Such a plant as costus was known to the ancient Greeks, but today, unfortunately, it has been unfairly forgotten. It is extremely rare to notice it in a florist's house; you will not often find this plant on the counter of a flower pavilion. This is extremely unfair: the plant is quite interesting, by the way, not only during the period when it blooms. In common parlance, it is called a spiral ginger: since it is a relative of ginger, and if you look closely at the flower from above, it really looks like a spiral.
In addition to the fact that the costus flower itself is very attractive at first glance, it is also recognized as a medicinal plant. Its healing properties are amazing! What diseases he just cannot heal: stomach pain, and asthma attack, and cough, is also an excellent remedy against inflammation and a remedy capable of healing wounds, and much more. Costus is also used as an aphrodisiac and tonic. And in the perfumery industry a special place is reserved for it. In general, this plant is useful and extraordinary from all sides.
Costus properties
It is very easy to meet this miracle in tropical African, Asian and Australian regions - costus is a true connoisseur of humidity and warmth. The genus of this flower contains about a hundred species, but the most common (in the home development of floriculture) is considered fire costus... So what is this flower like? Refers to root perennial species that reach a height of 50 centimeters. It is called so because it has bright orange bouquets that look like tongues of flame between the green of the leaves. The stem is endowed with a spiral shape, thanks to which the plant absorbs a lot of daylight.
But I didn't want to focus on morphological properties, this is the work of encyclopedias, get a costus and you will see for yourself how attractive it is and is very different from other indoor plants. By tradition, we will focus on proper care for this exotic miracle and prove that any outlandish thing grows at home, the main thing is to want it badly!
Caring for a costus at home
Watering and humidity
Costus just loves water. He does not tolerate drought, loves to be watered with warm, soft water. The costus should be watered when the topsoil is dry. In winter, this flower should be watered not so often, but regularly. No stagnation of water in the sump should be observed.
Low humidity air is another problem that interferes with the normal life of indoor flowers. Costuses love high air humidity, so you need to draw water into a spray bottle and spray the air around the plant quite often. You can put a container with a flower on a pallet filled with expanded clay and water.
Temperature and lighting
We have already said that this plant loves heat. It is recommended to grow costus at 18-25 degrees. In the summer, you can put the plant on a balcony, loggia or garden and place it under the bushes.But it is necessary to strictly monitor that the sun's rays fall only in the morning and evening (but without direct sunlight, but only through the foliage), the plant should be protected from the sun at noon.
Transfer
Transfer - this is loudly announced, rather, transfer will do! Every year it is necessary to reload the costus, while only the top layer of the earth is removed and renewed with fresh soil with fertilizers. For planting, the following composition is usually used:
- Sod soil - two parts
- Leafy soil - one part
- Humus - one part
- Sand - one piece
The capacity should be taken wide, and after the next transshipment, the volume of the pot should be increased.
Top dressing and fertilizers
It is recommended to add top dressing only in the spring and summer periods (since this is the moment of the best growth). During the period when the costus begins to grow leaves, it should be fed with a complex mineral supplement for decorative deciduous, and when buds are formed, it is necessary to make a solution for flowering. It is excellent for fertilizing with fertilizers with an equal content of sodium, potassium and phosphorus, as well as for formulations with a high content of trace elements.
Reproduction
Costus propagates very simply: you just need to sow the seeds, divide the adult root, or cut off part of the stem.
Root division - refers to the fastest and easiest way to reproduce. The bushes grow well before the autumn period, which allows you to get many plants at the same time. You need to plant divided roots in a composition for an adult costus.
To propagate a plant from a seed, you need to stock up on patience and seeds (without them anywhere). For this procedure, you should prepare a greenhouse, plant seeds on the surface and sprinkle the earth with a thin layer. Then we do humidification, the greenhouse needs to be covered with a film and it should stand in a bright place, with room temperature. Spraying is carried out very often, ventilation should be carried out from time to time. When the first leaves appear, the film must be removed.
Cuttings - also considered one of the simplest ways! The best time for the procedure is February. Cuttings take root in peat tablets or in wet sand. Greenhouses are also used (as with seeds). In humid and warm enough conditions for survival, you will not have to wait long, but with the transfer, it is better not to rush, but to wait until the young plants fully take root.
In addition to the three methods described above, costus can be propagated by "bulbilli" - these are round-shaped airy tubers that appear in the leaf axils. If you press on the bulbills, they fall, and they need to be placed on the surface of the earth and rooted, like seeds.
Costus bloom
Fire costus begins to bloom in September. By this time, bright, orange flowers appear from the leaves at the top, which are the star of the entire bush. After flowering, seeds are tied, when they are fully ripe, they are able to maintain germination for a very long time.
At the onset of winter, when the flowering is almost over, the costus begins to shed its leaves. Do not worry, this is normal for him, the flower should not be considered sick! The leaf always begins to fall at the onset of the winter period, but in no case does this happen in the spring or summer! If this happens, then it turns out that the plant does not have enough nutrients or poor lighting.
And one more thing: during the summer period, the bush is able to grow strongly, which means that in the autumn period you will have to do one more transshipment.
Diseases and pests
Costus is considered not susceptible to various "nasty" and diseases, but still from the attack of a tick or mealybug can die. If this happened by accident, then you need to spray the bushes with an effective insecticidal solution. The solution should be made according to the instructions, observing safety precautions. You need to work strictly in a dressing gown, glasses and gloves.Process only outdoors. If the lesion is profuse, it is best to carefully cut off the affected area.
Costuses do not cause any particular difficulties, the main thing is that they stand in the right place and choose living conditions that are suitable for natural conditions. You just have to find a common language with the plant and enjoy the bright red fireworks that will color the gloomy autumn days.
