Tetrastigma (Tetrastigma) belongs to the family of lianas and is a perennial ornamental plant, evergreen grape. The place of origin of tetrastigma is considered to be Malaysia, India, the territory of the islands of New Guinea, Australia.
The plant got its name due to the structure of the flower. Tetrastigma is a vine with powerful curly stems. The leaves are rather large, divided into 3-5 lobes. Each leaf is covered with brown hairs. The edges of the leaves are serrate. It blooms in the form of umbrellas with small flowers.
Caring for tetrastigma at home
Location and lighting
Tetrastigma, when grown indoors, prefers bright diffused light, although it can grow in light partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight to avoid burns on the leaves. In winter, with short daylight hours, it is necessary to provide additional lighting with artificial light lamps.
Temperature
In spring and summer, the temperature of the content of tetrastigma should vary from 20 to 27 degrees. With the onset of the autumn period, the air temperature gradually decreases and in winter should remain at about 12-18 degrees. Tetratsigma is able to grow at low temperatures - from 6 to 8 degrees. It is better to reduce watering during this period, but not stop completely.
Air humidity
The maximum growth of tetrastigma is able to show in conditions of high or high humidity, but in the absence of such it will grow well in the dry air of an apartment.
Watering
In spring and summer, tetrastigma needs frequent and abundant watering, as the top layer of the potted substrate dries up. With the arrival of autumn, watering is gradually reduced, in winter it is maintained at a moderate level. If the room containing tetrastigma is cool, then watering is minimized. They do not stop watering at all, since the root system will die without moisture.
The soil
The optimal soil mixture for growing tetrastigma can be bought either in the store or prepared independently from leafy, soddy soil, peat, humus and sand in equal parts.
Top dressing and fertilizers
In spring and summer, tetrastigma is in a period of active growth. At this time, she needs frequent feeding - about once every 14 days. For fertilization, complex mineral fertilizing is used for decorative deciduous plants.
Transfer
Tetrastigma needs a yearly transplant. This procedure is carried out in the spring in a large-volume container. If the plant is in the largest possible pot in terms of volume, then it is not necessary to transplant it, it will be enough just to replace the top layer of the substrate with a more nutritious one.
Reproduction of tetrastigma
It is best to propagate the plant using cuttings-shoots in spring or summer. The stalk must contain at least one leaf and one bud. It is rooted in a mini-greenhouse at a temperature of 22-25 degrees and high humidity.The first roots will appear in 3-5 weeks.
Diseases and pests
If tetratsigma begins to grow in the form of elongated shoots, then this may indicate a lack of lighting. If the leaves become small or fall off, the plant lacks nutrients. Tetrastigma can be affected by pests such as aphids, spider mites and nematodes.
Types of tetrastigma
Tetrastigma Vuanye - This perennial vine with climbing shoots is the most common species. Under natural conditions, the length of such a shoot can be about 50 m. The main stem is covered with slightly lignified bark. The petioles, with the help of which the leaves are attached to the shoot, are rather thick. The leaves themselves are dark green, leathery, consist of 3-5 lobes, with denticles along the edges. The bottom of each leaf is covered with brown hairs. Liana is attached to the support with antennae. It blooms in the form of an inflorescence with small greenish flowers. After pollination, the fruit ripens in the form of a round berry.
