In the homes of Europeans, aucuba ( Latin name: Aucuba) appeared in the 18th century. The popularity of the flower did not come immediately after, since the plant turned out to be dioecious, and only the female specimen was introduced. Exotic flower gave fruit, but they turned out to be seedless, since pollination did not occur.
Photo gallery
And only after several decades it was possible to bring a male specimen to England. After its appearance, aucuba immediately became widespread. It is used as a greenhouse and indoor culture.
Description of the plant
Aucuba - evergreen with large leathery leaves collected in a bunch. In natural conditions of existence (subtropical forests) this ornamental trees and shrubs. IN various sources classified as a family of dogwood or garriaceae, some biologists distinguish it as a genus of aucubaceae. 
The golden spots on the leaves make the flower especially attractive. Thanks to these original spots, it received its second name - golden tree. This indoor plant is quite unpretentious; it does not require cultivation or care. special knowledge and won't take much time.
How does it bloom?
Flowering (unisexual) lasts from March to April. Dim red-brown flowers are collected in panicles. Male and female inflorescences are located on different individuals. It is impossible to determine the sex of the plant until flowering. After flowering, red or orange berries (sometimes white or greenish) are formed.
Varieties of aucuba with photos and names
The Aucubiaceae family consists of 3 large species, many subspecies, varieties and decorative forms. They differ in the shape and shades of leaves, flowers, and berries. Under natural conditions, the golden tree grows in China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan and the forests of the Himalayas. Only 2 types:
- aucuba himalaica;
- aucuba japonica are suitable for growing at home.
Himalayan aucuba himalaica
Native to the forests of the Eastern Himalayas, the plant is well adapted to survive in shaded areas. It has dense leathery leaves of an oblong-lanceolate shape, small inflorescences and bright red fruits.
It often drives away young shoots, so the flower should be trimmed as necessary. IN wildlife evergreen shrubby plant reaches 3-4 m in height.
Japanese aucuba japonica
Aucuba japonica is native to the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Tree-like shrubs have powerful green stems, large leaves oval shape. The tips of the leaves of some varieties are framed with elegant teeth. The color can be uniform dark green or interspersed with golden spots various shapes and magnitude. Small flowers are collected in panicle-shaped inflorescences. Flowering is unisexual. Berries are not only red, but also white and green.
Many have been selected decorative varieties, which differ from their counterparts in the shape and color of the leaves. Characteristic golden spots may occupy almost the entire surface of the foliage or be absent. Some varieties have leaflets with jagged edges.
Aucuba prefers well-lit places (intense diffused light). In summer it can be kept on the balcony or on summer cottage, protecting against direct sun rays. To preserve the bright color of the leaves in winter period artificial lighting is required.
The optimal air temperature for summer is about +20°C. At higher rates, the plant ages quickly. At the end of September, it is advisable to gradually lower the temperature to +14°C. 
If you do not have the opportunity to provide the plant with a cool winter, then you definitely need to take care of additional lighting and spray the flower as often as possible warm water, otherwise it will shed its leaves. The most suitable air temperature in winter is +8…+14°С. At temperatures below +5°C the plant dies.
Drought in summer period Aucuba is not afraid, she does not need high humidity air. On the contrary, in the autumn and winter periods, frequent spraying with warm, settled water is required. To grow a flower, you can use ready-made plant substrates or prepare the soil yourself by mixing equal parts clay-turf, leaf, peat soil and sand. Hydroponics is also great.
During the warm period, the flower must be watered abundantly (1-2 days after the top layer of soil has dried). In winter and autumn, watering should be moderate. It should be remembered that a flower tolerates a lack of moisture more easily than excessive moisture, which causes black spots to appear on the leaves.
Can I keep it at home?
Aucuba has long been actively used in oriental medicine. The leaves of the plant help with:
- burns;
- frostbite;
They can also be applied to wounds and bruises to reduce pain, disinfect and speed up healing. Plant-based drugs are used to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
Remember that domestic aucuba is dangerous due to its poisonous leaves, flowers and berries. You need to make sure that children do not touch the flower.
