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How Fast Does Clusia Grow – Complete Information

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Clusia is an evergreen plant. Most of its species are epiphytes. The birds carry seeds, which, once caught in the plexus of branches, begin to grow. 

First, aerial roots are formed, which help the plant attach to the tree’s bark. Gradually the root system grows, reaches the soil, and takes root in it. After a while, the host tree strongly compressed by the clusia dies.

The leaves of the plant are short petiolate, bare, leathery, and located opposite. It can reach twenty centimeters in length and about ten centimeters in width. 

The flowers have four to nine wax petals, which have a faint aroma and are painted in soft shades. This includes white, pink, yellow, and greenish-white. 

The fruit of the clusia is represented by a greenish-brown box, leathery, with a diameter of 5-8 cm. When ripe, it opens in the shape of a star, where the seeds are exposed, immersed in red pulp. The question comes, how far does clusia grow?

How Fast Does Clusia Grow
Clusia via Wikimedia

How Fast Does Clusia Grow?

This will depend on the species. Clusia rosea and clusia guttifera grow moderately fast. Clusia guttifera can grow to about 1.8 meters in height or even more. Pruning will help them grow faster. This goes to a height of up to 20 meters. However, properly pruning can make it grow a bit higher.

Ways To Breed Clusia Plant

  1. Cutting

Cutting is the most readily available method for breeding clusia.Cuttings 15-20 cm long are used from the tops of the shoots. They are soaked in a root former and placed in water or a sandy-peat mixture. 

For sprouts to develop, it is necessary to create greenhouse conditions. For this, containers are covered with polyethylene or glass and placed on a windowsill with diffused lighting.

The air temperature must be maintained within +25 degrees. Every day, you need to open the greenhouse for air access and humidify as needed for a few minutes. 

After about a month, new leaves begin to appear, which means that the seedlings can be planted in a permanent place of growth.

  1. Seeds propagation

Seed propagation is another way to breed clusia though it is much more a painstaking processIt will help if you start planting immediately after harvesting since the germination of seed material quickly disappears. 

The seeds are soaked in preparations that stimulate growth for a day, then left on a damp cloth to be absorbed. 

The dishes are filled with a mixture of peat and sand, well moistened, and half in length deepens the seeds. Cover with foil or glass and leave in a warm place where diffused light falls, not forgetting to ventilate.

  1. Layering

The filamentous air roots on the clusia, which nourish the plant the same way as ordinary roots, gradually grow and become very dense. Once this happens, the aerial stem can be cut from the parent shrub and planted in an individual container. 

For several days, the layers are shaded from the direct rays of the sun. Further, it is provided with the same care as an adult clusia.

Clusia rosea How Fast Does Clusia Grow
Clusia rosea via Wikimedia

Diseases That Attack Clusia When Growing

Clusia is considered one of the most disease-resistant indoor plants. However, if you miss something in the leaves, you can quickly attract trouble to yourself. This include:

  1. Clusia turns yellow

The reason is that not enough sunlight. After all, the very dark rooms of the clusia do not fit in any way.

  1. Fungal plaque on leaves, rot

This is a common problem when the plant is overly regretted and often watered. Remember that caring too much only hurts. Here the clusia should be transplanted into another pot and cut off all damaged areas of greenery; otherwise, the rot can go further because it’s a fungus.

  1. Harmful insects

When scale insects, spider mites, or worms appear on the clusia, they cause significant damage. This is immediately noticeable by holes that appear on the plant from which the juice was drunk. Then the plant begins to deform and wither.

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Conditions Necessary When Growing Clusia

  1. Lighting

Clusia needs a long day of light (from 10 to 12 hours), while the light must be diffused. Remember that in the period from 12 to 16 hours, the direct sun rays should not fall on the plant’s foliage in any case. 

If the lighting is too scarce, then the internodes of the bush will become elongated, which will make its appearance painful and untidy. 

It is best to grow the clusia at home on the east or west windowsill, but it can also be placed near the south window. To increase the duration of daylight hours, in the autumn-winter period and early spring, you will need to install artificial lighting.

  1. Temperature

It is good if the room does not get too hot. 20-25 °C is the best condition for keeping the clusia plant. But this is during the growth period. 

It is worth hardening the plant a little in winter and lowering the thermometer to 18-20 °C. In this way, the plant will rest and get ready for the next growing season.

  1. Watering

Watering should be moderate and relatively sparse. It is necessary to moisten the soil mixture in the pot only after it dries out to a depth of 1/3 or 1/2 part. 

Remember that the water in the root system should never stagnate, as this has a highly negative effect on the condition of the plant. 

The clusia should be watered only with well-settled for two days or with filtered water at room temperature. 

On hot summer days and in winter, when heating devices are working and the air is very dry, the plant’s foliage is moistened from a spray bottle with warm, well-settled, or filtered water.

  1. Humidity

The clusia also does not need additional moisture. This should only be done on very warm days, when the temperature is over 30 °C, or if the room has a frequent heater. Humidification occurs using a spray bottle with separated water at room temperature.

  1. Fertilizers

Clusia is famous for its fleshy leaves. And for it to be so, it is recommended to fertilize the soil two times a week from April to October. 

For this, mineral fertilizers are well suited with the simplest universal ones. But take a dose two times less than what is indicated on the package. Otherwise, you can spoil the crown of the leaves.


Conclusion

Clusia is an evergreen plant, most often grows as an epiphyte. The leaves are leathery and smooth to the touch and have a bright green color. 

Its flowers are small in size but have a pleasant smell, although it is difficult to catch the flowering. They open in the evening and close back in the morning. Now you know how first clusia grows.