Mikania is a herbaceous perennial. Belongs to the Asteraceae family. The place of origin of this plant is the territories of Central and South America.
Over time, it was found that Mikania can be grown at home, although we are talking about only one species - triple Mikania.
Triple mikaniya is a perennial herb. The stems of a young plant grow straight, of an adult plant, they sink to the ground and spread along it. Mikaniya, thanks to its long stems, can be grown in pots in a suspended state in the form of an ampelous plant. The leaf has a complex structure: it consists of five diamond-shaped components. The upper leaf is larger than the middle and lower ones. The petioles holding the leaves are thin, brown in color. Velvety to the touch. The color of the leaves is dark green, with red streaks. The turnover of the leaf is magenta.
Caring for mikania at home
Location and lighting
For successful cultivation of mikania at home, bright, but diffused sunlight is needed. In the morning and in the evening, a small amount of direct rays are allowed. In winter, the lighting should also be good, and it is better to increase the duration of daylight hours with additional lighting.
Temperature
Mikania does not react well to too high or too low temperatures. In summer, the air temperature should be between 18 and 20 degrees. In winter, the room should be about 14-15 degrees during the day, and not lower than 12 degrees at night. Mikania does not tolerate drafts well, but the room in which the plant is located must be regularly ventilated.
Air humidity
Mikania grows well only in a room with high air humidity. But the procedure for spraying the leaves does not suit her at all. When drops of water get on the leaves, brown ugly spots form on them, which spoil the appearance of the plant. In order to increase the air humidity, pallets with wet sand or expanded clay can be used.
Watering
In the summer season, mikaniya needs constant abundant watering, but it is important not to allow water to stagnate in the pot, otherwise the root system of the plant will die. In winter, the substrate in the pot should dry out, but not dry out at all.
The soil
The substrate for growing Mikania can be prepared both independently and can be bought in a specialized store. It should consist of a mixture of sand, peat, leaf and sod land in proportions 1: 1: 2: 1.
Top dressing and fertilizers
In spring and summer, Mikania is in the stage of active growth, therefore, it needs to be fertilized at least twice a month. Fertilizers with an equal content of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium are suitable for feeding. To prepare the solution, use a concentration 2-3 times less than that indicated on the package.
Transfer
A young plant needs an annual transplant, and an adult one as needed, about 2-3 times a year. The time for a transplant is spring.The bottom of the pot should be lined with a good drainage layer.
Reproduction of mycania
Mikaniya propagates in one single way - with the help of cuttings. To do this, cut off the tops of the shoot, moisten the cut in a growth stimulator. Next, the shoots are planted in containers and covered with a glass jar or film, thus creating greenhouse conditions. They contain plants at a temperature of at least 20 degrees, the greenhouse is aired daily, and the substrate is moistened.
Diseases and pests
Among insect pests, thrips and red spider mites are most often affected by mikania. Among bacterial diseases, the plant can suffer from powdery mildew or gray mold.
It is quite simple to identify powdery mildew on the leaves: when damaged, a silvery bloom appears on them. Over time, the spots become larger, and the leaves begin to dry out and fall off. Powdery mildew infection occurs when the air is in a room with high humidity, and there is no ventilation. Powdery mildew can be fought with fungicides and antibiotic solutions. The treatment of the plant is repeated after about a week.
At low temperatures and high indoor humidity, leaves can be affected by gray mold. This disease leaves a fluffy gray coating on the leaves. Over time, the plant dries up and dies. To combat the disease, it is necessary to adjust the content of the mickey, and also treat it with a foundation.
Growing difficulties
- If the air is too dry, a red spider mite appears on the plant. It can be destroyed by spraying with a systemic insecticide.
- At high indoor temperatures and low humidity, mowing can be affected by thrips. They are also fought with a systemic insecticide.
- With a lack of light, the leaves become small, and the stems become elongated. If the air is too dry, the leaves curl and fall off.
Mikania is quite unpretentious in care, so even a beginner can cope with growing a houseplant.
