Muehlenbeckia (Muehlenbeckia) is an evergreen creeping shrub or semi-shrub plant belonging to the Buckwheat family and is common on the Australian continent and New Zealand. Distinctive features of the culture are a bark with a smooth brown or red-brown surface, intertwining dense thin shoots from fifteen centimeters to three meters long, small oval-shaped leaves and small five-petal flowers of yellow, green or white hue.
In the wild, there are about twenty species of this plant, but the most cultivated is the "Confused" (or "Embracing") muhlenbeckia. This popular species has rounded leaves that vary in size depending on the type of Mühlenbeckia. For example, the largest leaves are “Large-leaved”, the medium ones are “Microfilla”, and the very small ones are “Nana”.
Home care for muhlenbeckia
Mühlenbeckia is an unpretentious plant that requires a minimum amount of attention and time to care. Even a beginner in floriculture who has no experience can grow this indoor flower. The undemanding culture grows beautifully not only in ordinary flower pots, but also used as decoration in hanging containers.
Location and lighting
A small amount of direct sunlight at the beginning and at the end of the day is enough for the flower, during the rest of the period the lighting can be bright, but diffused. The most favorable place for growing Mühlenbeckia is the windowsill on the western and eastern sides of the room. In the north, the plant will lack light, and in the south, there will be too much of it in the middle and day and will need shading.
Temperature
Mühlenbeckia prefers a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. During the warm period (spring, summer and early autumn), the air temperature in the room should be between 22-24 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures will change the appearance of the leaves. They will become droopy and start to turn yellow.
In the cold winter period, the plant goes into a dormant state and the temperature of the content should be from 10 to 12 degrees. Partial leaf fall at this time is a normal natural process.
Watering
Irrigation water must be settled before use or purified water must be taken, its temperature is from 18 to 22 degrees. In winter, watering is minimal and only after the topsoil has dried. In the remaining months, water the plant sparingly, but regularly, so that the soil mixture does not dry out. An excess of moisture in the soil is very dangerous for the life of an indoor flower. Excess moisture can cause rot on the roots or stems, as well as acidification of the soil.
Air humidity
The humidity level is not very important for Mühlenbeckia. Additional humidification in the form of spraying is necessary only on very hot summer days.
The soil
The soil can be any, but it must necessarily pass water and air well, be light and loose. It is recommended to cover the bottom of the flowerpot with a small drainage layer 2-3 cm thick, and then fill it with ready-made universal potting soil mixture for indoor flowers or a self-prepared substrate. It should include: coarse river sand, peat, leafy soil, sod land. All components are taken in equal parts.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Mühlenbeckia needs additional nutrition in the form of a complex fertilizer only for five months, from mid-spring to early autumn. The interval between top dressing is at least 2 weeks. No fertilization is required during the rest of the year.
Transfer
The annual spring transplant of Mühlenbeckia should be carried out only by transshipment, since the root system is very vulnerable and can easily be damaged.
Reproduction of muhlenbeckia
The seed method is used in the first 2 months of spring. Sowing is carried out chaotically on the soil surface. The conditions for growing seedlings are greenhouse.
The method of dividing a bush is more convenient to use when transplanting an adult plant. It is very important not to damage the fragile roots.
Apical cuttings are used for reproduction at the end of August. Their length is about 8-10 cm. For the formation of roots, cuttings are placed in a container with water, light soil mixture or sand. When planting, you can place 3-5 cuttings in one container at once.
Diseases and pests
The plant is very rarely exposed to diseases and pests. An indoor flower can only get sick with a gross violation of the rules of care. The appearance of the culture will change for the worse with excess or lack of light and moisture, as well as with increased or decreased air temperature.