If possible, place the pot with the plant higher where the child cannot reach. Talk to your children and explain the dangers. After working with a flower (planting, pruning), you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap. The entry of plant juice into the stomach (intestines) causes inflammation and bloody diarrhea.
Signs and superstitions
According to folk beliefs, the aucuba bush is a strong talisman, helping to protect the house from all enemies. Also, the golden tree symbolizes well-being, gives vitality and strengthens the spirit, promotes development creativity for its owner, helps to achieve success.
All those who like to decorate their apartment with unusual plants should pay attention to aucuba. The plant does not lose decorative look even in winter. It cannot be called unpretentious, but if you follow the basic rules of care at home, the flower for a long time will delight you with its beautiful view.
Description of the origin and appearance of the plant
This unusual plant is called the “sausage tree.” Probably, the one who first called the aucuba so was very hungry, and the leaves reminded him of thin sliced sausage.
The aucuba is believed to be native to Japan. But it is also found in northern India, eastern Tibet and the Korean Peninsula. In nature these tree plants reach a height of 2.5 meters and above. Aucuba is very shade-tolerant (with the exception of variegated varieties) and grows as an understory in shaded subtropical forests.
The secretive Japanese for a long time prevented the export of aucuba from the country. But in the 18th century, the first copy reached Europe. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a female plant, and since aucuba is dioecious, without a male specimen, pollination did not occur and the fruits turned out to be without seeds. A few decades later, the Englishman Fortune obtained a pollinator, and since then the aucuba has conquered countries with warm climates. The beauty has settled on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and Crimea. But in other regions of Russia, aucuba is grown exclusively as a houseplant.
The plant belongs to the Dogwood family. There are 10 species of aucuba, but only 2 of them are common in home floriculture.
Aucuba - evergreen shrub open ground with erect branching shoots. The leaves are leathery with a shiny surface. The shape is elongated-lanceolate or oval. The edges of the leaf blade are jagged or almost smooth. The color, depending on the variety, is plain or variegated - the green background is decorated with bright splashes of yellow. It is the leaves that are the main decoration of the aucuba.
The flowers are small and unattractive. Gathered in a large bun. The fruits are in the form of red or orange berries.
Aucuba cannot be called a difficult plant to grow at home, but it is simply necessary to follow some rules. Due to its ability to grow well in poorly lit rooms without losing its decorative effect, it is often used to decorate darkened corridors and offices.
Aucuba is able to cope with cleaning the air from harmful substances in the room. It helps people engaged in mental work to concentrate. It is believed that the plant helps create an atmosphere of friendliness and cohesion in the family.
Types and varieties of aucuba: Japanese and not only
Since flower growers liked aucuba, breeders happily set to work, thanks to which we have many varieties with different colors.
| Types and varieties | Description |
| The leaves are elongated, lanceolate in shape. The edges of a leaf plate painted dark green color, serrated or whole-cut. The apex is pointed. The plant is dioecious. The flowers are small. The berries are coral red. | |
| More popular than Himalayan. The opposite leathery leaves have an oblong-oval shape. The edges are jagged. The green background of the leaf plate is elegantly decorated with yellow spots. Dioecious plant. Small flowers are collected in a panicle. The berries are mostly orange. | |
| The leaves are round in shape with pronounced teeth along the edge. The leaf blade is green and shiny. | |
| Large leaves are painted in a rich green color. Yellow-golden spots are scattered throughout the background of the leaf plate. | |
| A plant with dark green leaves is decorated with a bright yellow center and small yellow spots along the edges of the leaf blade. | |
| The oblong leaf blade is yellow with splashes of bright green. |
Various types and varieties of indoor flowers in the photo
Aucuba Himalayan has lanceolate leaves. 
Aucuba japonica has teeth along the edges of its leaves. 
