Jacobinia (Justice)

Jacobinia or Justitia is an indoor flowering plant from the Acanthus family. The most common flower in the tropics of Latin America. There are about 50 species in the genus. It is an evergreen perennial that can grow to the size of a small shrub 1.5 m high.

Basically, the flower grows in its natural environment. At home, only three types of Jacobinia are grown: Fields, bright red and meat-red. It should be noted that all species are remarkably beautiful, but for some inexplicable reason, these three species have become the most popular among flower growers.

Jacobinia is one of those domestic plants that have won the attention of amateurs, both flowering species and deciduous ones. She is equally beautiful with flowers and during their absence. And if we take into account that Jacobinia is not at all capricious and does not require special care, then you can without hesitation add it to the list of those plants with which a young florist should start.

By the way, an interesting detail - Jacobinia is almost impossible to buy in a flower shop. But at the fair there will certainly be more than one species of this plant. You can also turn to people who grow flowers in greenhouses.

Description of the Jacobinia plant

The stem of the plant usually stretches upward, but may branch slightly, lignifies over time. Leaves are bright green, glossy, oval. During flowering, large, candle-shaped inflorescences can be seen. The flowers consist of a huge number of pink, red, orange or white drooping petals. Inflorescences can be located both on the shoots and on the top of the plant. Flowering lasts for 2 weeks.

Jacobinia care at home

Location and lighting

For active flowering and good development, the plant needs bright, not direct light, but in the cold season, on the contrary, it needs about 3-4 hours of direct sun. If the Jacobinia grows at home, in the summer it must be protected from the scorching sun. If possible, you can take out into fresh air. It is only necessary to cover the flower from the heat of the day. Getting used to the sun should be gradual. Especially if the flower is home and the sun in the room did not receive very much. Also, do not place immediately after purchase in direct sunlight.

Temperature

Jacobinia prefers moderate indoor temperatures. But taking into account the recommended removal to fresh air in summer, it is clear that it easily adapts to the summer heat. The ideal temperature in summer is 20-25 degrees, in winter at least 16 degrees. True, there are Jacobinia with single inflorescences. Winter temperatures of 6-10 degrees are suitable for them. If it gets hotter, these species are likely not to bloom. This, of course, is problematic for breeding, so cold-loving species are not very common.It's hard enough to keep them cool.

Watering

Here Jacobinia does not differ in originality. Like the bulk of plants, in summer it requires abundant watering. As soon as the topsoil dries up, add water. But be sure to make sure that there are no surpluses, otherwise the earth will turn sour and the roots will begin to rot. If the water runs out into the plate under the pot, be sure to drain it. In winter, watering is reduced, but you need to look at the situation. Watering primarily depends on the room temperature. If the flower is in a room with central heating, especially on the windowsills, you need to water a little more and more abundantly.

Air humidity

Jacobinia does not tolerate dry air well. The plant should be sprayed regularly. Wipe the leaves with a damp sponge and take a small shower, covering the ground with plastic. You can put the pots in a tray with water or moss, pebbles, expanded clay, which are constantly moistened. The main thing is that the water from the pan does not fall into the plate under the pot. And it is better to combine all types of air humidification.

Top dressing and fertilizers

During the flowering period, you need to add top dressing (you can both organic and mineral) to the water for irrigation every ten days. Alternatively, water the soil with plenty of water before using fertilizers. But do not overdo it with a dose of top dressing. If the plant is overfed, it will almost certainly not bloom.

Transfer

Usually, the Jacobinia is transplanted once a year, when it becomes cramped in the pot. There are rare cases in the summer season when a transplant is required two or even three times a year. When transplanting a plant, the pot must be taken one size larger. Many novice growers make the mistake of using a growing pot. This categorically cannot be done for a simple reason - there will be a lot of land, which means there will be plenty of water. And this excess will acidify the soil and, as a result, lead to poor results.

