Pittosporum TOBIRA

Pittosporum TOBIRA - Japanese cheesewood, Japanese mock orange, Tobira pittosporum.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

The genus Pittosporum of the family Pittosporaceae is represented by evergreen shrubs, less often trees with a dense crown. These are plants of the dry subtropics, for which conditions are quite easy to recreate. Japan and China are considered their homeland, as is easily guessed from the "oriental" appearance and picturesque habit of the plant.

In nature, they grow up to only 2 m (6.6 ft) in shrub form (up to 5 m (16.4 ft) as trees). Indoor mock oranges are limited to a maximum height of two meters (6.6 ft), and even then they reach such sizes only in the absence of shaping. The bush grows quite slowly; adult cheesewoods add only a few centimeters (inches) of length per year. The crown density of these plants is second to none, and it remains unchanged not only when grown outdoors in countries with mild climates, but also in indoor or greenhouse culture.

Strong, flexible shoots with smooth bark are combined in the plant with densely arranged, glossy, leathery, obovate leaves. Shiny leaves at the ends of the branches are gathered in whorled clusters, which gives the plant a special ornamental elegance.

The flowers are quite large, up to 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter. The snow-white coloration upon opening gradually changes to creamy light yellow, and in a single inflorescence one can admire flowers of different shades. It has a pleasant, delicate, and subtle aroma. The plant does not produce solitary flowers, showing off convex, dense corymbs of inflorescences from April (and sometimes March) until the end of June. For the first time, flowering can be observed only at five years of age, and sometimes even later.

After flowering, one can observe the process of gradual ripening of three-valved capsules. The seeds are covered with a sticky resinous secretion and are colored in quite a bright shade of orange.

Tobira cheesewood is a compact and dense evergreen shrub. In indoor culture, the plant never reaches its natural multi-meter height, limiting itself to a maximum of 150 cm (59 in). The shoots are strong and thin, forming a flat crown. Obovate, elongated, with a keeled base and rounded tip, the leathery leaves of this species boast a muted glossy gray-green coloration against which the pale central vein shines through. Flowering in terminal corymbs of white or cream, fairly large fragrant flowers about 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter starts in mid-spring and lasts until July.

Seeds are sown on the surface or with slight indentation into a mixture of turf soil, leaf soil, and sand, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light but not in direct sun at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Excessive moisture and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

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The optimal location for the plant is east and west windows, but it will also feel quite good on a north-facing windowsill. The shrub's leaves must be protected from direct sunlight; shading does not affect the attractiveness of the foliage.

At the budding and flowering stage, any reduction in light affects the setting and development of flower buds. It is better to rotate the crown regularly relative to the light source. Variegated forms are more sensitive to the stability and intensity of lighting.

It prefers to grow and develop in cool conditions. It tolerates heat and air temperature fluctuations poorly. In living rooms it feels quite good, but only if the temperature does not exceed 23 °C (73 °F). Optimal temperatures are from 18 °C to 21 °C (64-70 °F).

The plant achieves maximum decorativeness only if provided with a cool winter dormancy. For the winter period, it is better to move it to rooms with a temperature from 10 °C (50 °F) to a maximum of 13 °C (55 °F). Deviation from the recommended parameters leads to slower growth. Lowering the temperature below 10 °C (50 °F) is detrimental to the root system, whereas the above-ground part can withstand even light frosts.

It requires restrained, moderate watering. It does not tolerate water stagnation, waterlogging of the soil, or excessively heavy watering. In summer at ordinary temperatures, it is watered frequently but without excess, and during the winter dormancy period watering is significantly restricted. At high temperatures, spraying is carried out. It is very sensitive to stagnation and lack of fresh air. Rooms must be ventilated regularly, protecting the plant itself from cold drafts.

It needs supplemental feeding with complex fertilizers for flowering houseplants throughout the entire year. During the dormancy period, infrequent feedings maintain high crown decorativeness all year round. During the active growth period, fertilizer is applied once every 2 weeks. In autumn and winter, feeding is carried out once a month.

The plant tolerates virtually any pruning very well, which expands the possibilities of using it in interiors of various styles.

Pittosporum does not like peat, and its content in the substrate should be minimal. A universal potting soil mix is quite suitable for the plant. The optimal soil reaction is pH 5.5 to 6.0. If mixing the substrate independently, it is best to use a mixture of sand, humus, turf soil, leaf soil, and peat in a ratio of 1:1:4:2:0.5, or a mixture of equal parts sand, turf soil, and leaf soil.

Repotting is carried out regularly. Up to four years of age - annually, in early spring; after 4 years - every two years, replacing the top layer of substrate in containers in the year when repotting is not carried out. Only one repotting method is permissible - potting on with complete preservation of the root ball. Contact with the roots can lead to the death of the plant. A deep layer of drainage must be placed at the bottom of the new container. After repotting, the plant should be placed in mild, controlled conditions with high air humidity.