Aucuba Dentata is decorated with light green shiny leaves 
Aucuba Variegata is very decorative 
The peculiarity of Aucuba Picturata is a bright yellow smear in the middle of the leaf. 
Aucuba Gold Dust has bright green flecks
Table: optimal conditions for growing aucuba
| Factor | Recommendations |
| Location | Place a flower with variegated leaves on a western or eastern window. Place aucuba with monochromatic leaves facing north. In summer, it is advisable to take it out onto the balcony or into the garden. On fresh air The plant feels very good in partial shade, in a place protected from drafts and rain. |
| Lighting | It is better to grow aucuba in bright but diffused light. Prolonged exposure to too bright light will lead to discoloration of the leaf plate, and direct sunlight can cause burns. |
| Air humidity | It is not a critical indicator for the survival of the flower, but regular (every 2-3 days) spraying has a positive effect on appearance plants. |
| Temperature | Aucuba does not like heat. A moderate temperature of 20 °C will please her in the summer. Too high temperatures will lead to loss of decorativeness and aging. |
Planting and transplanting
To plant aucuba, we choose loose and light soil. It is based on:
- 2 parts of turf land;
- 1 part leaf soil;
- 1 part coarse sand.
Here you can add 1 part of humus and peat soil.
The pot should not be much larger than the root system. Large plants are best planted immediately in tubs, where it will be enough to periodically change upper layer land for a new one.
Availability of drainage - required condition upon landing. Every year in the spring, only young, under 5-year-old Aucuba specimens are replanted. Adult plants are subjected to the procedure much less frequently, approximately once every 3 years, and then only out of necessity, when the root system has become crowded in the old container.
Some sources contain information about planting a young aucuba immediately in a large pot, so as not to unnecessarily disturb the plant due to its too fragile root system. In such cases, be sure to place a larger layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot to prevent acidification of the soil.
Transplantation step by step
- Preparing the pot. We lay a layer of drainage at the bottom, and add a little earth on top.
- We replant aucuba exclusively by transshipment. To do this you need to knead slightly plastic pot, tilt it to one side and shake it out earthen lump along with the roots.
- We install the plant in a new container and add the remaining substrate.
- We water the aucuba.
- After watering, drain the drained water from the pan, and place the plant in a permanent place.
Home care
Aucuba care consists of watering, fertilizing, forming a bush and providing optimal conditions during the rest period.
Watering
In spring and summer, water the aucuba abundantly, but not excessively. Before the next moistening, the top layer of soil must dry out. The water accumulated in the pan after watering is poured out. Following these simple rules will protect the plant from frequent rotting of the root system. Prolonged drying out of the soil can lead to leaf drop. In autumn and winter, watering is reduced.
Fertilizers
Timely and properly fertilized aucuba will delight beautiful leaves with bright colors. Feeding is applied once a week from March until the beginning of September. For this, complex fertilizers for decorative foliage plants are used, but once a month the aucuba can be pampered with organic matter - diluted slurry.
Trimming leaves and shoots
Young plants are recommended to pinch the tips of the shoots to stimulate branching. Further formation of a lush and dense crown consists of regular shortening of overgrown shoots. The procedure is carried out in the spring, and the material remaining after pruning is perfect for rooting.
Bloom
Blooms from February to April. But in room conditions This is a rare occurrence.
Rest period
During dormancy, all physiological processes of the plant are suspended, growth slows down or stops altogether. From October to February, the aucuba should rest in a weakly heated room. At this time, we keep the temperature under control within +8–12 °C. We water very carefully so that the soil has the opportunity to dry well, and stop fertilizing.
