Plumbago (Plumbago) is a perennial evergreen shrub or semi-shrub, common in different countries of the world. Sometimes, by the name of the family, it is called a pig. The plant owes its main name to the Latin plumbum - lead: it was believed that it could serve as an antidote for poisoning. In some countries, lead is still used as an ingredient in the preparation of medicines. But at home it is better to handle her with care. The flower sap is poisonous.
Description of plumbago
Depending on the variety, the height of the plant varies from half a meter to 2 m. Certain varieties of plumbago can curl. The popularity of the plant is largely due to its elegance during the flowering period. Its tubular 5-lobed flowers are folded into airy inflorescences and can have a variety of colors: from red to white and lilac.
In home floriculture, the most popular is plumbago auricular or cape. It is distinguished by small oval leaves and flowers of blue, less often white color. A beautiful shrub is grown both in pots and in tubs or flowerpots.
Plumbago care at home
Pig is a moderately difficult plant to grow. With proper care of plumbago and due to its rapid growth, planting sizes can quickly increase to a couple of meters.
Location and lighting
The pig will not give up direct sunlight, but in hot hours, their amount can lead to burns. During periods of particularly active sun, the plant is shaded. In winter, the flower will need lighting.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for the normal development of plumbago does not exceed 22 degrees. If it rises higher, the flower will need a higher level of moisture. During such periods, it is also worth providing constant ventilation. The main winter requirement of a plant is coolness. At this time, the temperature is recommended to be reduced to 8-15 degrees. In warmth and without proper lighting, plumbago may begin to shed leaves, and then not bloom.
Watering mode
In summer, the plant is watered a lot and abundantly, in winter it is much less frequent. If the room temperature exceeds 25 degrees for a long time, it will be useful to additionally spray the flower.
Top dressing
The shrub will appreciate regular, weak feeding. During the period of main growth, a couple of times a week it is fed with mineral fertilizers. The usual dosage here can be reduced by about half.
The soil
Young pigs need to be transplanted into a new container every year. A 3-4-year-old bush will need transplants less often: once every couple of years. The best time to do this is in the spring. For the procedure, a new, spacious pot with drainage holes is selected. The flower is undemanding to the composition of the soil; ordinary universal soil is suitable for it.
Pruning rules
The flowering period of plumbago begins in summer. To make the bush look as elegant and neat as possible, its crown is formed in the spring. The degree of pruning depends on the future plans of the owner.Adult stems are difficult to bend, so the style of the crown should be thought out in advance and proceed with care. If you need to get a miniature bush or form a stem, it is worth cutting off the shoots shorter. By tying the branches, you can let them on the supports. Ampelous cultivation is also permissible, but in this case, the shoots will have to be cut constantly. In order for the bush to retain its decorative appearance longer, faded branches should also be removed.
How to propagate plumbago
Plumbago can reproduce in two ways: by seed and vegetatively.
Seed method
Sowing requires a mixture of sand and peat. Until the first shoots appear, the soil with seeds is kept under glass. The optimum temperature for seedlings is 20 degrees. Flowering in this case will begin at least six months later.
Vegetative way
Most often it is done after pruning. For such purposes, apical cuttings 10 cm long are suitable. For rooting, they are placed in a mixture of peat and sand or in perlite, and covered with a film on top. The roots begin to appear after about a couple of weeks. But the cuttings will require constant care - they need temperatures up to 16 degrees, daily spraying and fresh air. But such a seedling can begin to bloom in a few months.
Diseases and pests
Plumbago prefers moderately moist soil and tolerates short dry periods well, but if watered too rarely, the plant's leaves may begin to darken and dry out. Overflow can lead to root rot. A lack of nutrients can slow the growth of the bush or cause flowering problems.
If a flower pot is attacked by harmful insects - scale insects or spider mites, it should be treated with an insecticide.
