Pisonia

Family. Nyctaginaceae.

Origin. New Zealand, Australia.

Description. The genus Pisonia has about 50 species of perennial evergreen shrubs, vines or abundantly branching trees, many of which are dioecious, that is, divided into male and female. The leaves are simple, lanceolate, glossy, up to 15 cm long, on short petioles. In spring, axillary, small, but very attractive white-lilac, yellow or pink flowers with a very pleasant aroma form on the tops of the shoots. The buds are arranged in tiers and open sequentially - from the bottom up. Unfortunately, it blooms extremely rarely in indoor culture. Variegated forms have brightly colored foliage with white and green stripes and spots.

Height. It can reach a height of 2 m when grown in a tub, but with pruning you can get the plant to the desired height.

Care at home

Containment temperature

The optimum temperature in spring and summer is 16 - 27 °C, the bush does not tolerate frost, but needs a cool winter at a temperature of about 15 °C. Trees grown outdoors should be brought indoors when night temperatures drop below this mark.

When does bloom?

Pisonia rarely blooms indoors.

Lighting

Bright, at least 4 hours of direct sunlight every day. With a lack of lighting, the color of the leaves quickly fades. 

Pests and diseases

Direct sunlight on the leaves causes sunburn. When the soil dries out or there is insufficient air humidity, the leaves turn brown and fall off.

Of the harmful insects, spider mites, thrips and aphids, sometimes scale insects, and mealybugs can pose a certain danger.

Ground

Prefers soil with plenty of organic matter, well drained.

Growing

Pisonia will be grateful if you move it to fresh air during the warm season. You can also put the pot on a sunny balcony. Trim long stems to maintain a neat, compact crown shape. Pinch the tips of shoots for better branching. Remove weak and diseased branches.

Reproduction

Propagated by semi-woody stem cuttings 8-10 cm long, rooted in moist soil. It is advisable to use bottom heating and rooting powder. The seedlings form a root system within 2 months under a plastic cap or glass to maintain uniform humidity. Air layering.

Feeding

Every 2 weeks during the period of active growth, feed with liquid fertilizers with a high potassium content.

Air humidity

Pisonia will look stronger and healthier if you increase the humidity in the room with a humidifier or place the pot on a tray with damp pebbles.

Water pisonia

Water generously with room temperature water, but allow the top layer of soil, about 2 inches thick, to dry out between waterings. Stagnation of water at the roots can lead to rotting. During the winter months, keep the soil from drying out completely.

Transfer

Transplant in spring into pots with large drainage holes, every 2 years. For large tub bushes, which are difficult to transplant, replace the top layer of soil with fresh substrate every year.

Note

Over time, plants can expose the lower part of the stems, losing the lower leaves. Such specimens should be radically pruned or replaced with new ones. 

Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponics.