Kolumney is considered a perennial plant of the Gesneriaceae family. The flower is decorative; it is grown in flower pots and hanging pots. Among the variety of species there are shrubs. Flowering is considered tubular, bright and unusual. Leaves are up to 4 cm in size, variegated, long shoots. If you want to make the house cozy, there must definitely be a column. Home care of this plant does not pose any difficulties even for beginner amateur gardeners.
Homeland are the tropics of America. The plant was first described by Charles Plumier on the island of Martinique. The Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus made a proposal to use the Latin version of the name of the Italian botanist Fabio Colonna as the name of the genus.
Popular views
To decorate the room, many housewives choose a column. Home care is easy if you follow simple rules. At the same time, the plant has 194 species. The most common include:
- Allen is a plant with thin long shoots, and its leaves are green. The flower has a red tint, its size is up to 7 cm.
- Banks. The plant is considered evergreen with smooth leaves. Its color is orange with a splash of red.
- Vedrara. The plant has thicker shoots, and the leaves are large. Flowers have a rich red tint.
- Carnival. Green leaves are small in size. The flowers are bright yellow.
- Kolumneya Krakatau. Home care is carried out in the same way as for other decorative species. Leaves have a dark green tint. The flowers are medium sized.
- Blood red. The shrub has thick shoots with large leaves. Blooming saturated red hue.
- Shida. The shoots are thick and smooth, and the leaves are large and red. The flowers are yellow.
Each type of plant is beautiful in its own way. They require almost the same care, transplant and watering. The reviews show that many housewives like this plant. It has a beautiful appearance. In any room, the flower will be a wonderful decoration. It also goes well with other plants.
Care Features
No matter which column is chosen, at home you can look after each species. The content of the plant is simple. The flower can be located indoors, but sometimes you can take it outside. It is necessary to choose a favorable place, to control its condition, and then it will bloom.
Leaving consists in the correct watering, transplanting, selection of fertilizers and pots. Also, flowers are sprayed with useful agents. Lighting and location in the house are important. Subject to all the requirements of the Kolumna, I will delight the owners and decorate the house.
Location and lighting
In nature, column grows on trees, so the best place for it is a cache-pot, pot or vase. The roots serve as a fastener, they do not saturate the flower with nutritional components. He needs bright diffused light, so it can be placed on the windowsill.
It is advisable to place a pot with a plant in the western or eastern part of the house. There will be a shortage of light in the north, and burns are likely in the south. Flowering is carried out at the right light. In autumn and winter, the light of the sun is not enough, so lighting with lamps is required.
Temperature
Kolumna needs a warm climate. In the spring, summer and autumn periods, the temperature should be between 20-27 degrees. A short increase of 3 degrees is possible if the humidity is high.
In autumn and winter, when there is not enough light, the temperature should be between 15-17 degrees. In cold climates, the flower freezes. No need to allow drafts. It is best to place a column by the window. Favorable day temperature is 15-18 degrees, and night temperature is 8-12. This mode must be observed for at least a month.
Humidity
Only with appropriate humidity will a columna develop normally. Home care involves regular spraying with water. Her temperature should be room temperature.
A tropical flower requires high humidity. If the leaves are omitted, you need to spray the space around the plant. Flowers should not be affected. Nearby you can install an aquarium or humidifier.
Watering
Water should settle for at least a day. If it is above room temperature, then you should not use it. Water should not stand in the sun.
Watering is moderate. The soil dries up until the next time. Do not fill the flower, as excessive exposure to water damages the root system. Overdrying is also harmful, as this can cause the death of plants. The intervals between watering in summer are less than in winter.
Soil selection and top dressing
Requires rich columney soil. Home care involves saturating the plant with useful components. The following types of fertilizers can be used:
- Soil, sheet earth, turfy earth, compost (2: 1: 2: 0.5).
- Sod, bark of needles (5 tbsp.spoons), humus, leaves (1: bark: 1: 1).
- Humus, leafy earth, turf, sand (1: 2: 5: 1).
- Sod, humus, peat land (2: 0.5: 1).
- Peat, humus, sand, sawdust, sphagnum, turf (2: 1: 0.5: 1.5: 0.5: 2).
Moss, charcoal and ash can be added to any mix. The substrate can be bought in specialized stores. Before purchasing, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition. The product should have 3-4 substances. Other types of soil may be used.
The soil can also be universal, as a columnia will develop normally with it. Home care, reviews of which indicate that it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules, must be performed carefully. It will be better for the plant if special soil is used.
Fertilizing is needed in spring, summer, autumn every 14 days. It is advisable to use liquid formulations in bottles. During flowering, fertilizer is required for flowering plants. In winter, top dressing should be performed less frequently (about 1 time per month).
Transfer
In order for columnia to develop normally, care, transplantation must be performed correctly. After flowering, it must be pruned and transplanted. Shoots bare almost everything and plant a few in a suitable pot. This is done for the necessary bushiness and rejuvenation of the columna.
If you do not need to transplant the flower, then cutting and rooting should be done every three years in the spring. Before this period, the shoots must be cut, leaving 15 cm after flowering. When the branches creep, they must be tied up and reinforced with bamboo supports.
Breeding
Not only proper watering, transplant requires columnia. At home, reproduction is performed by 2 methods:
- The seeds. The plant must be planted in early spring. If there is no soil, then peat soil and fine sand will do. It is necessary to regularly water and control the temperature (not less than 25 degrees and not more than 28). Shoots begin to appear after 25 days.
- Cuttings. The main condition under which the columnia will normally develop is care. At home, reproduction can also be performed using cuttings. This method is suitable for any season. From thick branches it is necessary to cut 10 cm each. They are placed in settled water, and then planted in a substrate. Watering occurs when the soil is dry.
When a plant is planted, it must be properly looked after. Chemical agents that should spray the flowers will help to eliminate insects. They secrete juice absorbed by pests. Processing is repeated after a week.
Ultraviolet radiation reduces the risk of plant infection. Procedures must be performed every week. It is required to highlight the back of the leaves, as it is often inhabited by pests that can cause plant diseases.
If you follow these simple rules, then the flower will be in order everywhere. Appropriate temperature, humidity, watering and annual shoot removal are required. Then the column will bloom every year. The plant is able to make any room cozy. According to many housewives, this flower is unpretentious and grows beautifully at home.