Croton Mammi Mammy

Croton

Origin

The origin of the Croton comes from Asian countries such as India, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Croton still grows wild there. The croton comes from the family Crotoneae. Known in the Netherlands as the Wolfsmelk family. There are many varieties that are mainly distinguished 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 out slightly before watering again, make sure that the roots do not remain in the water because of the root rot that occurs. In the growing period from March to August, slightly more water than in 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 by itself. All you have to do is keep an eye on this meter. If you go on holiday, you can fill the pot almost half full (you can see this by the meter that is way above its maximum) and you can safely go away for 3 weeks. In addition, it is also not a problem if the plants do not receive too much and too quickly water. 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 still has enough for 4 summer days.

Spraying

Spray the Croton regularly to remove dust from the leaves and prevent pests. Preferably once a week. If you heat the room, even 2 x is recommended. Spraying also improves the quality and ornamental value of the houseplant.

Pitch

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

Minimum temperature

• During the day 18 °C
• At night 12°C

Nutrition

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

Repotting

It is best to transplant a Croton into a larger pot once every two years. The best period for transplanting 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 spread more and there is less chance of root rot. Always take a pot that is 20 to 25% larger and do not use Hydro granules on 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 with regard to light intensity, the leaves will be more variegated in color. If the leaf of the miracle shrub 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 autumn. You do this by sawing off the trunk at the desired height. The trunk will bleed after cutting. 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 with each branch where it is pruned. This gives you a nice full room or office plant.

Toxicity

The juice of the Croton that is released after sawing can irritate, and the juice also stains if it comes into contact with clothing.

Diseases

Check occasionally on the leaves and trunks of the thicker and full plants for pests. Common diseases are spider mites and mealybugs. Mealybugs can be caused by drafts on the plant. Spins through dry air (think of a convector pit). Use a biological or chemical pesticide if desired to treat the plants.

The Croton or also called miracle shrub is a versatile plant that comes in many variations.