Errors in care and illness: causes and elimination - table
| Problem | Cause | Elimination |
| The leaves are covered black spots. | Overmoistening of the soil. | Before the next watering, allow the substrate to dry in the top layer. |
| The edges of the leaves dry out. | Insufficient hydration. |
|
| The leaves become smaller, new shoots grow thin. | Lack of nutrients. | Feed the aucuba, alternating organic matter with mineral fertilizers. |
| Varieties with variegated leaves lose yellow pigment. | Lack of light and nutrition. |
|
| The leaf blade becomes pale. | The light is too bright. | Shade the flower or move it to another place. |
| Leaves are falling en masse. | Humidity too low. |
|
| Aucuba grows in one direction. | Uneven lighting. | Provide the aucuba with even lighting or turn it towards the light from time to time. |
| Root rot as a result of improper watering and keeping at low temperatures. |
|
Pests: how to detect and what to do with them - table
| Pest | Symptoms | Control measures | Prevention |
| Shchitovka | Yellowing and falling leaves. | Treatment with Actellik or Fitoverm (according to instructions). | Give the plant a warm shower. |
| Spider mite |
|
||
| Mealybug |
|
||
| Thrips | Little ones winged insects with an elongated body of black, brown or brown color. |
|
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What pests look like - photo gallery
Thrips feed on plant sapAucuba Reproduction
At home, aucuba is very easily and quickly propagated using cuttings. You can also try to grow a flower from seeds, but this method is quite labor-intensive.
Cuttings
The time for rooting is from March to May, from August to September. You can use cuttings after the pruning procedure. The apical cutting of last year's growth should have 2 - 3 adult leaves. The leaves can be shortened by 2/3 of their height so that as much nutrients as possible can be supplied to the young growth.
- Cut cuttings are placed in moist sandy or peat-sandy soil. Rooting temperature +20–22 °C.
- The plantings are covered with a bag or a transparent lid. The greenhouse will need to be ventilated and maintain humidity inside it.
- Cuttings that have grown root mass are transplanted into separate small (6–8 cm) pots in a suitable substrate.
Seeds
Propagation by seeds is not a very common method. All because of the shelf life of the seeds. They are best sown almost immediately after harvest. The germination time is very long, and a plant grown from seeds will not meet varietal qualities. The planting steps are as follows:
- Seeds are sown in a moist peat-sand mixture.
- The plantings are covered with a plastic bag to create greenhouse conditions.
- The temperature in the greenhouse is constantly maintained at +21 °C, the soil is ventilated and sprayed.
- After three leaves appear on the seedlings, the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots.
Reproduction of Aucuba - video
Aucuba or, as it is popularly called, the “golden tree” is one of the plants that simply cannot be ignored. Glossy, as if covered with wax, rich green leaves with gold veins resemble gold-bearing rock and look very decorative. And we can also add that this subtropical shrub tolerates shearing and crown formation very well, thanks to which the decorative value of the aucuba only increases. It is also believed that the plant disinfects the room in which it is located, as it contains some specific substances.
Aucuba: Benefits and harms
Aucuba has long been used as medicinal plant, applying the leaves of the plant to burns or frostbitten areas, bruises and wounds. Plant-based preparations are also used in Eastern folk medicine for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, thanks to substances that increase the acidity of gastric juice.
YOU SHOULD KNOW! Despite the use of the plant in folk medicine, it is, first of all, poisonous plant, therefore, during any work on planting, pruning or other contact with any parts of the aucuba, wash your hands thoroughly with soap! The entry of plant juice into the gastrointestinal tract can cause bloody diarrhea, inflammation of the intestines and stomach, as well as disorders of the urinary system! Before “testing yourself” medicinal properties plants, consult your doctor!
Aucuba in the apartment
To successfully grow aucuba at home, you need to try to provide the plant with optimal, close to subtropical, conditions.
In a room with dry air, the golden tree is unlikely to be able to grow and develop, so additional irrigation of the leaves and possibly a humidifier will be needed. Room temperature 20 - 25 ˚С is just optimal for the plant in summer; in winter, during the dormant period, you should provide the aucuba with a temperature of 8 to 15˚C (a loggia, an unheated vestibule, or other rooms with the required temperature may be suitable). If you do not have such a room, you will need to provide the plant with additional lighting and frequent irrigation of the leaves.
