Pilea flower. Sawing flower care and reproduction at home. Special care rules

Pilea is a flower of the nettle family. Its homeland can be called the tropical belt, because it grows everywhere in this climate. There are both annual types of flowers and perennials. The height of the pilea reaches 40 cm. It grows quickly, thanks to which it is widely used in floristry.

The color of the pilea is small, usually blooms in clusters, the flower is unisexual. Interesting fruit spreading process. They combine with the plant so that after ripening, the sterile stamens holding the fruit straighten and the fruit fly a very long distance.

Varieties and types

Or silver saw - the plant is tall - up to 40 cm. The leaves are oval, elongated, large. This flower is called "silver" because of the two silvery stripes running along the leaf.

- in the people it is also called mossy. Perennial species, up to 15cm high. Branches and resembles a fern. The leaves are small, oval. Small flowers appear in the leaf axils. If you touch a flower in the summer, it will release a cloud of dust.

- perennial, which has long shoots, curling along the ground. Leaves are oval, light green in color.

- This is a flower that forms bushes up to 30 cm high. The leaves are long, with a brown color along the veins. With the help of it, hybrid varieties are often obtained.

- the rounded leaves of the plant are placed opposite each other. The color ranges from silver to bronze.

Norfolk - This is a perennial variety, the young shoots of which grow straight, and the old ones creep to the ground. Leaves are mossy, green with reddish veins.

Ellen Is a room saw. It attracts with its unusual olive-silvery color of the leaves.

- also indoor variety. The leaves of this plant are bright green, covered with wrinkles, and have crimson veins.

It has a very rough stem. The leaves of this species are rounded.

- bushes of this type of plant reach 20 cm in height. The leaves are small, glossy, have an interesting color - they are green on top with a copper tint, and purple below.

Pilea home care

Now let's list some of the features of caring for a saw:

This flower loves diffused light, direct rays harm it.
In the summer, you can take the flower outside, placing it in the shade.
In winter, there should also be a lot of light, since otherwise the flower will change color.

The temperature that suits the flower is 25 ° C, at any time of the year. In winter, the temperature can drop to 18 ° C, but not lower. Pilea kidiera is capable of withstanding 15 ° C, and peperomian even 10 ° C, but this applies only to these two species.

Pilea loves high humidity, it is not for nothing that she came to us from the tropics. It is undesirable to spray the flower, since then it will not become so beautiful. It is better to lower the pot with the sawtooth into a container with damp pebbles or place containers with liquid next to the flower.

The plant should be watered with settled water, waiting for the top ball of the soil to dry. It is better to dry the flower a little than to pour it over.

Caring for a saw at home involves the use of fertilizers. Top dressing is advisable to be carried out weekly during the spring-summer period. In winter and autumn, reduce the procedure to once a month. You can use ordinary flower fertilizer, dilute as indicated in the instructions.

To improve the decorative properties of the saw, it must be trimmed annually. Also, in order for the bush to be more magnificent, it is necessary to pluck the shoots.

You need to transplant a flower every year. It is best to use a humus substrate that is neutral in acidity. You can take a share of humus, peat, sand and turf.

You need to transplant in shallow pots, because the roots of this flower grow on the top. Also, be sure to provide drainage for the saw.

Growing a sawtooth seed

Seed propagation is carried out according to the usual rules and does not have any special wishes, especially considering that some varieties are propagated in this way without outside interference.

Propagation of pilea by cuttings

With the help of cuttings, you can propagate the sawtooth at any time of the year.

You need to put them in water or sand for the roots to appear. Then, the cuttings are placed in shallow pots with soil from greenhouse and deciduous soil, as well as sand, all you need to take in a fraction.

Diseases and pests

The reason for the drying out of the pilea leaves too high or low temperature can be used. The upper limit is 27 ° С, and the lower one is 15 ° С.
Also the reason drying and wrinkling of leaves the soil may be too dry.
Wither the leaves start with excess moisture in the soil. In this case, the stem begins to rot over time.
An excess of light also leads to lethargy of the leaves. .

The leaves of the pilea dry up and appear on them dark spots if the flower lacks light. In this case, young leaves will grow small, and the shoots will be too long.
From being right under the sun burns will appear on the leaves in the form of spots .
If leaves fall from the bottom of the plant then do not be alarmed, this is normal. They can be cut and planted like cuttings.
Thrips, scale insects and spider mite... There are known cases of mealybug lesions.

