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Leucadendron (Conebush) profile

Written by Maggie

Mar 19 2021

Leucadendron (Conebush) profile

Leucadendron (Conebush) is one of the most widely distributed varieties in the Ploutia family. It can adapt to different soil types and grows in mountains from sea level up to 2000 meters high. Leucadendron varies greatly in leaf and bract size and color. Leucadendron is dioecious, which is very rare in the Ploudia family, and its long flowering period, coupled with its colorful leaves and bracts surrounding the bracts, make it a very attractive garden tree. Under natural conditions, Leucadendron can grow to a height of 0.75m~2m. It can adapt to the warm winter climate in plains to snow and frost weather in mountains, making Leucadendron the main choice for horticultural cultivation.

Leucadendron picture

Leucadendron

Morphological characteristics of Leucadendron

Leucadendron is a multi-branched shrub with stout stems, shiny leaves and about 1 m tall at maturity. Its flowering season is long, and the flower is actually a ball surrounded by large, colorful bracts. 

The ecological habits of the Leucadendron

Leucadendron can adapt to different soil types and grows on mountains ranging from sea level up to 2000 meters high. Leucadendron is a multi-branched shrub with very strong roots that can sprout and grow quickly even after a fire. Under natural conditions, the Leucadendron can grow to a height of 0.75 to 2 meters. Variations in climatic conditions, such as warm winters in the plains to snow and frost in the mountains, can grow. And changes in leaves and bracts, from yellowish-green to bright orange-red, make Leucadendron the garden variety of choice. In addition, Leucadendron can adapt to intense pruning, can meet the needs of mass production of fresh-cut flowers.

Leucadendron propagation

Leucadendron is an evergreen shrub with luxuriant branches and leaves, large flowers, tall bracts and petals, extremely beautiful colors, long ornamental life, suitable for potted ornamental, is also an excellent cut and dried flower material. The soil for the seedlings needs to be well-drained. In the growing season, it needs a cool and dry climate in summer, an appropriate shade in the hot sun, and a suitable growth temperature is 27 degrees. In winter, it needs warm, sufficient sunshine and slightly higher air humidity environment. 

How to grow and care for Leucadendron

1. Temperature 

Temperature is an important factor in getting Leucadendron to flower. Leucadendron's favorite growth temperature is around 27 degrees, and the Leucadendron likes a large temperature difference between day and night. The Leucadendron is not hardy to the cold, unlike the traditional bulbous lilies or other varieties grown in China. Flower friends in the north need to put the Leucadendron indoors for maintenance in winter. Leucadendron is also afraid of high temperature and should be put in a cool place for maintenance in summer.

2. Illumination

Most of the plants native to South Africa are very fond of light, and Leucadendron is no exception. Leucadendron is fond of the growing environment with sufficient light. Flower friends pot Leucadendron and put it in the place with the most sufficient light for maintenance in spring and autumn and winter, but in summer, it should be shaded in high temperature to prevent sun exposure and sunburn Leucadendron.

3. Soil 

As for the soil of Leucadendron, Leucadendron does not have high requirements on the soil. Neutral soil with good drainage is OK. However, we should pay attention not to let the root system of Leucadendron water, because if the root system water, it is very easy to rot.

4. Trim

In the process of curing Leucadendron spend the friends, often to trim Leucadendron because Leucadendron itself can grow very strong and germination force is very strong, so in its whole growing period, take the friends saw not good or bad flower branches are cut down, cut down the branches or flowers can be used to make a flower arrangement, is also very beautiful.

Leucadendron

The species classification of Leucadendron

There are several species of Leucadendron, which vary greatly in growth morphology, leaf and bract color, flowering time, and so on. Some varieties are obtained by crossbreeding. "Sunshine" is the most famous Leucadendron hybrid, which has become an export flower in some countries; This is a tall, upright, luxuriant multi-branched shrub, which can grow to a height of 2.5 m; From autumn to late spring, Sunshine produces deep red bracts on its long stems, which open when it blooms to reveal a delicate, creamy core.

Leucadendron can "change" its leaves and bracts from yellowish-green to bright orange-red, making it a favorite for gardening. In addition, she can adapt to intense pruning, can meet the needs of mass production of fresh-cut flowers. 

"Chameleon."

Flowering: summer Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.5

The "chameleon" is a variety of colorful species that attract people's attention. The flowers are small to medium-sized and formed from a large ball of small bracts at the top of the plant. The males have orange to strawberry-red flowers and the females vary in color from green to multicoloured. As fresh-cut flowers, the female plants last slightly longer than the male ones." The chameleon grows up to 2m in height and can be grown in both dry and wet soil. It can withstand cold temperatures up to -4 ° C.

"Inca gold"

Scientific name: L. Salignum x L. Laureolum

Flowering: July to September Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.5

Hybrid, bright yellow color, red edge, very easy to grow, few pests and diseases.

"Hongxia"

Flowering stage: 12~ April of the second year Soil pH: 4.5~6.5

"Hongxia" is one of the widely distributed varieties in the royal flower family, which can adapt to most environments below the altitude of 2000m. "Hongxia" is a multi-branching shrub, which will constantly grow new branches from the rhizosphere during the growth process and can withstand cold up to -8℃.

The garden use of Leucadendron

Leucadendron is a perennial evergreen shrub plant with many flowering stems. Leucadendron can be grown in gardens or pots, as well as being an excellent cut flower and suitable for making dried flowers. The stamens in the bulb can be open for a long time, making it a dazzling sight in a garden for weeks and a long time as a fresh-cut flower. This is the real reason why Leucadendron is considered "unbeaten for a long time" by South Africans, and it is precise because of this that Leucadendron is loved and respected by the majority of domestic flowers and flower arrangement lovers. The flower is actually a ball, with a number of cores in the center and surrounded by large, colorful bracts. The size of the bulb varies from 12 to 30 centimeters in diameter.

Leucadendron