It is important to remember that this evergreen shrub loves the sun, and for ease of growing, low-growing varieties are chosen. Guided by this article, it is quite possible to grow and care for chamelacium at home.
Chamelacium belongs to the Myrtaceae genus, which includes about 14 varieties. The height of the bushes varies from 30 cm to 3 m, depending on the type and germination conditions. Naturally, at home, the plant does not reach its maximum height.
This plant is characterized by both single flowers and small inflorescences. Chamelacium leaves have an unusual appearance and are often compared to pine needles. In addition, the leaves contain essential oils that emit a wonderful aroma when rubbed.
Varieties and photos
Chamelacium Moonlight and Sarah Delight are most often grown indoors, but some other varieties are also in demand. Depending on the variety, the flowers can be colored lilac, yellow, pink, white and red. The shape of the flowers is double and semi-double; the leaves are always needle-shaped and reach up to 4 cm in length.
The size of the bushes varies - it depends on the variety and growing conditions. Note that this shrub is a fast-growing one, therefore, to give it an aesthetic appearance, its branches are periodically pruned.
Below are photos and descriptions of chamelacium varieties suitable for propagation and care at home.
Sarah dolight
This variety is characterized by the presence of pink flowers, which bloom for more than a month and have a honey aroma. The photo below shows Chamelacium Sarah Delight:
Moonlight dolight
It is distinguished by large flowers and is considered the largest variety. The flowers are white, but after exposure to bright sun they may turn slightly pink . The flowering period is from November to May. The optimal place to grow this beauty is a sunny balcony, because... It prefers a warm climate and open ground. You can see what the Moonlight Delight variety looks like in the photo below:
Chamelacium is not recommended for growing in the office, because he needs careful care.
Snowflake
A variety such as Snow Flake (translated as “snowflake”) has pink or white flowers and grows up to 40 cm tall. Chamelacium snowflake is often used in floristry when making flower arrangements. The photo below shows the Snowflake variety:
Hooked
This variety is most adapted to home conditions, which is why it is grown by indoor plant lovers. Another name is heraldon, wax myrtle . It is characterized by needle-shaped narrow leaves decorated with small flowers (only about 1-2 cm in diameter). The colors of the flowers are different: white, yellow, lilac, red, purple. Flowering period - end of winter - beginning of summer. The photo below shows Chamelacium Hookate:
When buying a plant, you should pay attention to the leaves - they should be bright, dark green, shiny. Dull leaves indicate the presence of some disease.
Difficulties in growing chamelacium
The Australian chamelacium shrub is considered a very sensitive and capricious representative of the flora. Comfortable growing and maintenance conditions are of vital importance for him. With the most minimal deviations in the norms of temperature, humidity level and degree of lighting, it will immediately react by changing its appearance, and not for the better. The rules for caring for shrubs must be strictly observed and its condition must be constantly monitored. At the slightest external changes, you need to determine the cause and eliminate it.
The first sign of chamelacium malaise is the dropping of leaves or flower buds, withering of the entire plant or individual shoots, and the cessation of flowering. If this occurs due to improper or uneven watering, then it is worth watering the plant from all sides so that the moisture reaches the entire root part of the flower. If the cause of the plant's illness is poor lighting, then you need to move it to a more illuminated place and from time to time turn the flower pot to 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.
Care
To make this exotic flower pleasing to the eye, you will need maximum strength and patience. It is important to know the theoretical basis of proper care for chamelacium.
Soil preparation
Loose and moisture-permeable soil is suitable for growing chamelacium. The earth mixture should be prepared from the following components in equal proportions:
- Leaf soil;
- Turf land;
- Peat;
- River sand.
Humus should be used as fertilizer . In addition, to maintain a moist layer, it is recommended to add sphangum moss or a special hydrogel, sold in specialized stores. The soil should be slightly acidic.
Lighting
Chamelacium in its natural environment is accustomed to a lot of sunlight, so the recommended place for growing it is a south window. In winter, you can use special phytolamps.
Temperature
During the flowering and reproduction period, wax myrtle requires a lot of heat. The flower will feel comfortable at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. Chamelacium is also accustomed to 30-degree heat, but it should be protected from scorching rays.
In hot weather, it is recommended to wrap dark pots with flowers in white paper and put them in a darker place.
In autumn and winter, the plant needs to be kept cool . Therefore, the temperature at this time should be reduced to 10-15 degrees so that the plant can “rest” successfully.
Humidity and watering rules
An average humidity level of 50-60% is suitable for growing chamelacium.
Excessive air moisture can provoke the formation of gray rot on the plant, which is quite difficult to get rid of. Chamelacium requires moderate watering in the cold season and abundant watering in the hot season. Both overdrying and overwatering have a detrimental effect on the plant. In the first case, the flower may shed its leaves, but in the second, the soil may rot.
For irrigation you should use soft water , preferably settled water. In addition, it can be acidified with vinegar or citric acid.
Top dressing
For fertilizing, it is better to purchase ready-made fertilizer and produce it only during the period of intensive growth. The plant should not be fertilized in winter.
Transfer
Plant transplantation is carried out with caution, because Chamelacium roots are quite fragile and easy to damage. Therefore, it is recommended to move it to a larger pot without destroying the earthen coma.
If it is impossible to carefully remove the plant from the pot, it should be carefully broken.
In order for the plant to take root properly, it should be given even more attention than before.
Trimming
Pruning can be done after flowering . In this case, 1/3 of each shoot is subject to pruning. In young plants, it is better to pinch the tips of the branches to form a more lush bush.
Chamelacium is a fast-growing plant, so there is no need to be afraid to prune it - soon its branches will grow back.
Watering
The question arises, how to water a flower? Young plantings need to be watered regularly and abundantly, because their root system is growing and they need more water. To do this, you need to take warm and settled water.
You don’t need to water the bush too much, as it doesn’t like stagnant moisture. In spring and summer, when plants are actively growing, they are watered when the soil dries 3-4 cm.
It is worth noting that dry air in the apartment is not harmful to chamelacium, but humid air harms it
Over-drying of the soil and, conversely, too much watering, which causes stagnation of water - the shrub does not like all this. Due to overdrying, the delicate roots may dry out or the leaves may fall off. For better growth and development of the plant, a little citric acid or vinegar is added to the water for watering it.
Reproduction
Chamelacium propagates using cuttings. Planting should be done as follows:
- Prepare an earth mixture of sand and peat;
- Cut off several apical cuttings and treat them with means to stimulate root growth;
- Place the pot in a room with a temperature of 22-25 degrees.
Within 6 weeks the cuttings will take root , but some may not develop roots at all.
The soil
Before replanting, drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot. To do this, take broken bricks and expanded clay. The flower mixture can be purchased at a special store or you can make it yourself, to do this you need to mix:
- moss;
- peat;
- leaves;
- humus;
- coarse sand;
The plant rolls along with a lump of earth into a new flowerpot. For 5 days, the flower planting should be placed in a miniature greenhouse.
Diseases and pests
The smell that comes from the plant protects it from many pests. However, like other indoor flowers, it is afraid of aphids in the warm season. To prevent this disease, insecticides should be used.
The main problem of wax myrtle is gray rot , which appears at high indoor temperatures and high humidity. To eliminate it, the flower must be sprayed with fungicidal agents.
Gray rot is dangerous due to rapid infection and death of not only the chamelacium itself, but also other indoor plants in the neighborhood. Therefore, it must be dealt with immediately.
Transfer
It is advisable to replant an adult plant infrequently; it does not tolerate it well. After acquiring a crop in a store, you should not rush to settle it in new conditions. At first he needs to be kept in isolation. The flowerpot with a flower must be placed in a bag without closing it.
You should not overheat a houseplant; if it gets hot, it will release a specific odor. If this happens, you need to lower the film. Then the pot with the flower is placed in a bright and ventilated place for 7 days.
You can place the flower in a new pot by carefully transferring it to another pot without disturbing the roots. Then cover the tray with the plant again with film for two days. A fully mature plant is replanted after 3 years. If the roots of the plant fit well in the container, then there is no need to replant.
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Description of bushes
Some types of chamelacium are up to 3 m high, evergreen bushes of dark green color with small flowers up to 20 mm in white, soft pink, reddish and purple. It is noteworthy that the plants bloom from the last days of winter until summer.
The chamelacium flower, although small, will give its owners a large quantity and delicate shades and aroma.
Watering
Regular watering during the warm period, pay special attention when blooming. The water needs to stand for 2-3 days so that it is not cold. Also, 2-3 times a month you need to add lemon juice (acid) to the water for irrigation.
In winter, reduce watering so that the soil does not dry out.
If excess water collects, the roots may rot and the flowers may wilt.
