Crossandra hails from exotic eastern countries (India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Congo). It belongs to the Acanthus family and does not differ in great species diversity. So far, domestic flower growers are just eyeing this bright plant with lush green foliage and fiery lush inflorescences. Her demanding character is not on everyone’s shoulder, but anyone who decides to host this beauty will never be able to part with her.
Plant description
Crossandra is a highly branched shrubs and shrubs. The height of the indoor flower does not exceed 50 cm, and in nature the shoot can reach 1 m. The upright shoots are covered with a dark green smooth bark, which eventually acquires a brown color.
Evergreen leaves are attached to the stems on long dense petioles. They are opposite, in pairs. The leaf plate is ovoid or heart-shaped. Leaflets have large teeth on the sides and a pointed end. A sheet plate with a glossy surface is painted in saturated green or dark green colors. Its length is 3-9 cm. Sometimes on the leaves you can see a colorful pattern along the veins.
Flowering occurs from May to the end of August. The top of the plant is decorated with dense spike-shaped inflorescences with orange flowers. Tubular buds have thin, soft petals. The flowering of each bud lasts only a few days and is not accompanied by the spread of smell. In place of flowers, small seed boxes are tied, which open on their own when wet and scatter the seeds.
Types of Crossander
All types of crossandra are very attractive. They differ in size or color of foliage. For a home crossander it is better to choose the following varieties:
Crossandra is prickly. This herbaceous perennial is characterized by low growth and a large number of flowers. Leaves of a lanceolate form vary in size. Below are larger specimens up to 12 cm long, and at the top are miniature leaflets of about 2.5 cm. Small yellow-orange flowers are collected in dense inflorescences in the form of spikelets. At 6 cm, you can count several dozen buds.
Crossandra Fortune. The plant has a compact size and densely covered with bright green large leaves, famous for abundant flowering. Petals of flowers are painted in orange-salmon tones. The plant is more meek in nature and for a long time retains a presentable appearance.
Crossandra Nilotic. This herbaceous evergreen variety reaches a height of 50-60 cm. The crown consists of dark green glossy leaves. Tubular five-petalled flowers are terracotta or red.
Crossandra Guinean. Dwarf herbaceous perennial with a height of not more than 15-20 cm. The leaves of bright green color have an oval shape. Lilac flowers form a dense short inflorescence at the top of the crown.
Breeding
Propagation by cuttings is considered the most simple and convenient way to get a new plant. It is enough to cut the apical cuttings 10-15 cm high in the first half of spring. Immediately after pruning, the seedlings are rooted in fertile soil. They must be kept in a bright room with humid air at a temperature of + 20 ... + 22 ° C. Full roots in the cuttings appear after 20-25 days.
When growing crossander from seeds, you can immediately get a large number of indoor flowers. Before planting, seeds should be soaked in water for 6-8 hours. Sow the plants in a pot with a wet sand-peat mixture. The greenhouse is covered with a film and aired daily. At a temperature of + 21 ... + 25 ° C, young sprouts will appear in 15-20 days. Humidify the soil very carefully. 3-4 weeks after the emergence of seedlings, seedlings can be peaked in separate pots with soil for adult plants.
Transplant Features
In order for Crossandra to develop normally at home, she needs a transplant. Every 2-3 years, an adult plant is transplanted into a larger pot. Large materials are necessarily laid out on the bottom as drainage (brick chips, pebbles, clay shards, expanded clay). It is advisable to partially remove old soil from the roots. It is not necessary to ram the soil heavily so that the air penetrates to the roots of the plant.
Crossandra soil should consist of:
- peat;
- sheet land;
- soddy soil;
- river sand.
It should be loose and have a slightly acid reaction. To avoid the development of root rot, you can add pieces of charcoal to the soil.
Selection of a place in the house
At home, crossandra needs to create conditions that are close to natural. She lives in bright tropical forests, so she needs a long daylight and diffused lighting. Direct sunlight can burn foliage and trembling petals.
The optimum air temperature should not exceed 25 ° C even in summer. However, winter cooling below + 18 ° C will slow growth. Also in a cold room, the crossander can dump part of its foliage. Crossandra does not need seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations. For the summer it is useful to put a flower in the garden or on the balcony, but it is important to choose a place that is protected from drafts.
A resident of the tropics constantly needs high humidity. Any moisturizing methods are suitable: spraying, automatic humidifiers, proximity to the aquarium, trays with wet expanded clay. The hotter the room, the more often you should spray the crown, otherwise the leaves will begin to dry out. In this case, drops of water should not fall on the blossoming flowers.
Daily care
Crossander should be abundantly watered with warm, soft water. It is possible to fill the soil well, but after 20 minutes, drain all excess liquid from the sump. With cooling, watering is less common. The soil should dry 3-4 cm.
From early spring to the end of flowering, crossander is recommended to fertilize every week. Use complex mineral compounds for indoor flowering plants.
For winter, it is advisable to provide the flower with a rest period. Of course, it can bloom all year long, but it is very exhausting. Crossandra is losing appeal. Rest is indicated by a decrease in daylight hours and a reduction in watering from the end of autumn. The plant gradually slows down growth. After a good dormant period, the bush will bloom even more profusely.
After 3-5 years, the crossander gradually stretches and exposes the stems. To prolong the attractiveness, it is recommended to trim from the first year of the plant's life. Immediately after flowering, the shoots are trimmed by at least a third. New buds form on the branches and bushiness increases.
Diseases and Pests
Crossandra is susceptible to fungal diseases. When water stagnates in the soil, rot affects the roots, and when sprayed excessively, mold settles on the leaves.
In too dry and hot air, especially outside, the crown is often attacked by spider mites and scale insects. Regular treatment with insecticides and changing the plant's maintenance regimen help with parasites.
