Setcreasea is an evergreen perennial from the Kommelinov family. It is a southern herbaceous plant native to Mexico and South America. Distinctive features of an ornamental culture are elongated pubescent leaves, very fragile flowing shoots and dense flowering bunches of small white, purple or pink flowers.
Types of meshcreasia
Setcreasia green
Herbaceous perennial with delicate light green leaves, which, as it were, wrap around the stem. The plant blooms with very small white flowers, which are located at the tops of the shoots in the form of a dense bundle.
Setcreasia purpurea
Herbaceous culture with heavily pubescent leaves, painted crimson on one side, and purple on the other and flowing shoots. It blooms with small three-petalled lilac or pinkish flowers.
Netcreasia striped
A perennial belonging to herbaceous crops differs from other species by creeping shoots, elongated small leaves with a soft velvety surface and an unusual color. The upper part of the leaves of a rich green shade is covered with thin stripes of white of varying thickness, and the lower one is painted in pinkish-purple color. The bloom is very modest, it consists of very small purple flowers. The shoots exposed over time become very brittle and can break off, not supporting their own weight or from accidental touch.
Home care for netcreasia
Location and lighting
Throughout the year, the culture requires bright, diffused lighting. Shading is only necessary on hot and sunny summer days. Direct rays of the sun are dangerous for the plant, they can cause sunburn to the leaves.
Temperature
The temperature regime changes depending on the season. The optimum temperature in the cold winter period is 10-12 degrees Celsius, the rest of the time - from 20 to 22 degrees. In the summer months, the flower can be placed in the garden in partial shade.
Air humidity
Setcreasia prefers high humidity in the room - from 70% to 75%. You can maintain this level by regularly spraying the space near the houseplant. Water during such water procedures should not get on the leaves.
Watering
When watering, water should also not get on the leaves, as this will lead to the formation of a white spot. Moderate watering is required throughout the year. The frequency of watering depends on the season. For example, in spring and summer, the plant needs to be watered more often, by the fall, watering is carried out less often, and in winter they are needed only after the soil dries up by 3-4 cm.When the earthen coma is dried out, the plant may die.
The soil
The netcreasia flower is grown in a loose and light soil mixture composed of river sand, humus earth (one part at a time) and leafy earth (two parts).
Top dressing and fertilizers
Fertilizers are recommended to be applied throughout the summer period with an interval of 10-15 days. Excessive mineral nutrition negatively affects the decorative qualities of the plant - the purple color disappears.
Transfer
Transplantation of young crops is carried out once a year, adults - 1 time in 2-3 years. When transplanting, the shoots are trimmed by about half.
Reproduction of netcreasia
The seed method and division of the bush is considered less effective and is used in rare cases. The more common method of propagation is by cuttings and side shoots.
The apical six or ten centimeter cuttings are placed for rooting in a container with water or a sand-peat mixture. After rooting, cuttings should be transplanted 3-4 pieces into one pot.
Lateral shoots are bent to the soil, fixed in it and left until roots are formed.
Diseases and pests
If the rules of care are violated, a spider mite, scale insect or aphids may appear, as well as diseases such as gray rot and black leg.
