Cryptanthus is popularly called the "earthen star", and in translation from Greek this name means "hidden flower". This perennial differs from other plants in that it does not have a stem, and its flowers seem to be hidden in the depths of dense foliage, and it is very difficult to see them. The plant is common in Eastern Brazil and belongs to the Bromeliad family.
Criptanthus is an ornamental plant with dense long leaves that can be monochromatic or multi-colored, consisting of several stripes of different shades - green, light brown, yellow, reddish and white. In the center of the leaf rosette is a peduncle, on which an inflorescence of several white flowers appears.
Home care for cryptantus
Location and lighting
For growing at home, cryptantus is suitable for any kind of lighting, except for direct sunlight, which can cause burns to the leaves. During the short daylight hours, it is necessary to create additional illumination for the plant using fluorescent lamps. By the way, bright lighting helps to see the unusual pattern on the leaves of the cryptantus.
Temperature
Cryptantus feels good at temperatures of 22-24 degrees in the summer and 18-20 degrees in the autumn and winter months. A drop in temperature to 15 degrees and below the flower can only withstand for a short time, but this is not recommended. Temperature extremes and drafts are undesirable for this herbaceous plant.
Air humidity
The high air humidity that is created in a greenhouse or terrarium is ideal for growing cryptantus. This level of humidity can be maintained with the help of daily water procedures in the form of wet wiping of the leafy part of the plant and abundant spraying from a spray bottle. As an additional measure, you can use a tray for a flower pot, which will be filled with damp expanded clay. The bottom of the flower container should not touch the water.
Insufficient air humidity can affect the appearance of cryptantus - the tips of its leaves will begin to dry out gradually. They need to be cut and the humidity level in the room raised.
Watering
Watering the cryptantus should be abundant, but only after the top layer of the soil has dried. From March to September, watering is carried out regularly and in large volumes, and in the remaining months the abundance of watering decreases significantly and is carried out only a couple of days after the topsoil has dried. It is not recommended to allow waterlogging or overdrying of the soil mixture. Watering the cryptantus is necessary only with settled or purified water with a temperature close to room temperature. The water from the sump must be drained regularly, avoiding stagnation (about 20-30 minutes after watering).
The soil
To grow cryptanthus, you can purchase a ready-made mixture or prepare it yourself from humus (half of one part), moss, leafy soil and top peat (one part each) and chopped pine bark (three parts). In a flower pot, it is necessary to pour one third of the volume of the container a drainage layer and two thirds of the soil mixture, which should be loose and allow air to pass through well.
Top dressing and fertilizers
It is recommended to make feeding for cryptantus only in the warm season - from April to September. Every two weeks, the plant is fed with low nitrogen fertilizers for flowering indoor plants.
Transfer
There are no specific recommendations for the timing of cryptantus transplantation. The transplant is carried out as the plant grows or as needed.
Reproduction of cryptantus
Reproduction by lateral processes
A large number of offshoots can be found at the base of the cryptantus after the end of its flowering. Within one and a half to two months, they have 3-4 young leaves and a root part. It is necessary to carefully separate the children and put them in separate containers. The soil for young plants should consist of three parts of leafy soil, and one part each of river sand and crushed pine bark. You can plant shoots in a container with sphagnum moss.
Flower pots with branches should be kept in a room with an air temperature of at least 25-28 degrees Celsius and away from direct sunlight. On top of the container, cover with foil or glass. Open the cover for about fifteen minutes every day to ventilate.
Seed propagation
It is recommended to sow only fresh seeds in the soil, consisting of sand and peat, and keep them until sprouts appear in greenhouse conditions in a room with an air temperature of at least twenty-six degrees Celsius.
Diseases and pests
With proper care, cryptantus is rarely attacked by pests, and also does not get sick.
Growing difficulties
Plant problems arise only when the rules of care are violated.
- With excessive moisture - rotting of the root and leaves.
- In direct sunlight - burns.
- With a lack of moisture - wilting of leaves.
- At low air humidity, the tips of the foliage dry out.
If you follow all the rules and tips for care, then in return the cryptantus will delight you with its unusual look all year round.
