Croton Mammi Mammi branched out

Croton Mammi

Origin

The origin of the Croton comes from Asian countries such as India, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Croton just grows in the wild there. The croton comes from the Crotoneae family. Known in the Netherlands as the Euphorbia family. There are very many species that distinguish themselves primarily by the different colors and shapes of the leaves.

Watering

Because it is a tropical plant, it is important to always keep the soil slightly moist. You can let the plant dry a little before watering again, make sure that the roots do not stay in the water because of the root rot that occurs then. in the growing season that runs from March to August, slightly more water than in the winter.

Substrate

If the pot is provided (or you provide it yourself) with a substrate and a water meter, watering is easy! On arrival there is little water in it, fill the pot slowly with water (sometimes wait a while) and you will see that the meter rises automatically. All you have to do is keep an eye on this meter. If you go on holiday then you can fill the pot almost half full (you can see this on the meter that is well above its maximum) and you can safely go 3 weeks away. In addition, it is not a problem if the plants do not get too much water too quickly. The substrate absorbs the water, so if the water meter is at the bottom, the substrate is still moist, but there is no more water at the bottom of the pot. The plant then has more than enough space for 4 summer days.

Spraying

Spray Croton regularly to remove dust from the leaves and prevent vermin. No less than once a week. If you heat the room, it is even recommended twice. Spraying also promotes the quality and decorative value of the houseplant.

Location

The Croton works well in a lot of light. This beautiful colorful plant prefers a window to the north, east or west. The croton needs at least 5 hours of sunshine per day. If you place the plant near a window facing south, then put + - 2 to 3 meters away from the window because otherwise the plant will get too much direct sunlight. If this houseplant is lighter, the leaves will color more. If the leaves are dark, give more light.

Minimum temperature

18 ° C during the day

12 ° C at night

food

Administer the Croton only in the spring and summer, In the winter it is resting period for most plants, then do not feed. Never give too much this can lead to burning of the roots. Check the package for the correct dosage.

Overpainted

The best thing to do is to repot a Croton once every two years into a larger pot. The best period for replanting is spring or immediately after purchasing the plant. A larger pot will stimulate growth and the advantage is a larger buffer soil so that the water is more spread and there is less chance of root rot. Always take a pot that is 20 to 25% larger and do not use Hydro granules at the bottom of the pot. It is best to use a plastic insert cover for large pots.

Leaf damage

If a Croton is in the ideal place for light intensity, the leaves will be more colorful. If the leaf of the wonder bush becomes dark, it is better to place the croton near a window. If the codiaeum gets dark edges, the cause is often too much water. With constant leaf fall, the plant probably has too much water or too little light.

Pruning

It is best to prune a Croton in the fall. You do this by sawing off the trunk at the desired height. The trunk will bleed "after cutting off". You can stop this bleeding with wax or cigarette ash. The advantage of sawing off is that the plant receives more light and remains more compact. The Croton will branch "at every branch where it is pruned". This gives you a nice full room or office plant.

Toxic

The juice of the Kroton that is released "after cutting off" can irritate, it also stains the juice if it comes into contact with clothing.

Diseases

With the thicker and fuller plants, occasionally look at the leaves and stems to see if there are any pests there. Common diseases are Spider mite and mealybug. Wolluis can arise due to drafts on the plant. Purge through dry air (think of a convector well. Use a biological "or if desired" a chemical pesticide to treat the plants.

The Croton or also called miracle bush is a versatile plant that occurs in many variations.