Eschinanthus

The plant Aeschynanthus comes from the Gesnerievs. It got its interesting name from the ancient Greek language and means "distorted flower" in translation. Eschinanthus also has a popular name, which sounds like "fondant flower". It was given due to the fact that the flowers of the plant are painted in a rich color, which have a very unusual shape, turned upside down.

Description of eschinanthus

Aeschinanthus is an epiphyte, that is, a plant attached to tree trunks, forophytes. At the same time, he does not receive absolutely any nutrition from the forophyte itself, that is, it is not a "parasite", as one might think at first.

Aeschinatus is native to the south and southeast of Asia. These are the territories of China, India, Indochina. The branches of the plant are always green. Their length varies from 30 to 90 cm. Among the species of this genus, you can even find shrubs or hanging climbing branches. In natural habitat, these flowers are pollinated by sunbirds, which have a very thin and long beak. The branches are decorated with short-stemmed leaves. The sheets themselves are quite large and fleshy.

Eschinanthus has gained great popularity among those who are engaged in floriculture because of its rich green foliage, which looks very impressive. In addition to this, the plant has very beautiful bright orange, decorative flowers. They can be red in color. And this contrast with the foliage simply cannot be overlooked.

The shape of the sheets is in the form of an oval. Their width is about 4 cm, length is 10 cm. The pointed top gives them a refined, graceful appearance. The formation of peduncles occurs at the very ends of the branches, on which inflorescences are formed in the form of brushes. As the flower grows, the tube changes its color. Its base is yellow, and the petals are red at the edges. When the flower opens, the tube of the ovary becomes white, growing directly from the core of the flower.

Brief rules for growing eschinatus

The table shows brief rules for caring for eschinatus at home.

Home care for eschinanthus

Before you decide to get an escinanthus, you need to know how to properly care for it. It must be understood that initially this plant was not intended for growing at home, and it may be difficult to grow it indoors. It is necessary to provide for him conditions similar to those of the natural habitat, so that the plant will please with bright, cheerful flowering.

Eschinanthus, of course, will be the best decoration for both office space and home. To get a luxurious bush with branches hanging down, it is necessary to place several cuttings in one pot at once. It looks especially effective in a flowerpot on the wall. The plant can bloom quite often, on an ongoing basis. To do this, he will need proper care and comfortable conditions suitable for growth.

Eschinanthus is an ornamental plant that requires special care when grown at home. Subject to all the rules of care and creation of comfortable conditions, it will delight with luxurious flowering.

Lighting

Aeschinanthus needs a fully lit area with no obstructions to sunlight. However, direct exposure to the sun's rays should be avoided, as this can lead to burns on foliage and flowers. The best place to grow eschinanthus is the western or eastern windowsill. If there is only one option - the south window, then the plant must be shaded from direct sunlight so that there are no burns. The only thing, it is not recommended to put a flower on the north window, because there will be a lack of light. In such conditions, the escinanthus, most likely, will not bloom.

For the normal development of aeschinanthus, the room in which the flower is located needs to be ventilated from time to time. However, drafts should be avoided because they will not benefit the plant either. You need to be especially careful here.

Temperature

In order for the eschinanthus to be branched, lush and form many inflorescences, and, accordingly, flowers, it is necessary to maintain an optimal temperature regime. Sharp temperature changes are not recommended. The most comfortable temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees.

In order for the plant to please with a spectacular flowering with the onset of spring, it is required to put it in a cool room with a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees with the onset of autumn. The place should be well lit. The temperature should not be allowed to drop below 15 degrees. If the plant freezes, it will begin to shed its foliage. When all the conditions are exactly met, then at the very end of winter or early spring, the escinanthus will form buds. Only after their final formation can the temperature be gradually increased to 20-25 degrees.

Watering

When caring for aeschinanthus, it is very important to provide it with proper watering. Humidity must also be kept at an optimal level.They begin to moisten the ground only after the top layer dries out a couple of centimeters deep. After moistening the soil, the water will drain into the sump. Excess liquid must be drained off. When the soil is completely dry, flowers and buds will begin to fall off the plant.

