Acanthostachys belongs to the bromeliad family and is a large herb. Place of origin - humid and hot tropical and subtropical forests of South America. The plant got its name thanks to a combination of two Greek words literally translated as "thorn" and "ear".
Akantastakhis is a representative of rosette-type perennial plants. Leaves are narrow with thorned edges. Flowers grow from a leaf rosette. Large rooms are needed to grow this large plant. Winter gardens, greenhouses, greenhouses are ideal. Can be designed as an ampelous plant.
Home care for acanthostachis
Location and lighting
Acantostachis grows well and develops in diffused light. Does not tolerate direct sunlight. Also, acanthostachis will not grow fully in dark rooms or in the back of a room. It can easily get sunburn, which will affect the beauty of the leaves.
Temperature
In spring and summer, the optimal temperature for keeping acanthostachis is in the range from 20 to 25 degrees. With the onset of the autumn period, the temperature gradually decreases, and in winter the plant should be indoors at 14-18 degrees.
Air humidity
For the full growth and development of acanthostachis, the air humidity must be constantly increased. To do this, the leaves of the plant are sprayed with distilled water at room temperature. For additional moisture, you can use containers with moss or raw expanded clay.
Watering
In spring and summer, during the period of active growth, the plant is watered regularly, making sure that the earth never completely dries out. In autumn, watering is reduced, in winter it is very rarely watered. The plant is afraid of drought, therefore, in winter and autumn, the earthen lump should be constantly slightly damp. Distilled warm water is used for irrigation.
The soil
Acantostachis can be traditionally grown in a pot with a substrate of a mixture of humus, leafy earth, small coniferous bark and expanded clay in a ratio of 4: 2: 1: 1. The soil should be good for air and water.
Top dressing and fertilizers
In winter and autumn, acanthostachis does not need feeding, but in spring and summer, the plant is fed with a universal mineral fertilizer at least 3 times a month.
Transfer
Acantostachis needs to be transplanted only when the earthen ball is completely braided by the root system. Under natural conditions, the plant can grow as an epiphyte, clinging to the roots of other trees. Similar conditions can be created for him and at home. To do this, use pieces of bark wrapped in sphagnum moss. The plant itself is attached to the bark with a wire.
Reproduction of acanthostachis
Acantostachis is propagated both with the help of seeds and with the help of baby shoots.
The seeds are soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, dried and sown in crushed sphagnum.The top is covered with glass, creating the conditions for a greenhouse, and kept at a temperature of 20-22 degrees. The greenhouse must be regularly sprayed and ventilated. When the first leaves appear, the greenhouse is removed. And with the appearance of full-fledged 2-3 leaves, the plants are planted in small pots.
When propagating by side shoots-children, which grow at the base of the mother plant, they are separated, sprinkled with charcoal, dried and planted in a mixture of leafy earth, peat and sand. They contain seedlings at a temperature of about 20 degrees. Watering is necessary as the soil dries up, but it is important to constantly spray the shoots.
Diseases and pests
The plant can be affected by the scale insect or mealybug. The appearance and health of acanthostachis can be easily spoiled by violating the rules for keeping the plant indoors.
Types of acanthostachis
Acantostachis pineal Is a rhizome herbaceous perennial plant, reaching a height of about 1 m. The rosette in which the leaves are collected is loose, loose. The leaves are narrow, green in color with a silvery sheen. They have spiky edges. An adult plant completely occupies the planting capacity and has many shoots-shoots. The flowering period is from July to October. This type of acanthostachis got its name thanks to the fruit that resembles a pineapple cone.
Acantostachis pitkairnioides - is a herbaceous perennial plant with dark green leaves. On the edge of each leaf there are large spiny thorns. The color is blue small flowers, the peduncles of which grow directly from the rosette with leaves.