Lovers and connoisseurs of living decorative decoration of the home will love the decoration with the pilea flowers. These ornamental plants offer a wide variety of wonderful accents when decorating rooms. They have an excellent shape and relief, are compact enough, have a great variety, which is sometimes very difficult to reunite them under one name. There are many varieties of this flower: small-leaved saw, cadier, monofilament saw, peperomium-shaped saw and many others. In appearance, they are herbal and semi-shrub appearance with embossed or variegated leaves.

Pylaea are picky, very hardy, unpretentious in cultivation. Since they are not particularly durable, since many of the species can be annuals, they reproduce very easily. Therefore, it will not be difficult to periodically replace old plants with new ones. A distinctive and important advantage of these plants lies in the wide variety of species. Among these decorative beauties, there are so original specimens that there is no way to guess about their family ties on your own. But, as elsewhere, among them there are also the most relevant types - these are:

Small-leaved sawe;
Kadier;
Monofilament saw;
Peperomium pylaea.

Pilea small-leaved care at home

It wins hearts with its original appearance with numerous small leaves with a glossy sheen, which give the plant a special curl, and juicy shoots of pink or green color, similar to spreading branches, further enhance the effect. Thanks to this, the plant is distinguished by its special decorativeness and delicacy.

This unpretentious beauty with beautiful small leaves can forgive accidental care mistakes, but much more serious can not forgive. In general, this is enough unpretentious plant, which is not afraid of a short drought or unstable care. They feel great both in light and in rooms with partial shade, while the best decorative effect is achieved in bright, diffused light, without directed straight lines sun rays... These beauties can live in rooms, in the kitchen and even in the bathroom.

The most comfortable temperature regime for them from +15 to +18 with high humidity. Also, we should avoid places that are prone to drafts. These flowers need to be watered correctly: they do not tolerate prolonged dampness or drought. In order for the flower to be in comfortable conditions, it must be watered periodically, while it is imperative to allow the soil to dry out in the upper layer. It is more correct to water more often, but little by little, than occasionally and a lot. Be sure to feed it 1-2 times a month.

Pilea Kadier home care

Differs in elegance and austere pattern on elongated leaves. The leaves themselves are oval, dark green in color, and symmetrical white spots are located along the veins.

It grows in different small pots with well-drained slightly acidic or neutral soil. It is also necessary to add sod land, sand, peat and humus from leaves to the soil. It is not advisable to spray the crown of the plant, so as not to harm the foliage. Watering is carried out through the pallet, we do not allow contact of foliage and soil with water, at the end of watering, excess liquid should be removed from the pallet.

Pilea peperomia home care

Such a miniature beautiful miracle is hard not to notice and will not fall in love at first sight. It has luxurious and extraordinarily beautiful foliage. On a small stem, leaves with an ideal round shape are arranged in a bundle, visually similar to coins or to leaves of water lilies. Leaves are rich green with a perfectly glossy surface. It is very difficult to notice its flowering on this plant, and even at home this happens extremely rarely. The truth of the luxurious look of foliage more than compensates for this disadvantage.

This plant does not tolerate heat well, it is advisable not to exceed the temperature regime above +25 degrees. To save beautiful view and the compactness of the flower, should be periodically trimmed, thereby stimulating the growth of lateral shoots. After a couple of years, the saw should be rejuvenated. The cut branches are rooted, and the old flower is thrown away.

With home care, it is required to strictly adhere to the watering and humidification regime.

Many people use live greens to decorate rooms. One of the compact, but very beautiful options- sawing. The variety of varieties allows you to choose a plant for every taste. Unusual foliage texture, variability of shapes and colors open up ample opportunities for creating indoor compositions... The culture is unpretentious and quite hardy. Despite the obvious external differences between the species, they all have similar preferences. This applies both to the conditions of detention and to the intricacies of care. This makes it easier for the grower who wants to breed several varieties of sawtooth at the same time.

Peculiarities

Pylaea stand out among indoor flowers. The modest size and neatness do not prevent them from looking expensive and impressive. The culture got its name from its ability to spray pollen over long distances. True, this can only be observed in the wild, namely in tropical forests.

