Table of contents:
Dogwood family. The birthplace of Aucuba is Japan. At home, Aucuba japonica Aucuba japonica is common. This is an eternally green shrub, in nature reaching almost 5 m in height, in indoor conditions it grows about 1.5 meters. It has erect, well-branching shoots. Leaves are opposite, up to 20 cm long and about 5-6 cm wide, ovoid, with a serrate edge and a smooth shiny surface. Depending on the variety, the leaves can be even green or have a pattern of yellow specks, stripes, and various shapes. It blooms with small, inconspicuous reddish flowers, collected in loose panicles.
Aucuba care
Temperature: Aucuba grows well in cool rooms. In warm rooms, where more than 19-20 ° C, the lower leaves can drop and lose their decorative appeal. Better to keep outdoors in summer. In winter, temperatures around 10-14 ° C are preferred, with a minimum of 7 ° C.
Lighting: Bright diffused light, protection from direct sunlight, tolerates light partial shade, requires good lighting in winter.
Watering: In spring and summer, the aucuba needs abundant watering, moderate and careful in winter.
Fertilization: From May to August, the aucuba is fed weekly with a complex fertilizer for ornamental foliage plants. They do not feed in autumn and winter.
Air humidity: Frequent spraying - Aucuba loves humid air, especially Aucuba needs to be sprayed if kept in a room with central heating in winter.
Transfer: Annually in the spring. Soil - 2 parts of light turf, 1 part of leafy soil, 1 part of peat, and 1 part of sand.
Reproduction: Aucuba is propagated by cuttings in late summer.
