Dalechampia

Family. Euphorbiaceae

Origin. Brazil, Mexico.

Description. Dalechampia fast-growing evergreen liana up to 7 m or less in height. Less commonly, it is a shrub whose stems are covered with stinging hairs. The leaves are simple, alternate, 3-5-lobed, up to 20 cm long, located on small petioles. Young leaves often have a reddish tint. The inflorescences are axillary, complex umbels consisting of 15-20 flowers with bright large triangular or oval bracts, up to 4 cm long. The number of bracts varies among varieties. Bracts can be pink, lavender, pale green. The flowers are unisexual, each inflorescence consists of male and female flowers.

Height. Under natural conditions, dalechampia grows quickly and reaches a height of 7 m; in culture, it rarely exceeds 1.5 m.

Dalechampia - care at home

Temperature conditions

Moderate - warm content at a temperature of 15 - 20 ° C. 

Lighting

It is advisable to provide daleshampia with a brightly lit place with access to direct sunlight in the morning and evening, but the plant tolerates partial shade. With a lack of light, the plant may lose foliage.

Care

The size of dalechampia is controlled by pruning.

Substrate

It will grow in a wide variety of well-drained soils.

Feeding

The plant is fed monthly with liquid fertilizers in the warm season, when it is actively growing.

Purpose

A rare plant, for lovers of curiosities. 

Flowering time

It blooms all year round, but most of the flowers appear in summer.

Air humidity

Needs periodic spraying.

Soil moisture

Moderate watering in the summer and protection from drying out the earthen clod in the winter. 

Transfer

In spring, every year, as the plant develops quickly.

Reproduction

Seeds and cuttings.

Pests and diseases

Dalechampia can be attacked by aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies. 

Note

Skin irritation may occur due to contact with hairs on the stems of the plant.