Hypocyrta is an exotic guest from South America, a representative of the Gesneriaceae. Among their species, there are both epiphytic and semi-epiphytic lianas and shrubs and semi-shrubs.
The plant owes its name to the famous 19th century botanist-anthropologist Karl Friedrich Philip von Martius, who singled it out among others in the Amazon. The two Greek words "hypo" (under) and "kyrtos" (curved) formed the name of the species because of the shape of the flower, in the shape of which there is a significant deflection towards the bottom.
In hypocyrta, the shape of the leaves is in the form of an ellipse or an inverted egg: they have a sharpness. Among them, they are found not only with a glossy surface, but also with a fluff. Their back is almost always purple. Flowers in the plant appear at the base of the foliage in summer, their shape is characterized by a tubular structure with an enlarged bottom. Among the variety of species, there are standing specimens 40-60 cm in height, or creeping, with shoots 10-15 cm long. Florists love hypocyrt for the exotic foliage and flowers.
Hypocyrtal care at home
Lighting
Hypocyrta is very light-requiring, but prefers reflected light without direct sun. Especially in the warm season, when bright rays can burn sensitive leaves, do not allow them to hit. In winter, the plant also needs a lot of light, but, fortunately, it is not so whimsical and can be content with artificial supplementary lighting.
Temperature
It is different for each season, but the main condition for the successful cultivation of hypocyrtes is the absence of strong temperature changes and drafts. Optimum summer temperature: 20-25 degrees, winter 14-16 degrees. But it is recommended to keep the hypocyrtu naked in winter at a temperature 2 degrees lower.
Air humidity
When a flower grows vigorously, it needs a lot of moisture in the surrounding air. Therefore, it is advisable to moisten it with a spray bottle or place a pallet with wet sphagnum, pebbles or expanded clay nearby.
Watering
In increased watering, the plant only needs heat. A moderate amount of moisture should flow in the autumn, and in the winter, water it very little, but do not overdry the soil too much. Cold water is categorically contraindicated in hypocirp, use only warm water.
The soil
The substrate for hypocyrtes can be prepared by their own humus, peat, sand and leafy soil in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1. If you choose from store mixes, it is worth stopping on the soil for violets.
Top dressing and fertilizers
It is advisable to fertilize hypocyrt only during intensive growth, that is, in spring and summer, 2 times a month. For this, a ready-made liquid concentrate for flowering plants from a store is quite suitable. From mid-autumn to the end of winter, the plant should be at rest.
Transfer
Slowly growing hypocyrt does not need annual transshipment, it is enough to do it every 2-3 years. The pot is selected according to the size of the roots, not large. The presence of drainage holes and voids is mandatory, otherwise rotting of underground parts cannot be avoided.
Pruning
Before leaving the plant to rest, at the hypocyrt it will be necessary to shorten the processes, removing from every third part. This procedure is necessary in order for the stems to branch more, and in the future more flowers appear. Because they are laid only on new processes.
Reproduction of hypocyrtes
A young hypocyrta plant is best obtained from cuttings of a mature specimen. A young shoot of sufficient length with 4-5 internodes is separated from the adult plant during the active growing season. It takes root in water or any other mixture for cuttings (sand, perlite) without lower leaves. It is placed in the sand deep down to the petioles of the first leaves. Care for him is normal, like for most rooting processes: a greenhouse, ventilation, a comfortable temperature from 22 to 24 degrees.
After the long roots appear, the stalk can be planted in a permanent place. A hypocyrt is planted in small containers with pubescence in several cuttings at once - this is done for greater beauty. A hypocyrte with shiny foliage has a large bushiness, so its stalk will grow beautifully even alone, it is just that from time to time it is recommended to cut off the upper 1-2 internodes.
Diseases and pests
Hypocyrtu can hit powdery mildew or gray rotif the optimal conditions for its cultivation are systematically violated. Too high humidity in the soil and air will have a detrimental effect on the plant. If you notice the first signs of illness, remove unhealthy shoots and leaves and apply a fungicide.
Often the plant suffers attacks aphids, scabbards, whitefly and spider mite... To save a hypocyrt from them, use ready-made chemicals sold in specialty stores.
Problems in hypocyrtic care
- The appearance of brown spots - cold water intolerance or too long intervals between waterings.
- It does not bloom or there are very few flowers - poor lighting, unsuitable soil, poor nutrition, gross violations of the temperature regime, lack of young shoots.
- The leaves turned yellow and bent - direct sunlight.
- Foliage and flowers fall - the plant is flooded, moisture does not escape from the roots or the temperature of the room is low.
Popular types of hypocyrt
The most common types are: coin hypocyrt and naked hypocyrt.
Hypocyrta nummularia
Refers to epiphytes, has straight stems without branches. Its thickened leaves are very similar to the leaves of the money tree, with the exception of a light cannon on them, petioles and stem. Pale green in color, they are opposite to each other and have a rounded shape. The flowers consist of a yellow-red corolla and an orange bud. As soon as they wither, the leaves fall off at the hypocyrt, and a state of dormancy begins.
Hypocyrta glabra
It differs from the coin hypocyrt in the color and texture of the leaves: they have a deep green color with a glossy surface. This epiphytic representative does not change the color of the foliage during its life. Its shoots are erect, practically without lateral processes, the height of an adult plant ranges from 20 to 25 cm. Foliage with small petioles grows oppositely on the stem, has a rounding. Dimensions of one leaf: height 3 cm, width 1.5 cm. Short peduncles form an inflorescence of several swollen flowers. Their corollas are obtained from connected petals and resemble a spherical lantern with a small hole on top.
