Among the representatives of indoor conifers and bonsai plants, rarer and more valuable than eucalyptus cannot be found. This is a real pot-sized gem with a unique crown and leaves, the aroma of which changes the whole atmosphere in the room. And it’s not just about phytoncidal properties. Eucalyptus is a surprisingly atmospheric plant that looks very luxurious and noble. And it requires complex maintenance, unlike more common competitors. Temperature isn’t the only thing to worry about.
Indoor eucalyptus – fragrant and demanding
Contents:
Description of the plant
The naturally pyramidal, unique bluish crown of eucalyptus trees is the dream object of many flower growers. Australian in origin, the plant and source of one of the most essential essential oils in rooms is rare. And not so much because of the considerable price, as because of its extreme capriciousness.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) develop slowly and change almost imperceptibly, usually not growing more than 1 m in rooms. They can be grown both as a shrub and as a tree. A transparent and lacy crown in a room format looks like a small graceful miracle with straight shoots and green-silver coins-leaves.
Eucalyptus does not seem dense due to the special arrangement of the leaves with the edge towards the light. Glossy, with a waxy bluish-bluish bloom, the foliage casts silver in the distance. The soft, rounded-oval leaves are very fragrant, over time they become more rigid, slightly lengthened and sharpened.
Eucalyptus blossoms are one of the fluffiest. In the axils of the leaves, in small shields or on short petioles, one at a time, amazing pale cream, light yellow, pale pink flowers bloom with accrete petals hidden under innumerable stamens. The unusualness of the plant is also emphasized by the bizarre cones of the fruit.
The prevention of colds, the calming, tonic and refreshing effects are as valuable as the phytoncidal properties of the plant. Eucalyptus is especially valuable for work areas and offices.
“Silver Dollar”, or Ash Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com amdolcevita
Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus globulus). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com skubic
Eucalyptus gunnii. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com wrosliny
Types of indoor eucalyptus
It is very rare in the information about indoor eucalyptus when buying you can find the specific name or the name of the variety, but all four compact species with bright foliage are easily recognizable:
Silver Dollar, or Ash eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea) – a beautiful view with silvery-matte ovoid leaves, almost unchanging.
Eucalyptus globular (Eucalyptus globulus) – densely branched, graceful appearance with yellowish bark and elongated lanceolate bright green leaves.
Eucalyptus Gunny (Eucalyptus gunnii) Is a round-leaved, slightly aromatic species with a bluish tint that changes to green only in adulthood. There are several varieties with smaller leaves and even brighter blue or dark green colors.
Eucalyptus parvifolia (Enlarge) Is a sprawling bushy species with an amazing number of shoots and small bright green lanceolate leaves.
Read also our article The most useful indoor plants, or the Healing air of our home.
Growing conditions for indoor eucalyptus
Eucalyptus will not be content with the usual living conditions. And that is why it is so rare in interiors. This is a true lover of coolness and consistently bright lighting – conditions that are much easier to recreate in a greenhouse.
Lighting and placement
Eucalyptus needs the brightest lighting possible. He is not afraid of the direct sun, but even on the eastern windows he will feel uncomfortable. The best option for eucalyptus is southern or at least partially southern window sills. Additional supplementary lighting in winter is required, but it does not fully compensate for poor lighting: eucalyptus should try to provide about 6 hours of direct sun per day.
Temperature control and ventilation
The hardest part about growing eucalyptus is finding a place that’s cool enough for it. This plant does not tolerate heat at any age. Ideal temperatures for eucalyptus, even in summer, are only 18 degrees, and their excess cannot be compensated for without constant ventilation. In winter, eucalyptus trees should be kept at temperatures between 7 and 15 degrees. Exceeding 16 degrees can be disastrous, especially if you make mistakes in grooming.
Eucalyptus cannot thrive without access to fresh air. In the rooms, even ventilation is not enough: in the warm season, only a constantly open window or taking the plant out to the balcony or garden will do. Cold drafts are contraindicated in eucalyptus, but the plant is not afraid of warm ones.
