Afelandra - simple and tasteful

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The name of the genus comes from the Greek words aphelis andros idle times and man: plants have simple single-nested anthers. About 50 species of undersized shrubs and shrubs growing in the tropics of America.

Description of Afelandra

Afelandra, Latin - Aphelandra.

The genus includes about 170 species of evergreen shrubs and shrubs from moist forests in tropical North, Central and South America. Large leaves of an afelander with silver veins are decorative throughout the year, and in the fall for about 6 weeks a golden cone of inflorescence decorates it. It is not surprising that this plant has been loved by many generations, but it has not been possible to keep it indoors for more than a few months: most plants begin to lose leaves. This can be avoided if the plant is regularly fed, not allowed to dry out, often sprayed and kept warm in winter. Faded inflorescences are removed.

The plant has apical leaves with a yellow or red tint. Flowers of bright color are collected in an inflorescence - an ear. Different varieties of leaves and flowers have a different color. This houseplant is valued for its large beautiful leaves, and lush flowering in the fall, when most other houseplants have already faded. Blooming with large yellow or golden flowers can last almost two months. However, this is a very difficult crop for indoor cultivation, as it requires special care and attention. Afelandra refers to large-leaved and fast-growing plants.

Features of growing afelander

Location

Afelandra needs a bright location, but not sunny. In the summer, the plant should be kept at a temperature not lower than +20 ° C. The protruding afelander can withstand air temperature of + 10 ° C, this favorably affects its flowering, but at the same time the afelander should be in a bright room. Afelandra grows well and develops in warm and bright greenhouses and rooms.

Lighting

Afelandra loves bright light.

Watering

Afelandra needs constantly moistened soil. If the afelander hibernates in a cool place, then watering should be limited. Drying of the soil is detrimental to the plant, as well as waterlogging.

Air humidity

Afelandra needs high humidity. Afelandra needs frequent spraying, as she needs high humidity. To do this, use soft water at room temperature. You can also lower the pot with the plant in a tray with wet expanded clay, peat or moss.

Fertilizer

Afelandra needs to be fed every two weeks. Fertilize should be flower fertilizers in liquid form.

Difficulties

Leaf fall. The reasons are too dry air, a draft in the room, low air temperature.

Transfer

Young plants about a month after braiding a lump of earth with roots are transferred into larger pots.

Pruning

Pruning is carried out before the dormant period to resume plant growth (rejuvenation), since old plants are not decorative, they are pulled out and lose lower leaves. To give the plants a bush shape, the plants pinch on the 2-3rd leaf.

Propaganda reproduction

Propaganda is propagated by seeds and apical cuttings.
Seeds are sown immediately after harvest (in February - March), the substrate is used consisting of sheet soil and sand (1: 0.25). It is necessary to maintain a temperature of 20-22 ° C, when using mini-greenhouses with lower heating, seed germination is faster. Seedlings dive into a substrate consisting of sheet, turfy earth and sand (1: 1: 1,2). Seedlings bloom in the same year.

On cuttings cut off annual mature shoots 10-15 cm long, with two leaves in March-May, less often - December-January. The treatment of cuttings with growth stimulants (heteroauxin, root, succinic acid) and lower heating provide faster and more reliable rooting. Cuttings are rooted in wet sand or a mixture of peat with sand is covered with a glass cap. The temperature must be maintained within 20-25 ° C, constantly sprayed and ventilated. Apical cuttings form roots after 15-30 days, stem - after 45-60 days. After rooting, the cuttings are transplanted into a mixture of leaf, humus, peat soil and sand (1: 1: 1: 0.5). They grow quite slowly, they need warmth and bright diffused light.

Less commonly propagated by leafy cuttings. In autumn or winter, a completely developed (but not roughened) leaf with a axillary bud is cut off, it is better not from flowering shoots. Rooted in a mixture of peat and sand. Cover with a glass cap, maintain a temperature of 20-25 ° C, spray and regularly ventilate.

Features: Old plants lose their decorative effect, stretching out and dropping lower leaves. Therefore, it is advisable to renew the afelander with cuttings. For better flowering, the protruding apelandra is kept in winter at a temperature of at least 10 ° C and with good lighting.

Types of Alefandra

Afelandra Orange - Aphelandra aurantiaca

Evergreen undersized shrub with a thick succulent (lignified with age) slightly reddish stem. Leaves up to 25 cm long., Opposite, ovate, pointed at the apex, whole-marginal, glabrous, silver-green. Inflorescence - apical tetrahedral, sometimes branching spike 10-15 cm tall. The flowers are bright orange, with green bracts.. The corolla is two-lipped, with a three-bladed lower and two-lobed upper lip. Homeland - Mexico and the north of South America. In the culture, the garden form is mainly ‘Roezlii’.

Aphelandra protruding - Aphelandra squarrosa

Similar to the previous view, different dark green leaves with bright white stripes along the veins and fawn yellow flowers, a third covered with bright yellow bracts. Unlike the previous species, it sets the seeds. Homeland - Brazil. In the culture, mainly forms ‘Leopoldii’ - with bright orange inflorescences, ‘Louisae’ - a smaller plant with bright yellow inflorescences and their hybrids.