Aucuba rozannie is a stunning houseplant that's easy to care for. It has beautiful variegated leaves and can even tolerate low light conditions.
Related plant:
Aucuba Japonica Crotonifolia
Related plant:
Aucuba Japonica
About soil condition, Aucuba rozannie prefers humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, and can tolerate part shade to full shade. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is very tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed.
Just like other types of aucuba, the Rozannie cultivar requires some sun to bring out its best coloration in the leaves. Too much sun, however, will scorch the leaves and cause them to drop. For this reason, it is best to plant Rozannie aucuba in an area that receives dappled sunlight or filtered sun for a portion of the day.
The temperature condition that is best for aucuba rozannie is cool to warm temperatures. They can tolerate some cold, but not freezing temperatures. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight and do not like direct sun. They also like humidity, so a room with a bathroom or kitchen is ideal. If the temperature gets too hot, they will start to drop leaves.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate low light. These plants are known to be fairly drought tolerant, however, they will benefit from being misted every so often. Allow the top couple inches of soil to dry out in between waterings.
For the fertilizer, this plant does best with a low nitrogen fertilizer such as a 5-10-5. Apply the fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer. Be sure to water the plant well after applying the fertilizer. As for the roots, this plant is shallow-rooted and does best in moist, well-drained soils.
Pruning is a crucial part of maintaining your Aucuba rozannie. Without regular pruning, your plant will become overgrown and unmanageable. Luckily, Aucuba rozannie is a very forgiving plant and can tolerate heavy pruning. In fact, many gardeners recommend pruning this plant quite aggressively to encourage new growth. When pruning your Aucuba rozannie, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. Make sure to make your cuts at a 45 degree angle, cutting just above a node. You can prune your plant as often as needed to keep it under control. Just be sure not to prune more than one-third of the plant at a time.
Propagation is best achieved through softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be taken from young, vigorous shoots that are around 10-15cm (4-6in) in length. Use a sharp knife or secateurs to make a clean cut just below a leaf node, then remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut end of the cutting into hormone rooting powder and insert it into a pot of moistened propagating compost. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or propagator lid to maintain high humidity. Keep the pot at a constant temperature of 21-24C (70-75F) until rooted cuttings are produced, which should be within 4-6 weeks. Once the new plants are well rooted, pot them on into individual pots and grow them on in a cool, light position. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7-10 days before planting them out into their permanent positions in late summer or early autumn.
Usually, the plant growth rate is in full sun to partial shade, with the best growth in partial sun. They prefer moist, well-drained soil but will tolerate some drought once established. This shrub can be propagated by seed, softwood or hardwood cuttings, or layering.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, root rot, and leaf spot. These problems are caused by fungi and bacteria that are present in the soil and air. They can be controlled by using fungicides and bactericides.
Source:
Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: Aucuba—UC IPM - ucanr.edu
Kialo Edu - The tool to teach critical thinking and rational debate
CaliforniaColleges.edu