Depending on the season, it is necessary to regulate the watering of the eschinanthus. In cool winters, it should be cut back. It is important to watch that there is no stagnation of water in the ground, because this will lead to yellowing and leaf fall. For watering, take soft, well-settled warm water, room temperature is suitable. To soften too hard water, it is recommended to add a few drops of lemon.

Humidity level

Aeschinanthus foliage is able to accumulate water inside itself, so a low level of humidity in the room is not afraid of it. In summer, you need to increase the number of sprays: it is enough to spray from 1 to 2 times a day. In this case, spraying should be done very carefully so as not to get on the flowers. Moisten the soil only with well-settled water. This is especially true of tap water, which is high in chlorine.

In the warm season, the eschinanthus should have a shower, also with warm water. For the winter, it is worth stopping all spraying altogether. However, if the humidity is too low, the plant pot can be placed on a pallet with expanded clay.

The soil

For planting aeschinanthus, loose soil is needed, which perfectly permeates air, water, and is also saturated with nutrients. A good option for planting a plant is a classic commercial soil mixture, suitable for all crops. To make it looser and better allow oxygen and moisture to pass through, vermiculite, crushed expanded clay or perlite are introduced.

If you have experience and desire, you can make the soil mixture yourself, with your own hands. For this, peat, river sand, sphagnum moss, leafy earth are combined in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 2. In such a prepared mixture, the roots of the plant will receive the required amount of air. Sphagnum will prevent the possible appearance of root rot. It doesn't hurt to add some chopped bark, coconut fiber, or charcoal. The ideal planting container is wide and low.

Top dressing

In spring and summer, Aeschinanthus needs systematic feeding. Fertilizer for decorative flowering plants is suitable as a top dressing, only the dosage must be reduced by 2 times from that indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions on the package. They are fed once a week. Fertilizer is applied to the soil along with watering.

Transfer

For any plant, transplanting is always stress and escinanthus is no exception. The procedure is carried out by transshipment, very carefully, protecting the roots and branches from damage. A good time to transplant when the plant is in blooming or after it has faded. When choosing a new pot for planting, it is imperative to take into account that the diameter of the new pot should be 2 cm larger than the old one. So that moisture in the soil does not stagnate, a drainage layer must be lined at the bottom.

While Aeschinanthus is still young, a transplant is required every year. But when the plant is more mature, it is disturbed less often, as needed. A sign that it is time to transplant an adult escinanthus is peeking out the roots from the drainage holes. The plant develops well and blooms even in a container that is narrow for it.

Pruning

Over time, the eschinanthus grows and develops and the leaves in the upper part begin to fall off, which will certainly affect the decorative effect of the shrub. For this reason, he definitely needs cropping from time to time. It is impossible to prune aeschinanthus only during the flowering period, the rest of the time - you can at any time, if necessary. Long branches are cut to a third of the length, and all dried leaves must be removed. If there is a desire and time, you can also pinch the stems at the top.

Aeschinantus breeding methods

As it grows, Aeschinanthus loses its decorative effect. For this reason, it needs updating from time to time. Life expectancy is from 3 to 5 years, after which it is removed and a new shrub is placed in its place.

Propagation by stem and leaf cuttings

There are several ways how to propagate Aeschinanthus. Many growers prefer to use cuttings. For this method, both leaves and stems are suitable as cuttings.

To get cuttings in the form of stems, cut off the top of about 10 cm.On the cutting itself, there should be about 5 or 6 nodes. The best time to cut is before bud-setting and before flowering and the end of the growing season.

It is necessary to remove all the leaves from the cuttings below, after which they are placed for rooting in a container with water. Can be planted in peat-sandy soil immediately. From above, the cuttings must be covered with a polyethylene film. There is an option of planting in a mini-greenhouse with heating from below. For better rooting, you can use the growth stimulator Kornevin. As a last resort, for disinfection purposes, you can sprinkle it with coal powder. The most comfortable rooting temperature is around 25 degrees. If all conditions are met, the first roots should form in 15-20 days.

