Subtleties growing crossandra for beginner gardeners

Fireworks colors - is the name given crossandra residents of Sri Lanka, where I came from this beauty. This is the name she received for striking inflorescences that resemble fireworks.

To a novice for a long time could enjoy your pet, consider some of the subtleties of plant growth.

Transfer

After 15-18 days after purchase crossandra be transplanted. If after the specified time it still has buds, the procedure is transferred to the period when flowering is completely stopped.

The new pot should be slightly larger than the previous, have drainage holes.

Later crossandra transplanted each year.

Priming

The substrate, which will be grown crossandra at home, should consist of the following components:

· Fertile garden land;

· Humus;

· peat;

· Sand.

Experienced growers recommend to add a bit of clay, which will benefit the development of the root system.

place of

The window sill must be well illuminated by the sun, but it is exposed to direct its rays on the leaves should not be in order to avoid burns.

With a lack of light can not occur bloom, or it will be meager.

The room should be warm, the air temperature at least 18 ° C.

Watering

Summer crossandra abundantly watered, approximately 1 to 2-3 times of the day, but care must be taken that the upper layer of soil had time to dry. Winter watering is reduced: the excess moisture can lead to fungal diseases.

top-dressing

From spring to autumn, in the period of active growth, crossandra fed complex fertilizers for ornamental flowering plants. Frequency of watering: 1 times in 10-15 days.

In autumn bush 1 are fed once a month, the plant in the winter rest, watering fertilizer is not made during this period.

pruning

To the bush is not dragged up, looked decorative, it is necessary to cut and pinch back side shoots.

After 2 years, the stretched-out whip cut by ⅓ of the length.

Withered flower buds in a timely manner should be removed: it stimulates the formation of new flowers.

Protection from pests

When excessively dry or humid air, harmful insects can appear on crossandra.

If they are few, the plant is sufficient to wash with warm water when they are abundant - bush sprayed with insecticide.

Crossandra demands a certain attention, but to put into practice the knowledge gained, Florist can admire the fireworks cauliflowers from May to mid-September.