Pellionia
Content:
The perennial Pellionia pellionia, belonging to the Nettle / Urticaceae /, has about fifty plant species in the family. These plants have erect or creeping stems, branching strongly at the base.
The habitats of Pellionia in the wild are tropical Polynesia and East Asia.
Only a couple of species of this plant are considered domestic. From this it is easy to conclude that it is quite difficult to grow Pellionia at home.
Pellionia: types and description
Pellionia davo: photos
Pellionia davo is a flower with bare, thick shoots of a pale brown color. On the shoots of Pellionia, leaves of an asymmetric shape with a heart-shaped base on short cuttings are arranged in turn. Pellionia dava leaves with an unusual beautiful color, with a smooth surface, up to 6 cm long. With the help of a wide, longitudinal, pale green strip, the leaf is divided in half. The edges of the leaves are, as it were, outlined in black, which gives the plant a clear outline. On the seamy side, the leaves are gray-green.
Creeping stems form roots in the place where the nodules touch the ground, so Pellionia grows well in different directions.
About beautiful Pellionia
Beautiful Pellionia: photos
Beautiful Pellionia (Pellionia pulchra) - smaller when compared with the previous species. And they are colored differently. The leaves are no more than 4 cm long. The front surface of the leaves is gray-silver in color with dark green stripes. On the seamy side, the surface of the leaves is painted in a gray-pink color.
Both types of Pellionia - with small white-green flowers, collected in a loose inflorescence, vaguely similar to an umbrella. Pellionia inflorescences are decoratively no different, therefore, they are often cut off from plants grown at home.
Pellionia: home care
Florists rarely use the Pellionium flower in design, despite the fact that it is not difficult to buy this plant in specialized stores. And yet, Pellionia cannot be called very demanding in care.
About illumination
The room in which the Pellionia is located must be well lit. In the absence of good lighting, you can use the backlight (phytolamps). Penumbra for this plant is quite a comfortable environment. Direct sunlight is contraindicated for Pellionia.
About temperature conditions
Pellionia is thermophilic, however, it does not tolerate heat. A comfortable temperature for her is 20-24 ° C. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 16 ° C. When caring for Pellionia, you must not give up airing without leading to a draft.
About watering
Watering for Pellionia should be abundant and regular. The water used is lukewarm and settled. The soil in the pot for Pellionia should be moist, but without excess moisture, since the roots can rot from stagnant water.
About humidity
If we talk about humidity, then it should be high. To maintain it, expanded clay or pebbles are placed in the pallet, and water is poured into it. You also need regular spraying (about twice a day).
About the quality of the soil
Pellionia requires light and nutritious soil at the same time. You do not have to give up the universal flower soil (it is well mixed with vermiculite, perlite or brick chips).
You can make the soil for Pellionia yourself. This requires:
- humus (part 1);
- leafy soil (2 parts);
- peat soil (1 part);
- sandy soil (1 part).
The potted container for Pellionia can be low and wide because the roots of the plant are too close to the surface of the soil.
Don't forget about good drainage.
Hydroponics may be suitable for growing Pellionia.
About fertilizers
Top dressing is rarely carried out, or rather - 1 time / month during the active period of growth. For this purpose, one cannot do without a complex fertilizer applied to ornamental deciduous plants (half of the dose indicated on the package is suitable). In winter, feeding is not carried out.
Basic rules for pruning and transplanting Pellionia
For young Pellionia, it is recommended to do pinching so that a lush crown is formed. For a matured flower, this is optional.
It is recommended that the Pellionium flower be renewed every year or two, so there is no need to replant the plant.
Pellionia: flower reproduction
Pellionia: photos
There are two ways here: seeds and cuttings.
The stalk is obtained by cutting off the top of the stem, which must have at least 3 internodes. Rooting takes place within 7 days.
About pests
The greatest danger is to be expected from whiteflies and aphids. For preventive purposes, abundant spraying with warm water is very useful. If the disease, nevertheless, crept up, then the appropriate chemical agents will come in handy.
Application
Pellionia is indispensable for drawing up flower bouquets; it is used in various mixes and compositions. Such compositions are often placed in terrariums, florariums, and bottle gardens.
Simpler options are hanging pots, or even as a soil plant in combination with large single flowers.
Possible problems in the care of Pellionia
Pellionia: photos
Let's talk about the main problems in caring for a Pellionium flower:
- at low humidity, the tips of the leaves can dry out;
- due to stagnant water, the root collar and roots can rot;
- very bright light can cause pallor of the leaves;
- due to a lack of light, a strong elongation of the shoots will appear.
