There are plants in nature that truly amaze even the sophisticated botanist with their appearance. These "wonders of the world" include Strongylodon large-piston (or, as it is also called, a jade flower). This is a legume plant. In the wild, it is found in the tropics: the forests of the Philippines and Hawaii. Under decorative conditions, jade flowers are cultivated in various countries. They can be found in botanical gardens and greenhouses.
Appearance
Jade flowers, first of all, are famous for their inflorescences painted in azure, emerald-bluish-green tones, similar in color to the jade stone. The plant is a fairly large vine with a tree stem (length - up to 20 meters). The leaves of the plant are smooth, triple. The flowers themselves are up to 12 centimeters in size. They are collected in long, almost meter, brushes of several tens, sometimes up to a hundred pieces.
And jade flowers glow at night. This glow attracts bats that pollinate the plant in exchange for honey nectar. As a result, small boxes are formed containing bean seeds (up to 12 pieces in one). But tender seeds quickly lose their germination. Therefore, a rare amateur gardener manages to grow jade flowers without special preparation.
Garlands of light hanging from vines impress with their beauty, especially at night. Perhaps this plant has one of the rarest colors in the world.
Homeland
All known species of Strongyldon come from the southern latitudes of the Pacific Ocean and southeast Asia. In the wild, jade flowers are in danger of extinction due to the fact that humans methodically destroy their habitats. Contrary to this, botanical gardens in all countries are trying to preserve an endangered population. So, for example, in Hawaii and Florida, the flower grows already in fairly large quantities and in a temperate climate.
Habitat
This plant has no rest period. For flowering, he needs bright light (or at least intense diffused). Jade flower loves moisture. In decorative conditions requires abundant watering. The lack of moisture causes darkening of the leaves and stunted growth. Thus, strongilodon needs watering - natural or artificial - throughout the year. Under cultivation conditions, fertilizer must be applied to the soil during the growing season. And this flower needs soil with good drainage, rich in humus, with the addition of peat.
Strongilodon breeding
A flower can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. The plants are quite prolific, but the seeds quickly "fail", lose their germination. They are shown to be planted only fresh, and before planting in the ground they are slightly filed. Cuttings to achieve the best result must be cut in the spring. After that, they need to be placed in a very warm and humid place. Then within a couple of weeks new sprouts will appear.
If you need to transplant
Young plants are recommended to transplant every year. But when the flower grows up and begins to "crawl along the walls", its transplantation causes problems. The plant is even difficult to move. Therefore, a jade flower with a certain age is determined at a constant place (in decorative conditions). Let it be a large container where the root system of the plant develops well and freely. Then you just need to change the topsoil (up to 5 centimeters) to a new one.
Plant pests
The flower is not particularly susceptible to various pests. It can sometimes be affected by aphids, ticks, mealybugs. In this case, it must be treated with traditional methods, like other ornamental plants.
