Crossandra

The genus Crossandra includes 50 species - small evergreen shrubs and semi-shrubs. In nature, the plant reaches a meter height, in culture-much lower. The leaves are simple, smooth (like varnished) to the touch, opposite leathery. Species are characterized by abundant long flowering. Inflorescences are spike-shaped with green pubescent bracts. The funnel-shaped crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis, or C. undulyfolia) is the most widespread species in the culture. It is a shrubby plant up to 90 cm tall with elliptical-lanceolate dark green glossy leaves. The flowers are tubular, consisting of 5 lobes, red-orange with a yellow spot; in dwarf cultivars, they are yellow and salmon-pink. Collected in axillary spikes, partly helmet-shaped due to triangular bracts. Flowering lasts for a long time, from spring to autumn. Crossandra nilotica (C. nilotica) is a species 50-60 cm tall with glossy dark elliptical leaves. Brick-red tubular flowers consist of 5 lobes and are collected in apical spike-shaped inflorescences. Less commonly grown are Guinea crossandra (C. guineensis), 15-20 cm high, with lilac flowers, and stalk crossandra (C. subacaulis), 10-15 cm high, with bright orange flowers.

The genus Crossandra includes 50 species - small evergreen shrubs and semi-shrubs. In nature, the plant reaches a meter height, in culture-much lower. The leaves are simple, smooth (like varnished) to the touch, opposite leathery. Species are characterized by abundant long flowering. Inflorescences are spike-shaped with green pubescent bracts.

The funnel-shaped crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis, or C. undulyfolia) is the most widespread species in the culture. It is a shrubby plant up to 90 cm tall with elliptical-lanceolate dark green glossy leaves. The flowers are tubular, consisting of 5 lobes, red-orange with a yellow spot; in dwarf cultivars, they are yellow and salmon-pink. Collected in axillary spikes, partly helmet-shaped due to triangular bracts. Flowering lasts for a long time, from spring to autumn.

Crossandra nilotica (C. nilotica) is a species 50-60 cm tall with glossy dark elliptical leaves. Brick-red tubular flowers consist of 5 lobes and are collected in apical spike-shaped inflorescences.

Less commonly grown are Guinea crossandra (C. guineensis), 15-20 cm high, with lilac flowers, and stalk crossandra (C. subacaulis), 10-15 cm high, with bright orange flowers.

Cultivation

Crossandra should be grown in a pot as a houseplant. A well-drained soil rich in organic matter (for example, forest soil) or consisting of peat, leaf humus and sand (1:1:1), with a pH of 5-6 is required. When planting, a complex long-acting fertilizer is applied at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil. In summer, once a week, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket of substrate.

Location

At home, pots are placed in a very well-lit place.

Temperature

In winter, the temperature should not fall below 16 °C. The optimal temperature for growth and development is about 20 °C. Do not allow hypothermia of the roots.

Watering

For the proper development of the root system, it is necessary to water only when the soil is completely dry. During flowering, high humidity is maintained, and in winter - minimal.

Transplant

Transplanted annually in the spring in more spacious pots compared to previous ones. The same soil is used that was recommended for cultivation.

Care

Regularly wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, and after flowering, shorten the branches by 1/3 of their length.

Reproduction

Propagate by cuttings; cuttings are harvested starting in February and rooted at 20-22 °C. Peat mixed with sand in equal parts is used as the soil. As soon as the cuttings form roots, they are transplanted several pieces in one pot or bowl. After rooting, pinch. You can also sow seeds under glass in March at a temperature of 16-18 °C; but sowing in room conditions as a method of reproduction is usually not used.

Propagate by cuttings; cuttings are harvested starting in February and rooted at 20-22 °C. Peat mixed with sand in equal parts is used as the soil. As soon as the cuttings form roots, they are transplanted several pieces in one pot or bowl. After rooting, pinch.

You can also sow seeds under glass in March at a temperature of 16-18 °C; but sowing in room conditions as a method of reproduction is usually not used.

Diseases

Under unfavorable conditions, crassandra is susceptible to diseases. For example, leaves fall off, petioles turn brown - in this case, watering is reduced. Possible damage from aphids and spider mites.

Acquisition

It is better to buy the species Crossandra infundibuliformis, or C. undulyfolia, a plant with dense foliage and the largest flowers. Check that there is no spider mite on the leaves.

Dobra salt, and shift-my mouth turns over Crossandra is a plant that is extremely sensitive to excess water and high salt concentrations in the soil. For this reason, the soil is fertilized moderately and only in summer; when the temperature drops, top dressing is stopped altogether. Often, the lack of iron in the soil manifests itself in yellowing and subsequent leaf fall; the same symptoms are manifested with excessive salt concentration in the soil, causing a change in pH (acidity), which prevents plants from absorbing the iron contained in it. Keep the soil moderately moist by watering it with rainwater to remove it by leaching excess of salts.

Dobra salt, and shift-my mouth turns over

Crossandra is a plant that is extremely sensitive to excess water and high salt concentrations in the soil. For this reason, the soil is fertilized moderately and only in summer; when the temperature drops, top dressing is stopped altogether. Often, the lack of iron in the soil manifests itself in yellowing and subsequent leaf fall; the same symptoms are manifested with excessive salt concentration in the soil, causing a change in pH (acidity), which prevents plants from absorbing the iron contained in it. Keep the soil moderately moist by watering it with rainwater to remove it by leaching excess of salts.