Gloxinia, bluebells, “grandmother’s flowers” are many warm names for this nice plant from the Gesneriaceae family. Beautiful bright green velvet leaves, flowers in the form of simple bluebells or a chic terry ball, a delicate aroma remotely resembling the fresh smell of a tiger lily are all gloxinia, the planting and care of which are not at all complicated.
This flower is cultivated as an indoor. Over the past 20 years, domestic breeders have bred several hundred varieties that differ not only in color, but also in flower shape and leaf color. In appearance, gloxinia are divided into two large groups - simple seven-petalled and terry. The ancestors of modern breeding varieties are two large series for industrial reproduction: avanti (simple) and brokade (terry). Their distinctive feature is unpretentiousness and monochrome color.
The reproduction of gloxinia can be generative (from seed) and vegetative (by rooting leaves and stepsons). The first method is used to obtain new breeding species or planting material in large quantities, regardless of color.
Only gloxinia from seeds of industrial varieties of the Avanti and Brokade series retains its color. Breeding varieties, the color of flowers in which is very diverse (up to 4 shades in one flower), do not transmit their genetic characteristics when propagated by seeds. For breeding of this variety it is necessary to use the vegetative method. One of the most non-whimsical home flowers is gloxinia; boarding and caring for it, however, require compliance with some simple rules.
Landing and care
No matter what gloxinia you have, landing and caring for it are the same. The rules are common for a simple flower, and for a chic terry breeding variety. Landing requires moisture-intensive, but well-drained land. You can use purchased soil based on peat from the store. It is better to add sphagnum to the soil in a ratio of 3/1. If the earth is heavy or too greasy, it must be mixed with sand or perlite in order to ensure breathability of the soil. Otherwise, the nodule of the plant may rot. No need to plant gloxinia in a large pot. For one tuber, a container with a volume of 0.5-0.6 liters or a diameter of 10 to 12 cm is quite suitable. Gloxinia should be planted to such a depth that the top of the tuber is covered with a 1-1.5-centimeter layer of soil. If the potatoes are very small, a layer of a thickness of 0.5 cm will be sufficient. After planting, it is necessary to pour gloxinia - a neat stream along the perimeter of the pot so that moisture does not directly get on the tuber. If you are planting potatoes that have not yet sprouted, it is better to cover the container with polyethylene to create greenhouse conditions in order to quickly germinate the flower.
After planting the gloxinia tuber in the soil purchased at the store, no additional fertilizing is necessary for 1.5 months. Later, it is necessary to feed the plants every 2 weeks with fertilizer for flowering plants. If you notice that the gloxinia leaves have become too light, you can add a preparation containing iron in chelated form to the water for irrigation once a month - this way you will heal the plant from chlorosis. In general, these flowers, like many others, are not averse to "eat" natural fertilizer from mullein, horse manure or bird droppings.
Gloxinia - Disease
Like all living things on the planet, gloxinia is susceptible to various diseases. In such an unpretentious plant, diseases, however, can be very different. With proper care - no overflow, timely top dressing - gloxinia is most often affected by thrips.
These bugs are very difficult to see with the naked eye. The main signs are stunting, clumsy and spotty leaves. The spots on the leaves of light brown color resemble as if dried areas. The buds that appear later on are poorly opened, clumsy in shape. The treatment is quite simple - you need to remove the flowers and the beginnings of the flowers, and the whole plant is very well sprayed with the insecticidal preparation indicated for thrips. The soil can not be changed, since these insects do not live in the ground. The main nesting places are the buds and the core of the plant. Be sure to repeat the treatment in two weeks.
Gloxinia, the planting and care of which are discussed above, will long please the hostess with her special beauty and delicate aroma.