Calceolaria, a miniature plant that cannot be taken away from, is very popular among home flowers. In our article we will tell you what types of calceolaria are, how it is planted and taken care of at home, we will provide a photo.
Description and variations
Calceolaria is a perennial plant with approximately the same width and height, which is 20-30 cm. The foliage has a bright green color, a corrugated structure, the length of the leaves. - 5-10 cm
The plant has unusual flowers that visually resemble a junction of two lips. They have a small size - 2-6 cm. One part has a very small size, and the second is much larger, different in inflatedness and spherical shape.
At the same time on one bush can bloom about 50 flowers. The flowering period begins in May-April and lasts 3-5 weeks.
Among all types of the most popular are:
- Calceolaria purple. It belongs to the group of herbaceous perennials, whose height is up to 50 cm. It has jagged basal leaves, flowers with a lip having an oblong shape, painted in red-lilac color.
Important! Before planting, be sure to sterilize the box and the substrate with fungicides - this will help protect the plant in the future from mold fungi.
- Calceolaria mexican. The height of this species is 20-50 cm and depends on what conditions will be created by the plant. The flowers are yellow, their diameter is about 5 cm.
- Calceolaria wrinkled. Plant height can be up to 150 cm. The flower has small leaves and small yellow flowers, on which brown specks are attractively placed. During flowering, the flower resembles a large yellow cloud.
- Calceolaria hybrid. This plant includes several plants with a similar shape, but different colors. Mostly this group includes yellow, red and orange flowers. They are distinguished by the presence on the flowers of various blots, strokes, divorces and inclusions. The most common type of hybrids is Dundee. During flowering, it attracts attention with bright red flowers
There are many more plant species, but they are much less common.
Necessary conditions for growing
In order for calceolaria to please the eye for a long time and harmoniously fit into the interior, it is necessary to properly grow it.
Humidity and temperature
It is important to provide the plant with increased moisture. But at the same time it is forbidden to spray it from the sprayer, as water drops easily damage the leaves.
To increase the humidity, put the pot on the tray, which is wet clay, peat or moss. You can also put containers in pots and fill the space between the flowers with wet peat.
Learn more about indoor plants such as spathiphyllum, violet, hibiscus, chrysanthemum, chlorophytum, monstera, anthurium.The optimum temperature in the plant room is + 14-16 ° С. If it rises above these elevations, calceolaria blooms will occur much less frequently, and pests and diseases will also begin to attack it.
In winter, the air temperature should not exceed + 12 ° C. In summer, flowers are often placed on the balcony, loggia or veranda.
Flower lighting
Calceolaria loves light, but do not place it in direct sunlight. The plant will feel good on the northern, western or eastern windowsills. When taking the pot to the balcony, take care that the sun does not shine on it and the plant is protected from the wind.
In the autumn and winter, with a lack of sunlight, it is necessary to create artificial lighting with a fluorescent lamp. With the arrival of spring and the beginning of flowering, provide a small shade to the plant. 
Did you know? Calceolaria seeds are so small that 1 g contains several thousand.
Growing soil
Calceolaria is not fastidious to the soil, the mixture for planting can be prepared by yourself at home or purchased at a specialty store. The following mixtures are optimal:
- 3 parts of sod land, 1 part of leafy land, 1 part of peat, 0.5 parts of sand;
- 2 parts of turf, 1 part of soil, 1 part of peat, 0.5 parts of humus soil;
- 2 parts of soil, 2 parts of sod, 1 part of compost, 1 part of leafy soil.
- wood ash;
- vermiculite;
- chopped softwood rind;
- detailed sawdust;
- peat moss
If you doubt that you can properly prepare the soil, it is better to contact a specialist in the store. 
Calceolaria reproduction (landing)
There are several ways to plant a flower. Consider them in more detail.
Seed method
There is no fixed time for planting seeds. It depends on when you plan to enjoy the incredible flowering plants. If you want Calceolaria to bloom in the spring, planting should be done in June, and in the fall - in March.
Important! When the air temperature in the room rises above + 20 ° C, the flower will start dropping buds, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and curl.
