Hibiscus is one of the best flowers to grow at home. Its main advantages are:
- exotic look;
- moderate containment requirements;
- bright flowers.
Thanks to this, he began to enjoy great popularity. However, at home, many different signs and beliefs are associated with him. In particular, the Chinese claim that hibiscus is the flower of death.
Feature of the plant
Hibiscus, growing in natural conditions, refers to evergreen shrubs that reach a height of 4.5 m. The bark of the shoots and trunk has a black or brownish tint. In apartments, they mainly grow Chinese rose (or hibiscus), the care of which is quite simple. At the same time, the tree has a height of only 50 cm to 2 m. People love this plant very much for its unpretentiousness and beautiful appearance.
Luxurious flowers are rather short-lived. Literally the next day after they have blossomed, they begin to fade, but instead new buds begin to bloom.
Hibiscus are interesting for flower growers not only for their flowers, butand variegated leaves. There are also quite original variegated varieties, but their flowering is not so luxurious. This plant is relatively hardy, as it can easily tolerate lack of light, excessive water, cold, lack of moisture and fertilizer. Nevertheless, all this negatively affects the plant. It will not bloom, but it will not die.
Flower homeland
Hibiscus is considered to be native to South China, which is why it is called Chinese rose. In addition, the plant is quite common in Polynesia and Western India. Africa and America can also be considered the birthplace of hibiscus, since some species grow on this continent. In Malaysia, the flower is considered national, as its buds represent the feminine.
At the end of the 18th century, the flower was first brought to Europe, and a little later - to Russia, where it immediately fell in love with many flower growers for its special beauty. If you organize the right growing conditions, then this flower will delight with its abundant flowering for six months.
Not only in its homeland, the hibiscus plant is very popular, but also in many other countries. In the Pacific Islands, it serves as a decoration for the hairstyles of local girls. This flower is one of the national plants of Malaysia.
At home, hibiscus belongs to the element of Fire. According to Feng Shui, the flower helps strengthen marriage and establish business. Blooming hibiscus helps to fill the house with special energy and cope with stress anddepression.
Until recently, Chinese hibiscus flowers were used to make a natural dye, the leaves and stems were used to make ropes and cordage, and its medicinal properties are mentioned in traditional medicine treatises.
Interesting legends and beliefs
Hibiscus has gained great popularity due to its beneficial qualities. In India, there is a legend about the origin of hibiscus tea. Exhausted by the long journey, the traveler lit a fire, put down a pot of water and began to pray to the gods for help. After that, flowers fell into the water, turning it into a ruby-bloody color. The Stranger was not afraid to drink this unusual drink and felt his strength gradually begin to return.
Leaving the area, the traveler took with him some wonderful flowers. He distributed them to the inhabitants of those villages that he passed, talking about the extraordinary qualities of this drink. Many years have passed, and the glory of hibiscus tea has spread all over the world.
Many are wondering if it is possible to keep a Chinese rose at home. Signs concerning this plant, there are very different. Some believe that the flower brings misfortune to a person and his house, while others say that it helps to improve family relationships and improve the microclimate.
In China, there is a belief that hibiscus is the flower of death. Recently, it is believed that the Chinese rose is able to attract death into the house. It is believed that if the plant begins to bloom suddenly, then one of those who live in the house will soon die. If the flower starts abruptlydrop foliage, then one of the living will become seriously ill or misfortune will happen in the family. However, this opinion is completely wrong, on the contrary, the plant is considered healing and is used to treat many diseases.
Hibiscus varieties
In the homeland of hibiscus, many species of this plant grow, the most popular of which is hibiscus. Studies of the flower have confirmed that this is a real storehouse of nutrients and vitamins. Perhaps this is what makes it popular, and every country tries to appropriate its origin.
In Sudan, this plant has been grown on huge plantations for several centuries. In its natural environment, its height can reach 5 m, and when grown at home - no more than 2 m. It is worth noting that a houseplant is unsuitable for making tea, but it has no equal in terms of decorative qualities. Other types of hibiscus can be distinguished:
- musky;
- blue hibiscus;
- lipid;
- yellow terry;
- Hawaiian;
- variegated;
- royal.
Musk hibiscus is one of the most interesting varieties. Unlike the hibiscus familiar to many, it will not work to make tea from it. But it is believed that its aroma can increase potency. This blooming hibiscus looks very beautiful and exquisite. Among its main features are the following:
- plant height no more than 2 m;
- leaves are wide, densely covered with hairs;
- seed pods covered with hairs;
- flowersrich yellow.
The seeds of this plant are widely used for the manufacture of perfumes and various cosmetics. The oil of this plant helps to normalize digestion, relieve itching and remove bad breath.
Add some exotic to the interior of the house will help blue hibiscus. This variety has fairly large flowers of expressive blue color, somewhat lowered. The blue flower looks very beautiful, growing together with other types of hibiscus.
The most unusual member of the family is the lime-shaped hibiscus, which is a tree that, depending on where it grows, can reach about 7 m in height. It got its name due to its similarity with linden. Spreading branches with large leaves and chameleon flowers. During the day they are yellow, and at night they change their hue to red. It is quite possible to use flowers of this variety for medical purposes, namely:
- does good with bronchitis;
- helps treat tonsillitis;
- heals wounds and boils.
If you grow hibiscus from seeds, you can breed other varieties, up to terry ones. Terry varieties are quite common, regardless of variety.
