How to Grow Pilea cadierei? Detailed Guide to Care Methods and Precautions
Pilea cadierei, also known as transparent grass, white-through grass, aluminum-leaf grass, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Pilea in the family Urticaceae. Its leaves have beautiful patterns and its plant shape is bushy and elegant. It is relatively shade-tolerant and can be placed long-term on tea tables or flower stands with scattered light. It can also be combined with other plants, or hung as a hanging basket in a corner or conspicuous spot. Let's take a look at the care methods and precautions for Pilea cadierei!
Growth Habits of Pilea cadierei
Pilea cadierei prefers a warm, humid climate and loose, fertile sandy soil. The suitable growing temperature is 15°C to 25°C, and in winter it must not go below 5°C. It is produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Sichuan, southern Gansu, southern Shaanxi, southern Henan, southern Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian and Taiwan, China. It grows in valleys, beside streams or in shaded, damp places under forests, at an altitude of 300-1500 m. It is also distributed in Japan and Vietnam.
Propagation Methods of Pilea cadierei
1. Division: Pilea cadierei has a very strong clumping habit. When repotting and changing the soil, the entire clump can be divided into several parts and potted separately. At the same time, the old stems can be cut back, keeping 2-3 nodes at the base of the stems. After they survive, the axillary buds will quickly sprout and produce new side branches.
2. Cuttings: Mostly in May, use the top of the stem as a cutting. The medium is river sand or vermiculite. Under suitable temperature conditions, roots develop in about 10 days. After the new shoots grow 3 cm to 5 cm, pot them in sandy soil, water thoroughly to settle the roots, and switch to normal management.
Care Methods for Pilea cadierei
1. Soil: The potting soil for Pilea cadierei is best a loam rich in humus, loose and fertile. Keep the potting soil moist, but not overly wet, otherwise the roots easily rot. It has a relatively high requirement for air humidity. Use mainly decomposed organic fertilizer and do not apply too much urea. If there is too much nitrogen fertilizer, it easily grows leggy, which is not good for a beautiful plant shape. When phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are insufficient, the markings on the leaves tend to fade.
2. Light: Pilea cadierei is an indoor flower with very beautiful leaf color. It is very shade-tolerant, but prefers sufficient light, and direct strong light should be avoided. In summer, place the pot by a north window; in winter, place it by a south window. If the light is too dim, the leaf color will fade. If the sunlight is too strong, the leaves will be scorched. The optimum growing temperature is 18-22°C, and the overwintering temperature should not be lower than 7°C.
3. Fertilizer and water: For Pilea cadierei, keep the potting soil dry without cracking and moist without being soggy. In summer, frequently spray water on the leaf surface to keep the leaves clean and glossy. In winter, spray less water on the leaf surface, otherwise black spots will appear on the leaves, or even blackening and rot. During the growing period, apply a 20% or 30% nitrogen liquid fertilizer about once every two weeks to promote robust growth. After autumn, increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to strengthen the stems and prevent lodging.
4. Pruning: Pilea cadierei tolerates pruning. After the cutting seedlings are potted, pinch the tips once. When the new side branches grow to 4 leaves, keep 2 leaves and pinch again. Repeating this can form a full, hemispherical plant shape with many branches. When the old plant grows too tall, during spring repotting keep 2-3 nodes at the base and cut back hard. After new branches emerge, pinch the tips 2-3 times, and a short, compact plant shape can be formed again.
5. Pests and diseases: Pilea cadierei commonly suffers from leaf spot disease, which can be prevented by spraying 200-times Bordeaux mixture. If the potting soil is too wet, root rot easily occurs, and it can be watered with 1000-times Topsin solution. If root-knot nematodes are found, 3% carbofuran can be applied for control. If there are scale insects, spray with 1000-times 40% omethoate solution to kill them. If scarab beetles bite the leaves, they can be caught manually or sprayed with 1000-times trichlorfon solution.
Precautions for Pilea cadierei
1. Pilea cadierei should be repotted at least once a year in spring. During the growing period, fertilize about once a week, applying nutrient solution once.
2. When Pilea cadierei has been cultivated for too long and its growth becomes slow, it should be pruned in time, otherwise the ornamental effect will be reduced.
3. Pilea cadierei likes relatively strong scattered light. In summer, block more than 70% of the sunlight. If the sunlight is too strong, the leaves will be scorched. In winter, no shading or only slight shading is needed.
4. When overwintering, the temperature for Pilea cadierei should be kept above 13°C. Long-term temperatures below 10°C will cause damage, but a short time at around 5°C will not cause damage.
5. Pilea cadierei likes a humid environment. Keep the potting soil moist and the air humidity relatively high. In dry seasons, frequently spray water on the surrounding environment or the leaf surface.