Sparmannia

Family. Tiliaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Sparmannia is a small evergreen multi-stemmed shrub with vertical, branching stems. Young shoots are pubescent; with age they become woody and covered with bark. The leaves are green, large, carved, arranged alternately on long petioles, up to 25 cm long, similar to maple leaves. The upper and lower sides of the leaf blade have sparse pubescence. Inflorescences are apical umbrellas, consisting of many white flowers with petals bent back. The stamens are long, yellow-red, creating a pleasant contrast with the petals. Terry varieties have been bred.

Height. In its natural environment can reach 4 - 8 m in height. In potted culture it often does not exceed 1 m. Grows quickly.

Cultivation

Temperature conditions

The bush loves heat and can be kept at room temperature all year round. In winter months it can be kept cool - at a temperature of 6 - 10 °C. Do not expose the plant to temperatures below 5 °C. Maintaining coolness prolongs the flowering period.

Lighting

A well-lit place with sufficient reflected sunlight. Direct rays can only fall on the leaves in the morning or evening hours.

Care

Too long shoots are cut after flowering. Sparmannia tolerates pruning well. Periodically, the crown of the bush is cleared of old and diseased shoots. In the warm season, the flower will be happy to be outdoors.

Substrate

Loose nutritious soil with good drainage. A mixture of garden soil with leaf humus, peat, with the addition of a small amount of coarse river sand and crushed charcoal is suitable.

Feeding

From May to September, sparmannia needs regular feeding with liquid fertilizers - approximately every 2 weeks. 

Purpose

This plant is perfect for landscaping large and well-lit rooms.

Flowering time

Spring. The specific flowering period depends on the variety. Repeat flowering can occur in the fall with proper care. 

Air humidity

Good air circulation around the bush is desirable, but cold drafts should be avoided. It is recommended to increase the air humidity using a tray with wet pebbles or a room humidifier.

Soil moisture

During the growth period, water moderately - the soil should dry out to almost half its depth between waterings. During the dormant period, if the sparmannia is in a cool room, the frequency of watering is minimized, simply without drying out the substrate. 

Transfer

Transplantation is carried out in spring. Young seedlings are transplanted annually, adult specimens are transplanted approximately every 2-3 years. In tub sparmanias, the top layer of soil is replaced with fresh soil every year.

Reproduction

Stem cuttings 15 cm long. The cuttings are rooted in a damp mixture of peat and sand under a glass or transparent plastic cover for 1 - 1.5 months. Sparmannia can take root even in a glass of water. Growing from seeds is possible, but this method requires a lot of time and labor. 

Pests and diseases

The plant drops its lower leaves and refuses to bloom in low light. Leaves turn yellow when kept in too hot a room with insufficient air humidity.

Mealybugs and spider mites sometimes appear among harmful insects.

Note

The flower juice can cause allergic reactions in people predisposed to it.

Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponics.