Tabernemontana

The plant Tabernaemontana is a representative of the Kutrov family. In nature, these evergreen shrubs live in the humid and hot climates of South and Central America, as well as in Asian countries. The genus got its name in honor of the German doctor and plant researcher J.T. Tabernemontanus. The flower is also called East Indian oleander, Ervatamia or Indian carnation. Tabernemontana is closely related to oleander. In warm and humid regions, the shrub can grow outdoors, in the rest of the world, tabernemontana is grown only as a home flower.

Description of tabernemontana

Tabernemontana is a shrub (less often a tree) that has many branched shoots covered with large leathery leaves of bright green color. There are variegated varieties. The size of the leaf reaches from 10 to 17 cm. They have an oval shape, and from the inside they are covered with a semblance of grains: these are stomata that facilitate leaf respiration. There are about a hundred different types of tabernemontans, but only a few are found in home floriculture. Indoor specimens usually do not exceed a meter in height. Inflorescences of small flowers with delicate white or cream petals can appear on the branches of such a bush all year round. In some species, the flowers are fragrant.

Tabernemontana is considered a fairly unpretentious plant and has a fast growth rate. Interestingly, the flower is often confused with gardenia and is even called butterfly gardenia, although the plants belong to different families. Tabernemontana has a smoother stem, a large number of long flower buds and thinner petals. Its flowers do not change color during development. In addition, unlike gardenia, such a plant contains a milky sap, which is sometimes secreted from the inside of the leaves. Like many representatives of kutrovy, it is considered poisonous, so you need to handle the plant more carefully.

Brief rules for growing tabernemontana

The table shows brief rules for caring for tabernemontana at home.

Caring for tabernemontana at home

Lighting

Tabernemontana is photophilous, but does not perceive the direct and bright sun poorly. It can illuminate the bush only at the beginning or end of the day, so the pot with it is usually kept on the east or west window. Flowers growing on the south side shade in the afternoon.

Temperature

During an active growing season, tabernemontane requires moderate heat - about 20-22 degrees. In winter, the bush should be kept cool - about 15 degrees, but the temperature should not drop below 12 degrees. Excessive air cooling can adversely affect the flowering period.

In summer, it is recommended to ventilate the room with the plant more often or transfer the flower to the balcony or garden. In the cold season, you need to protect the tabernemontana from frosty air currents.

Watering

In spring and summer, watering tabernemontans is carried out up to 2 times a week, trying to ensure that the soil in the pot between them has time to dry out by about half. For irrigation, settled and moderately warm water is used. In winter, the amount of watering is slightly reduced, especially if the bush was moved to a cool place. Excess water from the pan must be poured out in order to prevent root rot.

Humidity level

A tropical bush will appreciate high humidity, especially the plant needs it if the room is kept above 20 degrees. Tabernemontana is regularly sprayed using settled water just above room temperature. Spraying is carried out 2-3 times a week, trying to prevent drops from falling on the flowers. Otherwise, stains may form on them.

Pot selection

A wide and deep pot with drainage holes is suitable for growing tabernemontana. Its shape should make it easy to pull out the flower along with the soil ball: this will greatly facilitate a potential transplant.

The soil

For tabernemontana, acidified soil is suitable, which allows air to pass through well. You can use a store-bought mixture or mix leafy and coniferous soil with turf, sand and peat. A drainage layer must be laid at the bottom of the pot. About once a month, the soil can be additionally acidified by adding citric acid to the water for irrigation (a few grains will be enough).

Top dressing

Constant flowering depletes the bush. Throughout the entire period of growth, tabernemontana is fed with liquid mineral compositions with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus. The main thing is that they do not contain lime, which the flower does not like. Top dressing is carried out every 10-14 days.

Transfer

Tabernemontana roots are quite fragile, so you shouldn't disturb them unnecessarily. Transplants are carried out when the bush outgrows its pot or the soil in it becomes too poor. The plant is transferred to a new place carefully, trying not to destroy the soil lump. The best time for transplants is the end of winter. The dimensions of the new container should be 3-4 cm larger than the old one. After moving, the bush is not fed for a couple of months and they try not to water the plant too abundantly in order to prevent the risk of root rot.

Pruning

Usually tabernemontana itself forms a neat crown and does not need formative scraps, but it tolerates them well.If the shoots are stretched out, have acquired an irregular shape or are knocked out of the total mass, you can trim or pinch them. Sick or dry twigs, as well as wilted inflorescences, are also subject to removal.

Bloom

With proper care and adequate lighting, tabernemontana can bloom all year round. Its flowers form in the upper part of young stems, forming inflorescences, each of which includes up to 20 buds. The flower petals can be smooth or corrugated. The scent of tabernemontana is similar to jasmine, and the color of the flowers is white or cream.

In order for the bush to continue to bloom even in winter, the rules for caring for tabernemontana do not change even with the arrival of autumn. Watering at this time is carried out a little less often, the temperature should be about 22 degrees, and once every couple of weeks, the bushes will need to be fed. If the tabernemontane lacks light, use lamps.

Dormant period

Tabernemontana rests in winter - the rest period can be adjusted, but usually it is timed to coincide with the darkest months of the year. If the owner does not have the opportunity to provide the bush with enough heat and light to continue development and flowering, it is transferred to a cool (about 15 degrees) room, watering is reduced and feeding is stopped until the beginning of spring.

Reproduction of tabernemontana

Growing from seeds

The bush forms rather large dark seeds with good germination. Tabernemontana seeds are sown in moist soil, covering the container with foil or glass. In a warm (about 18 degrees) seedlings appear within a month. Seedlings are slow in growth and often die due to care errors. Flowering begins after 2-5 years of cultivation.

Cuttings

Cuttings of tabernemontana are cut from partially woody stems. The length of the segment must be at least 10 cm, while there must be at least a pair of sheet plates on it. After cutting, it is washed under running water to remove the milky juice. For rooting, you can put the cutting in water with the addition of coal powder, or immediately plant it in a light sandy-peat soil. It is recommended to pre-treat the sections with a rooting stimulator. Regardless of the method of rooting, greenhouse conditions should be created for the cutting. Bottom heating can be used.

Even with processing, full-fledged roots may appear only after a couple of months. When the seedling begins to grow, it is transplanted into its own pot. With proper care, flowering will begin the following year.

Diseases and pests

Tabernemontana is quite unpretentious and resistant to disease, and mistakes in care can be judged by its external characteristics:

• Pulling the stems indicates a lack of light. At the same time, the leaves become pale. For the same reason, the bush may stop blooming.
• Falling buds are due to the high temperature in the room, combined with the dryness of the air. Tabernemontana loves airing, but is afraid of drafts, so you should be careful to cool the room. Young plants can shed their buds due to the fact that they are not strong enough for full flowering. Such bushes need to be fertilized.
• Falling leaves may be due to the natural growth process. If the lower leaves fall off the bush, do not worry.
• The yellowing of the foliage of the bush (chlorosis) can begin due to irrigation with icy or insufficiently settled water, as well as due to improperly selected soil. The watering regime needs to be adjusted, and if the reason is in the soil, a transplant should be carried out. Iron chelate treatment can also help with chlorosis.
• Foliage withering along with yellowing indicates too acidic soil or plant decay. Tabernemontana roots need to be examined, all affected parts removed and the bush transplanted into fresh soil with the required characteristics.
• Dry and dark tips of the leaves - lack of air humidity or improper watering regime.
• Foliage stratification can occur due to a lack of moisture or nutrients in the soil.The bush needs to be watered or fed more often.
• White droplets from the inside of the leaf are a sign of excessive air humidity or a result of a sharp change in temperature. Sometimes they can talk about the presence of pests, so the bush must be carefully examined.
• Holes in the leaves can occur due to a violation of the watering schedule. The soil should not dry out completely - this has a bad effect on the decorative effect of the bush, but overflow should also be avoided.
• Dark spots on flower petals are excessive watering. In the intervals between them, the soil should have time to dry out.

Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects can harm tabernemontane. Appropriate means are used against them.

Types and varieties of tabernemontana with photos and names

Tabernaemontana divaricata

The most popular type of tabernemontana for home cultivation. Tabernaemontana divaricata has branched shoots and large green foliage with a leathery surface. The inflorescences are lush and include up to 20 white flowers with a jasmine scent and delicate petals with a wavy edge. The scent is especially strong in the evening and at night.

Elegant tabernemontana (Tabernaemontana elegans)

This species is distinguished by its low height and elongated glossy foliage. Tabernaemontana elegans is unpretentious, and its umbrella-shaped inflorescences include up to 10 large white or creamy flowers with a weak aroma.

Tabernemontana crowned (Tabernaemontana coronaria)

The species forms neat bushes with many branches and embossed foliage of a rich green color: the areas between the veins of the leaves are convex. Tabernaemontana coronaria forms umbrella inflorescences located on the tops of the shoots. They include up to 15 small flowers with semi-double white petals, a yellow center and a pleasant aroma.

Tabernaemontana holstii

A rare species with oval-elongated foliage of a dark green hue. The flowers of Tabernaemontana holstii are white and have petals curved in the shape of a screw or propeller.

Tabernaemontana sananho (Tabernaemontana sananho)

This species has a high density green foliage. The white flowers of Tabernaemontana sananho also have an interesting shape - their petals are long and twisted.