ESCHINANTHUS: GROWING AND CARING AT HOME

Eschinantus (Aeschynanthus) - an evergreen decorative leaf tree, known to few fans of indoor plants. This rare perennial has a beautiful appearance: its long curly shoots are dressed in tough leaves and bloom in scarlet buds. The color of the inflorescences ranges from orange to maroon. Eschinanthus belongs to the family Gesneriaceae (Gesneriaceae).

In the wild, this flower is common in the tropical forests of Asia, as well as in Singapore and Malaysia.

Types of Escinanthus

The genus eschinantus includes about 200 species and many varieties. However, no more than 15 varieties are used in floriculture.

Eschinantus longbetter known as marble. The name of this species was due to the original color of large leathery leaves. Wax leaves are painted in a dark green shade with a contrasting yellowish mesh, and on the reverse side - in chestnut with a marble pattern. In addition, this evergreen plant has long climbing sprouts. In the humid tropics, the Aeschienanthus Marble is capable of reaching 60-70 cm in length. And the length of the sheet may be 8-10 cm. Eschinantus "Lobba" - epiphytic flower with flexible long shoots and overgrown with small foliage. The leaf is dark green oval. Flowers pubescent, double-lipped, with a scarlet corolla and creamy-yellow tube. This type is appreciated thanks to beautiful and elegant flowering. Eschanntus beautiful - perennial epiphytic bush. The leaves are opposite, oval in shape, 6 cm long. The color of the leaves is light green with a scarlet edge. The shoots are also colored reddish. The flowers have a narrow-cup green calyx and a bright red corolla. Eschinantus "beautiful" or "gorgeous" - evergreen climbing epiphytic shrub. Knotty, woody at the bottom of the shoot reaches a length of 60 cm. The leaf is ovate-lanceolate, slightly sawtooth at the edges, 7-10 cm in length and 3-4 cm in width. The leaves are located opposite or three. Flowers are collected in umbrellas for 6-12 pieces. The corolla expands upward with an arched double-breasted tube. Corolla tube yellowish, limb scarlet. Eschinantus obratkonomic - a perennial evergreen shrub with lowered stems. The leaves are oval, smooth. The flowers consist of a burgundy calyx (1.5 cm) and a dark red curved corolla (3 cm), gathered in umbrellas of 4-6 pieces. Peduncles and calyx covered with hairs. Eschinantus "Mona Lisa" - Another type of Tropicans, the most popular among fans of indoor plants. "Mona Lisa" - the most unpretentious representative of his family. This look is also appreciated for its excellent appearance. Beautifully wriggling flowers have a bright scarlet color, and overhanging shoots with leathery leaves have a dark green color. Eschaninthus "Twister" - ampelnaya evergreen plant, perfect for growing in hanging pots or on special racks. This species is characterized by long, strongly twisting leaves. Among the thick wax foliage you can see orange-red flowers. Eschinantus "tricolor" - ornamental plant with leaves of medium size and an unusual form of flowers. Calyx inflorescence has an extended base. The color of the cup varies from pink to bright scarlet, and orange stripes run along the flower itself. ASCHINANTUS "CAROLINA" - ampelous (grown in hanging pots) compact shrub with climbing leaves. The leaves are large, elongated-elliptical, 8 cm in length and up to 6 cm in width. The peculiarity of this species is slightly inclined young leaves and calyxes of rich burgundy color. "Bella Donna" - Another perennial evergreen variety of escinanthus, characterized by glossy and more rounded leaves. Flowers in this species have a standard red color. Next, we offer to get acquainted with the peculiarities of cultivation of room escinanthus, as well as with all the subtleties of caring for this rare flower at home.

Did you know? Esquinanthus is very similar in appearance and characteristics to columnay - another tropical plant. They can be distinguished only in the form of flowers. In columney, the upper conjoined petals create a semblance of a lowered “hood”. This feature is less pronounced in the Aeschienanthus inflorescences, its “hood” is slightly elevated. In addition, in Columni single flowers are placed throughout the shoot, while in ASCINE - the brush is only on the tips.

What conditions to create for growing houses

On the whole, the eschinanthus is a rather capricious plant in the cultivation. However, many growers claim that this beauty is quite amenable to cultivation, you just need to find the best approach to it and indulge its whims.