Aucuba loves a lot of light, but does not tolerate direct sunlight, so the plant should be placed in a place illuminated by diffused light or in partial shade.
Watering needs to be plentiful, but not excessive, so that the soil has time to dry out slightly between waterings. Stagnant water will be detrimental, as is the case for most plants. In winter, the number of waterings should be reduced to about one per week.
On the Black Sea coast, the “golden tree” is successfully grown not only as a houseplant, but also as a garden crop. IN open ground the bush can reach 3 - 4 meters in height. The place for planting the aucuba should also be selected based on its preferences: it should be protected from open sunlight and strong winds. The soil should be kept moist, but drainage of the root system is desirable, which will prevent stagnation of water. The plant loves neutral, light, moderately fertilized soil.
Aucuba: Propagation by cuttings
It is relatively easy to propagate aucuba using cuttings. To do this, in March-April, you should cut apical cuttings that have 2 - 3 last year's leaves, cutting off approximately half or 2/3 of the green mass from each of these leaves. This is done to ensure that more nutrients are supplied to young growth, and also to create the preconditions for the formation of a bush-like form.
To form roots on them, cut cuttings are placed in moist sandy soil, in a place that is sufficiently lit, but protected from direct sunlight. If frosts are not expected, you can set up a “school” in a shady, damp corner of the garden, but if it is not yet warm enough, you will have to root the cuttings indoors.
Within a month you will see that on most cuttings the young leaves will begin to grow - this will be a signal to plant the cuttings with young roots in small pots, 5 - 7 cm in diameter. Already next spring a young aucuba bush can be transplanted into a larger pot or, if the climate allows, into open ground.
It is believed that the Aucuba plant not only creates a special microclimate in the room, but also protects household members from the influence of negative energy, filling the house with harmony and mutual understanding. When contemplating the Golden Tree bush for a long time, the eyes and nervous system, a certain “contact” is established between a person and a plant, helping to solve all sorts of life difficulties.
Aucuba is a kind of talisman that will thank you a hundredfold for your care and concern.
Aucuba was first brought to Europe back in 1783. It belongs to the dogwood family. The plant, which is highly decorative and has the ability to easily propagate both by seeds and by cuttings, has rapidly and widely spread throughout the world.
The flower has found its application both as a crop grown in open ground and as a crop that grows as ornamental plant in room conditions. Moreover, the use in the form of greenhouse and indoor culture has become more widespread. The original leaves look especially attractive with yellowish spots of varying sizes located on them, which make them look like a sample of gold-bearing rock or a sausage slice. From here, apparently, the plant got its name, popularly known as “sausage tree” and “golden tree”.
Location and lighting
Aucuba prefers bright, diffused sunlight. Indoor flower, to avoid leaf burns, should not be placed in direct sunlight. It can grow well in light partial shade, but in winter it requires artificial lighting.
Temperature
In summer, the most suitable temperature for aucuba is approximately 20 degrees. Higher temperatures cause rapid senescence and loss of leaves. In the summer, the aucuba can be taken outside, but it must be placed so that the plant is not exposed to scorching sun rays, rain and wind.
In winter, the preferred air temperature is 8-14 degrees. Indoors it should not be below 5 degrees. If it is impossible to provide a cool winter for the flower, it must be sprayed frequently and provided with additional lighting. If in winter the air temperature in the room is higher than the specified values, then the leaves of the plant will begin to fall.
Air humidity
In summer, aucuba calmly tolerates dry air, and you can spray it at will. Spraying with soft and heated water in the autumn and winter is simply necessary. If the plant is kept in a room in which the temperature is between 6 and 12 degrees, then in order to avoid the occurrence of fungal diseases, it must be sprayed with extreme caution.
