Overview
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey is a flowering plant species in the family Asteraceae. It is an endemic plant that is found only in Hawaii.
Common Names
The common name for Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey is Rock's niihau aster.
Appearance
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey is a small shrub or subshrub that can grow up to 2 meters tall. The leaves are green, lanceolate, and measure around 1-5 cm in length. The flowers are white or pale pink and measure around 2.5 cm in diameter. The capitula of the flower are surrounded by phyllaries, which are green in color, lanceolate, and measure 2-3 mm in length.
Uses
The traditional Hawaiian people used the plant for weaving baskets and hats. The plant is also used for medicinal purposes.
Overall, the Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey is a unique and beautiful species with cultural and medicinal uses.Light Requirements
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum requires direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours a day, but it can also tolerate partial shade. If grown indoors, it is important to provide enough artificial light that simulates natural sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
This plant variety prefers temperatures ranging between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. During the winter months, it is important to protect the plant from cold drafts and keep it in a warm location.
Soil Requirements
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum requires well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The pH levels of the soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally between 5.5 to 7.5. A good soil mix would consist of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. It is also important to add compost to the soil to enhance its fertility.
Watering Requirements
This plant variety requires regular watering, but make sure not to overwater it. Allow the top layer of the soil to dry out before watering again. During the winter months, reduce watering to allow the plant to enter into dormancy.
Cultivation Methods for Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey
When cultivating Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey, it is best to replicate its natural habitat. This species of plant prefers warm, dry environments and well-draining soil. You can grow this plant in a container or in the ground when cultivating it.
Watering Needs for Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey has low to moderate water requirements. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can be fatal to the plant. It is best to water this plant after the soil has dried out. When growing this plant in a pot, ensure that the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. During the summer, when temperatures are high, and the air is dry, mist the plant's leaves to increase the humidity around it and provide relief from the heat.
Fertilizing Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey
Fertilize Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey with a low-nitrogen fertilizer once a month during the growing season. The fertilizer should be applied at half the recommended strength. Avoid fertilizing the plant during the dormant season. Over-fertilizing the plant can burn the roots and cause damage.
Pruning Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey does not require regular pruning. However, you should remove any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves or stems immediately. Prune the plant back to half its size once every three years to stimulate new growth and prevent it from becoming too woody. When pruning, use sharp and sterile pruning tools to avoid introducing infections into the plant.
Propagation of Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey can be propagated through both sexual and asexual methods. Some of the commonly used propagation methods for this plant are as follows:
Sexual Propagation
One common method of propagating Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey is through sexual propagation. This involves the use of seeds, which can be obtained from mature plants. The seeds of this plant can be collected by hand when they have turned brown and have matured completely. It is important to ensure that the seeds are clean and free from disease before propagation.
The seeds of Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey can be sown directly into the ground or grown indoors in seed trays. The seeds should be planted in well-drained soil and watered regularly. The best time to sow the seeds is during the spring season when the temperature is warm.
Asexual Propagation
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey can also be propagated through asexual methods such as cuttings and layering. Here are some details about each method:
Cuttings
Cuttings involve taking stems from mature plants and rooting them to create new plants. For Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey, it is best to take cuttings during the spring season when the plant is growing actively. The cuttings should be taken from the new growth and should be around 8-12 cm long. The cuttings should be dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a sandy mixture. It is important to keep the soil moist and to maintain a warm temperature for successful rooting.
Layering
Layering involves taking a stem from the plant and rooting it without separating it from the parent plant. This method is useful in cases where taking cuttings may not be possible, or when one wants to create a new plant without impacting the parent plant. For Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum (St. John) Lowrey, layering is done in the summer season when the plant is in active growth. The stem is bent towards the ground and a section of it is buried in soil, leaving the tip exposed. Roots will develop from the buried section, and eventually a new plant can be separated from the parent plant.
Disease Management
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum is generally a hardy plant, but it can still suffer from a few diseases. Here are some common diseases that may affect the plant and some management practices to control them:
- Root Rots: The plant can suffer from root rots caused by fungi such as Pythium and Phytophthora. These fungi thrive in wet soil conditions, so ensuring proper drainage and avoiding overwatering can help prevent root rot. If the plant is already infected, fungicides such as fosetyl-al or mefenoxam can help control the disease.
- Leaf Spot: The plant may get affected by leaf spot diseases caused by fungi such as Cercospora. The spots on the leaves are circular or oval and can be brown or black. Leaf spot can be prevented by avoiding overhead watering and providing good air circulation. The infected leaves should be removed and destroyed, and fungicides containing mancozeb can be used to control the disease.
Pest Management
Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum is not generally prone to serious pest problems. But here are some of the common pests that may affect the plant and some management practices to control them:
- Aphids: Aphids can attack the plant by sucking the sap from the leaves. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew which can attract ants and cause fungal growth. The infested leaves can be washed with a strong jet of water to remove the aphids, or insecticidal soap can be used. Biological control methods such as ladybugs and lacewings can also be used.
- Spider Mites: Spider mites can infest the plant in hot and dry conditions. They cause discoloration of the leaves and fine webbing on the plant. Spider mites can be controlled by washing the leaves and increasing the humidity around the plant. Insecticidal soaps or oils can also be used.
Regular inspection of the plant and prompt action can help prevent or control these diseases and pests and ensure that Tetramolopium rockii Sherff var. calcisabulorum remains healthy and beautiful.
