Pilea
The nettle family. The genus of the saw.
Natural climatic conditions: the tropics of South-East Asia and America.
Most representatives of the genus are undersized, strong-unleavened herbaceous plants with opposite leaves.
The most common species in the indoor culture: Pileya Kadie * Relatively tall representative of the species: it can reach 60 cm in height, although on average its growth is about 40 cm;young shoots erect, mature - ampel;leaves up to 10 cm long, oblong-oval, rounded-dentate in the upper part, three veins are clearly prominent on the leaf plate, they are colored green with the main silver background;Inflorescence axillary, racemose;flowers are ordinary, small, whitish. Pilea leaf-and-leaf ♦ Shoots fleshy;leaves elongated with crenate edges, wrinkled, pubescent, upper veins dark green, basic background with copper-red tint, underside of leaf blades wine-red;flowers are pinkish-red. Pilea small-leaved( "artillery plant") ♦ A low-grown( up to 15 cm tall) plant;shoots are juicy, abundantly branching, spreading, densely leafy;leaves are small( half a centimeter long), oblong-elliptical or roundish, light green;inflorescences shchitkovidae, a very characteristic feature of the small-leaved pine - ejecting a cloud of pollen when the anthers are opened, for which it received the second name. Pilea commemorative ♦ Runaways creeping, thin;leaves round, about 1 cm in diameter, light green. Pilea tender( "Moon Valley *) ♦ Young shoots erect, mature lodging, ampel;leaves 5-6 cm long, oblong-ovate, edentate at the edges, corrugated, slightly hairy, color iridescent from green to bright pink tones. Pilea Spruce * Leaves are back-cordate, serrate along the rim, have vesicular outgrowths, folded, matte-shining, greenish-brown-red. There are different grades that differ in color. Demand for moisture: uniform abundant watering, somewhat shortening in winter;measures for the artificial increase of atmospheric humidity in normal conditions does not require;But if the air is too dry, brown spots may appear on the leaves. In such cases, spraying is desirable.
Temperature regime: heat-loving plant, optimum temperatures within 18-24 ° C, below 16 ° C tolerate poorly.
Light mode: sun-loving, but shade-tolerant plant, does not like direct sunlight;The eastern and western exposures are optimal.
Requirement for soil: optimal soil mix from soddy and humus lands with peat and sand in equal shares, but other options are possible.
Reproduction: cuttings throughout the year, which can be rooted in the sand.
Features: better grows in low wide containers. Pilea tender grows rapidly and bare shoots, so it is desirable for it to frequently update plants( apical shoots are cut off and used as cuttings).