Watering
In the summer, the aucuba is watered abundantly after each drying of the top layer of the substrate. And in autumn and winter the plant requires moderate watering. It should be noted that the flower can relatively easily tolerate the condition when the earthen ball is overdried, but excessive waterlogging of the soil causes black spots to appear on the leaves.
The soil
The soil most suitable for growing aucuba is a substrate that contains leaf, clay-turf, peat soil and sand in proportions (2:6:2:1) or the above components equally. By the way, hydroponics is well suited for growing aucuba.
Feeding and fertilizers
During the spring-summer season, aucuba should be fertilized weekly with organic and mineral fertilizers, observing their alternation.
Transfer
Aucubas are transplanted in the spring. Young plants require annual replanting. And adults are transplanted if everything is filled with roots. flower pot. This is usually done every two to three years.
Transplantation must be carried out with extreme caution so as not to damage the very brittle and fragile flower roots. Most best option, when a plant with an earthen lump is transferred to a larger pot. Aucuba grows best in wide pots. After replanting the plant, it is recommended to immediately trim it or pinch the upper parts of the shoots.
For propagation of aucuba, seeds or its apical cuttings are used.
Propagation by seeds
When two plants of different sexes are artificially pollinated, seeds are formed, which are then used for propagation. Due to the rapid loss of germination, propagation should be carried out only with freshly collected seeds. It should be noted, however, that with this type of reproduction varietal characteristics may not be transmitted to the new plant.
The seeds are sown in a container filled with a moist substrate of sand and peat, which must be covered with glass or a transparent plastic bag. Before emergence, it is imperative to maintain the air temperature at about 21 degrees. It is necessary to constantly ventilate and regularly spray. After some time, the seedlings with leaves that have appeared should be planted in separate pots.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings used for propagation indoor plant, cut from March to April, or from August to September. This must be done so that each of them has at least two or three leaves. After this, the cuttings should be placed in damp sand or a mixture of sand and peat and covered with a plastic bag. The temperature should be maintained to 22 degrees with constant spraying and regular ventilation.
After rooting, the cuttings are planted in separate pots with soil, which includes humus, turf soil and sand in proportions (1: 1: 0.5).
Important! It is necessary to recall that when working with aucuba it is necessary to take precautions, as the plant is poisonous, including its berries. Poisoning is manifested by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea and blood in the urine.
- Due to the absence or poor drainage, waterlogging occurs in the soil, causing black spots to appear on the leaves and rotting of the plant. Therefore, it is very important not to let the soil become waterlogged.
- Aucuba is often susceptible to pests such as scale insects. Anticoccidal drugs are used to get rid of them.
- A decrease in the number of yellow spots on the leaves indicates that the plant does not have enough light and nutrition.
- Leaves turn pale when the light is too bright.
- If there is not enough fertilizer, the leaves become very small.
- When the room is very warm and the air is too dry, the plant's leaves begin to fall off.
- With irregular watering and sharp fluctuations in air temperature, yellowing of the leaves located in the lower part of the plant occurs, followed by their falling off.
- With too much light, the tops of the leaves dry out and turn yellow.
- The leaves dry out at the edges with insufficient watering in the summer and in the presence of dry air in the winter.
- During an extremely warm and dry winter, dark spots appear on the leaves.
Aucuba - growing at home (video)
Translated, the name of the plant sounds like “always green.” Foliage remains decorative all year round. Quirky yellow spots on the foliage is often compared to reflections of the sun and nuggets of gold. For this, the aucuba was nicknamed the “golden tree.”
How does she look
It grows in the form of a voluminous shrub or low tree. In nature it can stretch up to four meters, a height of artificial conditions- one and a half to two meters. The branches are highly branched. The bark is dark green, smooth, often with brownish or red streaks. Lower leaves Over time they fall off, leaving traces on the trunk.
The leaves are attached by petioles, oblong, dark, with various spots and patterns yellow color. It is characterized by a fold along the main vein. The edges of the leaves are uneven and serrated. In nature, flowering begins at the very beginning of spring. It hardly blooms in the apartment. Inflorescences are paniculate or racemose, located on the tops of the shoots.
