Rhodochiton (Rhodochiton) is a perennial vine, the shoots of which are distinguished by rapid growth. The main advantage of the plant is its bright unusual inflorescences. The Rhodochiton flower is suitable for growing at home and can grow outdoors in a garden area.
Description of Rhodochiton
Rhodochiton belongs to Norichnik bushy plants. The distribution of perennials in nature is concentrated in Mexico and Central America. Climbing stems need support. Typically, the crop is planted next to fences or trees. The length of adult specimens is up to 4 m. Intense sunlight gives the leaves a crimson color. The shape of the leaves is cordate, in the middle there are threads of pale reddish veins.
Rhodochiton stands out against the background of other gardeners in the first place with beautiful flowers that have a dizzying aroma. The inflorescences are located under each leaf and are held on the stems with the help of oblong pedicels. The approximate size of a tubular cup is 25 mm. It is formed from five petals. The head of the bud has the shape of a bell. The blossoming inflorescences are painted in a burgundy hue, like grape wine. Fragile stamens stick out in the center of the cup, and a layer of delicate nap covers the petals. The five-pointed perianth-bell looks one tone lighter than the whole flower. The upper part is pointed. The perianth dying off occurs only after the vine has faded. The flowering phase in Rhodochiton begins in summer and lasts three months.
Rhodochiton is grown either in an apartment or in a garden. In regions where the temperate climate prevails, the Norichnik representative is unlikely to survive an open wintering even in the presence of a high-quality shelter. In the garden, Rhodochiton grows as an annual. As soon as a cold snap comes, the flowerpot with a bush should be moved to a closed room, where the plant will overwinter until spring. In countries with a warm mild climate, Rhodochiton is not threatened by freezing, so the vine is allowed to grow in the open field.
If you do not take care of the flower, over time, the vine will lose its spectacular appearance. The bush is renewed at least once within five years.
Growing Rhodochiton from seeds
Sowing dates
The time interval for immersion of seeds in the soil depends on the climatic conditions of the area. Seeds of Rhodochiton, grown to decorate walls and arbors, can be sown in any weather. From February to March, seeds are sown in the event that the seedlings are then planned to be transplanted to the site.
How to plant seeds correctly
To grow seedlings of Rhodochiton, take a wooden box. A loose substrate is poured inside, which should consist of 1 share of garden soil, 1 share of humus and 1 share of coarse sand.
The seeds are pre-treated with a potassium permanganate solution for 5-10 minutes. After that, they are washed with water and laid out on the surface of a wet soil. To distribute the seeds evenly in the box, it is best to use a toothpick. From above, the grains are lightly tamped and sprinkled with sand or the remaining substrate. Throughout the entire germination stage, the crops are sprayed with water in moderation. Excess moisture causes mold and mildew to form in the seed containers.
Instead of boxes, special cassettes are often used, where one grain is planted. This method allows you to save time on picking and protect the seedlings from root injuries. Plants transplanted into a new pot take a long time to adapt. To finally take root, some of them will take 1.5 months. During this period, the bushes look weakened and often get sick.
To create greenhouse conditions, the sowing containers are covered with glass or a piece of film. It is important to provide the seedlings with a room temperature of about 20-24 degrees. It is highly undesirable to store boxes in a room where it is too cold. Seedlings under similar conditions show more slowly. Crops are regularly opened to get rid of condensation accumulated under the film.
How to care for seedlings
The tops of the first shoots appear in the 2nd or 3rd week. Then the boxes with crops are moved to the veranda with an air temperature of 16-18 degrees, so that the plants are well hardened before being sent to the garden plot. Due to the low temperature, the sprouts do not stretch.
When the seedlings get stronger, the film is removed from the boxes. In order for the seedlings to adapt to the new place without problems, they are systematically ventilated. Containers should be located away from direct sunlight, but have access to a natural light source. In case of hit of scorching rays on young foliage, burns remain.
Seedlings dive after the formation of 3 healthy leaf blades. The procedure is carried out in individual cassettes or compact pots, the diameter of which does not exceed 10 cm, and the height is 8 cm.
The transplanted plants take root in 1-2 weeks. All this time, they grow poorly and look painful. As soon as the adaptation process is completed, the culture will begin to build up its mass again. To make the seedlings easier to transfer the pick, the containers are rearranged away from the direct sun. The best option is placement in partial shade. The cut bushes are watered in moderation. Stagnant water in the soil entails rotting of the roots.
When the seedlings gain strength, the containers are again brought into the lighted room and continue to adhere to the previous irrigation regime. The length of daylight hours should be as long as possible. If there is a lack of light, it is necessary to install additional lighting. Phytolamps are used as supplementary lighting. If the bushes lack light, the sprouts will rush up. It is better to store seedlings near window openings that are directed to the east or west.
