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Crotons for colour
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With adequate water and sunlight, crotons can add variety and colour to gardens
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Fine follage: Rarely do we find gardens without crotons
GOING BY the botanical name Codiaeum, Joseph's Coat is the apt name given to this commonly found croton. A long standing symbol of traditional gardens, this native of Malaysia has for long been a fixture in the plant diary of gardeners.
Prone to grow several metres in height if unchecked, a bushy appearance can be obtained by regular trimming. The plants add immense colour to gardens with their multi-coloured foliage that varies from red, to orange, yellow, green, white and brown.
Intricate veins
Intricate veining and spotting of leaves are an extra delight. Further, the leaves vary in shape and can be lance-shaped, spoon-shaped, etc. branching thinly and sometimes twisted like ribbons. With so much variety of form and colour, it is no wonder that the name Joseph's Coat, which at once takes us back to that Biblical character Joseph who wore a many coloured coat, has been given to the plant. Mature plants throw out thin flower stalks that are not very significant.
Crotons require plenty of water, heat and bright light to bring out the leaf colour. A uniform dull leaf colour will be produced if heat and light are insufficient. An NPK mix fed once a month will do wonders for the plants. Though hardy, tiny spiders are a common menace. A weak pesticide spray can be used with effect, failing which regular cutting away of infected stems and leaves could be the answer to anti-chemical measures.
Raised from cuttings
As cuttings are a little difficult to root, it is better to have many cuttings to a pot, in the attempt to propagate these beautiful plants.
Codiaeum hybrids are many. Collecting the croton can be an obsession, as the hunt never ends for the numerous varieties that are in existence. A perfect tall border plant, or an individual large specimen, the croton is a boon to any garden.
RUPA GOPAL
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