How to care for indoor maple (abutilon), and ways to form a standard tree from it. Abutilone care at home photo

Due to the amazing similarity of abutilon leaves to maple leaves, the plant received the name “house maple”. But this is not the only name of the Brazilian handsome man. The stems of some species are used to produce durable fiber from which ropes and ropes are made. Therefore, people often call this unique plant “rope plant”.

Features of culture

Abutilone is a gardener's dream plant. It combines ease of care, fast growth and beautiful long flowering. In its homeland, Brazil, Hawaii, China or India, abutilon can reach 2-3 m. In the European climate, ropewort is grown as a potted crop, since harsh winters are destructive for it. He doesn't reach that tall.

Domestic maple is represented by many species and varieties, which differ in the shape of the leaves and the color of the inflorescences. Abutilons can have double flowers or simple ones. And their color can vary from white to cream, from yellow to deep orange, from pink to purple, from lavender to violet.

As reviews show, abutilon, even with a minimum of care, grows very quickly. It is capable of turning from a cutting into a compact tree or bush in six months.

Decorative types

The genus Ropeweed includes approximately 200 plant species. But most of them cannot boast of being decorative. Therefore in indoor floriculture There are only a few representatives of abutilones listed in the table.

Table - Types of abutilones and their characteristics

Name	Plant height, m	Leaves	Flowers	Flowering time
Grape leaf	1,5 – 2,5	- Large, velvety; - consist of 3-5 blades; - sheet length – 15 cm; - leaf edge with sharp teeth	- Inflorescence of 3-4 bell flowers; - located on elongated pedicels; - petals are lilac, blue with dark veins	May
Darwin	1	- Upper leaves three-lobed; - the lower ones consist of 5-7 blades; - leaf length can reach 20 cm	- 2-3 flowers are formed in the leaf axils; - the bright orange color of the inflorescences is complemented by red veins	April-September
Spotted (painted, striped)	1,5 – 2	- Branches slightly lignified; - heart-shaped leaf; - has 3-6 blades; - edges are pointed; - white splashes around the edges add decorativeness	- Bells on long petioles; - golden inflorescences with red veins; - can be terry or simple	June–September
Hybrid (obtained by crossing Darwin's abutilone and motley)	1,5	- Maple leaves, softly pubescent; - leaf petioles about 12 cm	- Inflorescences resemble a bell (5 cm long); - color burgundy, red, white, golden, yellow	All year round
Bella	0,4 – 0,6	- Leaf elongated, ovate	- The flower is formed by 5 petals; - bell wide open; - color apricot, pink, red, orange	June

Abutilon: care and needs

Even a novice gardener can grow a home maple tree. A native of Brazil has an easy-going disposition and does not require special conditions. At the same time, it is able to bloom all year round, if you know about some points. What nuances need to be taken into account and how to care for abutilone in order to enjoy beautiful flowering all year round?

Lighting

The ropeman is a big lover of light. He needs lighting all year round. Only in such conditions can it develop. If the Brazilian feels a lack of light, then it most often does not bloom. To provide the necessary lighting for abutilone, use these recommendations.

Choosing a location. Place the plant near light sources. It can even be placed on south-facing windows. Abutilone is able to withstand straight Sun rays, but only in small quantities. Therefore, in the summer, in extreme heat, it is advisable to shade the indoor maple.
Winter lighting. In winter, the handsome abutilon European conditions there is not enough daylight. If you want to achieve constant flowering, provide it with lighting.
Fresh air . In summer, home maple can be taken out onto the terrace or balcony. Abutilone will gladly accept fresh warm air. But it should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

The home maple tree does not tolerate drafts at all, so choose a “quiet” place for your green pet. Rain, slight winds and sudden changes in lighting can destroy the plant.

Temperature

Ropeweed develops better in cool conditions. Therefore, the plant is most often grown on glassed balcony or in the winter garden. Some botanists claim that abutilone is able to withstand short-term temperature drops to 0°C. But it is better not to create such shock conditions. The following conditions are suitable for indoor maple:

in summer – abutilon can easily withstand temperatures of +20 °C…+25 °C;
in winter – a significant decrease to +12 °C…+15 °C is required.

The rope plant does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. Therefore to winter regime it is necessary to accustom him gradually.

Watering

Abutilone is a big water lover. Provide it with sufficient watering, and the beautiful rope plant will delight you with its flowering all year round. But excess moisture, as well as deficiency, can destroy the plant. Abutilon will “like” such conditions.

