Pisonia is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the Niktaginov family. In total, there are about 50 varieties of these plants. The territory of their growth is quite extensive. Pizonia is found in America, Australia and the Pacific Islands and prefers humid tropical and subtropical regions.
Pizonia has a certain characteristic that distinguishes it from other plants. During the ripening period, its thin elongated fruits are covered with a sticky bloom, to the surface of which small branches, leaves, insects and even birds often adhere. For this reason, the pyzonia is also called the "Bird-catcher".
For growing at home, only one type of plant is used, which has the name Pizonia umbrella. This short tree with a wide branching crown can grow up to 5 m in height. The arrangement of the leaves is opposite, the edges are wavy, the shape is ovoid. The leaf blade is characterized by a smooth, glossy surface, painted in a solid green color, although spotted varieties of pyzonia are sometimes found.
Fragrant light green flowers appear in the form of lush inflorescences that are spherical in shape. The final stage of flowering is the formation of fruits. They are long, vertical pods that resemble a hand due to their arrangement.
Domestic species of pyzonia usually grow slowly and reach a height of no more than 1.5 m.
Pizonia care at home
To ensure the full development of the plant, the following care requirements must be followed.
Location and lighting
Pizonia is a light-loving shrub, but you should avoid exposure to midday sunlight. For growing home crops, placing flower pots on window sills, which are located on the east or west side of the house, is perfect. Pizonia varieties with variegated leaf color require bright, constant lighting.
Temperature
The most optimal conditions for growing pyzonia are considered to be warm summers and mild snowy winters. The active growth period is observed at a temperature of 18-20 degrees. When airing the room, you should avoid drafts and store the flowerpot in the cold for a long time.
Watering
The plant must be watered regularly and try not to overdry the topsoil. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced, but you should carefully monitor the condition of the leaves. As soon as they start to fade, this will be the first sign of a lack of moisture. The water should be filtered and at room temperature.
Air humidity
Pizonia is considered an unpretentious plant and feels great in dry rooms, but it is still required to wet the leaves from dust and spray the bush with water.
The soil
As a soil for planting pyzonia, a nutritious and loose substrate is used, which has a neutral or slightly acidic environment.In flower shops they offer ready-made mixtures suitable for growing any indoor plants. If there is a desire to independently prepare a soil substrate, then you need to mix leaf and sod soil, add peat, humus and sand. To obtain a permeable effect, pebbles or a layer of expanded clay are poured into flower pots, which will be responsible for the drainage function.
Top dressing and fertilizers
During the growing season, pizonia should be fed 2 times a month with a solution of complex fertilizers. Cultivars that have a pattern on the leaves need special additives for growth. In winter, the plant is dormant.
Transfer
Each year, it is necessary to replant young pyzonia bushes in new pots, as the plant's root system grows and requires more space for development.
Pruning
Pizonia is a slow-growing plant, so additional pruning measures can be omitted. To enhance branching and crown growth, the ends of young shoots are slightly broken.
Reproduction of pyzonia
The main method of reproduction of pyzonia is by cuttings. For this, cuttings are used, located between the three internodes. To speed up the process of their germination, phytohormones are added to the soil, and the containers with the planted roots are warmed up.
Diseases and pests
The shrub can infect the following pests: scale insects, spider mites or mealybugs. The affected leaves are rinsed under running hot water and wiped with a disinfectant such as cologne or alcohol. In more serious cases, they are treated with a special chemical composition.
Among the diseases of this type, the most common is gray rot or powdery mildew. Spraying the leaves and stems with a fungicidal solution helps to get rid of them, foundationol and other drugs are also used.
