Cestrum

Family. Solanaceae.

Origin. Mexico.

Description. Cestrum is a large genus of about 150–200 species of shrubs or small trees, including both deciduous and evergreen plants. The leaves are dark green, glossy, simple, lanceolate, with deep veins, arranged alternately. Tubular long flowers are collected in drooping multi-flowered panicles or rounded umbrellas. The buds are red, pink, yellow, orange, pink, white, lilac. During the flowering period, it emits a pleasant aroma, which intensifies in the evening and at night. Over time, it forms small round berries.

Height. In nature, the cestrum reaches a height of 1 - 3.5 m. In indoor culture, its size will be more modest, in addition, the height of the plant can be adjusted by pruning.  

Care at home

Temperature conditions

The bush develops best in warm conditions and easily tolerates summer heat with sufficient watering and air humidity. In winter, a cool dormant period at a temperature of about 10 - 15 ° C is desirable for growing.

Lighting

Cestrum loves sunny conditions. At elevated temperatures, shade the plant or keep the pots shaded to avoid overheating of the roots. 

Care

Overly long shoots can be pruned to maintain a compact shape, but do not remove too many branches at once. Trim faded flowers to prolong the flowering period and maintain a neat appearance. Stems often need support. Branches that are 2-3 years old bloom most beautifully; keep this in mind when pruning the plant.

Substrate

Use pots with drainage holes. As a substrate, use a soil mixture, for example, 2 parts humus to 1 part perlite or coarse sand.

Feeding

Feed the cestrum with mineral fertilizers approximately every 2 weeks during the growing season. 

Purpose

A very beautiful flowering plant.

Flowering time

The flowering period is very long. The formation of buds in different varieties can occur at different times.

Air humidity

Indoors, if the humidity is too low, you can use a humidifier or mist the plant. 

Watering the cestrum

Water abundantly during the growing season, however, let the substrate dry before the next watering, reduce watering in winter.

Transfer

Transplant young specimens aged 2-3 months into larger containers. Try not to damage the soil lump when transplanting. During the first week after transplanting, do not place the pot with cestrum under direct sunlight and do not feed it. Adult plants are transplanted every 2 years, in the spring, or simply replace the top layer of the substrate annually.

Reproduction

Propagated by semi-mature stem cuttings under a transparent plastic or glass cap using growth hormones. Rooting takes 6 to 8 weeks.
Sow seeds in spring, cover with a thin layer of soil and keep the soil evenly moist. Until the seeds germinate, make sure that the soil surface does not dry out. You can place the pots with sown cestrum seeds under a plastic cap, leaving a gap for fresh air. Keep the pots warm, about 18 - 24 °C, but not higher. Seedlings appear within 4 - 6 weeks, but sometimes only after 10 weeks, especially in low temperatures. Avoid direct sunlight for the first 4 - 6 weeks.

Pests and diseases

At elevated temperatures and a dry atmosphere, red spider mites appear. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, burns may appear on the leaves.

Among insects, the flower can be annoyed by spider mites and aphids, as well as whiteflies and scale insects. 

Note

Please note that the leaves, flowers and fruits are poisonous, so keep cestrum out of the reach of children and pets.