Tree of Love - Caring for a Houseplant at Home

Aichryson is a succulent plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family. The genus comprises only 15 species, five of which are cultivated indoors. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants.

There are also subshrubs of Aichryson. The love tree, as Aichryson is also called, is a very common houseplant. Looking at this exotic flower, you might think it's made up of hundreds of tightly packed hearts. It's often confused with the money tree, but they are completely different species.

History of cultivation and signs about the tree of love

In the natural environment, plants are found in the following places:

• Canary Islands;
• Azores;
• Morocco;
• Madeira;
• Portugal.

This plant is very popular among gardeners. It is popularly known as the Tree of Love. This name comes from the unusual shape of its leaves, which resemble hearts.

There are a large number of signs associated with Aichryson, the essence of which is as follows:

1. This plant is a litmus test for family well-being. It's believed that the flower reacts to the "house climate." If the family is happy, and love and understanding reign, the aichryson thrives and blooms. In families where arguments and conflicts are constant, the flower withers and dies. Therefore, in some countries, aichryson is traditionally given as a wedding gift.
2. An advisor for lonely people. The Aichryson loves its owner or mistress very much. Therefore, when a suitor for the owner's heart appears in the house, the plant suggests the candidate's worthiness. If the flower considers the new person to be good, it will begin to sprout new leaves. If a bad person enters the house, the plant will droop and become ill.

There's also a superstition that the plant attracts material well-being. However, this only applies to flowers purchased with money. Aichrysons, when given as a gift, don't attract wealth. Therefore, many people, when receiving a flower as a gift, give a few kopecks in exchange for it.

Characteristics of indoor plants and species diversity

Indoor trees have both common characteristics and specific species differences. The following Aichryson species are grown indoors:

1. Home.
2. Winding.
3. Sedum-leaved.
4. Loose (spread out).
5. Point.

The decorative value of each species is represented by its leaves.

General information

The root system is poorly developed. The stems are straight and tend to branch. The shoots may be brownish or green. They rarely become woody. In most species, the stems are pubescent.

The leaves are fleshy, small to medium-sized. The surface of most species is densely pubescent. Species without pubescence have sticky leaf surfaces. The leaf shape is often diamond-shaped, but some species have club-shaped leaves. The leaf color is primarily shades of green. A variegated variety also exists.

Flowering occurs in spring and lasts at least two months. Some species can bloom for up to six months. The flowers are small and star-shaped. They are collected in racemes or panicles.

Aichryson domesticus

The indoor aichrozon is a low-growing shrub up to 30 cm tall. The leaves are small, diamond-shaped, and slightly pubescent. The blades are fleshy and dark green. This species is characterized by a long flowering period: up to six months. The plant blooms with fragrant flowers with bright yellow petals. This species can be trained into a standard form.

Winding

Aichryson 'Izvizistye' is considered a dwarf variety. Bushes reach 15 to a maximum of 30 cm in height. It is distinguished by densely packed, fleshy leaves. The leaflets are diamond-shaped and light green with a bluish tint. The leaf surface is covered with dense white hairs.

Sedum

Aichryson sedum is a dense subshrub with numerous thin, upright shoots. The leaves are club-shaped and arranged in rosettes. The surface of the blades is sticky. The blades are a combination of two colors: a light green background with distinct red stripes and blotches. The leaves are fleshy but not pubescent. The flowers are large, with golden petals. The sedum species is characterized by partial leaf loss during dormancy.

Loose, or spreading

The subshrubs grow up to 40 cm. The leaves are diamond-shaped, pubescent, and bright green. The golden flowers are collected in racemes. After flowering, some leaves may fall off.

Point

Representatives of the dotted species are herbaceous plants. They are distinguished by their semi-naked, elongated shoots, brown or dark green in color. The shoots are pubescent. The leaves are diamond-shaped, fleshy, and small. They are bright green. In this species, the leaves are less pubescent than the stems. The flowers are bright yellow, star-shaped, and gathered in inflorescences.

Peculiarities of growing a love tree at home

Growing a love tree at home is not difficult. Difficulties may arise only if you don't follow the houseplant care instructions.

Lighting

The flower requires plenty of light, but direct sunlight is harmful. Therefore, it is grown in conditions with plenty of indirect light. The optimal location for the flowerpot is considered to be a window sill near a west- or east-facing window. On a south-facing window, the Aichryson can be shaded with a curtain or placed not on the window sill, but in close proximity to the window. On a north-facing window, the plant will require additional lighting.

