The genus Streptocarpus is extensive and has more than a hundred species of plants, they belong to the family of Gesnerian. Their distribution was received in Asia, Africa, and also on the island of Madagascar. Known this genus has 150 years. Among this genus one can find both semi-shrubs and herbaceous plant species, which have only one leaf up to one meter in length and small flowers on the peduncle. There are both annuals and perennials. Such a long-term species is, for example, royal streptocarpus, which is the progenitor of a large number of hybrid forms.
Streptocarpus is a rosette plant, which, like Senpolia, has a short stem. Its leaves are densely pubescent, wrinkled and broadly lanceolate in size: wide are up to 7 cm long and up to 30 cm long. Colors are bright green or mottled. On high peduncles there are flowers, one or two, in the axils of the leaves, they can be used for cutting. The corolla is about 2 cm in diameter, tubular-funnel-shaped. In hybrid plants, flowers are usually larger, in diameter they are about 4 cm, and those with a bend - up to 8 cm, although there are also miniature ones. Corolla five-lobed with round unequal lobes, two upper smaller than three lower ones. His color is pale lilac, but with bright purple stripes in the throat and tube. Currently, some species already have a pure white color with a yellow eye, pink, red and even two-color. Sometimes there are varieties with wavy edges at the petals, or terry.
Care of the plant
Lighting. In the summer period, the indoor plants of the streptocarpus prefer very bright and diffuse light, which favorably affects their growth and flowering. Like many plants, grow well on the windows of the west and east side. On the south side, the plant needs to be shaded, and on the northern side, it's likely that there will not be enough light.
Temperature regime. The temperature of the ambient air from the beginning of spring to the end of August should be quite warm - + 20-25ะก. During the rest of the year, the temperature is lowered to + 15-17C.
Watering. In the warm season and spring, the streptocarpus plants are watered sparingly, allowing the soil to dry slightly in the pot, but there should not be a long overdrying. Since September, watering is still being reduced, and in winter there is very little watering. Water for irrigation is permanent, its temperature should be the same as the temperature in the room. Watering the streptocarpus should be extremely accurate, as it does not tolerate waterlogging.
Trimming. If the air in the apartment is dry, then the tips of the leaves may begin to dry. If this happens, they must be pruned with a sharp knife, laying on a flat surface. It is not recommended to use scissors, as they squeeze the sheet.
Top dressing. Streptocarpus - plants are quite demanding on their diet. When there is a growing season, it is necessary to fertilize the complex mineral fertilizer, fed every seven to ten days.
Transfer. It is desirable for young streptocarpuses to perform transplant every year, in the spring. Adults only as needed, once every three to four years.
Pots use not very deep and with a wide diameter.
As for the substrate, it can be done in two ways. The first way is a mixture of leafy earth (2 parts), light turf (1 part) and sand of the half-piece. The second method with the same ingredients, but it is necessary to add one more part of the humus earth, and the sod to increase to 3 parts, you need a little bit more sand - one part. In the ground mixture and in the drainage it is necessary to add charcoal. If desired, you can use the mixture from the store, for example, a mixture for senpolia is suitable. If the plant is young, then there is no need to add a sod mixture.
Reproduction. These houseplants multiply in two ways - vegetatively and seeds.
Reproduction by division: It is necessary to take out the grown plant from the moist earth, cut off its part, on which there will be leaves and a thickened root. Cut the place to dry and sprinkle with crushed charcoal. In the container to fill a fresh substrate, slightly more than half, install a separate outlet and pour the soil to the root level, while the plant must be lightly dented and watered. At the very beginning, the planted plants are covered with a film so that they are better established. Very large leaves should be removed or cut to half. This will give impetus to the growth of new young leaves. A small amount of time will pass and young plants will bloom.
If propagated by seeds , then this is done in the following order: the seeds are sown in a small pot; deep planting is not necessary, just sow over the substrate; then covered with a film. Water the seeds through the pan. The container must be placed in a light and slightly shaded place, where they sprout. Every day, the pot should be ventilated, as the sprouts need oxygen. The temperature required for a good shoot is + 21C. Provide a homogeneous temperature at home is quite difficult, so the trays with seeds cover even more paper. Temperature fluctuations on the windowsill will still be, so it is desirable to put a container with sprouts in a greenhouse under the lamps.
A month and a half after emergence of the shoots, the film is moved, and then completely cleaned. Seedlings require picks. The first picking is carried out in a large container, where plants are planted for their free development. Gather small plants should be carefully so as not to damage the root system. To do this, you can use a wooden spatula with a slot. The stalk of the plant to hold fingers is not recommended, because it is easily damaged in this way. After transplanting, the soil around the plant is compacted. After planting, the plant is watered and put in a warm place, and again covered with a film. When there is a second pick, then it's necessary to plant already in individual pots. If there is enough room in the room, then the first picking can be done already in separate pots, it is just necessary to change the amount of substrate. The growth of seedlings is favorably influenced by feeding. Seeds can be planted several times a year, and the plant can blossom in different months. If the crop was at the end of January, then in July-September the streptocarpus will bloom, if planted in the summer, then it will blossom in April or a little later.
Possible difficulties
- If the streptocarpus appeared gray rot, then, most likely, the plant has excess moisture.
- If the temperature of the content is excessively high, then the buds become brown.
- If the tips of the leaves are baked, then there is not enough moisture, or too much watering.
- The spider mite, scutellum, thrips, whitefly or mealybug can damage the plant.