place;
• create partial shade in the room;
• Water thoroughly;
• cover the pots with wet expanded clay;
• thin out the leaves.

Diseases and pests. Table

Radermachera will complement any interior with its bright emerald glossy foliage. In addition, a neat tree looks very stylish. And since it feels great indoors, you don’t have to take special care of it.

Plant problems when growing

Let's look at the most basic problems that may arise when growing Radermachera:

• If you notice yellowing of the leaves of a plant, the reason is obvious - lack of sunlight. First, the lowest leaves suffer from this, then all the rest.
• If the plant's leaves droop and droop, it means the flower is thirsty. In this case, you just need to water the plant.
• If the leaves become pale and limp, it means that most likely there is stagnant moisture in the root system. In this case, only an emergency transplant will help.
• If the shoots suddenly become long and stretched out, then the flower begins to experience a lack of lighting.
• If the leaves of the plant begin to dry out, the reason is most likely low air humidity.

Plant parasites

Pests do not often bother Radermachera, but you should still be wary of mealybugs and spider mites.