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Are you planning to grow a tradescantia nanouk plant in your garden and you are seeking counsel on the best ways to care for your plant? If you are, then this article will walk you through everything you need to know.
Tradescantia nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora), also known as Fantasy Venice, is a special type of spiderwort plant that is trendy to behold. It has different colourful stripes patterns that are pink, white, purple and green with its lush leaves on the upright stems.
However, to care for this plant, you must provide some essential requirements which we will be listing for you.
7 Best Ways To Care For Your Tradescantia Nanouk
Tradescantia nanouk is a trendy easy houseplant that requires numerous care and maintenance such as providing adequate water supply to the plant, exposing the plant to the right amount of sunlight, growing with the best suitable soil type, placing the plant in the temperature and humidity levels and many others.
Having known the basics, let’s discuss each of them in detail below.
1. Soil Type
The first thing that must be considered while caring for your tradescantia nanouk plant is ensuring that you grow them in the right suitable soil type.
The best suitable soil is well-draining potting soil that must contain bark, perlite, pumice, gritty sand, vermiculite, or other amendments.
This type of soil will allow oxygen to be maintained in the soil as the unavailability of such will affect the plant’s physiological processes which will lead to the plant not absorbing nutrients as it should.
However, if you don’t have mixed potting soil. You can create one yourself by using the necessary ingredients (such as 2 parts of all-purpose soil, 1 part of orchid bark and 1 part of perlite).
2. Light
This plant tends to thrive best when exposed in a place where there is bright indirect sunlight or faced a north- or east-facing window.
It must be exposed for 6-8 hours daily as it will help the plant to flower. It can also tolerate being exposed to direct sunlight for 1-2 hours. Though it isn’t recommended.
If your tradescantia nanouk plant does get enough indirect sunlight, it causes the leaves to turn green instead of its colourful bright purple or pink shade colour. So be mindful.
Read More: 7 True Low-Light Houseplants
3. Water
Just like every other houseplant, watering is an indispensable care that is of utmost importance to the growth of a plant.
So, you must water your tradescantia nanouk plant daily as well as avoid underwatering or overwatering the plant. That’s why it is advised that you should only water your plant only when the potting mix has completely dried off.
However, before watering your plant, ensure that your container or the pot has drainage holes as it will help the water to filter out through the holes especially when there is excess water. It is important to avoid overwatering your plant as it will lead to root rot as well as other fungus infections.
4. Ideal Temperature & Humidity
Not all environments are favourable to all plants, so you must grow and place your tradescantia nanouk plant at a place where it is suitable for growth.
The best temperature for your plant is between 65°F and 75°F (18°C and 24°C) and nothing more than that as it will cause some leaf damage to your plant especially when it is as low as 50°F(10°C). Ensure that you keep the temperature consistent and avoid getting it close to heat or draft.
Furthermore, the humidity level for your tradescantia nanouk must be between 25-50%.
However, if you are residing in a place where the humidity level is low, you might invest in a humidifier or place your tradescantia nanouk pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water.
Optionally, you can place your plant on your bathroom window and avoid spraying shower water on it.
5. Fertilizing
The best suitable fertilizer is the use of a balanced fertilizer diluted to half-strength or an organic/houseplant fertilizer as it will be easily absorbed into the soil.
However, you should feed your plant with fertilizer especially when it is actively growing and stop after the growing season is over. The continuation will only result in harming the plant and blocking the pores.
If you constantly repot your plant yearly, there wouldn’t be any need to fertilize the plant as the nutrients will still be fully intact.
Furthermore, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid causing harm to your plant.
6. Repotting
It is advisable to repot your plant once every year to renew the plant and the soil’s nutrients. It can also be done when you notice that your old plant has overgrown the pot or container in which it was planted in.
To repot your tradescantia nanouk plant, follow these steps below.
A. Get a container or pot that is one size larger than the old pot.
B. Fill the pot one-third with fresh and well-draining soil.
C. Take out the plant from the pot and intertwist out the football that must have intertwined together.
D. Inspect the root for any dead part or rotten part and if found, cut it off with a clean and sharp pruning shear.
E. Place your new plant in the middle of the new pot (which must have drainage holes to filter out excess water and fill one side of the pot with well-draining, porous soil.