Watering. In summer, the plant is watered abundantly, but not flooded. The soil should always be slightly damp. In winter, if the plant does not bloom, a slight drying of the soil is acceptable.
Spraying. Swimming is not considered compulsory. Indoor maple can completely do without spraying. But a plant that receives regular irrigation grows healthier and stronger. Abutilone especially needs spraying in winter, when the air is dried out by heating devices.

If the plant is exposed to the sun's rays, it is best to spray in the evening. Otherwise, droplets of water heated by the sun can cause severe burns.

Top dressing

Abutilone grows very quickly and spends its active development a lot of strength. Therefore, he needs feeding. Although he can do without additional food. Flower growers give two pieces of advice.

Regularity of feeding. Fertilizers begin to be applied in the spring and continue until late autumn. This procedure is repeated every 14-15 days.
The right fertilizers. Abutilone is suitable for mineral fertilizers intended for flowering crops. For example, “Pokon”, “Agricola”, “Emerald”, “Rainbow”, “Master”. Before flowering, it is recommended to pamper your green pet organic fertilizer– diluted bird droppings.

In winter, feeding is stopped if the indoor maple enters a dormant period. An actively flowering plant should not stop fertilizing.

Transfer

Abutilone requires regular transplants. This procedure begins in early spring, in the first days of March. Experts advise replanting indoor maple trees before new leaves appear. Correct transplant consists of the following six stages.

Preparing the pot. In order for the culture to develop and grow, it is necessary to take a larger pot. It is enough that the diameter of the pot is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.
Soil preparation. The Brazilian guest needs nutritious soil enriched with humus. To prepare the soil, you need to mix leaf soil, turf, peat, sand and humus. All components are combined in equal proportions. If you don’t want to prepare the soil yourself, then stock up on universal soil for your pet.
Preparing the plant. Carefully remove the abutilone from the old pot. If possible, shake off the soil, but do not damage the root system.
Drainage system. Place small pieces of polystyrene foam, pebbles or expanded clay at the bottom of a new pot.
Planting a plant. Plant the plant very carefully and carefully straighten the roots. This will allow abutilon to take root in the new pot much faster and easier. Water the plant thoroughly.
Aftercare. The question always arises: how to care for abutilone ( indoor maple) after transplantation? Flower growers claim that there are no special features in caring for a transplanted plant. Provide it with lighting, watering and periodic feeding.

Remember one feature of indoor maple. If you take a pot that is too large, flowering will not occur, since abutilone will devote all its energy to root growth. Amazing plant will delight you with inflorescences only if the entire lump of earth is entwined with roots.

Trimming

Indoor maple grows very quickly and can turn into a tree within a year. To provide him with a beautiful appearance and form a crown, flower growers advise pruning. This procedure is carried out twice a year, in the spring, before the start of the growing season, and in the fall, before hibernation. It is recommended to trim abutilon (indoor maple) as follows.

Autumn pruning. When the plant is preparing for the dormant period, around November, it is necessary to trim all the branches, forming a beautiful crown. If you don't do this, your pet will fill it very quickly. most premises.
Spring pruning. During the winter, some branches can become very elongated and get out of the general crown. To restore compactness to the Brazilian, it is recommended to trim such shoots.
Crown formation. In spring, it is necessary not only to trim long shoots, but also to pinch abutilon correctly. This is the only way to form a beautiful crown. Mark what size plant you would like to get, and carefully cut off everything that is higher. Trim the side branches to form a standard tree. And if you want to enjoy the bush, then side shoots should not be deleted.

Reproduction methods

The propagation process of abutilone is simple. To grow a new plant, gardeners root cuttings or plant seeds. The choice of method depends not only on personal preferences, but also on the characteristics of the Brazilian. Experts say that indoor maple, which has green foliage, can be propagated in any way. And variegated varieties can take root only by cuttings.

Seeds

If you decide to practice growing abutilone from seeds at home, then planting material can be purchased at a flower shop. If you already have an indoor maple, then it is better to wait until flowering ends and fruits that look like boxes appear. The seeds are carefully removed from them. Ripe planting material turns black. The seeds should “rest” in a dark place for one month. After this they can be planted. The propagation procedure by seeds includes the following points.

