Succulents are very popular with flower growers, as these plants are characterized by an unpretentious nature and attractiveness. A special place among such cultures is occupied by the so-called "tree of happiness", or the flower of Aichrison. This attractive succulent is so easy to care that even an inexperienced grower can grow it. The main thing is to adhere to the rules of plant care.
Description of the indoor tree of happiness
The flower Aichrison, which is popularly called the "tree of happiness and love," belongs to the family Crassulaceae. In the natural environment, it can be found in crevices of rocks on the Canary and Azores, in Morocco and Portugal. This small shrub reaches 30 cm in height and about 20-30 cm in diameter. Its fleshy stems do not wood and branch strongly even without pinching.
Aichrison's distinctive feature is fleshy leaves covered with a whitish fluff of dark green color. The leaves have a heart-shaped form, thanks to which the plant began to be called the tree of happiness and love. Depending on the variety, there are inclusions of white, gray, yellow and red on green leaves.
With proper care, Aichrison blooms in late April - early May. At this time, the plant is densely covered with panicle or thyroid inflorescences. Small star-shaped buds are painted in red, yellow or cream tones. The flowering period lasts up to six months.
Popular views
The genus Aichrison includes 15 species of annual and perennial succulents. But the most popular among Russian flower growers are the following varieties:
- Aichrison home. The shrub reaches 30 cm in height and 30 cm in diameter. It has small fleshy green leaves without interspersing. A distinctive feature of the species is a long flowering period, which lasts from spring to autumn. Yellow buds exude a pleasant aroma.
- Aichrison is clear-leaved. The plant reaches 40 cm in height. He has a dense crown and straight branches. Sticky leaves are painted in green or yellow-green color with red splashes. Buds appear in mid-spring. Cystic inflorescences reach 3–7 cm in length and are colored in golden yellow tones.
- Aichrison loose. The loose shrub reaches 40 cm in height and the same in diameter. It has diamond-shaped green leaves, pubescent with white short hairs. It blooms from early spring to autumn. At this time, the bush is densely covered with large 30-centimeter brushes with golden yellow buds.
Each of these varieties will decorate the collection of succulents. But for this, it will be necessary to provide the culture with comfortable conditions.
How to care
"The tree of happiness" is an unpretentious flower; an inexperienced grower can grow it. It is enough to provide the culture with comfortable conditions, and the plant will not only take root, but will also grow rapidly. To do this, you need to place the pot of culture in a suitable place, regularly feed and fertilize the flower. You will learn more about growing rules later.
Lighting
The flower "tree of happiness", the photo of which you will find in the material, loves bright but diffused light, so the window sill of the east or west window will be an ideal place. It is not recommended to install the pot on the south side, otherwise the delicate foliage of aichrison will get burns. It is not worth growing a culture near the northern window - the plant will suffer from a lack of light, and its growth and development will stop.
Temperature
"Tree of Happiness" is a heat-loving flower; from spring to autumn, maintain the indoor temperature from +20 to +25 ° C. But for the winter, the plant should be moved to a cool room with a temperature of + 8 ... + 10 ° C, otherwise the shoots will stretch, the leaves will fall off. If it is not possible to create such cold conditions, then at least keep the flower away from batteries and radiators.
Humidity and watering
The flower "tree of happiness", like other succulents, does not tolerate waterlogging, so you need to water the plant with caution. In summer, moisten the soil if the soil dries well. In this case, do not immediately pour a large dose of water, since the plant tolerates overflow much worse than underfilling. In winter, reduce watering to a minimum.
During watering, be sure to remove fallen leaves from the pot. They create a breeding ground for microorganisms that lead to plant diseases.
Aichrison perfectly tolerates dry air, so there is no need to spray foliage, but occasionally in the summer, arrange a warm shower from the spray gun for the culture - this will benefit the plant.
Top dressing
Flower "tree of happiness" gratefully responds to fertilizers. Feed every other week in the spring and summer. As fertilizers, use special compounds for succulents or cacti. If you have not found such drugs, then choose top dressing with a minimum nitrogen content, which affects the plant very badly, so it is better to refuse fertilizers than to top dress with nitrogen.
Pruning
Indoor flower "tree of happiness", the photo of which is given in the article, is growing rapidly, and to give it the appearance of a beautiful and lush bush, conduct periodic pruning. To do this, pinch the tops of young shoots to activate the side buds, from which new branches will appear. Trim the crop in spring using very sharp sanitized scissors.
Growing an attractive tree of happiness at home is not so difficult. The main thing is to provide the culture with minimal care and create comfortable conditions for it. The flower is sure to thank the rapid growth and attractive appearance.