F. Press the potting soil and water it.
7. Propagation
Propagating your tradescantia nanouk plant is very important for the growth of the plant. There are different methods to be used but the easiest method is through stem cutting. This can be done by following these steps:
A. Firstly, take a few inches long stem cutting of Tradescantia nanouk with the use of a pair of scissors. Be mindful to only cut just below the node of the leaf.
B. However, to increase your chances of the method being successful, you should cut more stems.
C. Place at least 2 nodes cutting into a container with fresh water while keeping the leaves up above the water.
D. Ensure that you place the cuttings in a place with bright indirect sunlight.
E. Do well to replace the water of the plant once a week and watch out for new roof growth.
F. Check in on the root in about 3-4 weeks when it will be 1-2 inches, then you can transfer the stem from the water into the soil.
Common Tradescantia Nanouk Plant Problems
Tradescantia nanouk are susceptible to some common problems such as the infestation of pests and diseases which can hinder the growth of the plant. Some of these common problems include the following:
1. Mealybugs
One of the common pests that can affect the tradescantia nanouk plant is the mealybug. It arises when the environment where you must have placed the soil is warm and dry.
However, the systems of the infestation of this pest on your plant Include noticing a sticky honeydew on the branches and leaves of your plant. This honeydew an attract insects and fungi.
So to get rid of this plant, you can clean off the honeydew with a cotton ball that has been soaked in alcohol or an organic solution.
Furthermore, if it is not effective, you can result in spraying the plant with neem oil.
2. Spider Mites
Another pest that can affect your tradescantia nanouk plant is spider mites. They manifest when the soil or the plant is weak and allowed to dry out completely. Your soil is supposed to be moisturized at all times.
To get rid of this pest, spray your plant with neem oil and try to increase or adjust the humidity level of the environment.
3. Root And Leaf Rot
Root rot or leaf rot is caused by the overwatering of the plant. When it occurs, you will notice that the foliage will be yellowish and wilting. The root will also be smelly and mushy.
To remedy this problem, you need to observe your plant and avoid overwatering it. Also, you need to increase the amount of sunlight and add some amendments to the soil to provide more oxygen for the roots.
4. Loss Of Leaf Color
This symptom occurs in your plant when it has been exposed to enough bright indirect light, its leaves will start to lose their purplish colour and turn green.
To remedy the problem with your plant, you should move the plant closer to the window or any space where the plant will be exposed to sunlight.
5. Yellow Spots
These usually appear on the leaves caused by spider mites. It looks like foliage and white webbing on the leaves.
To get rid of these spots, spray oil on the affected spot or you can use a high-powered water stream to remove the mites from the leaves.
FAQs
1. Are Tradescantia Nanouk Easy To Care For?
Tradescantia Nanouk is an easy-growing plant that doesn’t take much stress to care for and maintain.
All you have to do is to provide it with adequate maintenance requirements and watch out for any infestation of pests.
2. Should I Mist Nanouk?
Yes, it is important to mist your tradescantia nanouk plant as it will help to remove dust from their leaves and keep brown tips at bay.
3. Where Is The Best Place To Put A Tradescantia?
The best place to keep your tradescantia nanouk plant is in the bathroom or kitchen as it does best in a slightly more humid environment with a temperature between 60-80°F.
4. How Do I Get My Nanouk To Bloom?
The temperature needs to be within 60-85°F degrees in order to promote blooming and encourage their plants.
Conclusion
Caring for your tradescantia nanouk plant is quite easy when you provide all the essential requirements that it needs to thrive and have healthy growth.
However, for all your care to be productive, you must ensure that you watch out for any sign of pest infestations or any slight sign of diseases. When you notice any of both, ensure that you remedy the situation immediately to avoid more damage.
We hope you have learnt everything about the best way to care for your tradescantia nanouk plant. For further clarity, do well to comment below.
