Calceolaria

The genus Calceolaria contains about 300 annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous, semi-shrub and shrubby plant species. Oblong oval or lanceolate soft green pubescent leaves are sometimes deeply incised. Flowers, monochrome or variegated, have a remarkable shoe shape, double-sided-the upper lip is small, the lower one-in the form of a bubble protrudes forward. Perennial species are very attractive to rock garden lovers; ideal for stony gardens. Calceolaria tenella is 8-10 cm tall and has golden yellow flowers with red spots. Miniature Calceolaria darvinii has yellow flowers with chestnut spots; the plant height is 10-15 cm. Calceolaria integrifolia, or rugosa, is a fairly stable perennial species with a height of no more than 1.2 m. In mild climates, it is grown in the open ground. It can also be cultivated in a pot, but in temperate climates, with the first cold weather, the plant is taken to the house. Usually, calceolaria blooms profusely all summer long. Thin Calceolaria (C. gracilis) is an annual species with a height of 30-40 cm; it is grown in flower beds, pots and boxes. The leaves are indented, the flowers are lemon-yellow in color. Calceolaria polyrrhiza is a creeping perennial species with yellow flowers. There are many hybrids designed for growing in flower beds and in pots.

The genus Calceolaria contains about 300 annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous, semi-shrub and shrubby plant species. Oblong oval or lanceolate soft green pubescent leaves are sometimes deeply incised. Flowers, monochrome or variegated, have a remarkable shoe shape, double-sided-the upper lip is small, the lower one-in the form of a bubble protrudes forward. Perennial species are very attractive to rock garden lovers; ideal for stony gardens.

Calceolaria tenella is 8-10 cm tall and has golden yellow flowers with red spots.

Miniature Calceolaria darvinii has yellow flowers with chestnut spots; the plant height is 10-15 cm.

Calceolaria integrifolia, or rugosa, is a fairly stable perennial species with a height of no more than 1.2 m. In mild climates, it is grown in the open ground. It can also be cultivated in a pot, but in temperate climates, with the first cold weather, the plant is taken to the house. Usually, calceolaria blooms profusely all summer long.

Thin Calceolaria (C. gracilis) is an annual species with a height of 30-40 cm; it is grown in flower beds, pots and boxes. The leaves are indented, the flowers are lemon-yellow in color.

Calceolaria polyrrhiza is a creeping perennial species with yellow flowers. There are many hybrids designed for growing in flower beds and in pots.

Cultivation

Calceolaria, depending on the species, can be grown both as a potted crop indoors and outdoors - in mild climates, these are, for example, such resistant species as calceolaria crinkle and calceolaria multi-root. For them, you should choose a site oriented to the south, protected from the wind; the soil should be loose, moderately moist. Once a week during the active growing season, fertilizer is applied with irrigation, diluting it in the amount of 10 g per bucket of water.

Location

Calceolarias are light-loving, they need good lighting, otherwise the plants are formed frail, with weak non-abundant flowering. In summer, they also tolerate partial shade. In indoor conditions, rather intense, but diffused lighting is preferable (direct sunlight should be avoided), and in summer the plants are kept in the shade.

Temperature

When growing plants at home, the temperature should not fall below 10 °C. All types can withstand high temperatures without problems.

Watering

As the temperature rises – both indoors and outdoors – watering becomes more frequent, although they also do not need to get too carried away.

Transplant

Calceolaria is transplanted into a new pot every 2 years in April. When the diameter of the next pot is 18-20 cm, the plant is no longer transplanted, but only part of the soil is added or replaced.

Care

Cut flower stalks with withered flowers and remove yellowed leaves. In calceolaria wrinkled produce spring pruning, giving the plant a more compact and harmonious appearance.

Reproduction

The seeds are very small, so they must be mixed with talcum powder when sowing, before spreading them on the surface of the soil without filling the seeds. Water it, then cover it with a piece of glass or plastic wrap to maintain a certain humidity, which will contribute to uniform development. Formed seedlings are transplanted into cups with a diameter of 8 cm or cellular containers. The ideal temperature for seed germination is 20 °C, and after transplanting, 14-15 °C.

Diseases

Pythium and Phytophthora are fungi that can quickly kill seedlings. To avoid infection, the soil and container are pre-sterilized - treated with fungicides. Perform preventive treatment with appropriate preparations and against gray rot of vegetable crops (Botrytis cinerea). There are viruses that deform the edges of the leaves and cause the formation of yellowish spots. You should immediately get rid of insect pests-carriers of infection. Aphids, whiteflies and nematodes damage the foliage and root system; in such cases, treatment with special preparations is used.

Pythium and Phytophthora are fungi that can quickly kill seedlings. To avoid infection, the soil and container are pre-sterilized - treated with fungicides. Perform preventive treatment with appropriate preparations and against gray rot of vegetable crops (Botrytis cinerea). There are viruses that deform the edges of the leaves and cause the formation of yellowish spots.

You should immediately get rid of insect pests-carriers of infection. Aphids, whiteflies and nematodes damage the foliage and root system; in such cases, treatment with special preparations is used.

Acquisition

Seedlings in small containers for growing in the garden are purchased in the spring. For cultivation in rooms and on balconies, potted plants are bought in the budding phase-the beginning of flowering. Make sure that the plant is strong, perfectly healthy, with bright green leaves.