Aucuba is a dioecious plant. For pollination and fruit set, two bushes are needed - male and female. It is almost impossible to get seeds in an apartment. After pollination, fruits are set - rich red berries with a single seed inside. The berries are very poisonous!
Varieties in indoor culture
Aucuba is not very diverse. Only three species of the plant are known. Only two of them are suitable for growing indoors. But based on these species, breeders have bred several interesting varieties with increased decorative qualities.
- Aucuba Himalayan. Not very common in culture. The leaves are pure green, elongated, oblong. There is a slight point at the tip of the leaves. The edges are jagged or entire.
- Aucuba japonica. The main variety for home cultivation. Stems are woody and green. The leaves are leathery, elongated-oval, located opposite on the stem. The edges of the leaves are serrated. Based on the species, several hybrid varieties with different locations and sizes of yellow spots have been bred.
A perennial plant that does not lose its decorative effect for a long time. IN favorable conditions lives up to ten years. Young plants develop quickly and intensively gain green mass. The average growth per year is 15-20 cm.
Features of caring for Japanese Aucuba
If you know all the features of caring for Japanese aucuba, you can avoid most diseases. Overall, this is not a fussy plant and is easy to grow. Subject to compliance with a number of recommendations from experienced flower growers Even beginners have no problems growing it.
- Lighting. Create diffuse but bright lighting. Do not place them in the open sun - burns quickly appear on the leaves, and the characteristic golden pattern is smoothed out. Tolerates light partial shade, but in strong shade it stretches out and loses its decorative effect. In winter, additional lighting is provided - the aucuba needs long daylight hours.
- Temperature. Maintain neutral temperatures in the range of 19-20°C. It cannot stand the heat - it provokes rapid aging and leaf fall. In summer they are moved outside, but protected from precipitation and open sun. In winter you need coolness - no more than 14°C. Cold temperatures below 5°C are not allowed. If it is impossible to organize a cold winter, the flower is regularly sprayed and placed under fluorescent lamps.
- Watering. It is recommended to water immediately after the top layer of the substrate has dried. In summer, water abundantly, in cool times - moderately. It tolerates overdrying more easily than excess moisture. In constant dampness, the leaves of Japanese aucuba turn black.
- Humidity. Neutral to dry air. Spraying is necessary in winter during warm winters and in summer during extreme heat. A plant overwintering in a cool room is not sprayed - the combination of moisture and cold provokes the development of fungal diseases.
- The soil. The soil needs to be light and loose. The simplest composition is equal amounts of leaf soil and turf. Sand is added as a leavening agent. Be sure to provide a drainage layer.
- Feeding. Fertilizers are applied to spring-summer period. The intervals between feedings are a week. Mineral complexes are often added, sometimes you can feed them with organic matter.
- Transfer. If there is not enough space for the roots, it would be correct to transplant the aucuba into another pot. Mature plants are usually replanted at least once every two years. Young, intensively growing specimens are replanted annually. The roots are fragile and brittle - they are transplanted very carefully. It's better not to disturb root system- replant using the transshipment method. The day before transplanting, the aucuba must be watered. The pot is chosen to be wide and not very high.
How to care for aucuba after transplantation? Aukube provide maximum comfortable conditions- protect from the sun, maintain moderate temperature and humidity.
Pruning Basics
Early spring, even before signs active growth It is recommended to prune aucuba. Overgrown shoots are trimmed, giving the bush a neat shape. Pruning stimulates branching, the growth of side shoots, and forms a lush crown.
In young specimens, all new shoots are pinched. Aucuba is a fast growing crop. The average growth per year is up to 20 cm. Without pruning, the shrub quickly grows to large sizes and turns out shapeless.
Aucuba takes pruning well. Long, elongated shoots are pruned by a third annually. Straight branches are pinched or trimmed to encourage lateral branching. Remove branches directed into the bush, diseased and dried shoots.
