Those who like to turn their home into a blooming garden cannot pass by the Aeschinanthus. Their juicy green branches hang effectively from hanging pots, which creates an atmosphere of tenderness and comfort. Knowing all the whims of these plants, you can make these branches strewn with bright original flowers. In our article we will tell you what these indoor flowers are so famous for. Aeschinanthus, photo, cultivation, care, the reproduction of which will be presented to your attention, is a flower with its own characteristics and secrets. But as soon as all the nuances are known in detail, then you will not have any difficulties with it.
Distribution area
Aeschynanthus flowers (scientifically Aeschynanthus) in homes, and in specialized stores are quite rare. The reason here, most likely, is some capriciousness of the plant. After all, it came to us from the tropics and subtropics of Indochina and the Malay Islands, where the climate is very peculiar. Outwardly, the flowers of Aeschinanthus are liana-shaped, less oftenshrubs, occupy the second "high-rise" level. By type, they are epiphytes, that is, they try to be attached to other plants all their lives. That is, they almost never creep underfoot and do not rise to the very tops of trees. They are quite satisfied with life in the damp warm undergrowth under the shadow of those giants, whose trunks they tenaciously wrap around.
Botanical description
The plant Aeschinanthus got its name for the unusual appearance of the flowers. Translated from ancient Greek, it means "distorted flower." First, large cups of a green or purple hue appear on the branch, and after about 20 days bright balls protrude from there, which gradually turn into flowers. For this feature, Aeschananthus flowers are popularly called "lipstick".
They belong to the category of ampelous, grow, hanging from the pots with thin stems up to a meter long, lignified at the base. The stems are densely covered with juicy, slightly stiff leaves on short petioles. Their color is deep green. The plate has a length of up to 100 mm, a width of up to 30 mm and a somewhat elongated shape. Their flowers are large, each individually, rather original than beautiful, has the shape of a gramophone, from which large stamens peep out on long stamen filaments. Flowers are located in 8-10 pieces at the ends of the stems and all together give the plant an exclusive luxurious look. Aeschinanthus fruits are long (up to 15 cm) boxes with seeds inside.
Place for Aeschinanthus in the apartment
Theseplants like everything to be like in their natural home - light, warm and humid. Therefore, Aeschinanthus flowers feel best near windows, where there is enough daylight from the street, but there is no direct sunlight, because they are plants of the second level, not the first. They don't like the lack of sun either. On darkened windows, they refuse to bloom, and their stems become less lush. In the months when the day becomes short and the sky is often overcast, the eschananthus need to connect additional lighting. The planter in which they grow should preferably be attached to the bracket, then their lush twigs will hang down beautifully. You can also put them on cabinets or shelves, but not just on the windowsill. Not all species look impressive here.
Seed propagation
Despite the fact that the Aeschynanthus flower is considered capricious, the reproduction of this Tropican does not cause difficulties. The only nuance that needs to be taken into account is that this process goes better in the spring, with the beginning of active vegetation, and in winter, when the plant is in relative peace, it is better not to touch it.
There are two ways of reproduction of Aeschananthus - seed and vegetative.
It is propagated by seeds only for breeding work and in cases where it is impossible to get a flower in another way. Seeds should be placed on a moist substrate, covered with glass, put the container on a warm windowsill. For watering, do not raise the glass, just place the container, in the bottom of which there must be holes, periodically placed in a pan with water. Whensprouts hatch, the glass needs to be moved, leaving a gap, but not removed. It is needed to provide moisture. When the seedlings grow a few true leaves, they need to dive into pots. Seed eschinanthus bloom in a year.
Vegetative reproduction
It is important to know what kind of care Aeschinanthus requires. Vegetative reproduction is not only an elementary way to breed this flower, but also an important component for ensuring its life. The plant after flowering must be cut so that the lashes do not stretch too much. Then his appearance will be prettier, and the next flowering will be more abundant. And without pruning, the old lashes will stretch out a lot, the leaves on them will begin to dry, because it will be difficult for the plant to provide them with proper nutrition. All trimmed lashes must be shortened to 15 cm (leave 5 internodes on them) and put in water. After a short time, they will release roots and turn into independent flowers of the eschinanthus. Whip cuttings can be placed not in water, but in wet sand (can be clean, can be with peat). As a rule, they also take root without difficulty. For the best result, cover the container with the cuttings with plastic wrap.