Seed preparation. The seeds are wrapped in a paper napkin and moistened with water. To improve germination, you can add a growth stimulator. Fitosporin will do.
Features of germination. Soaking continues for at least 12 hours. You can leave the seeds until long roots and green cotyledons appear. The better the seeds germinate, the more effectively they will take root.
Planting seeds. Future trees are planted in well-moistened soil in the same mixture as for an adult crop, to a depth of 5-6 mm.
Pet care. The container is covered with glass or film. The soil is regularly ventilated and moistened, preventing it from drying out. Pets must be provided with +20°C and sufficient lighting. To improve the germination of abutilons, it is recommended to water them with Energen solution. On days 14-25 you can admire the first shoots.
Diving of seedlings. When three leaves appear on the plants, they can be picked and transplanted into separate pots. When replanting, pay attention to the root. If it has a small number of side branches, then it is necessary to pinch off half of the main rod to ensure proper development.
Preparing for “adult life”. Young plants are again covered with film. But from time to time it is removed, gradually accustoming the abutilons to fresh air.

Cuttings

It is much easier to propagate this Brazilian from cuttings. Planting material remains after pruning and crown formation. From such shoots it is necessary to choose strong branches that will later produce healthy plants. The procedure for propagating abutilone from cuttings is quite simple.

Preparation of cuttings. To prevent future plants from rotting, all lower leaves of the selected branches are removed. It is recommended to cut off the tops with flowers or buds so as not to subject the cuttings to additional depletion. It is enough to leave three or four internodes.
Formation of roots. The prepared cuttings are placed in a jar of water. After some time, roots will appear on the shoots. To speed up this process, you can pour a growth accelerator into the water and cover the cuttings with film, providing them with a greenhouse effect.
Planting. When will it be formed root system, the cuttings are planted in the ground. The planting process is exactly the same as transplanting an adult plant.

Pests and possible diseases

Table - Abutilone problems and its treatment

What's happening	What is the reason	Recommended treatment
The leaves of the plant turn yellow, dry out, spots appear on the leaves	- The plant lacks microelements	- Feed with complex mineral fertilizers
The Brazilian is losing leaves, buds, flowers	- The flower is exposed to sudden temperature changes; - improper watering is carried out (both overmoistening and lack of moisture are possible)	- Normalize the temperature; - get accustomed to new conditions gradually; - ensure sufficient watering (the soil should be moistened, but not flooded)
Abutilon leaves turn yellow and gradually turn brown	- The flower is in a too hot and dry room	- Find another, less hot place for the plant; - increase crown spraying; - ensure sufficient irrigation; - place containers with water near the indoor maple tree
Abutilone does not bloom and its leaves dry out	- The plant does not have enough light; - affected by improper watering (shortage or excess water); - transplantation rules were violated and the roots were injured	- Move the green pet closer to the light; - accustom the plant to a new place gradually - review the irrigation system; - if the roots have rotted, then carefully replant the plant, cutting off all rotten areas and sprinkling them with wood ash; - give time for the plant to recover; - provide regular feeding and quality care
The leaves of the domestic maple gradually turn pale and curl	- The plant faces drafts; - the flower is cold; - excess watering led to rotting of the rhizomes	- Correct the conditions of “residence” of the Brazilian
A silver shine appears on the leaves, whitish dots appear on the underside	- Thrips attack	- Increase the humidity in the room; - place an insect trap tape nearby; - treat with the following preparations: “Agravertin”, “Aktellik”, “Karate”, “Confidor”, “Karbofos”, “Fitoverm”
The leaves of the plant turn yellow and cobwebs appear on them.	- There are spider mites	- Collect pests manually; - ensure high humidity in the room; - Spray regularly; - carefully cut off damaged sheets; - treat with the following preparations: “Fufanon”, “Agravertin”, “Neoron”, “Aktellik”, “Fitoverm”

Planning summer care for abutilone (cablewort) in a pot, use this advice. Wrap the pot in foil. This will protect the root system from overheating and excessive drying out of the earthen clod if the plant is on a southern windowsill.

Abutilon, or as it is also called house maple, actually belongs to the mallow plants. Despite its second name, it is not related to the real maples that almost everyone has seen. And he got his nickname thanks to a certain shape of the leaves, which are very similar in shape to maple leaves. This plant originally grew in the tropical and subtropical zones. That is why it loves light and warmth very much. If you provide the plant with these two conditions, then it will delight the eye of its owner every day. The rest is domestic maple.

In contact with

How to properly care for indoor maple at home?

