Leeya

The leeya plant is a representative of the Vitaceae family, according to some sources - a separate Leeaceae family. Homeland are South and Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa.

Leeya is an evergreen shrub with beautiful glossy branches and can grow up to 120 cm in height. The plant looks very decorative, the leaves are shiny, feathery, serrated along the edge, in some species with a bronze tint. It blooms very rarely with shields of small pink flowers, berries are dark red in color, very decorative.

Lei care at home

Leeya is quite whimsical in care, the plant does not allow the slightest deviations from the rules described below and instantly loses its decorative effect. But the appearance and beauty of the flower compensates for all the difficulties of growing.

Lighting

Leeya does not displease both the lack of lighting and its excess. Plants with green foliage can grow in partial shade, but ley with different colors need more light.

Temperature

In summer, a temperature of 25-28 degrees is suitable for growing leea, with the onset of winter the temperature is reduced, but not lower than 16 degrees, otherwise the plant will stop developing and may shed its leaves. Drafts are absolutely contraindicated.

Air humidity

Leeya prefers content in high humidity. The pot with the plant should stand on damp pebbles, it should be sprayed regularly.

Watering

Leia is watered abundantly in summer, moderately in winter, but the soil in the pot should always be slightly damp. It is impossible for the water to stagnate at the roots, but overdrying the earthen coma is also contraindicated.

The soil

The optimal soil for growing Leu should be loose and well-drained. A mixture of leafy and sod land, and sand in a 1: 2: 1 ratio is suitable.

Fertilizer

Leia is fed 2-3 times a month with complex fertilizers for decorative deciduous plants with a high nitrogen content.

Transfer

For leeya, a universal soil and a pot of a regular shape are suitable. Young plants are transplanted every spring, adults - in a larger pot every 2-3 years. Drainage should take up at least a quarter of the pot's volume.

Leia breeding

Leia is propagated by air layers, semi-lignified cuttings and seeds.

In spring and summer, semi-lignified cuttings with one internode are treated with growth hormone, planted in a light substrate and covered with a film. They are kept in a bright place at a temperature of about 25 degrees and high humidity, spraying and airing daily.

Reproduction by layering can only be done by an experienced grower.

Seeds are sown in a moist light substrate, without sprinkling with soil, covered with glass and left in a warm, bright place. Crops are ventilated, moistened and kept at 22-25 degrees. When a young seedling has three true leaves, it is immediately planted in a separate small pot.

Pests and diseases

Leeya is quite often affected by pests such as mealybugs and aphids. Inspect the plant frequently and treat with insecticides if necessary. When waterlogged, especially in winter, gray rot may appear - in this case, you need to treat the plant with a systemic fungicide.

Possible growing difficulties

• With a lack of nutrients and light, it stops blooming, stops growing, the leaves become pale.
• With improper watering and low temperatures, the buds can fall off, and the leaves die off.
• When watering with cold water or when there is a lack of watering, the leaves may turn yellow and curl.
• With waterlogging and sudden changes in temperature, the leaves may turn yellow and fall off.

Types and varieties of leei with photos and names

There are 70 species of Leia, and only 4 of them are used in decorative floriculture.

Leeya red (Leea rubra)

Weakly branching evergreen bush up to 2 m, with elongated pinnate leaves up to 10 cm. Pink flowers. The leaves have stomata, through which white or pink drops can be released, which crystallize over time.

Leea guineensis

The only representative of the genus, the leaves of which are not feathery. A bush with complex, elongated leaves up to 60 cm, shiny and pointed, young leaves of a bronze color, then change color to dark green. Flowers are brick-colored.

Leea sambucina Burgundi

This species has red young twigs, the top of the leaf plate is painted green, the bottom is bronze-red. The flowers are red with a pink center.

Leea amabilis

On the bush, pinnate leaves with a pointed edge, elongated, very decorative. The upper part of the leaf plate is bronze-green with a white stripe, and the lower one is reddish with a green stripe.