How to Care for Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) Indoors
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Botanical name: Tradescantia x andersoniana
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Blushing Maid Tradescantia, Blushing Bride Tradescantia
Description
Blushing Maid Tradescantia ((Tradescantia x andersoniana)) also called Blushing Bride Tradescantia is a trailing, tender perennial plant which bears pink and white variegated new growth.
When mature the Blushing Bride Tradescantia leaves turn completely green. It is advisable to cut it back regularly to encourage the new growth of pink and white variegated foliage.
Blushing Bride Tradescantia grows to a height of 6-10 inches and reaches 4-5 feet across. It is perfect for a hanging basket.
The flowers in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are three-petaled, colored white and tinged with lilac pink.
Where to Buy
Beautiful and healthy Blushing Bride Tradescantia are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Blushing Maid (Bride) Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) online from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Crocus
Tradescantia x andersoniana Care Indoors
Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) thrives in bright, indirect light, warm room temperatures and consistently moist fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Tradescantia x andersoniana requires pruning to keep it neat, to control growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is necessary when it becomes extremely pot-bound. Continue reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Blushing Maid Tradescantia grows best in bright, indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Blushing Bride Tradescantia can also grow under a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Watering
Water Blushing Maid (Bride) Tradescantia thoroughly during the growing season and maintain the soil moist at all times.
Cut down on watering during the cold weather to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.
Temperature
Average warmth with a minimum 130C is ideal for Blushing Maid Tradescantia. It is known to be quite cold tolerant.
Keep the plant away from draughts as they can cause sudden temperatures changes which can lead to leaf drop and reduced growth.
Humidity
Blushing Maid (Bride) Tradescantia has no need for high humidity. Moderate (average) air humidity is ideal for this Plant.
However, where the temperatures are too high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Blushing Maid Tradescantia with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing period for lush growth.
Withhold feeding during the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Blushing Maid Tradescantia during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound with the roots growing through the drainage holes.
Use a a pot one size larger than the current one and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil which can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.
Soil
The best soil for Blushing Maid Tradescantia should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Buy quality Potting Mix for Blushing Bride Tradescantia from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Blushing Maid Tradescantia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.
To control the growth and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cut back leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Blushing Maid (Bride) Tradescantia propagation can be done during the growing period by plant divison or from stem-cuttings. We have outlined herebelow these two methods of propagation.
How to propagate Blushing Maid Tradescantia by plant division
Water the Blushing Maid Tradescantia thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least one set of leaves.
Select a 6 or 8 in. pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with loose, free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new Blushing Bride Tradescantia is well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Blushing Maid Tradescantia from stem cuttings
The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting from a healthy Blushing Maid Tradescantia of about 4-6 in. and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.
Fill your rooting container with loose, free-draining soil to a depth of about 4 in. Lightly moisten the soil.
With a pencil or similar object make a hole that is wider than the diameter of the cutting. Carefully insert the cutting in the hole made previously to a depth of about 3 in.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.
Allow the new Blushing Bride Tradescantia to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.
Photo Credit: ebay
Tradescantia x andersoniana Problems Indoors
Blushing Maid (Bride) Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) problems indoors are caused by cultural faults like improper watering, improper feeding and inadequate light. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Loss of leaf color (variegation)
Loss of leaf color or variegation in Blushing Maid Tradescantia is caused by inadequate light (too little light).
Move the Blushing Bride Tradescantia to a brighter spot, as it grows best in bright indirect light but away from direct sunshine or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Dropping leaves
Blushing Maid Tradescantia will readily drop its leaves if the light is inadequate (too little).
Ensure to place the Blushing Bride Tradescantia in a brightly lit place while protecting it from direct hot sunshine to avoid scorching of the leaves or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Leggy growth (elongated stems)
There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Blushing Maid Tradescantia. One possible cause of leggy growth in your Blushing Maid Tradescantia is too little light.
Position the plant in a brighter spot as it needs bright, indirect light to thrive or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
The second cause of leggy growth in Blushing Bride Tradescantia is underwatering resulting too little moisture in the soil and thus the plant does not get enough water and nutrients necessary for growth.
Maintain the soil moist at all times and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third cause of leggy growth in Blushing Maid Tradescantia is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed the plant once a month with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
Limp stems, yellow and spotted leaves
Limp stems, yellow and spotted leaves in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are due to underwatering. Maintain the soil moist at all times and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Diseases
Common diseases in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are root-rot disease and leaf spot. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat the plant appropriately for the disease.
Pests
Common pests in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are Mealy Bugs, Aphids and Scale Insects. Isolate the affected plant and treat appropriately. Mist the leaves regularly to reduce infestation by these pests. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Is Blushing Maid Tradescantia toxic?
Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) is mildly toxic to humans and pets.
If ingested, the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth, tongue and throat. The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling Blushing Bride Tradescantia.
