Choisya

Family. Rutaceae.

Origin. Mexico.

Description. Choisya is an evergreen, dense, subtropical shrub. The leaves are hard, green or yellowish, glossy, lanceolate or elliptical, often bent along the central vein, arranged oppositely. When damaged, the leaves emit a pleasant citrus aroma. The flowers are white or pink with 5 oblong petals and a charming aroma. Flowering is abundant and long lasting.

Height. 1 - 3 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Choisya is kept at a temperature of 18 - 24 ° C from spring to autumn. In the winter months, plants are taken to cool rooms with a temperature of 6 - 10 ° C.

Lighting

Needs a lot of light, when grown in partial shade it becomes loose and elongated. Insufficient lighting will affect flowering. Do not expose the bush to direct sunlight during the day - this can leave burns on the leaves.

Care

Regularly pinch the tips of long stems to encourage branching if you want a compact plant. Choisya tolerates even radical pruning. If possible, take the plant to the balcony or just outside during the warmer months.

Substrate

Tolerates most types of soil with an acidic pH. The substrate should be well-drained; a mixture of 2 parts peat and 1 part perlite or coarse river sand is suitable.

Feeding

Feed regularly during the growing season - 1 - 2 times a month with liquid fertilizers in half concentration. Loves organic fertilizers. During the dormant period, feeding is stopped. 

Purpose

A beautiful and useful plant for landscaping large spaces. Choisya effectively purifies the air of germs.

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

It tolerates the dryness of heated rooms well, since the hard leaves evaporate a minimal amount of moisture. Often there is no need for spraying at all. 

Soil moisture

Water thoroughly and often enough during the warmer months to keep the soil moist most of the time. Reduce the frequency of watering in winter as the plant will slow down its development.

Transfer

In the spring, when the roots filled the entire pot. Replanting large tub plants can be difficult, so only the top layer of soil in the tubs is changed annually. 

Reproduction

Choisya is propagated relatively easily by stem cuttings about 8 cm long. Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings and root in a damp mixture of peat and sand or in a simple glass of water. Rooting will take 3 - 4 weeks.

Pests and diseases

If there is not enough light, the plant will have elongated stems and faded leaves. The plant may rot if overwatered. 

Pests sometimes include aphids and spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects.