Heliamphora

Heliamphora (Heliamphora) is an insectivorous predator plant belonging to the Sarracene family. Heliamphora is a perennial plant. In nature, it grows on the peaks of the mountains of Venezuela. Trap leaves help the plant survive in nutrient-poor soils.

Heliamphora has several names: "swamp amphora" or "solar jug".

How Heliamphora hunts

Heliamphora does its best to attract more insects to itself. First, the plant has a very bright color in good light. Secondly, the nectar of the plant has a persistent aroma that attracts insects. Thirdly, the shape of the leaves is a cone with a liquid inside. The insect sits on a leaf to feast on nectar. Then it goes down further along the villi and turns out to be in the liquid. It is impossible to get out of such a trap into freedom. The liquid contains bacteria that help the plant to digest the victim. To prevent the jug from overflowing with liquid, it has a small hole for the excess water to drain.

Description of the plant

In this unusual plant, the leaves grow directly from the rhizome. The stem is absent as unnecessary. Green leaves can turn bright purple in good light. When grown at home, they usually have only purple streaks. Heliamphora flowers are small bells. They can have 4 to 6 petals of white, pink or cream color.

Caring for Heliamphor at Home

The important points of successful cultivation of heliamphor at home are: light, humidity, temperature, watering, feeding and rest time required for the plant.

Location and lighting

Heliamphora is a light-loving plant. She needs light for 10 hours a day. In autumn and winter, artificial lighting must be used. In the summer, you can slightly diffuse the sun's rays on the heliamphora with light tulle on the windows. The flower will grow on both the south and east and west windows.

To be sure that the plant has enough light, just look at the color of its leaves. The bright color of the leaves indicates good lighting of the plant.

Temperature

In a room where Heliamphora grows, the temperature should be constant. She prefers 15-25 degrees, without significant daily fluctuations in temperature. Drafts are not terrible for the plant.

Watering

It is necessary to water the plant regularly, not allowing the topsoil to dry out. Heliamphora likes soft water.It is best to use rainwater for irrigation, and thawed water in winter.

Air humidity

Heliamphora loves moist air. You can use humidifiers or simply spray the leaves of the plant with water. The best option would be to grow heliamphora in special florariums, where the humidity and temperature necessary for the plant are maintained.

Top dressing and fertilizers

In this regard, Heliamphora is an independent plant. All that is required from the owner of the plant is to take it out into the fresh air or indoors where you can hunt for insects. No additional fertilizing is necessary for the plant to be added or added. Excessive nutrients are detrimental to the carnivorous plant.

Transfer

It is not necessary to specifically transplant the plant. Every three years, you can divide the bush into several plants for the purpose of reproduction.

It is necessary to transplant heliamphora as follows: put drainage on the bottom of a plastic pot. Then add mixed peat, sand and perlite. The soil should be acidic and loose. When transplanting, you must be very careful with the roots of the plant so as not to damage them. Heliamphora will die if the rhizome is damaged.

Dormant period

Since the plant comes from a warm country, where it is almost always summer, it grows all year round. At home, Heliamphora also does not need a rest period. Simply, starting in October, you can slightly reduce the watering of the plant.

Reproduction of heliamphor

Reproduction by dividing the bush

The easiest way is vegetative propagation. An adult plant can be divided into several parts. The division should be done very carefully. Heliamphora has tender roots. They can be easily injured. New plants should be planted in pots that are large enough for an adult plant to avoid disturbing the Heliamphora again. The plant loves acidic soil, reminiscent of natural soil in places where heliamphora grows in the wild. You can only divide a plant that is large enough. If you share the Heliamorph too often, it will die.

Propagation by cuttings

If the plant is propagated by cuttings, then in this case you have to work hard. The leaves separated from the plant should be planted in a pot with soil and create a greenhouse effect for them: cover with cut plastic bottles or glass jars. It is necessary to ventilate the seedlings daily. The plant needs a lot of light. Daylight hours should be at least 10 hours. The plant prefers diffused lighting to direct rays. In order for the sun's rays not to harm the plant, a floral film can be attached to the window, which will protect the heliamphora from the scorching summer sun. Watering should also be regular. As soon as the leaves begin to grow, you can remove the bottles or jars from the young plants.

Seed propagation

Growing these unusual plants with seeds requires patience. The seeds should be kept in a cool place for two months, preferably in the refrigerator. Thus, seed stratification is carried out. Then seeds are placed on top of the pots with wet peat. For them, a greenhouse effect is created with regular ventilation and watering. Then young plants are gradually accustomed to life without a greenhouse. Heliamphora grown from seeds blooms in seven years, not earlier. Therefore, dividing an adult plant is a more popular way of reproduction for heliamphor.

Diseases and pests

Heliamphora must be protected from pests and diseases. In the event that aphids, scale insects and other pests appear on the plant, in no case should chemical remedies be used. Acceptable remedies for control and treatment are soapy water or herbal decoction.

Types of heliamphor

Scientists count about 20 species of this plant. Currently, the search for new types of heliamphora is still underway.

There are several types of Heliamphora that are suitable for growing at home.Some of them are bred by humans, and some are natural variations of the plant.

Heliamphora drooping (Helianphora nutans)

Heliamphora drooping is the first type of heliamphor that was found by scientists. In 1840, a plant that feeds on insects was discovered on Mount Roraima in Venezuela.

Helianphora nutans reaches 10-15 cm in height. Her leaves are green with a red rim. At the tip, the leaf forms a cap that adorns the plant. The flowers of drooping heliamphor are pale pink or white.

In addition to Venezuela, Helianphora nutans is found in the border regions of Brazil. She prefers swampy, but well-lit places.

Heliamphora minor (Helianphora minor)

One of the most popular species among florists is Helianphora minor. This type of plant reaches 5-8 cm. Heliamphora small grows well in width, forming more and more new jugs. With good care, it blooms all year round. Small heliamphor flowers have a delicate creamy color. The leaves of the plant are light green with beautiful red caps.

Helianphora heterodoxa

Under natural conditions, heterodox heliamphora can grow both high in the mountains and in the lowlands. She can become a worthy decoration of the florarium: red leaves favorably distinguish the plant among its green relatives. Large nectar spoons attract more insects, allowing the plant to feed and maintain a healthy appearance on its own. It tolerates elevated temperatures well, but requires ample watering.

Saccular heliamhora (Helianphora foliculata)

Helianphora foliculata is one of the newly discovered species. The shape of the leaf determines the name of the plant. The leaves are green with red-burgundy veins. They have almost the same diameter.

Under natural habitat, Saciform Heliamphora grows in places with high humidity. She is not afraid of the winds. It can be grown near artificial reservoirs on its site, but only in the summer. In this case, it is necessary to ensure good watering and humidity.

The flowers are white, sometimes pale pink.

Heliamphora bristly (Helianphora hispida)

Helianphora hispida is a new species recently discovered by botanists. Has many benefits for home cultivation. Bristly-haired heliamphora stands out for its variegated colors: some leaves can be green, others become red, and still others delight the eye with a light green shade with burgundy edging. Helianphora hispida grows very quickly, forming a dense turf. But, she doesn't really like the transplant. Flowers, like most heliamphors, have white or pink hues.

Heliamphora pulchella (Helianphora pulchella)

Helianphora pulchella is distinguished by the original color of the leaves. They have a burgundy color with a purple tint. In addition, the edging of the leaves is not red, like in other species, but white. The height of the plants depends on the growing conditions: from 5 to 20 cm. The flowers of the heliamphora pulchella are white with a pinkish tinge. The stem can be up to 50 cm.