As mentioned above, growing abutilone at home is quite simple:

Propagation of abutilone using cuttings

As mentioned above, the flower needs to be trimmed from time to time, but the trimmings do not have to be thrown away. They can be used as planting material. For this purpose, it is best to use cuttings with 2 - 3 internodes. This cutting can be rooted

Suitable pruning only needs to be freed from leaves growing from below, buds, and flowers.
After all the procedures, you should put the shoot in water and cover it with a plastic bag.
If you maintain the temperature environment close to 22 °C, then in less than a week thin, white roots will appear at the lower end of the shoot.
To prevent the plant from rotting during this period, you can throw activated or regular carbon into the water.
When the roots reach 5 cm, they can be replanted. young plant in a pot. It, in turn, should not exceed 6 - 8 cm in diameter. It is necessary to build good drainage at the bottom and add a little soil. After all the procedures, you can carefully plant the seedling in a new place.
The plant must be sprinkled with substrate, which must first be moistened. This should be done very carefully, as young roots may simply break.
Abutilone takes root within a few weeks. A clear sign that the flower is doing well will be the appearance of fresh leaves.

Rooted cuttings of abutilone

How to grow indoor maple from seeds?

If you have some special knowledge, then you can easily grow abutilon with only a couple of seeds. Before you start planting, you should remember that the seeds should be as fresh as possible, and the most favorable time for planting is spring.
Abutilone seeds The first thing to do is prepare the ground. It should be made as loose as possible and moistened abundantly. We should not forget that abutilone loves heat. If you want to prepare suitable soil yourself, then you need to have the following components:

leaf soil;
peat;
river sand;
perlite

It should be remembered that you should take about twice as much earth and sand as everything else. It is best to sift the soil - this will avoid a number of problems associated with picking in the future. For prevention, before sowing, you can treat the soil with a manganese solution to destroy harmful microorganisms. A small tray with low sides is best for planting seeds.

The second step is to prepare the seeds. If they are mature enough, they acquire dark color. Damaged seeds cannot be sown; they will not sprout. Before planting, they should be soaked in water or a special growth stimulator. Then you need to rub the grains just a little with the finest sandpaper to break the integrity of the shell, but in no case should you get carried away with this. This is followed by storing the seeds in a growth stimulator for 12 hours. After the seeds have already been placed in the soil, the tray should be covered protective film and place in a place where the temperature will remain around 24 °C. At the same time, you need to keep such a greenhouse in the light and constantly monitor the moisture of the soil.

When the first shoots appear, there may be a strong desire to remove the protective bag. You shouldn't do this. It is best to ventilate the greenhouse more often.

The most important thing now is to ensure maximum light flow. It is also very important to keep the area warm. Young plants should not be exposed to drafts.

When the time finally comes to use abutilone, you should act with extreme caution. The flower itself will show its first leaf and thereby tell the owner that it is time. For replanting, you need to choose a pot with a diameter of no more than 7 cm. There is no need to compact the soil in the new pot.

Plant pruning - when is it necessary to prune the abutilon trunk?

Ridding the plant of excess shoots is a prerequisite when it comes to abutilone. If the branches sank down under the weight of flowers and shoots, this is a clear sign that it’s time to start pruning. The most suitable period For timely pruning plants is November or December. Thus, the flower is prepared for winter. You can also prune it in March before the growing season begins. The rest of the time, the plant will also grow small shoots, which are also best removed.

Video on how to care for abutilone:

It is believed that Abutilon comes from Brazil, which is his homeland. However, in nature it can also be found on the African continent and in India, in tropical regions and subtropical zones.

Bloom

Abutilon produces many beautiful inflorescences that are shaped like a lantern or a bell. All varieties have bright colors that immediately catch the eye. The inflorescences can be different shades of red, lilac, orange, white and yellow. Many are decorated with clearly visible veins of a darker color.

At home, Abutilon is able to bloom, almost without interruption, all year long if it receives sufficient quantity Sveta.

The standard flowering period is from the second ten days of April to the end of November.

Types and varieties with photos

Abutilon Bella

Hybrid species with extended flowering period. Refers to miniature plants, growing only 30-50 cm in height. However, it differs large sizes flowers (up to 10 cm in diameter) and an open shape resembling a wide crinoline. U different varieties different colors. Flowers can be red, pink, yellow, burgundy with a satin surface of the petals.

