Tupidanthus

Family. Araliaceae.

Origin. Asia.

Description. Tupidanthus is a low tropical evergreen tree, a close relative of the schefflera. The trunk is slender, covered with gray-brown bark. A lush crown is formed at the top. The leaves are dark green, complex, on long petioles, consisting of oblong-oval, drooping, shiny segments up to 25 cm long, arranged in a circle. There are variegated varieties with leaves covered with white or yellow spots and stripes. During the flowering period, hanging branched inflorescences are formed from numerous male and female buds of pink, greenish, yellow or white color. After flowering, round green fruits up to 3.5 cm in diameter appear, when ripening, the berries turn orange.

Height. It grows quickly and in its natural environment reaches a height of 6 m. It easily tolerates formative pruning.

Home care

Temperature conditions

During the growing season, the optimal temperature range is considered to be from 18 to 24° C. Wintering should be cool, but do not lower the temperature to 10° C. 

Lighting

Choose a well-lit place for growing with shade from direct sunlight during the daytime in spring and summer.

Care

Often these plants are formed in the form of a tree or shrub. The bushes easily tolerate even drastic pruning, which is carried out at the end of winter or early spring, before growth begins. Remove damaged leaves to maintain a neat appearance. Wipe large leaves with a damp sponge to remove dust. 

Substrate

A soil rich in organic matter and well-drained is required, for example a mixture of leaf humus, peat with the addition of sand. The plant prefers soils with a neutral pH.

Feeding

In spring and summer, feed regularly with liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2 weeks. Loves organic fertilizers.

Purpose

Tupidanthus is a large decorative foliage species that is used for landscaping spacious and bright rooms.

Flowering time

Spring – summer, in indoor culture flowering occurs extremely rarely.

Air humidity

Spray the leaves with soft water at room temperature if the indoor air becomes too dry. Use a room humidifier or a tray of wet pebbles. 

Soil moisture

Water, completely soaking the soil with moisture. In spring and summer, between waterings, dry the soil to a depth of 1 - 3 cm; in autumn and winter, the frequency of watering should be reduced in accordance with the temperature. 

Transfer

Young specimens require annual spring replanting. Adult tupidanthus often have impressive sizes, which makes it difficult to move them to another container. For such bushes, the top layer of the substrate is changed.

Reproduction

Propagated by semi-ripe stem cuttings in spring and summer. Rooting is not easy - with the use of growth hormones, in a warm room. Tupidanthus seeds are planted in spring.

Pests and diseases

Rot occurs when there is insufficient drainage and stagnation of moisture at the roots. The main pests of the plant are spider mites and mealybugs.