Chamelaucium is a shrub flowering plant from the myrtle family, native to the Australian continent. In the wild, it grows on hills with rocky soil, as well as in sandy areas and can reach a height of 2-3 meters. Blooms in small inflorescences of various shades. When grown at home, the shrub grows up to thirty to sixty centimeters in height.
In the family of this attractive plant, there are more than 14 different species, differing in shape and size, as well as in a palette of shades during flowering. Florists and bouquets use chamelacium flowers for flower arrangements and room decoration. For growing at home, it is necessary to choose low-growing varieties of shrubs (for example, “Kryuchkovaty”, “Darwinia” or “Matilda” chamelacium).
Chamelacium care at home
Location and lighting
Chamelacium is a light-loving plant and is excellent for direct sunlight. The flower container with the plant must be placed on the lightest window sill in the apartment on the sunny side. When growing chamelacium in a flower garden in the country, it is also worth choosing the lightest land plot, which is under sunlight and warmth for the maximum amount of time during the day.
To make it easier for the plant to fully develop during a short daylight hours, it is worth using fluorescent lamps to create additional illumination.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for growing chamelacium indoors from March to October is 20-25 degrees. The rest of the time (during the rest period) - no more than 15 degrees. On very hot summer days, when the thermometer approaches 30 degrees, it is necessary to cool the air in the room with the help of ventilation, since the shrub plant may not survive the heat.
Air humidity
Since chamelacium comes from areas with rocky slopes and a minimum amount of moisture, the level of humidity is not very important for it, and watering should be moderate and not abundant. On the contrary, with waterlogging of the soil, the root part of the plant will begin to rot, and the flowers will wither.
Watering
In the spring-summer period, chamelacium must be watered regularly, especially during active flowering. Water for irrigation should not be cold, previously settled for 2-3 days and with a small addition of lemon juice or citric acid (2-3 times a month).
In winter, when the plant is dormant, watering is reduced to a minimum, but the soil in the pot should always be slightly damp. Do not allow the soil to dry out in the flower container.
The soil
The soil mixture for growing chamelacium should contain humus, peat, moss and sand. With such components, the soil will be light, it will be easy to loosen it, which is very important for the development of the plant. Loosening of the soil must be carried out regularly.
Top dressing and fertilizers
You can apply fertilizers for chamelacium only twice: in the active phase of growth and during flowering. Top dressing should contain potassium and phosphorus and are intended specifically for flowering indoor plants. The rest of the time, fertilization is not required for the plant.
Transfer
The root system of the domestic chamelacium shrub is very vulnerable, therefore, the transplant is carried out by transshipment without damaging the earthen coma.
Pruning
Most of the chamelacium varieties are fast-growing plants and require regular pruning of lush shoots. Pruning is recommended only after the end of flowering by about thirty percent of the length of the shoot. The shape of the shrub can be formed not only by pruning, but also by pinching the upper leaves.
Reproduction of chamelacium
Chamelacium propagates by apical shoots. They must be cut off and left to root in soil or water. A special biostimulant for root formation can be added to the water. This will speed up the process and give you more chances for young roots to appear. When rooting in the ground, it is desirable that it contains sand and peat. After the formation of the root part, the plant is transplanted to a permanent place in ordinary soil.
Diseases and pests
Usually chamelacium is not attacked by pests and does not get sick, because it has a bright and strong aroma that insects do not like. This shrub plant is rich in essential oils, which protect it from all kinds of problems with growth and development, as well as other troubles in the form of diseases and harmful fauna. This precious substance in the composition of the plant is its reliable protection.
Hamelacyum only gets sick or damaged in extremely rare cases. And the fault of this is almost a hundred percent of the wrong care and maintenance. One of the possible diseases may be late blight. It occurs in places with an excess of moisture in the soil and air, in rooms with a high level of humidity and due to abundant watering. The plant can be cured by changing the amount of irrigation water down and moving the container with the plant to a room with dry air. In the future, it is recommended to strictly observe the norms and regularity of watering and control the level of air humidity. Excess moisture and stagnation of water in the soil are not allowed.
Difficulties in growing chamelacium
The Australian chamelacium shrub is considered a very sensitive and capricious representative of the flora. Comfortable growing and keeping conditions are vital for him. With the smallest deviations in the temperature regime, the level of humidity and the degree of its illumination, it will immediately react by changing its appearance, and not for the better. The rules for caring for a shrub must be strictly observed and constantly monitor its condition. At the slightest external changes, you need to determine the cause and eliminate it.
The first sign of chamelacium malaise is shedding of foliage or flower buds, wilting of the entire plant or individual shoots, and cessation of flowering. If this comes from improper or uneven watering, then it is worth watering the plant from all sides so that moisture gets on the entire root of the flower. If the cause of the plant's disease is poor lighting, then you need to transfer it to a more illuminated place and from time to time turn the flower pot towards the sun in different directions. If there is a lack of light, it is recommended to supplement the plant with fluorescent lamps.
With proper care, chamelacium will always delight you with a pleasant aroma and beautiful flowering.
Popular varieties of chamelacium
Chamelacium hooked (Chamelaucium uncinatum)
The most suitable variety for indoor cultivation. In the wild, this type of chamelacium exceeds two meters in height, as it is a fast-growing plant. At home, its size is much more modest, but it grows as quickly as in its natural environment. Therefore, the shrub should be trimmed and trimmed regularly for a decorative look and attractive shape.
The shrub blooms with fragrant flowers and is distinguished by the variety of their shades. Small-sized single flowers or inflorescences are white and yellow, pink and lilac, purple and scarlet. The leafy part of the plant is presented in the form of narrow leaves, similar to needles.
Hamelaucium Darwinia
A low-growing shrub, not exceeding a height of 50 centimeters, is convenient for decorating a room or growing on a loggia or balcony. Its inflorescences are very similar to a blooming apple. The color of flowers can be light pink, dark red and purple. "Darwinia" is used in flower arrangements and in the preparation of festive bouquets and goes well with roses and lilies.
Chamelaucium Matilda
Small in size, compact shrub, able to withstand changes in air temperatures and small frosts. A distinctive feature of this species is a pleasant aroma and unusual color of inflorescences. They change color from white to pink and light purple as the flowers open.
