Aeschinanthus is an ornamental plant from the Gesneriaceae family. From the Greek language, the name translates as "distorted flower", which is explained by the asymmetric, curved shape of the corolla. Homeland plants are the tropics of South Asia (India, Vietnam). It feels great in room conditions. The plant is quite exotic and unusual, and therefore will be a wonderful decoration of the room. Its flexible shoots can be fixed in the form of a bush or allowed to fall freely from the cache-pot. Having studied a few simple rules, it is easy to achieve active growth and lush flowering from eshinanthus.
Plant description
Aeschinanthus is an evergreen perennial. Florists call it blooming and decorative foliage. The fact is that between blossoms, shiny leaves with a bright pattern attract no less attention. In the natural environment, eshinanthus is an epiphytic plant. He settles on the trunks of large trees and snags, but does not feed on their sap.
Flexible shoots encircle trees and large branches, like a vine. The length of the stems of a houseplant is 30-90 cm. Thin, smooth processes are branched, and in the nodes are covered with opposite leaves with short petioles. Fleshy leaf plates are oval in shape with smooth edges and a pointed end. They are painted bright green and are sometimes covered with a pattern. The sheet length reaches 10-12 cm, and the width is 3-4 cm.
The ends of the shoots during flowering are covered with elongated peduncles collected in loose brushes. The buds in the form of elongated tubes due to burgundy bracts resemble tubes of lipstick. Often, because of this, the plant is called "lipstick" ("lipstick"). The base of the tube is colored yellow, and an orange-red hue predominates towards the edge of the petals. A long white ovary tube protrudes from the center of a blossoming flower.
Eschinanthus species
The genus of eschinanthus is diverse. It includes almost 200 species of plants. However, no more than 15 of them are used in culture.
Aeschinanthus marble (long stem). A plant with decorative leaves hangs flexible shoots from a pot. On them close to each other are internodes. Opposite dark green leaves have a colorful coloring. Uneven light streaks are drawn from the central vein to the edges. The back is painted in various shades of brown. Flowers of this species are less attractive. Narrow tubes, even after opening, are colored green.
Aeschinanthus is beautiful (beautiful). One of the plants most popular among flower growers has flexible shoots covered with fleshy monophonic emerald-colored leaves. The length of the leaf with a pointed edge is 10 cm. Stems up to 50 cm long descend to the ground. At the ends during the flowering period, dense inflorescences of 9-12 flowers bloom. Soft scarlet petals grow from a thin curved tube.
Aeschinantus Twister. A distinctive feature of this species are shiny dark green leaves. They seem to be covered with a wax coating. Foliage, like shoots, has a curved shape and resembles curls. In the axils of the leaves, orange-red asymmetric flowers bloom.
Aeschinantus Mona Lisa. Flexible branched stems are covered with oval dark green leaves with a shiny surface. A prominent central vein stands out on them. During flowering, dense tassels of wine-red tubular flowers bloom. The variety is considered less capricious.
Aeschinantus Lobba. Long flexible shoots are painted in reddish-purple and densely covered with small ovoid leaves. The lower surface of the sheet is lighter (light green). At the ends of the appendages, dense hands of pubescent tubular flowers of bright red color, which appear from a narrow funnel of fused bracts, open.
Breeding
Seed propagation requires great effort and greenhouse conditions, so it is rarely used by conventional flower growers. To grow eschinanthus from seeds, they are sown on a moist sand-peat substrate and covered with a film. The greenhouse is kept in a well-lit, warm place (+ 23 ... + 25 ° C). Before emergence, the glass is not removed, and watering is carried out through a tray. When thin sprouts appear, they are regularly aired, but do not rush to completely remove the shelter. After 2-3 weeks of addiction, the glass of the greenhouse can be removed. The grown seedlings dive in another box with a distance of 3-5 cm between plants or in small pots of several pieces.
At home, eshinanthus is often propagated by vegetative methods. During spring and summer, cuttings from the tops of the shoots can be cut. They should have 1-2 nodes. The lower section is treated with a growth stimulator and immediately planted in small pots with a mixture of sphagnum, sand and peat. The cuttings are covered with a transparent cap and kept at a temperature of about + 25 ° C. When the roots appear and the seedling adapts, the shelter is removed and the plant is transplanted into a new pot with soil for an adult flower. In the same way, eshinanthus is propagated by individual leaves. They are cut as close to the shoot.
Plant care
In order for eschinanthus to grow and bloom well at home, its content must be brought as close as possible to its natural habitat. In urban homes, the difficulty lies in maintaining humidity and temperature.
Immediately after the purchase, the flower is recommended to be transplanted by transshipment. A medium-sized shallow pot with drainage holes is selected for it. The soil mixture is composed of the following components:
- sheet soil;
- high peat;
- river sand;
- sphagnum moss;
- charcoal;
- coir.
All planting work is preferably carried out during the spring. After the procedure, the plant needs a little shading and high humidity.
Lighting. Plants love bright, diffused light. This is especially important for eschinanthus marble. Direct sunlight on the leaves is unacceptable. The sun burns through a thin skin very quickly and burns form.
Temperature. The optimum air temperature for the plant is + 20 ... + 25 ° C. The plant needs a regular influx of fresh air, but in no case should it be left in the draft. Sudden temperature changes are also unacceptable. Therefore, in the summer, due to night cooling, the flower is not taken out onto the street. To achieve flowering, it is necessary to provide him with a period of rest. To do this, in February, for 1-1.5 months, eskhinantus is kept at a temperature of + 13 ... + 14 ° C and good lighting.
Humidity. High humidity is the key to the successful growth of tropical plants, so eskhinantus is regularly sprayed and bathed in a warm shower.
Watering. The soil in the pot should not dry out by more than a third. Usually plants are watered 1-2 times a week. Excess fluid must be removed immediately from the sump. Water should be purified and well-maintained at room temperature.
Fertilizer. From May to September, eskhinantus is fed 1-2 times a month with a solution of mineral fertilizer for flowering plants. Top dressing is applied to the soil at a distance from the stems.
Pruning. In winter, especially when kept warm and in poor light, the shoots are exposed and stretched very much. Therefore, pruning is carried out in the spring. With her, it is better to wait until the flowering is complete. Remove up to a third of the stems, dry leaves and thin out too thick shoots. But even pruning cannot preserve the eskhinantus forever. Once every 5-6 years, the flower is rejuvenated.
Diseases and pests. Despite all the love of moisture and watering, one must observe the measure, otherwise the eschinanthus will be struck by gray or root rot. The most common pests are mealybug, thrips and aphids. They can spread from the ground during transplantation. Insecticide treatment helps to quickly eliminate parasites.