Growing this species at home is very simple, because thanks to small sizes, Abutilon fits perfectly on the windowsill. This type shown in the photo below:

Abutilon megapotamian

A relatively small species, reaching no more than 70 cm in height. It is the parent of many hybrids. It has heart-shaped leaves of bright green color, covered with sparse hairs. The flowers are very beautiful and bright. Their shape resembles bells with yellow and red petals; at the base the color turns black. The pestle protrudes beyond the edges and stands out well large sizes And burgundy color.

Very unpretentious appearance, popular among gardeners.

It blooms for a fairly long period.

See photo below:

Ropeman of Theophrastus

An inconspicuous-looking annual weed with small flowers. It has a straight, slightly branched stem and heart-shaped leaves with a sharp tip. The ground parts are covered with sparse pubescence, so they are velvety to the touch. The flowers are small, no more than 10 mm in diameter, painted in a bright yellow or reddish color.

Propagates by self-sowing. One plant can produce up to 25-28 thousand seeds.

Abutilone hybrid

A large group of ornamental shrubs for home maintenance. The species includes evergreen plants of different sizes and a wide range of inflorescence colors. The leaves are large, single-colored or variegated. The flowers are drooping, funnel-shaped.

The group is very fond of light and water, like most tropical guests. You can see it clearly in the photo below:

Abutilon Sello

Another species for home breeding. Unpretentious perennial can grow more than 2 meters in height. It has large leaves reminiscent of maple and numerous bright inflorescences. This abutilon has always red flowers with pronounced burgundy veins.

Needs constant feeding and spraying, especially in the heat, which it does not tolerate well.

Its leaves immediately begin to lose turgor and hang in ugly rags.

Abutilone Darwin

Suitable for growing in greenhouses and greenhouses, as it can only grow in tropical humid climates.

It is difficult to keep at home due to its high growth (up to 3 m).

A shrub with numerous spreading branches covered with velvety large leaves of complex shape. The flowers are medium in size, grow singly in the axils, and are predominantly orange in color.

One of the parents of hybrid abutilone. The flowering period begins in April and lasts until October.

Abutilon striped (variegated)

A very decorative, variegated variety of abutilon. The leaves are dark green in color and covered with many yellow veins, which are the result of a transferred virus that gives such variegation. The flowers are yellow or pale orange, painted with red veins.

Propagation can only be done by cuttings; when using seeds, all the originality of color is lost.

Abutilone grape leaf

In adults it forms a tall and wide bush consisting of densely pubescent branches. The leaf blades are large, noble green in color, and consist of several lobes and a finely toothed edge. Inflorescences of lilac shades uncharacteristic for abutilons, often with pronounced veins of a darker color.

It begins to bloom a month later than other types of abutilon.

Abutilone suntense

A tall bush that can reach a height of 4 m. Due to this size, it is grown mainly in large greenhouses and winter gardens. The inflorescences are also large, about 10 cm in diameter. The color is lilac or bluish.

Home care

Growing from seeds

How to grow Abutilon from seeds at home? In general, it does not present any particular difficulties. It is necessary to prepare a container for planting - it is best wooden will do an oblong box with holes for drainage in the bottom. It is filled with a light, breathable substrate. You can use river sand, peat, vermiculite, moss, sawdust.

The seeds are sown evenly in the soil, covered with a layer of about 1 cm on top and thoroughly moistened.

The box should be placed in a mini-greenhouse or covered with glass; polyethylene film is also suitable. Seeds must germinate in conditions of constant humidity against a background of heat, which is why a greenhouse effect is created. Do not forget to constantly ventilate the greenhouse to avoid the formation of mold. If it does appear, cover it with wood ash. Boxes with seeds must be placed in a lighted place, for example on a windowsill.

Shoots should appear rather slowly - no earlier than 3-4 weeks after sowing. Then the greenhouse is removed, continuing to frequently water the substrate. When a pair of true leaves are formed, the abutilons are planted in individual pots. The sprouts of home maple take a long time to hatch, but then they grow very quickly. Therefore, over the summer they will have to be transplanted several times into a larger container.

Caring for seedlings is no different from caring for adult plants. At favorable conditions Abutilon content will bloom this year.

Temperature

Optimal conditions should not exceed 25° and be less than 15°. More heat causes foliage and inflorescences to wither, reducing their turgor and decorativeness.

The cold affects it even worse - the leaves will simply fall off.

Even in winter it is not recommended to keep abutilone in the cold. Under natural conditions, it always grows in warm conditions and does not require a pronounced dormant period. Remember that a tropical guest is terrified of sudden temperature changes and drafts!