It cannot be argued that eskhinantus is a popular plant. In care, this flower is very moody, so you can rarely see it in houses. How to care for the eskhinantus, what kind of flower it is and what it carries into the house will be described later.

Botanical description of the plant

Aeschinanthus is a typical representative of the Gesneriaceae. In the native environment, the flower grows in the tropical jungle of Southeast Asia and is considered an epiphyte. Adult specimens grow to 30–90 cm in height.

The plant has a rather original appearance. It differs from other varieties in elongated, flowering shoots, on which from June to September clusters of saturated ruby ​​or bright orange inflorescences are located.

The leaves of eschinanthus are juicy, leathery, pointed.

In the premises, it is bred as an ampel type.

Main types

Today, about 100 species of this magnificent plant are known. But only a few varieties are grown at home.

Consider the most popular of them:

1. Beautiful - The most common and famous variety. It has long, about 50 cm, branches, which, when growing up, from the center become solid. The stems are covered with olive oval leaves up to 8-10 cm in size. At the ends of the branches during flowering bright yellow inflorescences similar to a narrowed cylinder are formed.

2. Marble - It is distinguished by the beauty of olive leaves, which have cross pale veins. On the inside, the color of the foliage is brown. The buds of this species are unusual, light green.

3. Lobba - has long shoots, densely dotted with small leaves. The flowers are red.

4. Mona Lisa - It is considered less demanding than other species, eskhinantusom. When all conditions are met, this species will bloom profusely. The stems are covered with olive leaves and magnificent flowers of a rich ruby ​​color.

5. Twister - stands out surprisingly curled, dark green, shiny sheets. The flowers are bright orange, closer to red, color.

6. Caroline - A small plant with oblong leaves about 8 cm in size. A distinctive feature of the species is young raised foliage and juicy maroon inflorescences.

7. Rasta - has elongated swirling dark green leaves. Flowers - scarlet, turning into a ruby ​​color. The stems are long, creeping, down.

8. Bella Donna - characterized by rounded glossy leaves. Inflorescences are scarlet.

9. Tricolor - This species has middle leaves and bizarre inflorescences. The expanded part of the flower can have a shade from pale pink to scarlet. In addition, orange stripes run along the inflorescences.

10. Rocky - In nature, it can grow on rocks covered with moss, and does not need land. The leaves are similar in structure to oak. Blooms pink and lilac inflorescences.

11. Firebird - the plant is so named because of the orange-red buds that cover the shoots abundantly.

Growing conditions

Although eschinanthus is a whimsical plant, but, when proper conditions are created, it is possible not only to breed it, but also to enjoy flowering.

Did you know? In a literal translation from Greek, eshinanthus sounds like "the wrong flower." But the locals call it “lipstick” for the brightness and shape of the inflorescences.

Placement and lighting

Eschinantus is best placed in overhead containers or in high places. So the shoots can calmly go down.

The selected location should be well lit, but without direct sunlight. The ideal option is east or west. The shadow and partial shade negatively affect the appearance of the plant, its foliage turns pale, and the shoots begin to lengthen.

On the windowsills of the northern direction, the flower can be planted, but it will be almost impossible to achieve flowering.

Temperature mode

The eschinanthus houseplant is heat-loving, so it needs to organize a temperature regime in the range + 20 ... + 25 ° C.

Important! This tropical flower does not tolerate jumps in temperature and drafts, so you can not keep it near open windows and windows.

In winter, during the rest period, the optimum temperature will be + 15 ... + 18 ° C. Under such conditions, the eschinanthus will be able to please you with flowering, because at the end of winter or the beginning of spring, buds will be planted on it. However, if the thermometer drops below + 15 ° C, the plant may discard foliage.

Air humidity

The main requirement for diluting eschinanthus is a high level of humidity. If the air is too dry, the foliage and buds will fall, and the plant will lose its decorative effect.

To maintain optimal humidity, the flower should be periodically (2-3 times a week) sprayed with warm water (+ 23 ... + 25 ° C). Near the pot to maintain moisture, you can arrange containers with water or install a humidifier.

Home Care

An exotic flower will require special care and care from a gardener. In order for the flower to be healthy and delight with its beauty, it is necessary to perform some procedures to maintain its vital activity.

Watering

You can water the flower only with warm, well-maintained water. In this case, it should be controlled so that the soil in the container is slightly moist, since an excess of moisture is harmful to the plant. Watering is carried out under the root and try so that moisture does not get on the buds. As a rule, the frequency of watering is 1-2 times a week.

If there is no standing water, and the time has come to water the plant, it can be replaced with distilled or filtered.

Important! If hot weather is established, the intensity of irrigation is increased.

During the period of intensive development, hydration should be moderate, but regular. In winter, at rest, watering is reduced to 1 time in 8-12 days.

Fertilizer application

Growing exotic plants provides for frequent feeding. Fertilize the soil starting in May and continue until the onset of autumn. The frequency of the procedure is 1 time in 2-3 weeks.

Complex fertilizers for flowering varieties ("Rose", "Zelenite", etc.) are suitable as fertilizers.

Since eskhinantus does not tolerate abundant top dressing, experienced gardeners recommend giving the plant ½ dose of the fertilizer specified in the instructions. Such dosages are quite acceptable and enable the flower to fully develop.