Rhodochiton seedlings with a highly overgrown root system are transplanted into a more spacious pot. The plant will not fully develop in a too cramped flowerpot.
Transfer to a garden plot
In May or June, the grown bushes are transferred to a permanent habitat. Before that, they are tempered day after day. Vases are left in the open air for a while, so that the future vine has time to get used to the environment.
Having dug up the area for seedlings, they make shallow holes, which are filled with water. When the earth absorbs moisture, the seedlings are transferred by a transshipment method, keeping an earthen ball so as not to damage the weak roots. A distance is maintained between the holes.
Carrying out cuttings
During the spring and autumn period, Rhodochiton is propagated by cuttings. The pots are filled with a nutrient substrate and the pieces of the shoots are placed inside.To start rooting and create a favorable microclimate, cover the cuttings with a half of a plastic bottle or bag.
While the cuttings are rooting, they are systematically ventilated. When the segments acquire roots, the rhodochiton is planted in a larger flowerpot. If there is a desire, subsequently, the vine can be planted on the site. Cuttings planted in autumn are transferred to the street only with the arrival of spring heat.
Rhodochiton care at home and outdoors
Lighting
For a lush and abundant flowering of Rhodochiton, good lighting is necessary. It is allowed to grow a perennial in partial shade, for example, next to a fence or under the crown of trees. Also, vine shoots develop normally, climbing the walls of a house or a gazebo.
In bright southern rooms, it is preferable to place a flowerpot away from the window opening. Window sills located on the west or east side are considered the optimal place for growing Rhodochiton.
Watering mode
The soil that fills the flowerpot is kept moist. Do not allow the water to stagnate for a long time at the bottom of the pot. If there is a drought in summer and there is no rain, the bushes are watered as often as possible.
Humidity level
Rhodochiton needs humid air at home. Oxygen deficiency is often felt in closed rooms due to heated appliances. Flower leaves are regularly sprayed with settled water using a spray bottle. Some florists install a container filled with water next to the flowerpot, or purchase an air humidifier - a device that regulates humidity in conditions of insufficient air conditioning.
The soil
Rhodochiton is transplanted into fertile and loose soil, which has high air permeability. It is recommended to pour humus at the bottom of the planting pits so that the bushes have enough nutrients for a long time.
Top dressing
Throughout the growing season, the liana is fed 2 times a month. Mineral mixtures are used. A culture becomes ill if it lacks phosphorus in its tissues.
Pruning rules
In order to preserve the spectacular crown, the shoots are constantly pruned. Activities are performed in the spring before flowering or in the fall before the plant enters the dormant stage. The third part of the stem is cut off. The obtained segments are used for reproduction.
Important! A prerequisite for growing Rhodochiton is the installation of a support. If the shoots have nothing to cling to, the bushes will soon break under the weight of the leaves.
Wintering
Rhodochiton is able to overwinter only in a room where the temperature does not drop below +16 degrees. During the dormant period, poor watering is provided. If the daylight is less than 14 hours, phytolamps should be used.
Diseases and pests
As a result of low humidity, the tops of the leaves dry out over time. The bushes are infected with mildew. Vegetative parts with signs of disease are removed. The plantings are sprayed with a fungicidal solution.
Aphids and whiteflies also cause harm to Rhodochiton. Leaves diseased with aphids are covered with sticky dew. The leaf is deformed and the buds wither. Pest colonies attack the juicy green parts of the perennial. Chemical preparations - insecticides - help to cope with the scourge. Greens attract slugs. It is possible to remove slugs from the garden only manually. The bushes are examined from all sides, the insects are collected in a jar, and then destroyed.
Rhodochiton in landscape design
In landscape design, dark-bloody rhodochiton is used - a plant with climbing evergreen shoots that lives in the wild in Mexico and Central America. Pointed leaves, painted dark green, contrast with tubular purple inflorescences. When the inflorescences fall off, pods with seeds remain on the pedicels.
Planting Rhodochiton in groups of several bushes, gardeners get dense and lush thickets that perfectly fill the free zone on the site. Liana is placed near fences, walls and fruit trees. The plant quickly gets along with different crops. Rhodochiton flowers will be a perfect decoration for any gazebo or loggia.
In middle climatic zones, florists recommend planting perennials in pots or pots. In the fall, containers are brought into the house so that the stems do not freeze. While the plant is dormant, it is advisable to keep the vine cool, for example, in a winter garden or on a glassed-in balcony. As an element of decor, a flower grown in a pots is placed on window sills or on shelves.
