China Doll (Serpent Tree, Emerald Tree)

Emerald tree (Serpent tree) - Radermachera sinica.
Fast growth and unpretentiousness.
Perennial. A magnificent decorative foliage plant. Reaches a height of up to 1.5 m.
An evergreen indoor tree with delicate foliage will enliven the interior of any room. It is characterized by fast growth and unpretentiousness. It tolerates dry air well and does not require frequent spraying.
Young plants have heart-shaped leaves with cut edges. Adults have complex leaves consisting of oval pointed leaflets, glossy, located horizontally, in "tiers".
Prefers bright diffused light, can grow in light partial shade. Grows well on windows facing west and east.
Watering in the summer is abundant, without stagnant moisture in the pan. During the period of active growth from April to August, every two weeks they are fed with complex fertilizers for indoor plants. The temperature in the summer is moderate, in winter not lower than +13 °C.
The best time for sowing seeds is spring. The soil mixture consists of turf, leaf soil and sand (1:2:1). Surface sowing in mini-greenhouses. Seedlings appear on the 20th day. After two to three weeks, they are transplanted into separate containers.

Growing conditions.
Sowing - all year round. Seeds germinate at an optimal temperature of +22°C on the 18-24th day. At the age of 4-6 weeks, seedlings are picked into separate pots.
Growing at a moderate temperature. Fertilizing during the period of active growth and abundant watering are desirable, but without waterlogging the soil.

Homeland: China. Growing temperature: In winter +12+18ºС, in summer +20+22ºС.
Light: bright diffused, partial shade.
Watering: with soft water. In winter and summer - moderate.
Air humidity: spray periodically
Replanting: annually in spring, pot 2 sizes larger.
Soil mixture: turf soil, leaf soil and sand (1:1:1).
Top dressing: spring-summer - 1 time in 2 weeks with mineral and organic fertilizers, winter-fall - 1 time per month.
Pruning: pinch for bushiness.
Pests: scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites, aphids.
Reproduction: in spring by cuttings or seeds.
Technology of propagation by cuttings.
Cut off healthy cuttings with a sharp knife, remove lower leaves. Fill the pot with a damp mixture, press down and make depressions with a peg. Plant the cuttings in the depressions, deepening them to the first leaf, and carefully press the soil around them. Cover the planted cuttings with a transparent bag and put them in a warm place (the soil temperature should be +23+25°C). When new leaves appear, remove the bag and let the plants acclimatize. Plant the rooted cuttings 1-2-4 pieces in one pot. After a few weeks, pinch the tops.
Care features.
In summer, you can take them out into the open ground. The plant reacts to tobacco smoke by shedding its leaves. The tops of the leaves dry out, areas of dry tissue appear on the plates and petioles - low air humidity. The plant grows poorly, young leaves are small - poor soil. The stems stretch out, the leaves are small and pale - not enough light.

Eng.: China Doll, Serpent Tree, Emerald Tree. Bot.syn.: Stereospermum sinicum Hance.