Crinodendron

Family. Eleocarpaceae.

Origin. Chile.

Description. Crinodendrons are evergreen shrubs or small trees, with long thin shoots covered with brown smooth bark. The leaves are leathery, hard, dark green, elliptical. The edges of the leaf blades have small teeth. The flowers are bell-shaped, look like lanterns, located in the axils of the leaves in small inflorescences of 2 - 5 pieces, almost along the entire length of the stem, white, pink or red, up to 3 cm long. Flowering is very abundant, after which black round berries appear on the plant up to 1 cm in diameter.

Height. In the natural environment it reaches a height of 3 - 5 m, in culture it is regulated by pruning.

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, the optimal temperature range is from 18 to 24 ° C. In winter, allow the plant to rest at a temperature of 5 - 10 ° C so that it gains strength for the next season. Tolerates short frosts down to -10 °  C. 

Lighting

Provide the bush with a well-lit place without exposure to direct sunlight.

Care

Try to place the crinodendron outdoors during the warmer months. To prolong flowering, remove fading flowers. Trim damaged and dry branches in a timely manner.

Substrate

Rich in humus, acidic soils with a pH of 5.6 - 6.5. 

Feeding

During the period of active growth, feed every 2 weeks. In winter, feeding is stopped. Reacts well to organic feeding.

Flowering time

Spring Summer. 

Air humidity

Spray the leaves with soft water periodically if the air in the room becomes too dry. Spray in the first half of the day so that the droplets of moisture dry before dusk.

Soil moisture

During the growing period, keep the soil evenly soiled. In winter, allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. For watering, use soft bottled or rain water. 

Transplant

In the spring, for large adult plants, you can annually change the top layer of soil to fresh one.

Reproduction

Crinodendron is propagated by stem cuttings, which are formed during pruning. Rooting is carried out in a damp mixture of peat and sand at room temperature, covering the pots with a polyethylene cap or glass to maintain humidity. Seeds are sown in the spring.

Pests and diseases

Root rot due to stagnation of moisture. Chlorosis when kept in soil with an alkaline pH.