Aphelandra

The genus Aphelandra (Aphelandra) includes about 200 species of evergreen plants, among which the most common is aphelandra protruding (Aphelandra squarrosa), which has several varieties. This crop is 30-60 cm high, with very decorative variegated, oval, pointed leaves at the top up to 30 cm long, dark green in color with ivory stripes along the veins. Tubular flowers are red, orange, yellow, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences with bright bracts. The stem of aphelandra is thickened, rounded, almost not branching. Other species are also very showy as potted crops. Aphelandra orange, or golden (A. aurantiaca)-with orange flowers and oval leaves with wavy edges with white - gray veins; the variety 'Retsla' has leaves with a silvery sheen, and the flowers are orange-scarlet with green bracts. Aphelandra tetragona (A tetragona) is a plant that can reach a height of more than 1 m. It is a shrubby species with oval-elliptical green leaves up to 15 cm wide and 30 cm long, tubular scarlet flowers collected in numerous spikes, bracts are green.

The genus Aphelandra (Aphelandra) includes about 200 species of evergreen plants, among which the most common is aphelandra protruding (Aphelandra squarrosa), which has several varieties. This crop is 30-60 cm high, with very decorative variegated, oval, pointed leaves at the top up to 30 cm long, dark green in color with ivory stripes along the veins. Tubular flowers are red, orange, yellow, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences with bright bracts.

The stem of aphelandra is thickened, rounded, almost not branching. Other species are also very showy as potted crops.

Aphelandra orange, or golden (A. aurantiaca)-with orange flowers and oval leaves with wavy edges with white - gray veins; the variety 'Retsla' has leaves with a silvery sheen, and the flowers are orange-scarlet with green bracts.

Aphelandra tetragona (A tetragona) is a plant that can reach a height of more than 1 m. It is a shrubby species with oval-elliptical green leaves up to 15 cm wide and 30 cm long, tubular scarlet flowers collected in numerous spikes, bracts are green.

Cultivation

Aphelandra is grown in warm rooms, avoiding drafts. Use a peat substrate with the addition of leaf, peat, humus earth and sand; when planting, make a full mineral fertilizer with trace elements, later feed with liquid fertilizer in the amount of 30 g per bucket of water (once a week in summer). Old specimens stretch out quickly, so it is recommended to grow aphelandra from cuttings every year.

Location

Aphelandra requires diffused lighting, and in summer - protected from the bright sun.

Temperature

Aphelandra protruding to stimulate flowering in winter requires a temperature of about 10 °C for two months. During the period of active growth and development - about 20 °C and above.

Watering

It is necessary to constantly moisten the soil moderately, even in autumn and winter. Carefully water it in winter, avoiding excessive moisture (it can lead to rotting of the roots).

Transplant

Transplanted annually in March, using pots up to 15 cm in diameter, filled with a substrate for growing.

Care

Cut off the wilted inflorescences and apply a lustrating solution to clean the leaves once every 2 months.

Reproduction

Aphelandra is propagated most often by apical cuttings cut in spring or summer. Peat (75%) with sand or perlite expanded clay (25%) is used as a substrate, maintaining the substrate temperature at22-24°C, at high humidity.

Diseases

Worms and aphids are especially dangerous. Gall nematodes can damage the root system, and strawberry mites can damage the leaves. To get rid of all these pests, appropriate chemicals are used.

Acquisition

Check that there are no dark spots on the leaves. The plant should have dense foliage with a pronounced pattern.