Lighting

Eschinantus is a light-loving shrub, but bright sunlight is harmful to it. The flower should be placed in places with diffused light. In the summer, the perennial feels great on the windowsill of the east or west direction. During the rest period, the eschinanthus requires at least 14 hours of light per day. Therefore, in the autumn-winter season, it is desirable to transfer the flower closer to the southern window. For additional illumination you can install fluorescent or LED phytolamp.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for growing a thermophilic eschinanthus is 20-25 ° C. However, if in the winter season the temperature of the content is lowered to 15–18 ° C, this will have a favorable effect on the development of buds. Eschienanthus does not tolerate drafts, cool, damp air and sudden changes in temperature. It is not recommended to place the flower near open windows, window vents or near cold glass during the cold season.

How to care at home

In order for your home Aeschienanthus to grow and thrive well, it is important to keep its conditions as close as possible to its natural habitat. In urban areas, the difficulty lies in maintaining optimal humidity, proper temperature and irrigation.

Watering

When watering the eschanantus, follow the key rule: underfilling is better than overflowing. A bush with thick fleshy leaves is able to withstand a short-lived drought, and over-wetting will not lead to anything good.

In between the irrigations, the ground surface must necessarily dry out, so that oxygen rushes in to the rhizome. In the hot season, water the plant as soon as you find the dried soil (2-3 times a week). In the cold season, it is appropriate to withstand 2-3 days of dryness. For irrigation, it is advisable to use filtered distilled and demineralized water. Salt and cold water eskhinantus does not like. Irrigation water should be warm.

To soften the water growers are advised to use peat. 100 g of peat is wrapped in gauze and immersed in a container with 2 liters of water. A day later, the bag with peat is removed, and the resulting liquid is used for irrigation.

Important! Be sure to drain the water from the saucer. Excessive moisture at the roots almost always leads to illness or even death.

Air humidity

High humidity - a guarantee of successful growth Tropican. The plant is regularly sprayed, and twice a year (after flowering) bathe under a warm shower.

To avoid white spots and stains, desalted warm water (approximately 40 ° C) is used for splashing. Avoid water inflorescence. In winter, keep away from hot batteries. And in order to increase the humidity around the bush, place the container with a flower on a saucer with wet gravel. The bathing procedure is carried out as follows: a large container is filled with warm water, a flower is dipped there with the pot and held for 40 minutes. After such an event, a Tropican blooms better, and an autumn bath bath tempers the flower.

Top dressing

During the period of active growth and flowering (from March to September), the plant is fertilized every two weeks with liquid mineral complexes. However, zealous with dressing is not worth it. More useful is some lack of nutrition than its excess. Mineral fertilizers dilute slightly more than indicated in the instructions.

Important! In order to prevent the burn of sensitive roots, apply the nutrient solution only to the moistened soil.

Rejuvenation and pruning

For a tropical plant, the purity of the leathery leaves is important. Leaves should be wiped with a damp cloth. Thanks to this procedure, the decorative appearance is enhanced, the plant rejuvenates, breathes better.

As an ampelous plant, the escinanthus does not require formative pruning. But sanitary and rejuvenating shortening of shoots is a necessary component of proper care. In order to stimulate budding in the future, immediately after the flowering period, the stems are pruned. After winter, dried, too elongated or bare shoots are removed, as well as leaves that have lost their decorative appearance. The shortening of the tips helps the growth of lateral stems.

Important! Be careful not to remove or damage the buds in the process of pruning the escinantus, otherwise deprive the plant of flowers.

How to transplant at home

After purchasing the eschinantus, it is advisable to transplant immediately, as a small pot and poor quality soil can have a detrimental effect on flower development.

Young eskhinanthus can be transplanted annually (in early spring). But the mature specimen develops better in a cramped container. Therefore, 2-3-year-old Tropicans are transplanted only when urgently needed: if the root system has thrown all the earth and made its way into the drainage holes, and the flower slows down in growth. If an adult plant does not have such problems and is completely healthy, it is better to carry out transshipment.

The new container for escainantus should be 2-3 cm larger than the old one. An oversized pot will slow development. Even mature plants feel great in containers with a diameter of 18 cm.

Amputella bush is usually planted in hanging or wall pots and baskets, as well as in a regular pot, located on a high stand.

