Pavonia is a rare tropical evergreen that belongs to the Malvov family and is found in tropical climates on many continents. This shrub has bare shoots with small flowers at the tops and oblong leaves of a rich green hue. The flower is considered quite rare due to the difficulty of reproduction.
Home pavonia care
Location and lighting
Pavonia is a tropical plant that loves bright, but diffused light and does not tolerate being in direct sunlight. In the cold season, additional artificial lighting is required for 12-14 hours.
Temperature
The temperature conditions for keeping pavonia vary depending on the season. In spring and summer, the ideal air temperature is 18-22 degrees Celsius. In the autumn months, you need to lower the temperature to 16-18 degrees, and in December, January and February - about 15 degrees.
The flower does not like drafts very much. The plant must be protected from too active air currents during the ventilation of the room, however, the ventilation itself must be carried out as often as possible.
Air humidity
High humidity in the room is very important for pavonia. The plant needs regular spraying. Such a "shower" is carried out at least twice a day with purified or settled water with a temperature of 22 to 25 degrees. You only need to spray the leaves of the plant. To maintain the required humidity, the flower pot is placed on a pallet with wet expanded clay.
Watering
For watering pavonia, you need to use the same water as for spraying. The regularity of watering in spring and summer is frequent, and in autumn and winter it is rare. During the warm spring and summer months, the plant is watered abundantly. In autumn and winter, it is recommended to water the plant after about 2-3 days. The soil should always be moderately moist. Excess or lack of moisture in the soil will negatively affect the development of the plant. The water from the pallets must be drained in a timely manner.
The soil
The optimal composition of the soil for growing pavonia should consist of the following components: sand and humus (one part at a time), leafy soil (three parts) and sod land (four parts). The first layer in the pot should be a drainage material for indoor flowers.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Pavonia is fed only during the warm spring-summer season, 2 times a month. A compound fertilizer is usually recommended, the composition of which is specially selected for flowering plants grown indoors.
Transfer
The reason for the transplantation of the pavonia is the overgrown root system, which has entwined the entire earthen lump. It is better to replant the flower in early spring, around March - early April.
Reproduction of pavonia
Pavonia reproduces in only two ways (seed and cuttings), but this process is very long and difficult.For rooting, it is necessary to cut off the apical cuttings and, using phytohormones, root them in the greenhouse, maintaining a constant air temperature (from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius).
Diseases and pests
You can get rid of pavonia from spider mites, whiteflies, thrips or aphids by spraying with chemical solutions for indoor plants.
The plant is sick from watering with water with a high content of calcium or chlorine, as well as from excessive soil moisture in a room with a low air temperature.
Growing difficulties
- Lack of flowering - due to a large amount of fertilizers containing nitrogen, improper lighting, lack of water during irrigation during the period of active growth or high indoor temperatures.
- Falling buds - due to untimely feeding, lack of moisture in the air and in the soil, or non-observance of the temperature regime.
- Leaves fall - lack of moisture.
Types and varieties of pavonia with photos and names
Pavonia multiflora (Pavonia multiflora)
This type of evergreen shrub has one trunk with large oblong leaves (about 20 centimeters long and about 5 centimeters wide) and red flowers.
Spear-shaped pavonia (Pavonia hastata)
A short shrub with medium-sized leaves (no more than 6 centimeters in length) with denticles along the edge of a dense green color of a dark shade and white flowers with a red core.