Pileae are herbaceous plants from the Nettle family. Despite the external resemblance to the well-known nettle, the leaves are not burned. They are pleasant to the touch, they can be smooth or covered with a little fluff. The shape is usually oval, with a pointed end. Smooth or serrated edges.

The color of the foliage is both monochromatic and variegated. The combination of different shades makes the plants especially spectacular. It can be a combination of green with burgundy, brown, white. The surface of the leaves is textured, patterned. The length of each leaf can be from 6 to 10 cm, the width is about 3 cm. The petioles are short, arranged in pairs.

The stems are resilient, branching profusely, creeping and straight. The size of the bush in rare cases reaches 40 cm. Usually the plants are miniature. Pylaea blooms, however, it is positioned as an ornamental deciduous plant. The fact is that small flowers, painted in white or pinkish tones, can be called inconspicuous. They gather in inflorescences, but are almost invisible against the backdrop of lush greenery.

Sawls are usually grown traditionally in pots. However, some species are no less good as ampelous plants.

Graceful shoots with rich foliage perfectly complement any hanging container.

Varieties

Pileas delight flower growers with their diversity. There are several hundred species and varieties of this amazing culture. Each variety has its own characteristics, unique color, leaf shape and other individual characteristics. Let's consider the most famous options.

Thick-leaved

Delicate

A distinctive feature of this variety is the ability of upright shoots to transform into lodging ones during development. Leaves are pinkish-green, oval in shape. The interesting surface structure and carved edges make this sawtooth a wonderful decorative piece.

Spruce and Norfolk

A small bush grows up to 20 cm. The surface of the leaves resembles the skin of a reptile. They are matte, bumpy, and have a reddish brown color. Small jagged edges and a pearlescent sheen complete the picture, enhancing the likeness. The flowers consist of 4 petals, have a pleasant white-pink color.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the variety. Norfolk... Unlike the basic version, it is painted in a bright mint tone with a slight silvery sheen. Against this background, dark veins stand out, visually enhancing the texture of the foliage. The underside of the leaves is red. Drooping shoots. The culture looks great in a flower pot.

Pressed (compressed, depressed)

This is a ground cover species. Dense shoots droop. In nature, these bushes form a dense green carpet. Miniature rounded leaves do not grow more than 5 mm. In the rays of the sun, they shimmer beautifully. Due to the short petioles and small foliage, the bushes seem to be pressed to the ground, which explains the name of the species.

"Ellen"

Bronze

Sizaya (Lebanese, glaucopilla)

This compact look with high decorative properties is excellent for indoor growing... The culture is growing pretty fast. Creeping shoots. The stems have a burgundy hue, decorated with miniature rounded leaves. The silvery bloom that covers the green of the foliage explains another name for the species - "silver spray".

The culture looks great in hanging containers, can be used in the garden to decorate flower beds and create living compositions.

Wrapped

This species has erect shoots. Its size reaches 30 cm. The leaves are oval, rough, have a pronounced texture. Bright light greens are combined with a burgundy brown tone, forming an interesting color. The inflorescences have a delicate pink tint.

Kadiera (Kadier)

This species has a rather modest appearance. Leaves are smooth, glossy. Original color: variegated, white-green. However, the lack of a cannon makes the foliage look rustic. The size of the leaves reaches 10 cm. The stems are thin; as the plant develops, they begin to bend and "look" down. The maximum height of the bush is 40 cm.

Peperomiform

This variety stands out for its unusual leaf shape. Almost round, they resemble water lilies. The surface is without pubescence, has a "fresh" green tint... Thin streaks are barely visible. The leaves are kept on graceful long petioles. The culture blooms very rarely, but this does not diminish its attractiveness.

Small-leaved ("Microfilla")

Spreading shoots of this plant actively branch. The many miniature leaves covering them give the culture an openwork and lush look. Foliage color is light green, one color. Leaves are glossy, rounded, slightly pointed. Here it is worth noting the mossy saw. This is a subspecies of small-leaved culture. As the name suggests, the plant is very similar to moss. It is short, has threadlike shoots and small foliage.

Coin-leaved

This adorable groundcover looks like a lush bush. Round glossy leaves really resemble coins. The edges of the plate are serrated. The color is bright, pale green. The culture has been successfully applied both to decorate rooms and to create a luxurious green carpet effect in gardens.