An adult aucuba is often transplanted into a tub and grown as a floor plant. Looks good in large spacious living rooms.
How to propagate
Growing aucuba in a pot at home requires periodic replacement of the plant. In the absence of proper formation and simply due to age, the lower part of the branches gradually becomes bare. It is better to think in a timely manner about growing a new plant to replace the old one. There are only two methods of reproduction.
Seeds
Seed propagation is a complex process. Seeds lose their viability very quickly, so they are usually sown immediately after collection. But since it is almost impossible to get them at home, you have to rely on the germination of store-bought seeds. It is better to sow with a reserve - only a small part can sprout.
Sow the seeds in a peat-sand mixture and cover the top with glass or film. During the period of germination of Aucuba seeds, the temperature is kept moderate - about 21-22°C. The glass is removed daily, the greenhouse is ventilated, and the soil is sprayed if necessary.
When the sprouts appear, the cover is removed. Grown-up Aucuba seedlings can be planted in separate containers. At first, they adhere to a gentle care regime, gradually accustoming them to bright light and abundant watering.
Cuttings
It is much easier to propagate aucuba from cuttings in water or soil. In reviews and on forums there is information that in water the aucuba takes longer to take root, but in the future the plant develops faster.
Cuttings are cut in early spring or closer to autumn. At least two leaves are left on each cutting. The lower cut can be treated with Heteroauxin or Kornevin to accelerate the appearance of roots.
The treated cuttings are placed in a glass of water with the addition of an activated carbon tablet or immediately dropped into light soil. When rooting in the ground, use a shelter made of polyethylene or glass. In both cases, the temperature is maintained at 22°C.
After the roots appear, the cuttings are transplanted into separate small pots. Young plants are given careful care until stable signs of growth appear. Then they are gradually transferred to standard care, as for adult plants.
Growing difficulties
Aucuba - exotic plant. For good growth To maintain decorativeness, it needs the correct microclimate and balanced care. If containment conditions are violated, a number of problems may arise. The most common consequences of care errors are shown in the table.
Table - Difficulties in growing aucuba
| Problem encountered | Possible reasons |
|---|---|
| The leaves are falling | - Low humidity; - heat |
| The leaves are turning pale | - Too bright lighting; - sunny place |
| Young leaves become smaller | - Lack of nutrients |
| Yellowing and falling of lower leaves | - Natural process; - unsystematic watering; - sudden temperature changes |
| Drying of tips and edges of leaves | - Bright lighting; - drying out of the earth in summer; - dry air in the winter season |
| Black spots on leaves | - Wintering in a warm place; - dry air |
The most common disease we encounter is rot as a result of excessive soil moisture. Treatment of rot - removal of damaged roots, treatment with systemic fungicides.
Aucuba pests
Pests cause a lot of problems. Especially often attacks aucuba spider mite, scale insects, mealybugs, thrips and. They are dealt with in approximately the same way - they mechanically remove insects with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab and treat the plant with insecticides. More detailed signs of pest damage are given in the table.
Table - Aucuba pests
| Insect name | Signs of defeat |
|---|---|
| Spider mite | - Thin cobweb on back side leaves; - yellowing, drying of leaves; - small light dots with outside sheet |
| Mealybug | - Aucuba wilt; - formation of lumps of “cotton wool” in the axils of leaves |
| Thrips | - The appearance of small light dots on the outside of the leaf, brown dots on the inside; - Aucuba leaves appear silvery; - yellowing, drying and falling of leaves |
| Shchitovka | - Insects are visible to the naked eye in the form of brown plaques on the stems; - the appearance of sticky drops; - wilting of the plant |
| Whitefly | - Small white flying insects above the flower; - sticky discharge on the leaves; - drying out and falling of leaves |
Knowing and understanding how to care for Japanese aucuba, you can avoid most of the problems described. This is a very beautiful long-lived plant that long years will delight you with its unusual decorative foliage.