Pentas, a bouquet in a pot, an Egyptian star - this is the name of the evergreen shrub from the Marenov family, beloved by many. Over 50 species of this plant grow on our planet, but only one of them, called herbaceous or lanceolate, is successfully grown in indoor floriculture.
A nice plant pleases the owners with long and almost year-round flowering. Pentas flowers are native to Africa, or rather, the islands of Madagascar, where this exotic plant is represented by a huge number of species and varieties that differ in color and shape of flowers and leaves.
Pentas flower: description and photo
When grown at home, this flower does not exceed a height of 50 cm. The plant has erect, slightly branching shoots. Leaves are opposite, painted in bright green color. They are quite wide and have an oval shape. The length of the leaves varies from 5 to 8 centimeters. The surface of the plates is wavy, pubescent. The central vein is clearly visible on it.
Pentas flowers, undoubtedly, are the main decoration of an exotic plant. They can be painted in a wide variety of shades, depending on the variety. Pink and red, beige and lilac, purple or white flowers in the shape of five-pointed stars are collected in large domed inflorescences, the diameter of which reaches 10 centimeters.
Pentas flower: home growing
If you want to become the owner of such a pretty plant and grow it in your house, you must create the conditions for it and adhere to the recommendations of experienced gardeners. The growth and flowering of the pentas is influenced by indicators such as temperature, humidity, lighting, soil and planting technique.
Temperature
In order for the pentas flower to actively develop and delight with beautiful flowering at home, the air temperature in the room should not be lower than +20 ° C. In winter, the shrub feels great at temperatures up to +16 ° C. Unlike many indoor plants, pentas are not afraid of drafts and sudden changes in temperature.
Only gusts of cold wind can damage the plant, which can frostbite the leaves, so when you ventilate the room in the cold season, remove the plant from the window. If the temperature is too high for the pentas, it will immediately “report” it with dry tips of the leaves and excessively elongated stems.
Humidity
This important indicator should be considered when growing pentas. The flower is very fond of moisture, so its rate should not fall below 60% during the entire period of plant growth. This is not difficult to achieve - put a container filled with water next to the flower, put the pot in a pan with expanded clay, which should always be moist, and also regularly spray the leaves of the flower, trying not to get on the inflorescences.
Lighting
The plant loves bright lighting and develops well even in direct sunlight. That is why the window sill of the south window can become his permanent residence. However, you should carefully monitor the plant, and if in the summer you notice burns on the leaves, you should slightly shade the window. If in winter your flower is very stretched out and has lost stability, this indicates a lack of lighting. During this period, the use of additional illumination is justified.
The soil
Pentas flowers are not too demanding on the composition of the soil. You can use the finished soil mixture for flowering plants or prepare it yourself. For this you will need:
- sod and leaf soil - in two parts;
- sand is one part.
The plant loves fertile, nutritious, loose soil.
Pentas breeding, planting rules
Two methods of propagation of this plant are widespread among flower growers: cuttings and seeds. We will consider each of them in more detail, and you will decide which option is more preferable for you.
Seed use
This method is attractive in that it can be used at any time of the year. It is not complicated, and in order to grow pentas, you need to buy plant seeds in a specialized store, sow them without digging on moist soil and leave them on a sunny windowsill so that heat, moisture and light stimulate the seeds to germinate.
At an air temperature of about +25 ° C and a humidity of 60%, after two weeks you will see shoots of your future flowers.
Cuttings
This method is suitable if you have cuttings left after trimming the plant. It is important that the cut stems are at least 5-8 cm in length. Propagation in this way is allowed at a minimum temperature of about +18 ° C. Previously, cuttings are kept for several hours in water, and then planted in moist soil. Rooting occurs after 10 days.
How to care for a plant?
The pentas flower, the photo of which you can see in the article, does not require complex care measures for its normal development and flowering at home. As a rule, care comes down to a traditional set of mandatory procedures.
Watering
Exotic shrub needs plentiful and regular watering, especially during the vegetative period. Only use settled water. Watering is carried out after the topsoil has dried. It is dangerous to fill the flower, because the stagnation of moisture in the pot will inevitably cause decay of the root system of the plant. In winter and at rest, when the plant does not bloom, watering is minimal.
In modern indoor floriculture, special flasks are used that are designed for automatic watering. Florists successfully use them to care for the pentas in the summer. This is convenient for owners who are not able to regularly water indoor plants or simply forget to do it. The mechanism of these flasks irrigates the soil in the amount necessary for each particular pot.
Top dressing
Anyone who wants to extend the flowering period of the pentas should use complex mineral formulations for flowering plants that are added to water for irrigation (“Master”, “Clean Sheet”). They enrich the soil with phosphorus and activate the process of bud formation. In winter, plants do not require top dressing.
Pruning
Since pentas grows quite quickly and responds to various negative factors by lengthening shoots, it needs regular pruning to help maintain the shape and splendor of the plant. Stems should not exceed 50 centimeters in height, and the tops exceeding this size should be pinched.
Beginning gardeners need to know that pruning and pinching of the pentas is carried out only during the dormant period, when the shrub does not bloom.
Diseases and Pests
Chlorosis of the leaves is the most common disease affecting the plant. Having noticed its first signs, which primarily include the causeless yellowing of leaves, it is necessary to feed the plant with chelate fertilizers, which contribute to an increase in chlorophyll in the green of the flower (Hydro Flor, Hydro Vera).
Pentacid pests include spider mites and scale insects. You can fight them using drugs such as Actellik or Fitoverm, or you can treat the leaves with folk remedies - a solution of ordinary laundry soap, medical alcohol, onion or garlic infusion. The leaves are simply wiped with a solution and after a few minutes washed off with water at room temperature.
Owner reviews
Most gardeners are very pleased that a beautifully blooming pentas flower appeared in their home. In the reviews, the owners note the unpretentiousness of this plant, which allows it to be grown even by beginners in floriculture.