Creeping

As the name implies, this species has long, creeping shoots. Sometimes they reach 25 cm. The leaves are characterized by a "wrinkled" textured surface. The shape is round, neat. The color is dark green, sometimes the foliage is slightly purple.

Light

Pilea prefers soft diffused lighting or partial shade. The best places for the content of the culture are window sills in the west and east. It is permissible to place a flowerpot near a window on the south side.

In cloudy weather and a period of short daylight hours can be used special devices... For example, phytolamps are perfect.

Temperature

Despite its southern origins, the culture does not like heat. The best temperature regime is moderate. During the warm period, it is advisable to maintain 19-23 degrees above zero. In winter, it is worth putting the plant in a cool place (at 14-18 degrees). The only exception is the wrapped saw. This variety gets cold as early as 18 C.

It is also important to exclude drafts and strong temperature changes. This applies to all types.

Planting and transplanting

Due to the rapid growth, it is necessary to replant the culture every year. However, some are limited to carrying out the procedure every 2-3 years. The rest of the time, they maintain the shape of the plant by pruning. The best time for transplanting is spring. It is permissible to do this at the beginning of summer.

The roots of the culture are small. They are located close to the ground surface. Therefore, it is better to take a container for a flower shallow (maximum 8-10 cm deep). Moreover, it should be wide. Drainage holes are required. As for the container material, it can be anything.

The soil during initial planting and when replanting should be light and loose. It should also allow air to pass through well. You can buy a multipurpose mixture for decorative deciduous plants at a specialty store. However, some people prefer to cook it on their own. In this case, you should take in equal shares:

peat;
sod land;
humus;
coarse sand.

The resulting mixture must be disinfected. Two options are acceptable: using an oven or exposure to very low temperatures. Don't forget about drainage. It is necessary, since the delicate roots of the culture suffer greatly from moisture stagnation. The drainage should be as small as possible, because the planting container has small size. Let's consider the transplant process step by step.

The bottom of the tank is occupied by drainage. Its volume should be about 3 cm. The prepared substrate is laid on top of it.
The culture is carefully removed from the old container. It is important not to injure the roots.
The plant is placed in a new pot. It is better to use the transshipment method.
The remaining soil is carefully poured from the sides. You do not need to tamp it. Good watering is enough. So the soil will sink and fill the voids. You should also not deepen the saw.

It should be understood that after 4 years the plant has to be updated. For this, cuttings are rooted. The peperomyelic variety should be propagated by dividing the bush.

As for the mother bushes, they are thrown away.

How to care?

Watering

An important nuance caring for the saw at home - the correct organization of watering. The culture is drought tolerant, which gives hope for successful cultivation even for forgetful growers. It is best not to take long breaks between soil irrigation. Watering sparsely but abundantly is a bad idea. Excess moisture is detrimental to the flower. Therefore, the soil should be moistened when the topsoil dries out (about 3-4 cm).

It is better to add moisture in small portions. V winter period it is worth reducing the number of procedures. Only clean, settled warm water is suitable for irrigation. You can also use drinking or filtered liquid.

You cannot spray the culture. To ensure a good level of air humidity, you can periodically place the plant on a pallet with wet pebbles or moss. During the validity period central heating you can carry the saw away from the battery. It would be useful to buy a special steam generator.

You can also simply place a tray filled with water next to the pot.

Fertilizers

This culture has no dormant period. Since active development takes place all year round, the plant needs additional nutrition all the time. Top dressing does not allow the shoots to thin and stretch. In winter, the flower is fertilized once a month. At other times - twice a month. Complex liquid formulations created specifically for ornamental deciduous plants are suitable.

Pruning

Pruning is another must. If you ignore this procedure, the plant will no longer be compact and attractive. The optimal time is the beginning of spring.

An excellent solution will combine the pinching of shoots with a plant transplant.

Reproduction

Seeds

In this way, only certain types saws. Sowing should begin in the spring.

