The name of the genus pachistachis, which includes 7 species of perennial shrubs and herbaceous plants, comes from the Greek language and means "thick spike". The plant belongs to the acanthus family and is a native of Peru. In Russia, the bush has been known for over ten years. For indoor cultivation, pachistachis yellow is best suited.
This is a vertically growing bush with thin, pointed at the ends, bright green opposite leaves. Their size varies from 10 to 15 cm, the leaves are slightly rough and wrinkled, veins are clearly distinguished on them. In summer, spike-shaped inflorescences, the length of which reaches 12 cm, appear on the ends of the shoots. They consist of decorative bracts or bracts of bright yellow color, which, like tiles, fit tightly and are arranged in four vertical rows. From under the scales of the lower part of the spikelets, white tubular curved flowers of five centimeter length with a three-lobed limb are shown.
The pachistachis flower stays in the inflorescence for no more than 3 days, then leaves, and the next one blooms after it. After the yellow spike fades, it adorns the plant for some time, and then falls off.
With good lighting, the flowering period begins in February and ends in October, which is a good result for a modest house plant. In addition to the yellow species, bright red is grown with large inflorescences of the corresponding color, however, this species is rare.
Pachistachis: care
The plant is quite easy to cultivate. Pachistachis requires good lighting throughout the year. To do this, put the pot in a bright, well-ventilated room, best on the windowsill. In summer, the bush develops beautifully on a balcony located on the east or west side. In winter, the southern window is the best place.
The portable summer temperatures are from 12 degrees, but cultivation at 17-25 ° C is recommended. Lowering the temperature to plus 10 ° C causes the leaves to fall during heavy watering.
The plant must be regularly sprayed with warm boiling water, while making sure that the liquid does not fall on the flowers.
The land in which pachistachis yellow grows should have a moderately humid environment throughout the year. In summer, in the heat, so that the plant does not dry out, watering should be increased. With a lack of moisture, the flower lowers the leaves. If waterlogging or drought occurs for a long time, the plant may lose its decorative appearance and even die.
As the soil, a soil mixture of sheet soil is used, to which sand, peat, compost and garden soil are added. It is recommended to put bone meal with charcoal in the substrate.
Pachistachis yellow is transplanted every year - from February to May, after pruning is performed. If the plant does not bloom, transplantation can be performed in the summer.
Propagation is done by cuttings that remain after cutting when short shoots are shortened. They must be rooted in water at room temperature (not lower than 20 ° C). After transplanting into the ground and the beginning of flower growth, its tip must be pinched to accelerate branching.
The shrub needs top dressing, which is produced every two weeks, using a solution of complex fertilizers for ornamental plants. It is recommended to double the dose indicated in the instructions for use.
The main problem of growing is a lack of light, which is why yellow pachistachis loses its foliage and ceases to bloom.
To form a lush, branched bush plant in early spring and after it finishes flowering, it should be pruned and pricked. In pots of large diameter, several cuttings can be planted simultaneously.