Gynura is a fast growing perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. In nature, ginura is common in Africa and Asia.
Ginura is a shrub or herbaceous evergreen plant. Its stems are ribbed, erect or climbing, reaching 1 meter in length. The leaf plates are of various shapes and sizes, usually green above, below - purple, serrated, pubescent with purple hairs. Few decorative small yellow inflorescences are located at the tips of the shoots. They smell bad.
Ginura care at home
Lighting
Gtnura needs bright lighting throughout the year. In the shade, the ginur will lose its purple color. Most of all, the plant is suitable for the windows facing west and east. Ginur, located on the southern windows, must be shaded. In winter, the plant needs additional lighting.
Temperature
Ginura needs a moderate temperature. In summer, it is best if it fluctuates in the range of 20-25 degrees. In winter, a cooler content is needed, within 12-14 degrees, but not lower than 12 degrees. Ginura does not tolerate drafts, but needs to ventilate the room.
Air humidity
Ginura is absolutely undemanding to the air humidity in the room and will do just fine without spraying.
Watering
During the growing season, ginura needs even, abundant watering, the top layer of the substrate should dry out a little between waterings. In winter, watering is somewhat reduced. The water with which the ginura is poured should be soft and warm. If water gets on the leaves, brown spots will remain on them.
The soil
For the successful cultivation of ginura, you can use ready-made universal soil, or you can prepare it yourself. Mix in equal proportions humus, turf and leafy soil, add 1/2 part of the sand.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, in the spring-summer period, ginura is fed once a month with a complex fertilizer for decorative deciduous plants; in winter, feeding is stopped.
Transfer
Ginura needs to be transplanted as needed. Transplanting is carried out by transshipment every spring into a larger pot. Ensure good drainage at the bottom of the pot.
Crown formation
In the spring, before the start of the growing season, ginure needs pruning. Throughout the season, the shoots must be pinched, thus a dense, beautiful crown is formed. If you do not trim and do not pinch the ginura, the shoots will stretch out and become bare at the base, the lateral shoots will cease to form at all or become rare and weak.
It is best not to allow ginura to bloom, cut the buds as soon as they appear.
Reproduction of ginura
Ginura can be easily propagated by apical cuttings. It is enough to break off a branch of the plant and put it directly into water or a mixture of sand and peat. The roots will appear in 7-10 days, after which the young plants are planted in small pots.Ginura grows quickly, root new cuttings every 3-4 years, and discard the old plant.
Diseases and pests
Ginura can be affected by scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs. If the plant is damaged by pests, treat it with an insecticide. Diseases in this plant are rare, but overflow and stagnation of water at the roots can cause various rot.
Growing difficulties
- Ginura leaves lose their purple color - perhaps a lack of lighting.
- Falling leaves - lack of moisture or old plant.
- Leaves become small - lack of light or nutrition.
- The plant is stretching - lack of light or spring pruning has not been done.
- Black or brown spots on the leaves are caused by moisture on them.
Types of ginura
Ginura Orange (Gynura aurantiaca) - a semi-shrub with climbing stems covered with lilac hairs. The leaves are serrate, violet-burgundy in color. The lower leaves are rounded, up to 20 cm long, the upper ones are smaller, tightly attached to the stems. Yellow or orange flowers smell unpleasant.
Ginura wicker (Gynura sarmentosa) Is a perennial shrub with ribbed stems barely growing up to 60 cm in height. Smaller than that of Ginura Orange leaves, soft and rounded, green with a purple edge. Yellow-orange flowers with an unpleasant odor.