Royal hibiscus is a flower with soft waves, its petals are painted in a spiral. And his palette is characterized by the fact that it combines several different shades at once.
Growing conditions
At home plantHibiscus refers to decorative flowers that are grown in flower beds or even entire plantations. However, it is quite possible to grow it at home, the main thing is to organize optimal conditions for its growth. Many say that this is a very beautiful plant, as you can see by looking at the photo of the hibiscus. Care at home is not too difficult, the most important thing is to create optimal conditions.
One of the most basic requirements concerns lighting. The plant is photophilous, but prefers diffused and bright light. If the lighting is not good enough, then it is impossible to achieve flowering, but direct sunlight can burn the leaves. When grown indoors, a flower pot should be placed on well-lit windows. In winter, you need to additionally create artificial lighting, because if there is not enough light, then the shoots will stretch sharply, become weak and thin, which will have a bad effect on the appearance of the flower.
The optimal air temperature for growing hibiscus will be twenty to twenty-five degrees. In winter, you need to ensure that the ambient temperature does not fall below 10 degrees, as the plant will shed its leaves. When the air is dry and hot, the foliage becomes too sensitive to spraying, which is why it should be carried out in the early morning or immediately after sunset.
With well-organized growing conditions, the plant looks simply luxurious, which can be clearly seen in the photo of hibiscus. Care at home for himmeans proper watering. Its mode is chosen depending on which species the plant belongs to. For shrubs and trees, watering should be moderate, that is, such that the surface of the soil in the pot has time to dry out a little, but for grassy and marshy species, the soil should be well moistened all the time.
The plant practically does not need additional air humidification and tolerates even severe dryness well. However, periodically the crown with glossy leaves should be rinsed with warm water.
Red hibiscus quite calmly tolerates even strong pruning, which allows you to create a beautiful voluminous crown and slightly stop the excessive growth of shoots. It should be carried out in spring or autumn, even before the formation of flower buds.
During the flowering period, fertilizing with complex fertilizers intended for flowering houseplants should be carried out. Nutrient mixtures that do not contain nitrogen are well suited. In winter, the plant does not need to be fed.
Plant transplant
For the first 5 years of growth, the Chinese rose requires a daily transplant, and adult plants are transplanted every 3-4 years as the root system grows. The soil should consist of leafy, humus and soddy soil. Sand must be added to the soil. Transplantation is carried out in early spring.
Before transplanting, you need to cut off part of the root system. The branches of the plant require pruning, so immediately after transplantation, they need to be shortened by about a third. All this will allowform a beautiful crown, which will certainly please with abundant flowering. After transplanting, the plant must be transferred to a lighted place and watered well.
How reproduction happens
Hibiscus planting can be carried out by seeds or cuttings, so growing a plant yourself will not be difficult. Many people prefer to propagate the flower with cuttings.
To do this, cut a small branch from the very top of an adult plant. It is desirable that the stalk has 2-3 leaves. Then you need to prepare the soil mixture by mixing peat and sand in equal parts. The pot should be chosen small in size, but deep, as the root system develops very quickly.
Be sure to use drainage, which is laid on the bottom of the pot with a layer of 2 cm, then fill the pot with soil a third, place the cutting and fill in the remaining soil. In order for the plant to take root faster, it should be covered with a glass jar, thereby creating a greenhouse effect.
You need to water the planted stalk every 3-4 days, just adding water to the pan. The flower will independently determine how much liquid it needs. As soon as at least 1 leaf appears on the plant, the jar can be removed.
The cutting can be rooted in another way. To do this, you need to cut off a twig, put it in a container with purified water, after adding a tool to the water that promotes the rapid formation of roots. After a lot of thick roots appear, you can transplant the flower into the ground.
Possible growing difficulties
There may be certain difficulties with growing a plant. If buds form on a hibiscus, but do not open, but fall, this means that it lacks nutrients, the soil is very dry, insufficiently good watering, and also low air temperature.
Many are wondering why hibiscus turns yellow and leaves fall off quickly. This may be due to the fact that the water for irrigation contains a lot of calcium and chlorine, plus iron and nitrogen are not supplied enough. In addition, the leaves begin to turn yellow when hypothermia, excessive watering, dry indoor air.
In low light, dark pink spots may form on the leaves. With hypothermia of the soil, the root system begins to die, and with a lack of moisture, the leaves fall, begin to wither and dry out. All this must be taken into account when growing a plant so that it pleases with its lush foliage and bright flowering.
Diseases
Diseases of hibiscus develop mainly as a result of improper care. Leaves turning yellow without dropping may be due to chlorosis. This disease occurs as a result of watering the plant with very hard water. The fall of the lower leaves may be associated with diseases of the root system that develop as a result of the latter being in waterlogged soil.
In order to prevent the occurrence of a flower disease, it must be provided with proper care. It is worth noting that no particularly dangerous diseases threaten hibiscus at all.
Flower pests
Hibiscus can be attacked by various pests, so the care of the Chinese rose should be special. This plant is often affected by the spider mite, which is a small insect that is difficult to detect. This red spider is located mainly on the lower part of the leaves and entangles them with a cobweb. It is especially dangerous for hibiscus, which grows outdoors or in too dry conditions. At the very first signs of damage by a spider mite, you need to treat the flower with soapy water or use special products.
Frequently found aphids that settle on still unopened buds and young shoots. This insect reproduces very quickly, so it is important to take timely measures to eliminate it. If the plant is affected by aphids, spray it with a sulfate-containing solution.
