Scutellaria is a well-known evergreen plant that can be found in nature almost all over the world. It belongs to the family of Lipocytes and in translation from the Latin language means "shield" because of the peculiar construction of the shape of the flowers. Only one species of Costa Rican scutellaria can be grown at home.
Costa Rican scutellaria (Scutellaria costaricana) - This type of scutellaria belongs to shrubs, in which slightly woody stems are about 20-60 centimeters long, bright green leaves resemble an elliptical shape, and spike-shaped inflorescences consist of numerous yellow flowers resembling the shape of a helmet. It is because of this structure of flowers that Scutellaria is often called Shlemnik.
Home scutellaria care
Location and lighting
Lighting for scutellaria needs bright diffused, except for the summer period, when additional shading is required. Keeping the plant indoors with insufficient light can lead to discoloration of the leaves and lack of flowering.
Temperature
Favorable temperature conditions for scutellaria vary depending on the season. In spring and summer - 20-25 degrees Celsius, and in other months it is recommended to lower the temperature to 13-15 degrees.
Air humidity
Scutellaria need constant high air humidity in the room. Such conditions can be created with the help of regular water procedures in the form of spraying and rubbing the leaves with a damp sponge. Trays for flower pots filled with moistened expanded clay will also increase the humidity of the air, only the container with the plant should not touch the water level.
Watering
Watering rules for scutellaria vary by season. From March to October, the plant must be watered abundantly, but without an excess of moisture in the soil. The rest of the time, the volume of watering is reduced, but the soil in the container with the plant should not dry out completely. Irrigation water should be soft, with a temperature slightly above room temperature.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Top dressing is necessary for scutellaria only during the period of active growth and development. Complex liquid fertilizer intended for flowering plants is used for watering no more than three times a month.
Transfer
It is recommended to transplant scutellaria no more than once every 2-3 years. The soil mixture should consist of the following components: turf and leaf soil (in two parts) and sand (one part). Such soil will provide the necessary air and water permeability, as well as looseness. A drainage layer is required.
Pruning
For the growth and development of scutellaria, regular pruning is of great importance, which should be carried out in the spring every year. After pruning, shoots should be no more than 10-15 centimeters long.
Reproduction of scutellaria
For seed reproduction, it is necessary to sow seeds in loose soil and create greenhouse conditions until young shoots appear.The container should be kept in a warm room with darkening - until the sprouts appear, with lighting - after they appear.
For propagation by cuttings, you will need a soil consisting of perlite and peat. In such soil, the plant will quickly take root at a temperature of about 25 centimeters and with a dense film covering, and it is also advisable to take care of the bottom heating of the container.
Diseases and pests
Frequent and excessively abundant watering can lead to fungal diseases of the skullcap. The main pest is aphids.
Good afternoon! Please tell me the scutellaria is similar with justice? And they are also similar in care and inflorescence. I have justice (jacobinia).