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Leucadendron [ Lew - kuh - DEN - dron ] is a genus of flowering plant life belonging to the family : Proteaceae ( protea ) .
There are around 80 varieties of this plant , including :
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This evergreen shrub is native to South Africa but is also easily grown in different parts of the world and introduced to New Zealand in the sixties .
The Grecian name of this works is a more or less misnomer – ‘ Leukos ’ think of white , and ‘ dendron ’ imply tree .
Although white Leucadendrons are found , these plants mostly have bright colors .
These industrial plant are famous for their bright semblance and low-pitched maintenance .
They are an ideal choice for drouth - prone , hot - weather gardens .
The common name of this plant include :
Leucadendron Quick Care Tips
Leucadendron Plant Care
Size and Growth
The Leucadendron ‘ Safari Sunset ’ is a small shrub or tree which is crawl or erect .
The majority of the species of this works are evergreen shrubs and grow about 3 feet tall , at time even as tall as 9 ’ to 10 base .
A few varieties also grow into medium - sized trees , up to 52 feet high .
All have attractive leaf with lush green foliage and small , colorful flower .
Flowering and Fragrance
Every stalk of this flora produces inflorescences , which are often 12 ” column inch panoptic .
The flower is little , but vividly colourise petal are alter leaves or bracts .
These plants are dioecian – meaning they have both male and female plants .
The male and distaff flowers have dull heads around the bakshish of the offshoot .
The manlike blossom are more attractive , but the female flowers create seeds and cones .
Light and Temperature
The Leucadendron plant grow best in full sunshine . They also prefer a humid surroundings and involve near air circulation .
It is best to implant them in undefended space and avoid crowd them with other plants .
The USDA hardiness zone of this plant is 9 to 11 .
Watering and Feeding
The Silver Tree is drought tolerant and must only be water during the dry periods .
Water the plant deeply once a week . ward off getting the leaves wet , and check that the leaves are n’t touching other works .
The industrial plant needs sufficient infinite to grow and avoid disease properly .
It rarely needs feeding . However , plant should be give a half - strength mixture of any natural liquid fertilizer annually .
Soil and Transplanting
For optimum growth , you should place this plant in a well - run out topographic point .
It grow well in any character of soil as long as it has in effect drainage .
However , it prefers acidic soils somewhat more than others .
Grooming and Maintenance
This works type is not hard to turn .
As long as you provide it with idealistic growing conditions , it will continue growing with little to no maintenance .
Prune them to a great extent back after blooming to a few inches above the nodes .
It will leave in a shaggy-coated and faster new growth .
Regularly weed and spread mulch around the works to prevent weeds and decrease its watering motive .
If you are living outside the hardiness zone of these plants , develop them in a container is still potential .
Be certain to overwinter it indoors or use it as an annual in your outside garden .
How to Propagate Leucadendron Plant
The propagation of this plant is done using semi - ripe cuttings or seminal fluid .
The ideal time of sowing is typically around the bound or fall season .
Opt for fall if the summers are ironic and hot and the winters are wet and restrained .
Sow in natural spring if you live in colder mood where former summer are not harsh .
check that the medium has serious drainage ; sow the seeds as deeply as their size .
If the soil variety is heavy , like clay , add gypsum and pumice gumption to enhance the drainage .
You may habituate a vermiculite mixture to cover the seeds as it play excellently in continue moisture and controlling temperature .
Keep the soil moist , but ensure it does n’t get wet , as this will ensue in semen waste .
H2O if the grow mixture is drying out .
The sprouting appendage will take 21 to 60 days as per the conditions and temperatures .
Leucadendron Plant Pests or Diseases
This plant does n’t know severe pest and disease issues if you provide sufficient place for air circulation .
The major problem for these plant is root bunk , and controlling it is rather catchy .
patently , prevention is the skillful choice .
Ensure the plant grows in a well - draining motley and has near air circulation .
When lop the plant , be sure to expend clean tool to prevent any infected textile and soil from enter the plant life .
Leucadendron Plant Uses
These plants look stunning compare to other garden plant life , such as the Leucospermum , Banksia , andGrevillea ( silk oak ) , mainly due to their brilliant colors .
Their eccentric bract make beautiful cut flowers .
The bigger kind look attractive on their own as well .
These plants are also used in different floral transcription .
mate them withornamental grasses , pines , dwarf coniferous tree , and succulent , like Echeveria , Euphorbia , Senecio , andice plantsin a Mediterranean garden .
