In this article we will talk about the Tradescantia garden. We will tell you how to root and care for Tradescantia, analyze its useful properties, describe the main diseases of Tradescantia.
Tradescantia virgin (street) - a perennial, fairly dense shrub, blooming almost continuously, starting with the central shoots. The life span of each individual flower is not long, but due to their large number the plant does not lose decorativeness for a very long time. Flowers Tradescantia garden is most often blue or purple - this is their natural shades, although as a result of selection work, varieties of other colors were created. The general name of the group of varieties of garden Tradescantia is Anderson's Tradescantia.
Garden Tradescantia: Care
The best place for Tradescantia is sunny or partially shaded, well-fertilized and protected from cold winds. It is also necessary to have a sufficient level of moisture in the soil (regular watering), and the soil itself should be light. In particularly arid periods of Tradescantia, evening spraying with water may be required.
The first soil fertilizing is carried out in the spring. To do this, use a full fertilizer full scale (consumption of about 25 g / m²), slightly covering it in the soil (up to 10 cm). From the beginning of flowering, it is desirable to use top dressing with complex fertilizer for flowering plants (such as "Kemira").
Tradescantia: reproduction and transplantation
The lovers of Tradescantia know that its reproduction is carried out by cuttings and by dividing the bush. The second method is more common, since it is much simpler than cuttings. The best time to divide is early spring, although with urgent need it is possible to carry out this procedure even in the summer. The only thing that will have to be done in this case - carefully (10-15 days) to dry the pieces before planting.
Digging up a bush, do not forget that the root system of the plant is powerful enough and not to cause serious damage to it, you will have to dig a bush thoroughly from all sides.
For the cuttings take green (young) shoots, which should be two or three internodes. The best conditions for rooting are the warm and humid atmosphere of the mini-greenhouse. Waiting for the appearance of rootlets will take two to three weeks. In order for young animals to winter overwinteringly, rooting cuttings should be no later than mid-to-late August.
Diseases of Tradescantia
In addition to the ease of care and beauty, Tradescantia has another remarkable quality - excellent health. The plant is very resistant to pests and diseases. It is enough only to provide the plant with fertile soil and a sufficient amount of moisture - and Tradescantia will please you with abundant flowering from year to year. However, even the absence of these minimum requirements can be transferred to the plant - there are often cases when the Tradescantia bushes live without any additional feeding for years, adapt to the arid climate, hibernate without shelter. Although, of course, plants growing in inappropriate conditions are much inferior in decorativeness to their well-groomed "brothers".
Tradescantia: useful properties
In addition to beauty, Tradescantia is able to contribute to your home and garden and also health -
And according to folk signs, the presence of Tradescantia in the garden will provide you and your family with protection from envious persons and ill-wishers.
Only 30 minutes of contemplation of the lush canal of Tradescantia will help the eyes to relax, the nerves to calm down, and the mood to rise.
Thus, if you want to get the most out of Tradescantia, plant it near the pond , near the gazebo , playground or other favorite vacation spots of your family.