Leptospermum

Family. Myrtaceae.

Origin. Australia and New Zealand.

Description. Leptospermums are evergreen, small trees or shrubs with vertical, branching stems. The genus includes about 80 species of plants with hard, leathery, gray-green, sometimes brown or even purple, ovoid leaves up to 1 cm long, which are arranged alternately. The flowers are white, red or pink, with 5 petals, up to 3 cm in diameter, abundantly covering the entire plant. There are terry varieties.

Height. Depending on the species, it can vary from 30 cm to several meters, it grows slowly.

Care

Temperature

Moderately warm content at a temperature of 15 - 20 °C during the growing season, while the bush welcomes the difference between night and day temperatures. At higher temperatures, it is necessary to increase the air humidity and water the soil in the pot more often. Leptospermum needs a cool wintering at a temperature of 7 - 10 °C.

Lighting

Leptospermum needs a very well-lit place throughout the year. Shading is possible only on hot summer days. When grown in partial shade, flowering will not be abundant.

Care

Plants will appreciate being outdoors during the spring and summer. Prune after flowering to achieve the desired, compact shape. When pruning, remember that leptospermum takes a long time to recover after too much pruning. The tops of young shoots are regularly pinched. 

Substrate

Well-drained, nutrient-rich and loose soil with an acidic pH. To improve drainage, add 1/5 of sand to the soil.

Feeding

Feed with liquid fertilizer every two weeks in spring and summer. It is worth remembering that bushes overfed with nitrogen build up green mass at the expense of flowering.

Purpose

Some species are popular for growing as bonsai. Leptospermum flowers can be used for cutting. 

Flowering time

Representatives of this genus bloom profusely and for a long time - the flowering period lasts up to 4 months and begins in March.

Air humidity

It tolerates indoor conditions well, but if the indoor air becomes too dry or the temperature is higher than recommended, increase the humidity with a room humidifier or by placing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles. Provide the plant with a place where it will receive sufficient air movement.

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, watering should be abundant - until the soil lump is completely soaked. Between waterings, the soil should dry out to ½ the depth. In autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced, and in the winter months, the soil is simply protected from drying out completely. Adult specimens tolerate short-term drought, while young seedlings need regular moistening. It is advisable to use softened rain or bottled water for watering.

Transfer

Replant the bushes as they grow or after flowering. For large tub specimens, the replanting of which is difficult, replace the top layer of soil with fresh soil every year. The plants easily tolerate replanting; choose plastic pots for planting - leptospermums grow worse in ceramics.

Reproduction

Propagated by stem cuttings up to 8 cm long, which root quite easily within a year for 1-2 months. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting and dip the base in rooting powder. Cover the seedlings with a plastic cap or glass to maintain humidity; remove the cap after new shoots appear. Seeds that are sown in the spring. The first flowering occurs in very young bushes.

Pests and diseases

If there is too much moisture, leptospermums rot and die very quickly. If there is too much drought, they can shed their leaves. Of the harmful insects, the most dangerous are whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs and spider mites.

Note

The aromatic leaves are used to make vitamin teas. Many species eventually acquire impressive sizes and it will be difficult to keep them at home for more than 5 years. When grown indoors, the leaves are able to clean the air of harmful impurities. If the plant does not look very healthy when you buy it, root the cuttings taken from it.