Chamelaucium

Family. Myrtaceae.

Origin. Australia.

Description. Chamelaucium is an evergreen shrub with erect, thin, branched stems covered with smooth reddish bark. Needle-shaped, green leaves tightly cover the plant stems and evaporate a minimal amount of moisture. When damaged, the leaves emit a pleasant lemon smell. Flowers with 5 rounded petals of white, pink, red or lilac shades appear very abundantly and remain open for a long time, replacing each other. During the flowering period, chamelaucium fills the room with a light honey aroma.

Height. It grows quickly and reaches 2 - 3 m in height in nature.

Care at home

Propagation

In spring and summer it propagates vegetatively using stem cuttings.

Soil 

The substrate must be perfectly permeable to moisture; chamelaucium develops even in nutrient-poor soils. 

When blooms 

Flowering is very abundant and long-lasting, and the time of its onset depends on the conditions of maintenance and the variety of the bush.

Transplantation 

As they develop, repot into larger pots with larger drainage holes every 2-3 years. For larger specimens, replace the top layer of soil with fresh soil annually.

Fertilizers 

Chamelaucium does not need a large amount of fertilizer and is content with monthly fertilizing, only during the growth period. 

Watering 

Young plants require regular watering to establish a large, vigorous root system. Mature plants tolerate dry periods well. Allow the substrate to dry out several inches between waterings during the growing season, and reduce watering frequency to a minimum during the winter months.

Spraying

Does not require high humidity, tolerates dry air from heated rooms. 

Maintenance 

Chamelaucium is not picky and lives for a long time in indoor conditions with minimal care. Stems that are too long are cut to 1/3 of their height after flowering. If necessary, remove old and damaged branches. 

Pests and diseases

The greatest danger for the bushes is rotting due to excess moisture.

Aphids are among the harmful insects.

Temperature conditions

Year-round warm content at a temperature of 18 - 26° C. 

Lighting

The plant loves light and ideally should receive direct sunlight in the morning and evening every day. When grown in partial shade, flowering will be less abundant and development will slow down.

Purpose

Chamelaucium flowers are used for cutting. The plant can be grown using the bonsai technique. 

Varieties:

Chamelaucium Ofir

A delicate rounded shrub with numerous, abundantly branched, thin shoots covered with brown bark. The leaves are green, needle-shaped, glossy, reminiscent of pine needles, arranged in opposite pairs. The flowers are attractive, with 5 rounded petals, white with a greenish or yellow center. 

Chamelaucium Snowflakes

A profusely flowering evergreen shrub with a dense crown up to 100 - 120 cm high. The shoots are very thin, abundantly branched, with brown bark. The leaves are dark green, glossy, needle-shaped. The flowers are pink or white, with a dark center, appearing at the tops of the shoots.

Chamelaucium Matilda

Flowering evergreen, compact shrub up to 60 - 90 cm high with thin, flexible shoots and narrow, needle-like leaves. Plants are distinguished by abundant and long-lasting flowering, and the flowers change their shade depending on age. Only the opening buds have white petals, the open flowers form a dark pink or burgundy center, and before fading the petals become completely burgundy or crimson.