The first preparation of the soil. To do this, mix peat soil and sand in a ratio of 7 to 1. The flower reacts poorly to sour peat, so you should definitely mix it with ground chalk (1 kg of peat - 20 g of chalk). After that, perform the calcination of the soil. The plant has very small seeds, therefore planting consists in spreading them on the surface of the earth. Do not sprinkle them on top of the earth, just put a wet sheet of paper on them, and periodically moisten it. Ensure the air temperature is at least + 18 ° C.
After 10-14 days the first shoots will appear. Perform watering between rows of a small thin stream. When two true leaves appear, a dive of shoots is carried out.
For better adoption of seedlings, it is recommended to cover them with glass or film. Every day should be carried out airing seedlings and ensure that the peat does not dry out.
After 2 months you need to spend the second picks. To do this, you will need containers, the diameter of which should be 9-11 cm. After the transplantation is completed, the plant should be pinched. Leave on the bush 2-3 pairs of leaves, over time you will notice how young shoots will begin to make their way.
Did you know? Calceolaria is a rather old flower. It was registered and withdrawn in 1770.
When the plant gets stronger, it is transplanted into flower pots. Observing all the rules of cultivation, you can admire the flowering of calceolaria 8-10 months after sowing seed.Cuttings
After the flowering period ends, rooted cuttings are rooted. It is best to carry out this procedure in February, March and August.
To do this, it is necessary to dip the shoots in a special powder that will promote rooting, and then plant the cutting in the soil mixture. For some time, the seedlings are covered with foam or glass.
Engraftment of cuttings takes about 2 months. To get a lush bush, it is recommended to plant several seedlings in one container.
Care features
Like many other plants, indoor flower calceolaria needs care. Consider how to properly implement it.
How to water?
The flower requires moderate watering: you should not allow the overmoistening of the soil, but dry land will also not contribute to the development of the plant. Watering should be carried out when the layer of the earth dries out by 2 cm. For irrigation, use separated warm water. 
Important! It is necessary to renew the plant 1-2 times a year, since buds will not appear on old shoots and calceolaria will not bloom.
When the plant blooms, watering is done every 7 days. Do not forget to immediately pour water from the pan, as its stagnation can lead to decay of the root system.
After the flowering period is over, watering should be carried out 2 times less often, and the soil should be moistened only when the earth dries.
What to fertilize?
Feeding the flower should be carried out 1 time in 10-14 days. Ideal for this liquid mineral fertilizer - it is well absorbed into the soil. Flower fertilizer should be carried out 2 weeks after transplantation.
In the autumn and in the winter we are not recommended to carry out top dressing, since at this time the flower is at rest. If calceolaria is fertilized during this period, it can lead to yellowing of the foliage and its falling off. 
How to shape the bushes?
In order for the plant to bloom beautifully and lushly, before the beginning of the budding period, it is necessary to shape the bush with the help of a straw. To do this, remove the side shoots that grow from the sinuses of the leaves.
You can also hold pinching side shoots, leaving 2 pairs of leaves. Thanks to the second method it is possible to achieve abundant flowering, but the flowers will not differ in large sizes.
Possible difficulties in growing
Growing calceolaria is a rather complicated process. The flower is distinguished by its fastidiousness, which often leads to the defeat of the plant diseases and pests.
Quite often, the flower suffers from whitefly and aphid attacks. If you notice a small amount of pests, they can be collected from the bush and destroyed. If the plant is severely affected, it is treated with special chemicals. 
Did you know? Calceolaria single-flowered is the smallest member of the genus growing in highlands. The height of the flower is only 10 cm.
Greater threat to the flower is the attack of gray rot. The cause of the disease is a surplus of moisture in the soil, low air temperature and a high concentration of nitrogen in the fertilizer.
Parts of the flower, which are strongly affected, urgently need to be removed, and then process the flower with cuproxate or Bordeaux mixture. Any other medication that contains copper is also suitable.
Remember that the violation of the conditions of care for the plant immediately affect its foliage - it will begin to turn yellow and fade. 
From the article you learned what calceolaria is, how it is grown from seeds and cuttings at home. Having provided the right care for the plant, you can enjoy the magical beauty of an unusual flower for a long time.
