Nandina is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Berberidaceae family. The natural habitat of the Nandina is in Asia.
In indoor conditions, only one representative of this family is suitable for growing - Nandina domestica. It is a tree or shrub with evergreen foliage. Its roots do not go down much, the trunk is straight and does not branch. The color of its bark changes from purple with brown to gray-brown with longitudinal grooves as the plant matures.
Nandina has feathery leaves and leaves on the branches. Long triangular leaves on the branches grow up to 30-40 cm, and the feathery ones are much denser, smaller, with a glossy surface, diamond-shaped. They are pointed from above, their base looks like a wedge 2.5 cm wide, their length is about 10 cm. With age, their color changes from red-brown to dark green. The leaves are located on 10-15 centimeter petioles with a vaginal base and keel, and cirrus leaves are located on 1-3 centimeter petioles.
Small flowers are collected in a broom-shaped inflorescence 20-40 cm long. The buds are composed of white petals and three yellowish sepals arranged in a spiral. Fruits may appear on the plant: these are bright red or white berries up to 1 cm in diameter with an oblong tip.
During the season, nandina changes the color of its foliage: in autumn and winter it is green with red, in spring it turns brown, and in summer it turns green again.
Caring for nandina at home
Lighting
The plant thrives in bright light, but without direct rays. Therefore, in winter, it is required to additionally illuminate it.
Temperature
Nandina prefers a cool content, even in summer the air temperature should not be higher than 20 degrees. In winter, she will be quite comfortable even at 10-15 degrees above zero.
Air humidity
The plant loves moisture very much, so regular spraying is mandatory for it. You can put a pot of nandina on a pallet, from which moisture from moss or expanded clay will evaporate, but the bottom should not be placed directly in the water.
Watering
In the spring and summer, you need to water the nandina well, after the soil surface dries out. With the onset of cold weather, watering is reduced so as not to overcool the root system.
Top dressing and fertilizers
In spring and summer, when nandina grows intensively, it is fed with liquid complex fertilizers for home flowers 2 times a month.
Transfer
At a young age, the plant requires replanting every year in the spring. Mature representatives are transplanted less often, at intervals of 3-4 years, while adding fresh soil from above every year. Earthen mixture for nandine can be mixed from equal parts of sand, turf and leafy soils.
Reproduction of nandina
- Propagation by seeds - seeds are selected from mature fruits and immediately planted in a light substrate on the surface, covered with a thin layer of soil. They are kept in a temperature range of 20 to 25 degrees under a transparent cover.
- Propagation by cuttings - it is best to use stimulants for their rooting, since the roots may not appear for a long time. The cuttings themselves should have a fairly young bark.
- Reproduction by root children - when nandina is transplanted into fresh soil, it will be possible to separate offspring at its roots into small pots.
Diseases and pests
Small pests such as aphid and spider mite are often found on this flower.
Nandina leaves are often mosaic-spotted. A yellowing mosaic-like ornament is formed on their surface, as it spreads along the thinnest veins.