The second option for propagation by cuttings through sheets is to trim the sheets along with the bud. After cutting, the cut is processed, and the cutting is placed in a container with soil for rooting. Be sure to cover with either a glass jar or a bag.

When the cuttings take root, they can be transplanted into separate containers. If you want to get a lush bush, you can put several cuttings in one pot at once. At the bottom of the container, drainage must be done. Crushed expanded clay is perfect as a material. After the cuttings are planted in the ground, the surface of the soil is sprinkled with a layer of sand, just a little bit. The layer should be thin. It is imperative to use a mixture of soil, which contains turf, peat, clean river sand, in a ratio of 1: 1: 1.

Growing from seeds

Aeschinanthus is grown from seeds by few growers due to its greater complexity. The seeds are inside a ripe capsule. They are very small. First of all, these seeds are shaken out on a piece of paper, after which they are placed in a substrate. It is important to distribute the seeds evenly over the surface, and cover them with glass or film on top. The best way to water is through the pallet. After the seedlings grow up, they are placed in small containers. The planting will already bloom next year.

Diseases and pests

Aeschinanthus can be sore as well as damaged by pests if not properly cared for. Below are the most common problems for growers when growing this flower.

Gray rot

Gray rot appears on the stem, leaves in the form of spots that soften over time. This disease is aggravated by stagnation of moisture in the soil, coolness, drafts. To eliminate stains, it is necessary to spray with Fundazol, as well as to carry out proper care.

Powdery mildew

Looks like white bloom on foliage. It causes the foliage to dry out and fall off. For the development of the disease, conditions of cold, dampness, high humidity are favorable. At the very beginning of the disease, the flower can be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. To prepare the solution, take 2.5 grams per bucket of water. In case of severe damage, all the leaves will have to be cut off, after which they are sprayed with a solution of Topaz or Vectra. Prepare a solution and use in accordance with the instructions on the package. For prevention, the following solution is good: water - 1 liter, soap - 4 g, soda - 5 g.

Aphid

This small pest, affecting the plant, causes yellowing of the leaves and their subsequent fall. When aphids are few, you can deal with them with simple laundry soap. A good alternative is black pepper extract. To prepare a remedy from it, you need fresh pepper - 500 g or dry - 200 g.Pour in a little water, then put on the stove and bring to a boil. They simmer for about an hour on low heat. After a day, it is necessary to filter the resulting broth and drain into glass containers, tightly closing. The product should be stored only in a dark place.

To process the flower, make a solution of 5 grams of soap, pepper extract - 10 grams and pour water in an amount of 1 liter. From chemicals, Akarin, Fitoverm are suitable.

Shield

The presence of a scale insect on the plant is indicated by the formation of brown tubercles on the leaves and shoots. After this, the yellowing and drying of the leaves of the eschinanthus begins, followed by their fall. When there is a small amount of pests, they are treated with an infusion of chopped garlic with 500 ml of water. It will take 24 hours to prepare the infusion for it to be infused properly. After the allotted time, it remains to strain and apply. When the procedure has not given 100% effect, you should spray with Aktara, you can do it more than once.

Mealybug

The affected bush has a bloom in the axils of the leaves, as well as on the stems, which is outwardly similar to cotton wool. The process of wilting is gradually started, as a result of which there is a possibility of the death of the flower. At the first detection of a mealybug, it is immediately necessary to take measures: wipe it with alcohol-treated cotton wool or a solution made from laundry soap. With a large number of pests, Aktara is suitable as a spray chemical.

It is best to carry out preventive measures in order to prevent the appearance of neither insects nor diseases. To do this, from time to time it is recommended to process eschinanthus with a special solution. To prepare this preventive solution, take 10 liters of water and 10 drops of eucalyptus oil. This procedure is done 3 to 4 times with an interval of 7-10 days.

