The most prim and almost the largest-leaved of the many types of pilea – the Kadier pilea – seems to be a real aristocrat thanks to the mother-of-pearl silver patterns on the dark green leaves. This type of pilea is especially fond of for its dense foliage, the quality of branching and elegant splendor. Although the plant is no less appreciated for its ability to fit into any interior: while other saws are selected so that they match the textiles and materials of the room, this beauty is appropriate in any setting. The noble luxury of the leaves of the Kadier pilea is combined with unpretentiousness. True, it cannot be called a very simple plant to grow.
Pilea Kadje is the most unpretentious and large-leaved in the genus. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com thesimple.plant
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Description of the plant
Pylaea are amazing plants from the Nettle family, moisture-loving, demanding and preferring coolness. Otherwise, they cannot be called textured. The height of the pili rarely reaches 30 cm, the creeping thin shoots branch densely from the very base, leafy with oppositely sitting small leaves from top to bottom. Whole or serrated, pubescent and shiny, wrinkled and smooth, oval, lanceolate, rounded or even more original pili leaves are not in vain compared to luxurious fabrics. And inconspicuous flowering does not affect the popularity of these plants in the least.
For a wide variety of mainly compact and very colored saws, “monochrome” colors – a combination of only green or silver – are considered a rarity. But this is not the only reason why the Kadje pilea is a special variety.
Pilea Kadier (Pilea cadierei) Is one of the largest types of saws. The height of the bushes is up to 40 cm and large, up to 10 cm in length, embossed, convex between the veins, ideally oval leaves with pointed tips seem elegant and massive. The shoots of the Kadje pilea are thin, densely branched, tough, grow strikingly straight, creating “protruding” lush bushes.
The leaves are slightly curved, as if pulled over the top, showing off their patterns and shine. Pilea Cadier is one of the brightest glossy-leaved types of pilea, in which the shine adds a special nobility to the silver-pearl specks.
It is no coincidence that the Kadje saw was nicknamed the silver saw for its coloring. The severity of the patterns nicely distinguishes this species against the background of the textural diversity of its congeners. The dark, emerald green foliage with forest tints is combined with the reddish reverse side of the leaf blades. The dark leaves are adorned with whitish-silvery spots between the veins, creating distinctive patterns, feathers and lines. The shape of the stripes emphasizes the shape and relief of the leaf plate.
Nondescript whitish flowers in high clusters of inflorescences do not decorate the plant in any way, affecting its compactness. It is better not to allow flowering in the Kadje pilea.
Unlike most other pili, Kadje cannot boast of a great variety. But the presence of a dwarf variety “Minima” (Minima) pleases fans of the beauty of the drink with its diminutiveness.
Growing conditions for the Kadier room saw
When faced with the whims of pili, flower growers are often disappointed. It is difficult to attribute all pileas to undemanding and super-resistant crops. They are hygrophilous, do not forgive mistakes in care, depend on the quality of watering and a dozen other factors. Pilea Kadier has become so popular also because it is still somewhat easier to grow than other species.
Lighting and placement
Pilea Kadier cannot stand the direct sun, but it is shade-tolerant enough. Without losing its shape and color, it can be placed in partial shade, at a slight distance from windows. It is worth focusing on the conditions of the northern and eastern window sills. For the winter, the plant must be moved to more illuminated places.
When placing the Kadier saw, it is worth choosing solo parts at a sufficient distance from other indoor crops, giving the bushes more space. In groups, the bright contrasting Kadier saws often play the role of an overwhelming plant, highlighting the disadvantages of neighbors.
Read also our article Pylaea – variety of species.
Temperature control and ventilation
In its love for coolness, the Kadier saw is somewhat different from most of the saws, because it retains its shape and freshness not only at temperatures of about 18 degrees, but also in warmth, temperatures up to 23 degrees. She also does not like heat, but in living rooms this type of drinking is quite comfortable. The plant can overwinter at temperatures from 15 degrees Celsius (it is more resistant to cold than other species).
The plant does not tolerate drafts, but ventilation should be frequent. The influence of the batteries must be compensated for. For the summer, the Kadje saw can be taken out into the fresh air. The plant can be used as a container balcony or garden plant.
Caring for the Kadier saw at home
Regular “medium” care allows you to keep the luxurious beauty in shape for a long time. Sileya Kadier does not forgive big mistakes, but minor mistakes usually do not affect her.
Watering and air humidity
Stable light soil moisture – ideal for any saw. And the Kadje pilea is no exception. Watering the plant so that the soil dries out only in the upper layer and immediately draining the water, it is difficult to make a mistake. This type of pili is afraid of dampness much more than skipping watering. But long-term drying of the soil will inevitably lead to the loss of large luxurious leaves. Water for irrigation should be soft and warm enough – 2-4 degrees warmer than the air in the room.
Medium and high humidity are more suitable for the Kadje pilea more than a dry environment. But the need to increase this indicator usually arises only in the heat and during the operation of heating systems. Unlike her relatives, this species can be safely sprayed, additional moisture will not hurt either in summer or in winter. Although it is always best to install pallets with damp moss or pebbles for easier maintenance.
Read also our article The best fishnet houseplants.
Top dressing and composition of fertilizers
This species requires year-round feeding, the frequency and intensity of which is regulated according to the growth rate. From spring to autumn, Kadje saws are fed every 2 weeks with a standard dose of fertilizers, in autumn and winter – once a month, half of the dose indicated by the manufacturer. For the plant, only special fertilizers for decorative deciduous crops are suitable.
Trimming and shaping the Kadier saw
Pinching the tops of the shoots every 3-4 weeks allows you to maintain a dense shape and bushiness. Partial pruning to a height of 8-10 cm, the obligatory removal of stretched or damaged, dry branches stimulate dense branching and restoration of the affected bushes. Each spring, the plant is cut short, to hemp, or simply replaced with new plants.
For reproduction, this species is grown from cuttings using the tops of healthy shoots. Twigs with 2 – 3 pairs of leaves are rooted in water or under a hood in the substrate.
Transplant, containers and substrate
If the plant is often changed to new young bushes, there is no need to transplant. Old Kadje saws can be transplanted during the outgrowth of the size of the container throughout the spring and summer, dividing if desired, laying high drainage and maintaining the same level of deepening.
Any loose and nutritious substrate with neutral pH is suitable for the saw. A special soil mixture for decorative leafy plants, a universal substrate or hydroponics – you can choose according to your taste.
Pilea Kadier is a plant that is best placed not in ampels, but in ordinary pots. It is massive and lush, the shoots are straight, and the colors are better visible when looking at the plant from top to bottom.
While other saws are equally good in containers and hanging baskets, this saw is more demanding on capacity. In addition to the mandatory drainage holes, when selecting containers for Kadier saws, you need to adhere to the classic shape with a width, greater height (or at least equal) and stop at stable ceramic models whenever possible. The saw requires compact containers with a maximum depth of 10 cm.
Diseases, pests and growing problems
This species is considered one of the most resistant. Occasionally, in case of violations of care, in the heat and very dry air, the Kadje saw can become a victim of scale insects, spider mites, thrips, aphids. It will be possible to cope with pests only with the help of insecticides. But it is more appropriate to update the diseased plant from the cuttings and discard the diseased one, because repeated treatments and isolation usually still cause damage to decorativeness.
Insufficient lighting leads to crushing and discoloration of the leaves in this type of saw. The most dangerous are droughts and overflows, which inevitably lead to the loss of greenery.