In the summer, the balcony will be decorated with beautiful plants in pots - ampella petunia, Calibrahoa, Surfinia, Bacopa, Begonia, Verbena, Geranium (Pelargonium), Dichondra, Campanula, Lobelia.

In nature, tropical plants grow in very light, loose and porous soils. The same land is required eskhinantusu when grown at home. The following are variations of the soil for transplanting the escinantus:

peat ground (1 part), perlite (1 part), sliced sphagnum (1 part), vermiculite (part) and some charcoal;
leaf earth and peat - in equal parts, sphagnum, moss and coarse sand - half;
equal amount of leaf ground, perlite, peat and coconut fiber.

In addition, be sure to lay a drainage layer (pebbles, brick dust or small clay). Drainage will help remove excess moisture from the roots and protect them from rotting.

For indoor plants, it is recommended to use softer and sparing drugs like "Trichodermin", "Gamair", Bordeaux liquid, "Alirin", "Green soap", "Abiga", "Fitosporin", "Albit", potassium permanganate

Next, we discuss how to properly transplant eschinantus. Step-by-step instruction:

All elements of the soil mixture are disinfected - treated with fungicide.
At the bottom of the container with holes poured drainage, and on top - a little substrate.
Aeschienanthus is carefully removed from an old pot, trying to keep an earthen room.
The rhizome is introduced into a new container.
A little tamping down, pour soil mixture.
The plant is watered and placed in diffused light or in partial shade.
A week later, when the Aeschienanthus takes root and adapts, the flower can be transferred to a lighted place.

Important! If you plan to grow an escinanthus with a support, immediately install and strengthen it well in the process of transplanting.

How to propagate eschinanthus cuttings

Eschinantus made propagated by cuttings. This is the easiest and most effective method. Reproduction of the eschanantus by cutting the shoots is carried out as follows:

Last year's non-woody and long shoots are cut with a sharp knife on cuttings of 8-10 cm. Ensure that each cutting has 2-3 knots.
Lower leaves are removed. For better rooting, the cutting of the cutting is treated with phytohormone powder ("Appin", "Zircon").
The containers are filled with a light soil mixture of peat and sand (1: 1) or perlite expanded clay. Substrate moisturize.
Cuttings buried in the ground by 2 cm, to the first leaf. The soil gently ram, avoiding voids.
Each seedling is watered, then covered with a glass jar, polyethylene or transferred to a greenhouse.
After rooting of seedlings and the appearance of new leaves, they are transplanted into small pots (7-10 cm). To bush was lush, you can plant several seedlings in one container. And in order to stimulate growth, you can pinch the tops.
A year later, young bushes bloom.

Did you know? Eschinantus acquired its name due to the shape of inflorescences. From the Greek "aischyneia anthos" is translated as "distorted flower." And indeed, the inflorescences look as if they were turned upside down.

Combating possible diseases and pests

Under conditions of low temperatures, drafts, high humidity and excessive irrigation, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and gray mold develop. A solution of garlic helps in the fight against powdery mildew. Against gray rot, spraying with a base solution is effective.

A tropical plant can be affected by the following small insect pests: scutes, aphids, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites.

With the appearance of shityovki, the bush is first treated with soapy water, then with the insecticide "Aktellik". In the fight against aphids also use the insecticide "Aktellik" (15-20 drops per 1 liter of water).

Mealybug accumulations are removed with cotton wool moistened with alcohol; in case of mass lesions, the bush is treated with a karbofos suspension (15-40 drops per 1 l of water).

From thrips get rid of with the help of drugs "Aktellik" and "Fitoverm." From spider mites, they are saved by rubbing a bush with Actellic or Decis.

Consider also other possible problems with eschinanthus. The problem of why the escinanthus sheds leaves is related to over-wetting of the soil or damage by pests.

Significant fluctuations in temperature, high temperature, improper watering, too dry air can lead to yellowing and dryness of the tips of the leaves. After blooming buds, it is forbidden to rearrange or turn the bush, as this leads to budding.

For those who are concerned about the question of why the eschinanthus does not bloom, we will answer that this problem is usually associated with a lack of lighting and a long stay of the plant in the shadow.

Blooming beautiful orange-red buds, this curly shrub can not fail to attract attention. Observe the necessary preventive measures - and the escinanthus will decorate your home and will remain resistant to any diseases and pests.