To begin with, you should choose a suitable container. It should be shallow but wide.
The selected container is filled with a sand-peat composition. You can get a universal primer from a specialized store.
Seed material is spread on the surface. Then it is sprinkled with a small amount of the substrate. After that, spraying is carried out from a sprayer.
Greenhouse conditions are organized. For this, the planting material is covered with glass or a transparent bag. The light should be diffused. The optimum temperature is around 20 C.
Every day, the shelter is raised briefly. This is necessary to provide fresh air for plantings. As the soil dries out, spraying is performed.
Germination seed material takes about 1 month.
As the seedlings develop they need to gradually begin to familiarize themselves with the new conditions (without a greenhouse). Watering should be moderate.
When 2-4 leaves appear, young plants are transferred to individual containers.

Cuttings

This is the most common method. Cuttings are taken from the top of the plant. The optimal length is 10 cm. An important point- the presence of 2-3 internodes. The procedure can be carried out at any time of the year. The resulting cuttings are placed in water. It is also permissible to bury them in wet sand. A sandy-peat composition is also suitable.

Pilea belongs to the Urticaceae family. Depending on the subspecies can grow as an annual or perennial plant. The tropics of Australia are considered homeland. Can grow in partial shade. But at home requires careful care.

The plant is a semi-shrub or herbaceous plant, reaching a height of no more than 35-45 cm. It has elongated leaves with rounded edges. Leaves grow on shortened petioles. They have a jagged edge and pronounced veins.

Depending on the subspecies, they have a different range of shades. But the main color is dark emerald. Some forms have coarse leathery leaves, others are miniature, smooth. With good care, it can bloom with single-sex miniature flowers with a delicate fragrant aroma. Has axillary racemose inflorescences.

Important! The main feature is the rapid spread of fruits after flowering. The stamens grow rapidly and over time they begin to outweigh the fruit.

After the fruit is fully ripe, the ovary weakens. Staminodes straighten, catapulting the formed fetus to a distance of 50-100 m!

Pylaea differs from other representatives of the flora by its very intensive growth. Young Pilea reaches its maximum length already six months after planting. Therefore, the plant is highly valued among professional florists.

It is used as a decoration for various flower arrangements. Looks great with low and colorful flowers. Can grow in warm flower beds, shop windows and specialized winter gardens.

Views from photo

Pilea includes over 400 different subspecies. They are distinguished by the activity of growth, height, scale of the stems, and the root system. Each subspecies has its own characteristic leaf color and requires some care. Almost all subspecies are used to decorate flower beds. They are united by excellent shape, texture and compactness. Plants are durable, easy to root and propagate by cuttings.

Kadier

- a bushy plant, reaching a height of 30-40 cm. Has Latin name Pilea Cadierei. Endowed with a characteristic strict pattern located on the leaves. The main color of the leaves is dark emerald. They have pronounced stripes of a silvery hue. The stems of the flower are very flexible and graceful. After the lapse of time, they bend over to the soil.

Coin-leaved

- is a herbaceous perennial. Has the Latin name Pilea nummulariifolia. It has creeping shoots, reaching a length of about 40 cm. It has rounded leaves of a light emerald hue. Has a fast pace of development. At final formation, it completely covers the soil. Can grow in hanging pots.

Peperomiform

- miniature bushy plant. Has the Latin name Pilea Peperomioides. It hardly grows at home. Requires certain floriculture skills. Has luxurious foliage. The leaves are rounded, like coins. They are formed on a thin emerald-brown stem. Grow in bunches. The surface of the leaves is glossy, emerald.

Hybrid

Hybrid- a plant of amazing beauty. But it has an unclear origin. It is a herbaceous perennial, easily rooted. Endowed with both straight and lodging stems, slightly inclined to the soil. It has leaves of an emerald hue and a rounded shape.

Leaves are formed on shortened petioles. They have a small serrated edge. On palpation, they have a leathery structure. They can be bright emerald or brownish red. The leaves are covered with miniature bristly hairs. Has an intense growth force.

The plant reaches a height of no more than 30-40 cm. It has a wide spreading crown. Requires the obligatory shaping and pruning of the stems. It blooms with tiny fragrant flowers of a snow-white pink hue. Forms racemose inflorescences.

But at home it blooms very rarely. After flowering, it forms fruits that are used for seed propagation. It has sterile stamens that can support the weight of the fetus until the end of its ripening.

