These plant species are epiphytic or semi-epiphytic, that is, they grow on other crops. Usually they prefer places of accumulation of plant remains - hollows of trees or the base of tree branches. Depending on the species or variety, the stems of the columbine may be erect, creeping or dangling, you can also see shrubs up to 1 meter in length and plants of bushy shape. Leaves in the columbia are very small (up to 4 cm in length), rigid, depending on the species, purely green or mottled, opposite, oval or slightly oblong in shape. Very effective flowers are Columns - red, orange or yellow, tubular, bloom in the axils of the leaves. The fruits of the columbia are white berries, in which dust-like seeds mature.
In collections of botanical gardens, the columbine is grown as a rare species of ornamental plants. It can be found growing in a pot or as an ampel shape. There are known pure species of columbia and hybrid, widely spread.
Care for the Column.
Indoor plants of the columbine love warm and bright lighting, but do not tolerate direct sunlight, so plants located near the southern windows should be shaded. The optimal place for the growth of the columbine will be near the window from the west-east side, since from the north side the plant may lack the sunlight and bloom will not. Also, it is advised to illuminate plants with lamps in the autumn-winter period.
The optimum temperature in summer is about 25 degrees, although the plant can tolerate a much higher temperature (up to 30 degrees). In winter, the optimum temperature for the columney is approximately 17 degrees.
To water a columbine it is necessary to moderate, not to overdry and not to fill, the ground soil should be moderately wet. Avoid watering with hard cold water. In winter, watered about once a week, while monitoring the moisture content of the soil.
The plant does not tolerate dry air, so frequent spraying with cold water at room temperature is necessary. Water for spraying should also not be rigid. It is also advisable to water the leaves of the plant with warm running water (can be from the tap), then dry it in a dark place.
Usually these houseplants do not need a rest period. But, if in winter the plant is not provided with enough light, then stop feeding, limit watering and keep in a room with a temperature of 15-17 degrees, and at night within 12 degrees. This will contribute to the formation of new buds. However, the plant should be left in such low temperatures for about 30 days, a shorter period may not yield the desired results.
During the period of active growth (from late March to early October), the columine should be fertilized once every 10-14 days. If the active period of vegetation is also in the colony during winter, fertilizing is also necessary, but less often - approximately once in 20 days.
For greater beauty and splendor of the bush, a few pots of a columbine are planted in one pot. But with a single planting of the columbine, as soon as the shoot starts to grow, it is pinched. Thus, new young shoots will grow and soon they will turn into a beautiful lush flower with flowing stems.
Columnia are plants that do not require frequent transplantation (approximately once a year). After the plant fades, pruned and transplanted into a floral substrate. Well, if the composition of the earth mixture will include humus, peat, coconut chips, etc. At the bottom lay a layer of drainage.
Reproduction of Columns.
Reproduction occurs by cuttings or sowing of seeds. But they are often propagated by cuttings.
After the winter-spring flowering cuttings cut from faded shoots, leaving on the bush stems with 2-3 leaves. On cuttings use shoots of 5 centimeters in length. In one pot, several pieces of cuttings of the colonies are planted on the rooting. To plant the cuttings, a mixture consisting of equal parts of humus, sand and leaf land is prepared. For planting, also use a peat-sand mix, in a ratio of 1: 2. Rooting should occur at a temperature of 20 ... 24 degrees, with moderate watering. Spray cuttings should not be so that the young leaves do not start to rot. After rooting, the colonel is transplanted into a more spacious pot. The earth mixture is prepared loose, air-permeable and composed of sand, peat and turf, one part each, and two pieces of leaf earth. Transplanting into even more spacious pots is performed when the roots of the plant fill the entire pot space. On average, this happens within 2-3 months.
Seeds are planted only by breeders, since this process is much more complicated and requires special conditions. So, for example, to create the necessary humidity and the required constant temperature, you will need to build a special greenhouse.
Possible problems.
The leaves of the plant can dry for various reasons. Due to high or, conversely, due to low temperature, if not enough moist air. Leaves dry in summer if the soil in the pot is too dry.
The leaves turn yellow or become covered with brown spots, if the plant is watered with too cool water. The required water temperature for irrigation is at least 20 degrees.
If the room where the plant is too dry air and high temperature, the tips of the leaves will start to turn yellow and dry.
If the columbine is in conditions that are contrary to the formation of buds (too high air temperature), then it will not bloom. So, in the beginning of winter it is advised to lower the temperature for about one month to about 12 degrees for one month.
To avoid falling leaves so that the leaves do not darken, try to spray the plant during flowering carefully so that the water drops do not fall on the flowers.
Excessive watering and stagnant water can cause the appearance of various types of fungal diseases and rot.
Plants of the columine can be damaged by pests such as aphids and mites.