Pruning

To maintain the high decorative effect of eschinanthus, it must be cut annually. The procedure is performed at the end of the flowering phase. During pruning, get rid of old and too large shoots. Remote branches can be used as cuttings.

Every 3-4 years, the flower is completely renewed: all cuttings are cut from the mother bush and rooted in a new place.

Transfer

Eschinantus is grown in one pot for 3-4 years. After that, the plant loses its decorative characteristics and needs a transplant (the method of transshipment is used). To do this, pick up a pot in diameter slightly larger than the previous one.

Important! The topsoil in the flowerpot is changed annually.

The soil for eschinanthus should be selected nutritious, porous, breathable, with a low level of acidity (pH 5.0–7.0). You can add expanded clay, pieces of vermiculite, moss-sphagnum, pine bark or charcoal. A thick (at least 3 cm) drainage layer is necessarily lined at the bottom.You can buy a ready-made earth mixture, which is sold specifically for gesneriaceae, or you can prepare it yourself using these components:

• peat - 1 part;
• deciduous humus - 2 parts;
• humus - 1 part;
• sand - 1 part.

Breeding

When breeding indoors, you can use two methods of propagation of eshinanthus: cuttings and seeds.

Cuttings

This is the most common option that is used at home. To grow a young plant, take a stalk 10 cm long, on which there are 4-5 internodes. It is immersed in a nutrient substrate (peat with sand) or in a container with water, removing the lower foliage in advance.

A seedling is equipped with a kind of greenhouse, covering it from above with plastic wrap or a glass container. To accelerate the development of the roots, cuttings can be treated with a growth stimulator, for example, “Kornevin”.

For the normal development of a young sprout, it is necessary to organize the temperature regime within + 20 ... + 25 ° С. From time to time the greenhouse is ventilated, and the soil is moistened.

The first roots usually appear after 15-20 days, after which the shelter is removed and give the seedlings time to adapt. After they get stronger, they are moved to separate containers and grown as independent plants.

Seed cultivation

The seed method requires considerable effort and provides for the creation of a greenhouse environment, so florists are rarely used.

To get new plants from seeds, they are scattered on a wet sand-peat mixture and covered with a transparent film or glass. Such a greenhouse is kept in a warm room (+ 23 ... + 25 ° C).

Important! Before emergence, the shelter is not removed, and the soil is moistened through a pallet.

When the first seedlings appear, they begin to periodically air. Only after 2-3 weeks can the shelter be removed.

Reinforced sprouts are transplanted into another container, observing a distance of 3-5 cm, or in small containers of 3-4 copies.

Growing difficulties

Difficulties with breeding this tropical plant usually occur due to non-compliance with the rules of cultivation and care.

Why does not bloom

If, despite the efforts made, the eschinanthus does not bloom, you should immediately pay attention to such points:

1. Lighting. It takes a lot of light to tie buds, so when the pot is in the north, flower buds may not develop.
2. Lack of rest period. The temperature regime must be observed clearly, allowing only small differences. When buds arise (December-January), the thermometer in a room with a flower should not rise above + 18 ° C.
3. Humidity. With too dry and hot air, the plant will not only not bloom, but will turn yellow and discard the foliage.

Did you know? Representatives of the Gesneriaceae family, to which eschinanthus belongs, attract flower growers with their extremely decorative appearance and long flowering. Throughout the world, enthusiastic flower growers create groups and communities that are dedicated to growing these beautiful flowers, and also hold exhibitions to show everyone how attractive these representatives of the flora are.

Diseases and Pests

If you follow all the tips for caring for eschinanthus, no diseases and harmful insects threaten him. If the temperature and moisture are disturbed (a damp room with drafts), a disease such as gray rot usually occurs.

As soon as the first symptoms are detected (gray dust in the form of fluffy plaque), the bush is treated with fungicidal preparations, for example, Fundazol.

Among the pests, the main danger is:

1. Thrips. They are found in the form of light specks on foliage and appear mainly due to the great dryness of the air. Against them, you can use the drugs Fitoverm and Actellik.
2. Spider mite. This harmful insect appears in rooms with overdried air. When the first signs are found (the presence of cobwebs, the leaves dry out and fall off), the flower is sprayed with soapy water or Actellik.
3. Mealybug. It provokes a slowdown in the growth and development of the plant and is manifested by the presence of a whitish, sticky edge in the axils of the leaves. The pest is removed with a swab dipped in alcohol, and then the plant is treated with water.
4. Aphid. Most often affects the lower part of the flower, so it is almost impossible to notice it from above. If the plant has been attacked by aphids, its foliage immediately turns pale and falls off. You can fight this pest with drugs such as Derris, Fitoverm, Actellik.

Omens and superstition

There is a belief that eskhinantus refers to husbandry flowers, that is, those plants that are able to expel men from home. The people believe that such flowers can lead to divorce. Although this, of course, is prejudice, and it is not entirely reasonable to believe that the plant is capable of influencing the relationship between a man and a woman.

Despite a certain moodiness and pickiness to the growth environment, eskhinantus more and more often appears in the homes of lovers of exotic flowers. And this is not surprising: with proper care, it pleases with splendor of foliage and long, picturesque flowering.