Small-leaved

Small-leaved Is an amazing herbaceous perennial. Has the Latin name Pilea microphylla. It can reach a height of 10-15 cm. It has elongated branching shoots with a large number of leaves. Stems are inclined, touching the soil. Professional growers compare them to the curving branches of a fern frond. They are covered with shiny miniature rounded leaves of a light emerald hue.

In length, the leaves reach no more than 0.5 cm. In the axils of the leaves, corymbose inflorescences are formed, consisting of miniature flowers. The flowers are mixed, they can be either heterosexual or bisexual. The flowers have a delicate fragrant aroma.

In common people, this subspecies is called "Cannoneer" and "Artillery". The names are given due to the stamen flowers, when opened, the anthers form a cloud of dust. On palpation, the plant emits a smoke of pollen. Reproduction of this subspecies occurs with the help of cuttings. The stems take root very easily.

Wrapped

Wrapped- an incomparable plant of amazing beauty. Has the Latin name Pilea involucrata. It is a low bush, reaching a height of no more than 30 cm. It has erect branches with a large number of leaves of a light emerald hue. The leaves reach 6-7 cm in length.

They have an opposite pointed top. They have pronounced lumpy brown veins.

The main difference between Pilea Wrapped and other subspecies is cuttings. D This subspecies is widely used in hybridization. Due to the rapid rooting, cuttings are selected with other species. As a result of agricultural operations, hybridizers obtain other plant forms.

Experienced breeders can easily improve the appearance of the plant, rooting, and resistance to various diseases. Most of the subspecies bred from the Wrapped Pylaea have fast growth rates, long flowering, good immunity to flower diseases. They have the highest technological characteristics.

Care

Pylaea flowers require a special one. They prefer bright, diffused lighting. They do not like direct sunlight. Grow actively at a temperature of 25 ° C. They have a short rest period. They do not tolerate drafts and sharp gusts of wind. They prefer systematic irrigation with soft water without chemical impurities. Love additional sprays. Requires the obligatory formation of the crown. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Useful video

Learn more about the features of home care for Pylaea:

Pilea- an amazing ornamental plant with an unusual color of leaves. Possesses intensive growth. Roots perfectly. Likes additional spraying with water from a spray bottle. Requires obligatory pruning of the stems. Grows well in neutral soil with a lot of humus. It is used to decorate flower arrangements.

Pilea is a genus of perennials and annuals of the Nettle family. Its natural habitat is tropical forests of almost the entire planet. Plants are so diverse that it is sometimes difficult to combine them under one name. They are herbaceous and semi-shrub forms with embossed or variegated leaves. Caring for the saw is easy enough. Thanks to graceful leaves, it touches with unusual beauty all year round.

Description of the plant

Pilea is a tropical crop grown in our latitudes in indoor conditions... The plant, covered with charming ornamental foliage, grows no more than 40 cm in height. It forms compact rosettes with branched, straight or creeping stems. Leaves on flexible petioles are opposite. They are round, oblong or ovoid. There are hairless or pubescent varieties. Depending on the species, the size of the sheet can vary greatly. It ranges from 3 mm in diameter to 5-10 cm in length. The edges of the leaves are serrated or whole.

In summer, small racemose inflorescences with tiny, nondescript flowers bloom in the leaf axils. Corollas yellowish, pink or creamy green attract little attention. In sunny weather, it is enough to touch the flowers, as a small cloud of pollen rises into the air. The pollen is transferred to neighboring plants and pollinates them.

After pollination, small seed pods ripen. An interesting feature of the pilea is to spread ripe fruits. They have long sterile stamens, which, under the weight of a ripe fruit, straighten and, like a catapult, eject seeds over long distances. The fact of spreading fruits over a distance of 100 m was recorded.

Pilea types

The pylaea is very diverse, there are more than 400 varieties in the genus. Sometimes they are very different from each other. Some of the types:

The graceful herbaceous plant is distinguished by a strict pattern on oblong leaves. The plate with serrated edges is colored dark green. Symmetrical whitish spots are located in the central part along the veins. The length of the leaf reaches 10 cm, and the width is 4-5 cm. Thin flexible shoots are densely covered with glossy foliage and often hang. Decorative variety"Minima" is a miniature copy of the Kadier saw. It completely copies its shape and color, but more than 2 times smaller than the main view.

