Clerodendrum thomsoniae: caring for the flower at home

Clerodendrums are evergreen plants in the Verbenaceae family, native to the African tropics. These flowers are often called Trees of Destiny, Volkamerias, and Innocent Love. Shrubby forms and vines of this plant are grown indoors. Their popularity stems from their rare combination of low maintenance and stunning beauty.

Clerodendrum thomsoniae is one of the most well-known varieties of this plant. It grows as a deciduous vine with heavily branched, intertwining stems. Caring for Clerodendrum thomsoniae in typical indoor conditions is not difficult. While certain situations may present some challenges, these can be easily avoided if all growing guidelines are followed.

Descriptions of Clerodendrum by Mrs. Thompson

In the wild, Clerodendrum Thomsoniae shoots can reach 4 m in length, and its leaves can reach 17 cm. Indoors, the plant doesn't grow as large, but if left unpruned, it can reach a couple of meters. The shoots are twining, flexible, and prone to intertwining. Over time, they become woody.

The leaves grow oppositely. They are attached to the shoots by short petioles. The blades are oval-shaped with a slightly elongated tip. The veining is clearly visible. The texture of the veins creates the impression of a quilted surface. The leaves are a uniform dark green, but variegated hybrids of Mrs. Thompson are also available.

This species of Clerodendrum typically blooms once a year, from spring to fall. Some growers are able to stimulate additional blooms. The inflorescences form in the leaf axils of lateral shoots. They are racemose and contain 8 to 20 flowers.

The clerodendrum flower has an unusual structure:

• a white five-lobed bract that looks like a lantern;
• scarlet five-lobed corolla, resembling a butterfly;
• long yellow stamens-antennae.

You can appreciate the elegance of the clerodendrum flower in the photo.

Some varieties are distinguished by cream-colored bracts. The corollas fall off very quickly, but the bracts persist for quite a long time. Over time, they change color: first turning pinkish, then lilac. After the flower fades, a bright orange fruit forms in its place. Inside the fruit is a single seed.

The most interesting hybrids are considered to be the following varieties of clerodendrum:

1. After blooming, the stipules of which initially have a pale lilac color.
2. Albo marginata is a variegated hybrid with almost white-yellow leaves.

Caring for Clerodendrum thomsoniae at home

Growing a flower at home is not difficult. The main thing is to follow the plant care recommendations and provide it with a dormant period during the winter.

Lighting

The flower requires plenty of bright light. The optimal daylight hours for clerodendrum are 10-12 hours. Since direct sunlight can be detrimental to the plant's appearance, it should be provided with plenty of indirect light.

On a south-facing plant, the plant will need some shade, especially at midday when sunlight is at its peak. A north-facing plant is not the best choice. Without additional lighting, the clerodendrum may refuse to bloom.

Temperature and humidity

Growing this flower requires maintaining a specific temperature regime. During the growing season, bud formation, and flowering, the air temperature should be between 18-25°C. Otherwise, the vine will not bloom.

For the winter, the temperature is gradually reduced to +15°C. During this time, the plant rests and prepares for a new round of vegetation. To ensure the longevity and abundance of the upcoming flowering, it should be provided with cool conditions. Avoid over-chilling. The minimum temperature acceptable for growing clerodendrum is +13°C.

Clerodendrums are grown in high-humidity conditions. It is recommended to mist the air around the plant daily and periodically wipe the leaves with a damp towel. Misting the leaves should only be done with a fine-mist spray. In summer, the plant can be placed under a warm shower.

You can increase humidity levels with a humidifier. In winter, keep the flowerpot away from heating appliances, which can dry out the air.

Watering and fertilizing

During the growing season, water generously. Avoid allowing the topsoil to dry out. Water clerodendrum according to the following schedule:

• vegetation period – twice every 7 days;
• flowering period – every 2 days;
• rest period - 1 time per week with a small amount of water.

Salts in household water leave an unsightly white coating on the plant's leaves. Therefore, filter this water before use. It's best to water the plant with settled rainwater.

Clerodendrum requires fertilization. Nutrient deficiency results in loss of ornamental value and lack of flowering. Fertilizing should begin immediately after the plant emerges from dormancy. Fertilization should be done no more than 2-3 times per month.

An infusion of fresh cow manure or bird droppings is ideal for the plant. The composition of mineral fertilizers depends on the stage the vine is in. During the growing season, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied. During budding and flowering, the plant requires complexes high in potassium and phosphorus.

To prevent chlorosis, clerodendrum should be fed with iron. Experienced gardeners do this by burying a rusty nail in the substrate during repotting.

Diseases and pests

Most often, Clerodendrum is affected by the following diseases:

Definition	Symptoms	Treatment
Chlorosis	Yellowed, shriveled leaves that eventually curl and fall off. Buds become deformed, and roots die.	The plant is cleaned of all affected areas and treated with fungicides several times. The soil is replaced with fresh soil. The pot and tools are disinfected.
Bacterial rot	Growth is slowing. Rapidly growing black spots appear on the leaves. A sticky coating is present on the roots.
Gray rot	The leaves become covered with brown spots. Soon, a gray fluff appears on them.
Fusarium	All above-ground parts of the plant turn yellow and then dry out. The disease spreads from the bottom up. A gelatinous, pinkish moldy coating is visible on the roots.

Clerodendrums can be infested by the following pests:

1. Aphids. These translucent insects cover shoots like a solid carpet. The plant's growth slows. Leaves and buds become deformed and fall off.
2. Whiteflies. The white pests are easily visible against the dark green leaves. Infestations cause the plant's leaves to become deformed.
3. Spider mites. These pests are identified by the thin webbing threads on leaves and petioles. Leaves wilt, and flowers lose their appeal.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

Young clerodendrums are repotted annually, while mature ones are repotted every 2-3 years. The plant is propagated in two ways: by seeds and cuttings.

Transfer

Repotting is carried out after the plant emerges from dormancy. The procedure is as follows:

1. Line the bottom of the pot with a drainage layer of expanded clay.
2. A thin layer of fresh substrate is poured onto it.
3. The plant and its root ball are placed in the soil. The voids in the pot are filled with fresh soil.
4. The soil is lightly trampled.
5. The plants are watered and fed.

The substrate used is a mixture of peat (1/3), coarse sand (1/3), leaf soil (1/6) and clay (1/6).

The plant has very fragile roots, so repotting is done exclusively by transferring from pot to pot. For the same reason, it's not recommended to insert supports into the pots. These are installed in the pot before placing the plant.

Reproduction

Propagation by seed is a rather labor-intensive process. To grow a flower from seed, follow these steps:

1. The container is filled with soil consisting of turf, sand, and peat.
2. Sow the seeds in moist soil. Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap, glass, or a transparent lid.
3. Provide the seedlings with bright, indirect light and high humidity. The seed container should be opened daily for ventilation.
4. When 4 full leaves appear, the sprouts are transplanted into separate pots.

The sowing time is determined by the plant from which the seeds were collected. It coincides with the new growth cycle of the mother plant.

A simpler method of propagating the flower is by cuttings. Shoots cut during spring pruning are rooted in water. The rooted cuttings are transplanted into a suitable substrate for clerodendrum.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Clerodendrum thomsoniae is a fast-growing, highly ornamental vine. Unlike some other species of this plant, Clerodendrum thomsoniae is easy to care for.