Possible growing problems

Falling leaves

This problem occurs in the fall or winter. To prevent it, it is necessary to maintain a temperature level of 15 degrees, not lower. Subsidence can also occur during summer when the soil is too dry. Another reason for the falling foliage of the eschinanthus is damage to the root system or the presence of a draft. When the earth dries up, just moisten the soil. With a strong exposure of the branches, they must be cut off, and the shrub itself is covered with a bag on top.

No bloom

In most cases, Aeschinanthus does not bloom when wintering was too warm with a temperature of about 16 to 18 degrees. The plant needs a cool atmosphere for 4 weeks or more.

The flowers darken and fall

Such a problem may arise as a result of rearranging the flower to another place or due to too low air humidity. In addition, water droplets falling on the flowers of aeschinanthus during watering can also cause darkening and subsidence. Eliminating the wrong care will fix the problem.

Brown spots on foliage

The reason for this situation is watering the plant with very cold water. Always use only room temperature water to moisten the soil, at least 20 degrees.

Yellow and dry leaf tips

The room temperature is too high and at the same time low humidity. It is only necessary to correct the shortcomings in care so that the problem disappears.

Black leaves

The stagnation of liquid in the soil leads to the blackening of the leaf plate of the eschinanthus. Before watering, be sure to wait until the top layer of the earth is completely dry.

Leaves curl

Too dry air leads to curling of leaves. Eschinanthus can be located next to the radiator, which also leads to this problem. In the summer, spraying is mandatory.

Types and varieties of eschinanthus with photos and names

In natural conditions, there are about 200 species of aeschinanthus. Only 15 of them are grown. The following are the most common among flower growers who are cultivated at home.

Aeschynanthus marbled (Aeschynanthus marmoratus)

This variety is distinguished by decorative foliage: white streaks in the form of stripes are present on the surface of the leaf plates. On the underside of the reverse side, the sheet is colored brown. The length is 10 cm. The bush looks very impressive on the wall in a planter. As for the flowers, they, unlike the leaves, are not so decorative and even unnoticeable, they have no decorative value. They have green tubes covered with brown spots. Against the background of bright saturated green foliage, they are simply lost.

Aeschynanthus beautiful (Aeschynanthus speciosus)

It is one of the most popular plants among the rest of the Aeschinanthus species. Its stems grow in length up to 50 cm. And the leaf plates are elongated to milking 12 cm. They are painted in a deep emerald color. Red flowers look great in contrast. At the tops of the branches there are flowers forming brushes. Corolla with a red-orange tube ends with a bend. The tube is divided into 5 parts. Outwardly, these parts resemble blades. Each limb is marked with a brownish-red speck in a crescent-like shape.

Aeschynanthus the Beautiful (Aeschynanthus pulcher)

There are gardeners who consider him beautiful Eschinanthus. However, these are different plants, they have differences. This type of foliage is smaller in size, and there is a red border on the edge. There is also a pale red color on the stems. The flower is about 6 cm in diameter, while the throat of the corolla is colored pale pink.

Aeschynanthus Twister

This unusual species is distinguished by leaves and stems that have a curved shape. Outwardly, they look like real curls, curls. The surface of the platinum sheets is smooth and glossy. The color is rich green. And the color of the flowers is orange-red. Flowers form at the ends of the branches as well as in the axils of the leaves.

Aeschynanthus Mona Lisa

This variety compares favorably with all the others in that it is much easier to grow it than other species, precisely at home. It is unassuming to care for. The branches hang down beautifully. They have leaves of a dark green color, veins in the middle are clearly visible on them. Inflorescences in the form of brushes are located at the tops, rather dense. Formed by bright red flowers.

Aeschynanthus lobbianus

The species is native to the island of Java. The stems of the plant are light red. On them are oval-shaped leaves of dark green color. From the inside, the plate is painted in a light green tint. At the ends of the stems during flowering, brushes are formed, which are created from bright red flowers with a yellow tube.