Insufficient light causes the plant to bare and stretch its shoots, thereby losing its ornamental value. Exposure to direct sunlight causes burns on the leaves, causing them to fall off.

Temperature and humidity

During active growth, Aichryson thrives in temperatures ranging from 18°C ​​to 28°C. In autumn, the temperature is reduced to 10°C. However, the transition should be gradual. Sudden temperature fluctuations can cause stress to the plant.

Aichryson is not picky about humidity. Unlike many other houseplants, it doesn't require additional humidification. In summer, when the air is very dry, it can be misted or placed under a warm shower.

Watering and fertilizing

During the growing season, the plant requires regular but moderate watering. This is done as the top layer of soil dries out. Some experts recommend watering the plant after half the soil has dried out. This is due to the plant's hypersensitivity to overwatering.

In winter, water the plant even less frequently. It's advisable to develop a customized schedule. To do this, observe the plant's leaves: as soon as they begin to lose turgor (become limp), water them. Overwatering during dormancy can lead to root rot.

Fertilize the flower in the spring and summer. Use mineral fertilizers for succulents. The frequency and dosage of feeding are determined according to the instructions. Fertilizers for aichryson should have a low nitrogen content.

Pruning and pinching

Pruning and pinching procedures are carried out for several reasons:

1. Pinching. A necessary measure. It is carried out throughout the growing season. Young shoots are pinched to encourage branching and ensure greater decorativeness.
2. Pruning faded flowers is also essential. This is done after flowering. Faded blooms should be removed to ensure proper air circulation and prevent disease.

   

3. Flower resuscitation. Without proper care, the plant will stretch its stems and drop its leaves. The stems themselves will begin to dry out at the base. The only way to save the flower is to prune the living shoots to encourage them to root.

Some gardeners have mastered the art of growing the tree of love as a standard plant. To do this, they prune all the side shoots and pinch them to create a beautiful crown.

Diseases, pests and methods of control

All flower diseases arise as a result of improper care. The most common are:

1. Root rot. Occurs due to overwatering of the soil. It manifests itself as drying out of the plant's above-ground parts. The roots show all signs of rot. Control involves removing all damaged parts of the plant, followed by repeated treatment with fungicides.

   

2. White swelling. Caused by excessive air and soil moisture. The main symptom is the appearance of whitish blisters on the leaves, followed by leaf deformation. The plant is usually able to overcome the disease on its own with proper care. Severely affected leaves fall off on their own.

Improper care of the Aichryson can also lead to infestations with scale insects, spider mites, nematodes, and mealybugs. Insecticides can be used to protect the plant from pests.

Propagation and transplantation of houseplants at home

There are two ways to propagate a flower: by cuttings and by seeds. Cuttings involve the following steps:

1. The apical shoots are cut from the mother bush and left to dry for a couple of hours.
2. The container is filled with a mixture of sand and vermiculite.

Dried cuttings are placed in moist soil in a container. The cut end should be in the soil.

Once the cutting has rooted, it is transplanted into a separate pot. The optimal diameter of the pot is 7 cm. The soil should be a mixture of sand, turf, and leaf mold in equal proportions. Cuttings also root well in sand, succulent soil, or water with charcoal.

You can get aichrysons from seeds in the following way:

• the container is filled with a mixture of leaf soil and sand (1:0.5);
• seeds are sown into the moist soil of the container;
• The container is covered with glass on top.

The seeds are aired daily. The soil is moistened as it dries. The first shoots appear after two weeks. Strong aichrysons with two or three leaves are replanted in the same way as rooted cuttings.

Repotting is done annually, preferably in the spring. Mature plants are well suited to succulent soil. You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing the following ingredients:

• turf soil (1/2);
• leaf soil (1/4);
• sand (1/4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl97ESf0IG0

The pot shouldn't be too deep, otherwise the plant will devote all its energy to root development. Drainage holes are essential. Experts recommend using pots made of breathable materials. These include clay and untreated ceramics. Pots made from the above materials prevent the development of root rot.

Frequently asked questions about growing a tree

Aichryson isn't a demanding plant, but neglect can lead to disease and death. Many good omens are associated with growing this plant.