House maple flower, varieties, care and propagation features

House maple (or abutilon) is a deciduous plant from the Malvaceae family. Maintained by flower growers and gardeners for decorative purposes. The leaf shape is similar maple, which is how the flower got its name. There are varieties to suit every taste, in various colors and sizes. Let's get acquainted with the rules of care.

Content:

1. About the abutilone plant
2. Choosing varieties for growing at home
3. Plant care rules
4. When and how to prune
5. Reproduction methods
6. Common problems when growing domestic maples

About the abutilone plant

Indoor maple is a shrub with large carved brightly colored leaves. It is famous for its long flowering period - from May to October. The property of the plant is colorful flowers in the form of bells. There are also specimens with funnel-shaped and wheel-shaped flowers.

Depending on the variety, the buds are characterized by red, cream, orange, gold, pink and violet shades.

Most varieties are represented by lush branching bushes with large rich leaves. Home maple can grow up to 2 m in height. The stem is often reddish in color, and the crown is quite dense.

In the natural environment, the bush reaches a more impressive size and will serve as a shelter from the intense sun. The plant's closest relatives are hibiscus And mallow.

Wild abutilon grows in tropical or subtropical climate zones.Found in southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and South America. Abutilon Theophrastus grows on the territory of Russia, which does not have decorative properties.

House maple is well suited for spacious rooms. Will decorate and complement the interior of living rooms, dining rooms, halls and offices. Due to its large dimensions, it is not always suitable for small rooms and cramped houses.

Abutilone attracts the attention of esotericists. The plant is endowed with special properties. It is believed that bush attracts positive energy. It is recommended to place it in your home to lift your mood and restore a sense of balance.

Choosing varieties for growing at home

There are a huge number of varieties of abutilones found in nature - over 200. Not all varieties are suitable for indoor cultivation. Large sizes and spreading crown are not always appropriate indoors.

For keeping at home, the following varieties of indoor maple are used:

Sello

A branched large indoor bush, growing up to 2 m. A distinctive feature of the variety is the striped color of the leaves and their extraordinary shape with blades and a pointed end.

The main asset of Sello abutilon is orange flowers with prominent red veins. You'll be pleased with the duration flowering - from July until the start of frost.

Abutilone Darwin

The plant is equipped with long spreading shoots with a hairy covering. The variety is very picturesque and famous for its exceptional decorative properties.

The flowers are large yellow-orange with veins, and there are varieties of pink color. The shape is like a bell. Buds are single or collected in inflorescences. The leaves of the plant are carved, 18-20 cm long.

Hybrid

The hybrid domestic maple was artificially bred by crossing several subspecies. There are specimens of different colors, with a maple or heart-shaped leaf blade.

Experienced gardeners recommend hybrid abutilone for indoor growing. Such plants boast a variety of shapes, colors, and grow very quickly.

Juliet

The flower with a poetic name is particularly unpretentious. Interesting to gardeners due to its fast growth rate. The variety grows well in indoor conditions and is unpretentious to light. The flowers are large, each diameter is 6 cm. Period flowering covers almost the entire year.

Abutilones are grown indoors and also in greenhouses. Flowers are used in landscaping winter gardens, offices and function rooms.

Plant care rules

Home maple is a flower that does not require complex care. It is enough to organize the correct content and maintain the necessary parameters.

Soil and container

A mixture of coarse sand, earth and peat (or humus). In the first year of life, the flower needs a container with a capacity of 1 liter. Be sure to have drainage holes. Please note that the plant will bloom only after the rhizomes have entwined all the soil in the pot.

Air parameters and lighting

Proper lighting is important for the bush. It is better if it is diffused light. Western and eastern windows are suitable. The intense sun burns the leaves, the shade negatively affects the growth of greenery. From spring to autumn the best temperature range is 18-25 °C. In winter, a dormant period begins when the pot is placed in a room with a temperature of 15 °C.

Watering

The soil is regularly moistened. Most active watering carried out during intensive growth and in the summer heat - twice a week. Monitor the amount of water after the buds appear. Excess moisture is harmful, like drought, and can lead to flower drop. From the end of autumn, the number of waterings is reduced to one every 1.5 weeks.

Top dressing

Abutilone needs fertilizer before and during flowering.

From mid-spring to mid-autumn, fertilizing is used once every 2 weeks. Organic and mineral products are suitable. In winter, the flower is fed no more than once every 1-1.5 months.

Caring for the plant is simple; even an amateur can maintain it. Flower growers recommend taking the pot out onto the veranda or balcony in the warm season, protecting the shoots from direct sunlight.

When and how to prune

Pruning abutilon is an important part of keeping the plant at home. The flower grows very quickly, in a season it can reach a height of 1.5 m. Without pruning, the bush loses its decorative effect.

The right time for circumcision shoots - spring. Before intensive growth and flowering begin, the branches are shortened by a third of their length. Such actions are necessary for the formation of a beautiful crown and abundant flowering. If your variety is fast growing, trim the crown by half or two-thirds.

To form a rounded shape, the branches are shortened evenly. To form a tree, cut off the side shoots as much as possible, leaving the central area unchanged.

In autumn, after flowering, faded inflorescences and dry branches are removed. The crown is also formed.

Never ignore pruning.

The procedure rejuvenates the home maple, helps maintain its correct shape and prevents the shoots from growing excessively. The result is a neat indoor plant.

Reproduction methods

Abutilone is propagated in two ways - cuttings and seeds. Each method has its own characteristics.

Planting seeds

Planting is carried out in spring or summer, immersing the seeds 1 cm in pre-moistened soil made of soil, peat and sand. The container is covered with film to maintain optimal humidity. During germination, provide a temperature of at least 25°C, decreasing slightly after emergence sprouts. The seedlings are regularly ventilated.

The sprouts are transplanted into small containers after two leaves appear. When the root system gets stronger, the plant is carefully moved into a flowerpot, being careful not to damage the roots.

Cuttings

Cuttings 12 cm long are cut during spring pruning. The lower leaves are removed and the cut is treated with a means to stimulate root formation. The cuttings are placed in moist soil. It is advisable to make a small greenhouse for better rooting and periodically ventilate.

After 2-4 weeks, the shelter is removed and the upper shoots are pinched. Then the plant needs standard care.

Common problems when growing domestic maples

According to the observations of home maple lovers, its main drawback is its delicate foliage, which is easily attacked by pests. To combat aphids, scale insect and whiteflies, ready-made chemicals are used.

Flower growers in the growing process face the following problems:

• If your indoor maple leaves turn yellow, a lack of elements may be to blame. An ornamental flower requires nutritious soil and fertilizers.
• Dull color and excessive elongation of leaf plates is a consequence of poor lighting.
• If leaves turn yellow, dry and curl, perhaps the sun hits the bush and burns it with its rays.
• Falling buds can occur due to excess watering, a critical lack of moisture or a sharp temperature change.
• The plant does not like drafts, waterlogging in the pot and temperature fluctuations. Most problems can be eliminated by optimizing care and living conditions.

Homemade maple will be a wonderful decoration for a winter garden or interior. By adjusting the intensity trimmings, you manage to get a lush plant or a neat bush.

With proper care, abutilon will delight you with lush flowers and luscious foliage.

You will learn more about the rules of caring for home maple by watching the video: