Syzygium (Syzygium) refers to shrubs (trees) of the myrtle family. The homeland of these evergreens is the tropical territories of the Eastern part of the planet (mainland Australia, the territory of India, Malaysia, the island of Madagascar, Southeast Asia). Syzygium got its name from the Greek word translated as "paired". And in fact, its leaves are opposite each other in pairs.
The height of the plant is rarely more than 40 cm. Young shoots are characterized by a reddish color of leaves and stems, and an adult plant is of a rich green hue. The leaves are juicy, rounded, opposite. Syzygium received special value due to the content of essential oils in the leaves, which are highly valued for their medicinal properties both in medicine and in cosmetology and perfumery. The flowers are in fluffy inflorescences. Their shades range from white to lilac. The ripe fruits of most plant species are edible.
Syzygium care at home
Location and lighting
Syzygium grows only in the presence of good lighting. The plant needs a short stay in direct sunlight, but it is better to shade it from the daytime summer heat, otherwise burns on the leaves cannot be avoided. In winter, daylight hours should be extended to 12-14 hours using fluorescent lamps.
Temperature
From spring to autumn, the air temperature for the maintenance of syzygium should be in the range of 18-25 degrees. From autumn, the temperature begins to gradually decrease, and in winter syzygium is grown in a cool room with a temperature of 14-15 degrees.
Air humidity
The plant will fully grow and develop only indoors in high humidity, so the leaves must be constantly sprayed. In winter, humidification is stopped due to low air temperatures.
Watering
For watering syzygium, soft, settled or filtered water at room temperature is suitable. From spring to autumn, watering should be abundant, as the top layer of the soil dries up. Since autumn, watering is reduced to a minimum, and in winter watering is practically stopped altogether.
The soil
The optimal composition of the soil for syzygium: a mixture of sod, humus, leaf and peat soil, and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1: 1.
Top dressing and fertilizers
From March to September, the syzygium needs regular fertilization. Use universal complex mineral fertilizers. The frequency of adding podkomok is 2 times a month. In autumn and winter, the plant is dormant; it does not need to be fed.
Transfer
A young plant needs an annual transplant, an adult one as needed. The substrate should be light and nutritious, and a generous layer of drainage should be placed on the bottom of the pot.
Reproduction of syzygium
Syzygium can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or aerial shoots.
Only fresh seeds are suitable for sowing.It is best to break up the plant with seeds in January-February. First, the seeds are soaked in a fungicidal solution and planted in a previously prepared container. Cover with glass from above and leave until the first shoots appear at a temperature of about 25-28 degrees, periodically moistening the soil and ventilating it. The seeds should be in a bright place.
Sprouted seedlings can be transplanted into separate small pots only if they have at least two full leaves. Seedlings are watered abundantly and kept in a bright room at a temperature of at least 18 degrees during the day and 16 degrees at night.
Cuttings are carried out by semi-lignified cuttings. In order for them to develop their own root system, they must be kept at a temperature of at least 24-26 degrees.
Diseases and pests
Pests that can infect syzygium include scale insects and aphids. You can fight them with a warm shower and insecticides.
If the root system of the plant is constantly in too moist soil, then soon spots may appear on the leaves and they will fall off. It is important to adjust the conditions for keeping the syzygium and maintain them regularly at the proper level, preventing waterlogging in the future.
Types and varieties of syzygium with photos and names
Fragrant syzygium, or Clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum)
Evergreen tree, reaching about 10-12 m tall, with dark green leaves about 8-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. White flowers grow in parasols. This tree is especially prized for its buds that have not yet opened and contain about 25% essential oil. As soon as the buds begin to take on a reddish hue, they are plucked and dried. When dry, they have a unique taste and aroma known to us as cloves.
Syzygium cumin (Syzygium cumini)
An evergreen tree up to 25 m high. The leaves are large oval, reaching a length of about 15-20 cm and 8-12 in width, dark green in color, dense to the touch. Flowers are white, collected in umbrellas, about 1.5 in diameter. Ripe fruit reaches 1-1.25 cm in diameter, bright red in color.
Syzygium jambos
An evergreen tree about 8-10 m tall. Leaves are dense, dark green in color, shiny, about 15 cm long, about 2-4 cm wide. It blooms with white flowers, located at the top of the shoot and collected in umbrellas. After ripening, the fruits are oval and yellow in color.
Syzygium paniculata (Syzygium paniculatum)
More recently, the plant was called Eugenia myrtifolia. It grows both as a tree and as a shrub. Evergreen. It can reach 15 m in height. Young shoots have the shape of a tetrahedron, reddish in color. Turn green over time. Leaves are relatively small - 3-10 cm long, oblong, smooth to the touch, opposite, contain a large percentage of essential oils. It blooms with white flowers collected in a brush. The edible fruit, when ripe, is about 2 cm in diameter. The color of the fruit is violet or purple. The fruits also grow in a cluster that resembles a grape.