Aeschinanthuses grow and bloom luxuriantly for about 4 years, and then degenerate. In order not to lose the plant, you need to take cuttings from the "old man" and grow he althy strong young from them in the above way. In water, cuttings take root all year round, but are most active in spring and summer.
Landing
The flowers of the Aeschynanthus do not impose excessive requirements on the ground. They need a neutral or slightly alkaline pH level (5-7). The soil can be bought ready-made, or you can make it yourself. To do this, mix garden soil, sand, sphagnum and peat (2: 1: 1: 2). Some flower growers add 1 part of humus to this mixture. The pot for the eschinanthus should not be too small, not very large, but it must be deep enough to fit the soil and a drainage layer of at least 3 cm. Every year, it is advisable for the eschinanthus to change their house to a slightly larger one. Transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method, without disturbing the earthen coma.
Aeschynanthus flower: how to care
These Tropicans should live in a warm room, where there is not the slightest draft, and the air temperature during the growing season is about +24 °C. Then the plant will not drop leaves and buds. Watering should be provided plentiful, but without fanaticism, in order to prevent rotting of the roots. It is best to water the plants as soon as the soil in the pot is dry. Eschinanthus do not like cold water, so it must be defended before watering. They also do not like hard and calcined water. If this is exactly what flows from your tap, it is advisable not to water the eschananthus with it.
It is extremely important for fastidious Tropicans to provide them with high humidity in the air. The easiest way is to regularly spray the leaves of the plant with a spray bottle.
Feeding the eschananthus is very useful. They need to be done every 14 days throughout the growing season. fitready-made complex fertilizers for flowering houseplants.
In winter, Aeschananthus should rest. It is advisable to move them to a room with a temperature of +16 ° C, slightly reduce watering, and spraying should not be carried out on the entire plant, but only on the air surrounding it.
Diseases and pests
Caring for any houseplant includes protecting it from pests. Diseases of the Aeschinanthus, a domestic flower with character, happen due to care errors. So, he begins to shed leaves and buds due to low air humidity, insufficient watering and drafts. Spots on its leaves can appear from watering with cold water, and spots on flowers from water on the petals. Aeschinanthus will refuse to bloom without good lighting and without a dormant period provided to it. There are more serious diseases such as gray mold or root rot. They come from busting with watering. Also, rot microbes can be introduced with soil that has not been previously disinfected.
From pests, Aeschinanthus flowers love thrips, mealybugs, spider mites and aphids. When these insects are found, the plants should be sprayed with insecticides.
Species diversity
In total, about 190 species of Aeschananthus are known, and it has several hundred varieties. The following species are often found in the collections of our flower growers:
- "Marble". This eschinanthus is decorative and without flowers. Its leaves are green on top with yellowish-light green veins and spots, and white below with red veins, which gives them a marbling effect. ForThis species is extremely important to live with sufficient lighting. Without it, marbling disappears. But his flowers, although large, not very luxurious, have olive-green tones. Appear in winter.
- "Mona Lisa". This flower has a very gentle name and the same delicate appearance. "Mona Lisa" - Aeschinanthus, the most popular and not as capricious as other species. However, there are flower growers who consider him the most capricious. Its lashes effectively hang from the pots with stalks, decorated with dense, wide, sharp-tipped leaves of a dark green hue. Its flowers are bright red, 4-6 at the ends of the stems.
- "Twister". This Aeschananthus has smaller leaves than the others, but they are twisted, which gives the plant extravagance. Its flowers are orange-red.
- "Rocky". In nature, it can grow among stones or between tree trunks, clinging to their bark with roots. Its leaves are dark green with teeth, the flowers are falling, blue with purple.
- "Lovely". The leaves of this Aeschananthus are green with a reddish border, the stems are also reddish. The flowers have a greenish calyx, yellow-orange to bright red petals, and a pink throat.
Classic types of Aeschananthus have orange-red flowers, but now varieties with white, lilac, pink and even multi-colored petals have been bred.
