Portulacaria

Family. Portulacaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Portulacaria are perennial deciduous or evergreen succulent shrubs or small trees with a dense crown. The trunk is powerful, thick, covered with gray, light brown or burgundy bark. Young shoots may be burgundy or purple, and the stems are erect or creeping, depending on the species. The leaves are small, round, green, fleshy, up to 2 cm in diameter, sessile or on short petioles. There are variegated forms with light stripes along the edge of the leaf blade or species with leaves with a pink edge. The flowers are pale pink, up to 3 mm in diameter, collected in large, branched inflorescences at the tops of the stems.

Height. Up to 5 m in the wild and up to 2 m in tub culture, grows slowly.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

During the growing season, a normal room temperature of about 20° C is suitable. Plants tolerate intense summer heat well. During the winter months, it is advisable to provide a cool rest period at a temperature of about 10°C.

Lighting

A brightly lit place with shade from direct sunlight during the daytime.

Care

Portulacaria is very easy to grow and easily tolerates both temperature changes and drought. The bush tolerates pruning well, with the help of which the crown is given a compact shape. In summer, you can take the pot outside to protect it from rain.

Substrate

Requires a well-drained potting mix, with some perlite to provide drainage. Tolerates fairly nutrient-poor soils. The soil acidity for portulacaria should be in the neutral or slightly acidic range. 

Feeding

Does not require frequent feeding - just apply monthly liquid fertilizers specially designed for cacti and succulents. In the fall, feeding is stopped and resumed only in the spring.

Purpose

A very suitable plant for bonsai. 

Flowering time

Basically, the flowering period begins in the spring, but in indoor culture it is difficult to indicate specific dates, since everything depends on the conditions of detention. Blooms only with good care. 

Air humidity

Tolerates dry air well and does not require spraying.

Soil moisture

Water deeply and regularly throughout the spring and summer. Between waterings, the soil should dry out to about half its depth. In the winter months, the frequency of watering is reduced to a minimum in accordance with the temperature. 

Transfer

Young seedlings are replanted annually in the spring, before flowering, slightly increasing the volume of the pot. For large tub specimens, the top layer of soil about 5 cm thick is replaced with fresh soil. After replanting, watering is stopped for about 6 - 7 days. Portulacaria has a developed root system and requires a spacious container. For growing, it is advisable to use unglazed clay pots, the walls of which allow moisture and air to pass through.

Propagation

Vegetative propagation is quite easy using stem cuttings in spring and summer. The cuttings are separated with a sharp sterile instrument, and the cut site is dried for several days before planting. Young plants are covered with a transparent plastic cap to maintain humidity and placed in a warm place with a temperature of about 20 ° C, without direct sunlight.

Pests and diseases

Exposure to direct sunlight during the day can cause burns on the leaves. Rotting occurs due to insufficient drainage or overwatering. Insufficient lighting will cause the bush to stretch out and look untidy.

Of the harmful insects, plants can be attacked by whiteflies, spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, and thrips.