Drainage is an important detail when transplanting Jacobinia. Drainage serves two purposes. The first one accumulates water. Second, it removes excess moisture from the ground. Expanded clay (but not construction!), Fragments of an old clay pot and, with loose soil, pieces of foam plastic can be used as drainage.

The soil

You can pick up any soil, even garden. But if the “owner” wants to create comfort for his “pet”, it is better to use humus soil. It will not be difficult to cook it yourself - sand, humus, peat, deciduous soil (1-1-1-3). In a young forest, it is better to take the top layer of deciduous soil. It is worth paying attention to the soil under linden, maple and walnut. But willow and oak are best avoided. Ideally, humus should be taken after cleaning the greenhouses. The sand needs river white. If you use a marine one, then it must be washed several times. And it is better not to use construction at all.

Pruning

If the grower is not indifferent to the appearance of the Jacobinia, and he wants to get a beautiful plant with many branches and flowers, then regular pruning is an indispensable condition. If you strive for a low, but voluminous flower, pruning should begin from the moment when the plant grows to 15-20 cm.

While the plant is young, pinching of the third leaves in the buds is carried out. As you grow older (usually in the second year), you can start pruning. Moreover, it must be done without regret, but also without fanaticism. Shoots are cut to a maximum of half, so that 2-4 nodules remain. Each cut off shoot gives 2-4 tops. If the grower regularly, every year, pruns, in a few years he will receive a short and lush plant.

Reproduction of Jacobinia

Most often, Jacobinia is propagated using cuttings. The optimal period for propagation by cuttings is the end of winter. After pruning the plant, take a stalk with two knots. Dry it slightly (within 24 hours, maximum two) and plant it in a mixture of peat and sand. Can be covered with a bag for a greenhouse effect. The temperature should be around 20 degrees. Water a little. The first watering is carried out a few hours after planting the cuttings.With the use of growth stimulants and heating, the onset of growth will accelerate. When the cuttings grow to 10-12 cm, they can be transplanted into separate pots. To make the plant more effective, you need to plant 2-3 cuttings at once. Young leaves can be pinched several times for greater branching.

Another way of reproduction of Jacobinia is by seeds. However, this method is not popular with flower growers. If you nevertheless decide to grow Jacobinia using seeds, then it is important to know that the crops should be at a temperature of 22 degrees.

Diseases and pests

Jacobinia rarely gets sick and is affected by various pests. But if the air humidity is too low, a spider mite may appear. The leaves first turn yellow, and then dry out altogether. On the reverse side of the sheet, you can see a thin white web.

With improper care of Jacobin, painful symptoms appear:

• Due to insufficient moisture in the plant, leaves may fall off.
• With a lack of lighting in winter, the leaves turn yellow.
• With an excess of fertilizers, the plant does not bloom, while actively gaining leaf mass.
• Jacobinia loses its decorative shape if the air is too cold or near drafts.
• Flowers can rot if they get a lot of moisture or the room is poorly ventilated.
• The tips of the leaves curl at low temperatures.
• In direct sunlight in the heat, burns may appear on the leaves.

Types of Jacobinia with a photo

Jacobinia pauciflora

A low shrub, reaching a maximum mark of 0.5 m. The shoot is branched, the shape of the leaves is oval. During flowering, you can observe lush red and yellow inflorescences.

Jacobinia meat-red (Jacobinia carnea)

The straight shoot reaches a height of 1 m. The leaves are elongated, up to 20 cm long, with slight pubescence on the surface. Inflorescences are round pink.

Yellow Jacobinia (Justicia aurea)

The plant of this species has a magnificent shape and reaches a height of 1 m. The leaves are matte, densely cover the stem. The inflorescences are volumetric yellow.

Jacobinia Brandegeana

The highly branching shoot reaches a length of about 1 m. Large leaves are bright green. Inflorescences are small, white, around which there are orange bracts.

Jacobinia Pohliana

The species is represented by large shrubs about 1 m high. The leaves are green with a deep shade. The flowers are pale pink, collected in small inflorescences.