Eucalyptus cannot thrive without access to fresh air. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com lindalovestjarna
Home care for eucalyptus
Indoor eucalyptus does not forgive mistakes. Its wilted leaves do not recover and easily fly around even with the slightest violation of the rules of care.
Watering and air humidity
Eucalyptus is watered abundantly in summer, leaving no water in the trays and allowing the top layer of the substrate to dry out slightly. Since autumn, watering is reduced, only slightly drying the soil slightly more. Eucalyptus cannot stand water stagnation and waterlogging, but it is even more dangerous for them to dry out the substrate even to the middle of the earthen coma, which causes the upper shoots to dry out and leaves to drop.
It is advisable to water the eucalyptus with rain or melt water, the temperature of which should not differ much from the air temperature in the room.
The only thing that eucalyptus is undemanding for is air humidity. He does not like spraying and wiping, foliage is cleaned with a shower.
Top dressing and composition of fertilizers
It is advisable to use special fertilizers for eucalyptus or bonsai; in extreme cases, universal fertilizers for ornamental deciduous plants with a low content of phosphorus and nitrogen are suitable. Fertilizers for the plant are applied all year round – once every 1 weeks in spring and summer and once a month in autumn and winter, halved dosages.
Pruning and shaping eucalyptus trees
The slow growth of eucalyptus trees does not require containment. The plant is most effective in its natural form when it is allowed to develop freely. But if desired, eucalyptus can be formed – by regular haircut, pinching, exposing and shaping the trunks. Eucalyptus trees can be used to create stems, topiary and bonsai. Pruning is carried out in the spring, if necessary, supplemented with pinching in the summer. The plant easily tolerates haircuts for more than half the length of the shoots.
If desired, eucalyptus can be shaped – by regular haircut, pinching, exposing and shaping the trunks. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com marissahomes
Diseases, pests and growing problems
Eucalyptus trees are almost invulnerable. If scale insects or spider mites from infected neighbors have spread to the plant, insecticide treatments should be started as early as possible.
Eucalyptus trees are prone to root rot with any overflow. The consequences are evidenced by the blanching of the leaves and their massive shedding. But if the leaves turn yellow before falling off, the reason is in cold or hard water.
Read also our article The most fragrant indoor plants.
Transplant, containers and substrate
The eucalyptuses are transferred without disturbing the earthen coma, as the substrate in the previous container is completely filled with the roots – only when the roots begin to appear in the drainage holes.
Fancy cubes, polygons, outlandish designer pots or antique models decorated with painting and decoupage are the ideal choice of containers from a stylistic point of view. Eucalyptus trees need natural materials and resistance. They are grown in small containers. The diameter of the container is increased by only 1-2 cm.
For young eucalyptus trees, the pots are selected so that the volume of the pot is only a few centimeters larger than the earthen coma. If the plant is growing too vigorously, shrinking the pot and trimming the roots will help keep the crown from growing.
For this plant, you can use a universal substrate with the obligatory content of peat and loosening additives. Perlite or vermiculite, sphagnum, coarse sand can be added additionally to protect against compaction. High drainage at the bottom of the tank is required.
The basic rule of eucalyptus transplant is extreme caution after this procedure. It is better not to repeat light watering after transshipment for 4-5 days, resuming gently and slowly, slightly moistening the soil and waiting for signals of plant adaptation to resume the usual irrigation pattern.
Eucalyptus are loaded without breaking the earthy coma.
Reproduction of indoor eucalyptus
Eucalyptus trees can be grown from seeds that retain high germination capacity for a long time. Seedlings are very moody at the beginning of growth. Sowing is carried out in a universal soil mixed in half with sand, superficially. They are kept under glass or film at a stable temperature of about 18 degrees and at a constant substrate moisture content of 95-100%.
Small seedlings are very sensitive to overflow and drying out of the soil, they require regular ventilation and protection from heat. They dive only when they reach a height of 2 cm, transferring them without contact with the roots.
Cutting eucalyptus trees is also not the easiest one. The moisture content of the substrate should be constant, the lighting should be bright, but without direct sun. After rooting, the lighting is increased even more, slightly drying the substrate.
