For the sake of pleasure, admiration and beauty, we all actively plant indoor flowers in our apartments and houses . Kaleria is a real exotic plant that has appeared relatively recently. Its main advantage is bright, long and magnificent flowering. However, emerald green, pubescent leaves with serrated edges look also very attractive. The Colombian beauty is able to decorate any interior, while requiring a minimum of care. We will tell you about the characteristics of the plant, the rules of its cultivation and methods of reproduction.
Description of the genus Kaleria
Approximately twenty-eight species are included in this genus, belonging to the Gesneriaceae family. A characteristic feature of plants of this group is the opposite, pubescent leaves of a saturated, dark green color. The natural habitat grows in tropical areas of South America, mainly Colombia, where this flower reaches 60 cm in height. The main reason the plant has become popular in indoor culture is the original flowers. Kaleria forms them almost throughout the year with short breaks. In shape, they resemble modified bells with an elongated corolla ending in five wide petals. The color is diverse: from pale pink to deep brown, with a splash. Indoor hybrids are usually grown with a long flowering period.
Types of calories
If you want to grow a spectacular, unpretentious and rare plant, then let it be a caliber. Caring for her is elementary simple, and flowering is magnificent. Before buying, be sure to specify what kind of species you acquire, since some features of its cultivation may depend on this. In house culture, several hybrids are common, including the following:
- Kaleria Bogotskaya is a plant that reaches 60 cm in nature in nature. It has characteristic pubescent shoots and dark green leaves with reddish villi. Flowers solitary or paired, drooping. Corolla red with spots and stripes, and inside painted in yellow.
- The caleria is pleasant - green shoots grow up to 60 cm, often have white, long villi. The leaves are saturated green with a noticeable silver or reddish venation. The arrangement of flowers is axillary, the hue is pink with purple spots, and inside is yellow.
- Digitalis flower - the name is associated with the similarity of the appearance of the flowers. A white corolla (up to 3 cm), turning to a light pink color to the upper part, pharynx is green with purple patches.
Lighting and air temperature
Since kaleria (photo) grows in the lower tiers of moist topical forests, there is no need for too bright a light.
Moreover, it must be protected from direct sunlight by placing a pot in the area with diffused lighting. Western or eastern windows are best suited for this. The plant is thermophilic, however, has a pronounced dormant period, therefore, in the winter months it is necessary to provide it with air temperatures in the range of 16-18 ° C, and at other times during the year not lower than 23-25 ° C. In general, the caliber is unpretentious and steadily endures the conditions of urban apartments. During dormancy, the leaves, as a rule, are not discarded, so the level of lighting should remain the same.
Pot and soil selection
Soil for indoor plants of various types is sold in all flower shops, so you can easily use a ready-made substrate. It is unlikely to find a special option for calories, however, you can safely take the soil intended for senpolia, gloxinia.
If possible, you can cook it yourself. To do this, experts recommend taking two parts of sheet soil and one peat soil and sand. Do not forget about a good drainage layer. The transplant is carried out annually in the renewed soil, dividing too many rhizomes into several parts.
The plant has a dense root, with which it is most often propagated. It is on the size of this organ that the choice of the pot depends. It should not be too large, otherwise the plant will direct all forces to the development of the root system. The best option is not deep, but a wide pot of approximately 15 cm in diameter. Material - ceramic or plastic. Pottery is preferable for the reason that the moisture from it evaporates more slowly, and the roots do not overheat so much. If you plan to place flowers on a window, then a ceramic pot will add stability.
Watering and humidity
It's no secret that the humidity in the tropics reaches 90% and this affects the physiology of plants and animals.
It is impossible to ignore this factor when growing exotic species in indoor conditions. Calories require high humidity. This can be achieved by using a pallet with wet sand or expanded clay. Experts do not recommend spraying the plant because of the very pubescent leaves, which can rot. Do not place flowers on the window under which the radiators are located - too dry air for the plant is harmful. Watering should be plentiful. Maintain the soil in a constant wet state, but without stagnation of water and its contact with the leaf blade. Water the plants from the pan. The first signs indicating a lack of moisture will be yellowed and wrinkled leaves, as well as the appearance of spotting on them.
In the spring-summer period, watering indoor flowers should be combined with the introduction of complex mineral and organic fertilizers, and calories in this matter is no exception. When choosing drugs for flowering species (azaleas, senpolia, etc.), strictly follow the instructions and follow the dosage indicated on the package.
Breeding methods
The absolute unpretentiousness of calories is confirmed by the fact that three methods of its reproduction are available in room conditions. This is quite rare for exotic representatives of the tropical flora. You can get a new copy from seeds, cuttings, or by dividing the maternal rhizome. The optimal time for sowing is January-February. The seeds of the plant are very small, so they are not embedded in the soil, but distributed evenly over a moistened surface and covered with glass. Place the dishes in a warm and bright place. Shoots will appear in 2-2.5 weeks, and you can dive them only after the appearance of a pair of real leaves. In this way, a rare hybrid calorie can be obtained.
Reproduction by rhizome division is much simpler, and the success rate of the enterprise is higher. In the spring, divide the maternal specimen with a previously sanitized sharp knife. Sprinkle the slice with charcoal and let it dry slightly. Rhizomes are planted in a prepared substrate to a depth of 1.5 cm and periodically watered.
Cuttings can be carried out throughout the year. To do this, cut off the top of the shoot with a sharp knife and root it in water or immediately in the ground. After a new pair of leaves grows on a young plant , the top should be pinched - this stimulates the growth of side branches.
Diseases and Pests
The main reason for the occurrence of the disease and the appearance of pests is the improper care that the flowers receive. Kaleria is most often affected by aphids and spider mites (pictured). They literally suck out all the juices from dense leaves and buds, which as a result are twisted and deformed. At low air temperature in the room and its high humidity, ideal conditions are created for the development of bacterial and fungal diseases, in particular, powdery mildew and various rot. For the prevention and treatment of plants, carry out periodic treatments with fungicidal and insecticidal preparations.
The main problems when growing
- The appearance of brown spots on the leaves is associated with the use of cold water for irrigation.
- Yellowing of the leaf blade is associated with exposure to direct sunlight, too dry or excessively moist air, too much fertilizer.
- If buds and flowers fall, calories need to be fed with mineral and organic fertilizers or the tuber is damaged.
- The appearance of gray plaque on the leaves and flowers indicates the development of rot or powdery mildew. Affected areas should be removed, quarantined and treated with fungicide.
- The dropping of leaves occurs as a result of exposure to a flower of dry air.
- The stretching of the plant, the pallor of the shoots and their bareness indicate a lack of light.