The tiny plant has a dense, erect stem. On it, rounded leaves are located on long petioles. They are similar in shape to the leaves of water lilies. The glossy surface is translucent with a mesh of embossed veins. The foliage is painted in a rich, bright green color.

The plant has fleshy, erect shoots of a pink or green hue. On the twigs, close to each other, there are many tiny leaves 3-5 mm long. The fleshy, shiny leaves let in light and are bright green in color. Thanks to them, the plant is very decorative and has an openwork appearance.

Ground cover perennial consists of creeping shoots with miniature soft rounded leaves. The diameter of the silvery-green leaves does not exceed 1 cm. They form a solid cap and resemble a dense green carpet.

A perennial with lodging shoots grows 20 cm in height. It is distinguished by thickened leaf blades of a light green color. The leaves are dotted with a network of grooves along the veins, so it seems that there are blister growths on the leaf. The indentations are shaded with burgundy or brown... On the edge of the sheet, teeth are visible, and the end is elongated and pointed.

Reproduction

The sawe can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. It is almost impossible to get ripe seeds at home, and it is not always possible to get them in stores. Seed material is germinated in containers with sandy-peat soil. They are deepened by 0.5 cm and the container is covered with foil. Entrances appear within 3-4 weeks. Plants are thinned out, and with the appearance of 4 true leaves, they dive into separate pots. It is especially important for young saws to maintain high air humidity. Without this, they quickly perish.

For amateur flower growers, the grafting method is more suitable. Throughout the year, you can cut the tops of shoots 5-8 cm long. Each cutting should have 2-4 pairs of leaves. Root them in water. With the appearance of the first roots, the plants are planted in humus-rich soil with a lot of sand. The cuttings are kept under a hood, but regularly ventilated. When the flower takes root well and begins to sprout, it is taught to grow without shelter within 10-12 days.

Home care

The sawe is planted in small, shallow pots with loose, well-drained soil. The plant prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil. Sod soil, deciduous humus, sand and peat should be added to the soil mixture. At the bottom of the pot, be sure to lay out a thick layer of drainage. The rhizome of the pilea is located shallow from the surface, so the plant cannot be buried too deep. A flower transplant is carried out in the spring, every 1-2 years.

Lighting. Pilea does not like direct sunlight on the leaves. Penumbra or diffused light is preferred. The flower is placed in the back of the room or on the eastern, western windowsills. In summer, the pileae are exposed to the street or balcony. A canopy and protection from drafts is required.

Temperature. The saw does not tolerate heat well; the environment should be moderately warm. It is advisable not to raise the temperature near the plant above + 25 ° C. In winter, it is recommended to keep it cool at a temperature of + 16… + 18 ° C.

Humidity. Pylaea live in the tropics, so they need high air humidity (65% and higher). At the same time, it is not recommended to spray the crown so as not to damage the leaves. Use pallets with water, wet expanded clay or moss, as well as air humidifiers. The earth and leaves should not come into contact with water.

Watering. The top layer of the earth should dry out between waterings. At the same time, the roots cannot withstand severe drought. Water the plants with well-purified, soft water. Excess liquid should immediately leave the soil and sump.

Fertilizer. In spring and summer, the saw is actively increasing its green mass and needs regular feeding. A solution of mineral fertilizer for ornamental deciduous plants is poured into the ground twice a month. Even in winter, feeding is not completely stopped. Half a portion of the fertilizer is applied monthly.

Pruning and rejuvenation. The pylaea stems grow rather quickly, while their Bottom part can become naked and lose attractiveness. To maintain the compactness of the bushes, they are regularly pruned, thereby stimulating the formation of side shoots. After 3-4 years, the saw is rejuvenated. The cuttings are rooted, and the old plant is destroyed.

Possible difficulties

Pilea is sensitive to soil flooding and is easily affected by powdery mildew. It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for watering and humidifying the air. When a grayish bloom appears on the leaves and stem, as well as a putrid odor, pruning and fungicide treatment are performed.

If the saw leaves began to wrinkle and fall off, then the temperature regime in the room is violated. It is necessary to raise or lower the temperature up to + 20… + 25 ° C. Leaves turn pale and lose their variegated color when the light is too bright. With a lack of light, the leaves become smaller, and the shoots are strongly stretched.