Crossandra: features, types and varieties, care

Crossandra is a plant belonging to the Acanthus family. Distribution area - Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Congo, India.

Appearance and features of Crossandra

Shrub or shrub plant, highly branched. In nature, grows up to 1 m, with home cultivation - up to 50 cm. The shoots are erect, have a rich green smooth bark, which becomes brown as the flower grows.

Evergreen foliage attached to the trunk on elongated densified petioles. Placed opposite, in pairs. Form - ovoid or heart-shaped. The surface is shiny, dark green. They grow in length from 3 to 9 cm. Occasionally, colorful foliage is present on foliage along the veins.

Thickened inflorescences in the form of a spikelet, color - orange. The buds are tubular, have delicate and soft petals. In place of flowers, seed boxes are formed that open when wet.

The rest period lasts from October to the end of February. At this time, crossander requires good lighting and humidified air.

In the southern regions it can bloom throughout the year, but in the northern regions wintering is considered mandatory, otherwise there may be problems with flowering. In cold weather, it does not lose its decorative appearance due to the presence of dark shiny foliage.

Varieties and varieties of crossandra

For indoor cultivation, several varieties of crossandra are suitable:

Actions After Acquiring Crossandra

If a flowering crossander was purchased, then before performing a transplant, they wait until all the inflorescences have withered. Then completely change the soil. Leave only that lump of earth that is firmly held by the root system. To stimulate flowering, the plant is often treated with harmful drugs, therefore, they perform soil replacement.

Crossander bought after a flowering period is moved to new land after 1-2 weeks. Such a waiting period is necessary for the plant to get used to the conditions, because transportation and transplantation is stress.

Crossandra Care

When leaving at home, the crossandra mainly focuses on the season of the year:

Crossandra transplant and bush formation

The plant gets used to the pot for a long time, can delay the flowering period or discard the foliage, so the transplant is performed if the root system has braided all the soil and peeks from the bottom of the tank. If such manifestations are noticeable, then in the next spring the crossander is moved to a new vessel. The transplant is carried out by the transshipment method, keeping the earthen lump near the roots to the maximum.

The pot is selected 2-3 cm more than the previous one. A wide capacity is not needed, since the plant will begin to grow rhizome, then the ground part, and only then do flowers appear. In large vessels, water is retained, as a result of which there are risks of rotting the root system. The pot should have a lot of drainage holes.

Soil is selected porous, with an average level of fertility. Acidity should be neutral or slightly elevated. Often opt for universal soil and add a little crushed moss and coarse sand.

Also, the soil mixture is made independently, for this in the ratio 2: 2: 1: 1, take the following components:

• leaf and peat soil;
• turf land;
• sand.

For drainage, crumb of brick, small pebbles and expanded clay are chosen.

Having prepared the soil, they perform crossandra transplantation, for this they follow the plan:

1. The prepared soil is steamed, a new container is poured with boiling water.
2. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the pot, on top of it is a bit of earth.
3. 2-3 days before transplanting, watering of the plant is stopped, when the soil dries, it will be easier to remove the flower from the old container.
4. Crossandra is removed from the vessel, soil is separated from the walls with a knife or spatula, the root system is examined.
5. Rotted and dried rhizomes are cut off; several extreme processes are cleaned of the ground.
6. The flower is treated with a growth stimulant, Epin or Zircon is suitable.
7. Crossandra is placed in the center of the new pot.
8. Empty sections of the tank are filled with earth, they are compacted, trying not to touch the roots.
9. The plant is watered and sprayed on its crown.

Crossandra breeding

This indoor flower is propagated by cuttings and seeds.

The first method is considered more popular due to its simplicity. The optimal time for rooting the shoots is March-April.

Crossandra propagated by cuttings according to the algorithm:

1. A shoot of an adult flower is prepared, having a length of about 10 cm.
2. They create the soil of their peat, sand, sheet and turf soil (all components are taken in equal proportions).
3. The cuttings are placed on a substrate and wait about 3 weeks.
4. When the plant takes root, it is transplanted into a new pot, not forgetting about the drainage system.

Crossandra is rarely propagated by seeds, since the flower is stingy with such planting material. If, however, it was decided to use this method, then strictly follow the plan:

1. A substrate is made of both sand and peat, the components are taken in equal proportions.
2. Seeds are sown in the soil.
3. Provide + 23 ... +24 ° С.
4. Spray once a week.
5. The first sprouts occur after 2 weeks.
6. When 4 or more leaves appear on seedlings, they are planted in separate containers.

Crossandra Care Mistakes, Diseases and Pests

Crossandra cultivation entails attacks of various pests and diseases, which is often caused by poor-quality care:

If you notice these symptoms in a timely manner, then the problem can be eliminated and Crossander will please with a healthy appearance and long flowering.

Watch the video: How to Grow Crossandra Plant N All Care TipsWith English Subtitles (November 2024).