Columnea

The genus Columnea contains approximately 200 species of perennial semi-shrubby evergreens. In nature, these species are epiphytes, that is, they grow on other crops, using them as a support. Columnea is a beautiful decorative flowering plant with drooping or erect shoots, densely covered with small leaves. The flowers are very bright in color (white, red, orange or yellow), tubular, and bloom in the axils of the leaves. The opposite leaves are egg-shaped, pointed at the ends, pubescent or smooth. As a room culture, the most suitable columnea is Kew (Columnea kewensis), an ampelny species with dark green leathery leaves. It does not tolerate dry air, so frequent spraying is necessary. Hybrid forms are widely distributed, for example Columnea xbanksiiwith characteristic drooping shoots up to 90 cm long, with oval fleshy dark green glossy leaves and scarlet flowers with light spots that bloom from late winter to summer. Sometimes white berries with a purplish tint are formed in their place. Columnea thickleaf (C. crassifolia) is a species with semi-erect shoots and orange-red tubular flowers. Columnea gloriosa hasoblong light green leaves covered with reddish fluff and drooping shoots up to 2 m long. The flowers are shiny and red on the outside, yellow on the inside; they bloom from October to April. There is a variety of Columnea gloriosa with a purple leaf color. Small-leaved columnea (C. microphylla) is characterized primarily by very long drooping shoots; oval light green leaves are covered with purple fluff; from November to April, orangish - red (yellow inside) flowers bloom. Other ampel species include Columnea schiedeana (C. schiedeana), which has shoots up to 1.2 m long, light green leaves and blooms from May to July with scarlet flowers in yellow and chestnut spots.

The genus Columnea contains approximately 200 species of perennial semi-shrubby evergreens. In nature, these species are epiphytes, that is, they grow on other crops, using them as a support. Columnea is a beautiful decorative flowering plant with drooping or erect shoots, densely covered with small leaves. The flowers are very bright in color (white, red, orange or yellow), tubular, and bloom in the axils of the leaves. The opposite leaves are egg-shaped, pointed at the ends, pubescent or smooth. As a room culture, the most suitable columnea is Kew (Columnea kewensis), an ampelny species with dark green leathery leaves. It does not tolerate dry air, so frequent spraying is necessary.

Hybrid forms are widely distributed, for example Columnea xbanksiiwith characteristic drooping shoots up to 90 cm long, with oval fleshy dark green glossy leaves and scarlet flowers with light spots that bloom from late winter to summer. Sometimes white berries with a purplish tint are formed in their place.

Columnea thickleaf (C. crassifolia) is a species with semi-erect shoots and orange-red tubular flowers.

Columnea gloriosa hasoblong light green leaves covered with reddish fluff and drooping shoots up to 2 m long. The flowers are shiny and red on the outside, yellow on the inside; they bloom from October to April. There is a variety of Columnea gloriosa with a purple leaf color.

Small-leaved columnea (C. microphylla) is characterized primarily by very long drooping shoots; oval light green leaves are covered with purple fluff; from November to April, orangish - red (yellow inside) flowers bloom.

Other ampel species include Columnea schiedeana (C. schiedeana), which has shoots up to 1.2 m long, light green leaves and blooms from May to July with scarlet flowers in yellow and chestnut spots.

Cultivation

Columnea is an ampel plant for landscaping warm, bright rooms; therefore, it is usually grown in hanging baskets. For cultivation, use a mixture of leafy, peat earth and sand in a ratio of 4:1:1. In the summer months, periodically feed-add liquid fertilizer to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10 ml per bucket. Spring pruning is only required if the plant grows erratically.

Location

Columnea requires increased illumination (primarily during the flowering period), but it is not recommended to expose it to the open sun. The rest of the time, the best location is a bright window, but you need to avoid drafts.

Temperature

The optimal temperature is approximately 16 °C in winter and not less than 20 °C in summer, but the plant can also tolerate a much higher temperature, provided that high humidity is observed with frequent spraying with warm water (you can do it daily). Another way to maintain humidity is to place the plant on a pallet filled with wet pebbles or expanded clay.

Watering

The soil should be moderately moist. Water frequently, except during the winter period (when the plant develops very slowly), which lasts about a month. It is recommended to water 2 times a week in summer and 1 time a week in winter, while being guided primarily by soil moisture. Avoid watering with cold, hard water.

Transplant

Columnea does not need frequent transplanting into a new pot, because it is suitable for a relatively small container. Transplanted usually only when it is really necessary, in the spring after flowering, in the soil with the addition of sand. In most cases, they resort to replacing the surface layer of the soil.

Care

Using a soft cloth, dust is periodically removed, but you cannot use a lustrous solution. Remove dry and weak shoots and wilted flowers. Completely damaged stems can be pruned at the base.

Reproduction

Propagate in the spring by cuttings or sowing seeds. It is easier, of course, in spring - at the beginning of summer, to take apical cuttings about 10 cm long from branches that are not yet blooming, place them in well-drained soil, maintaining a temperature of 20-22 °C and high humidity. In addition, it is recommended to cover the cuttings with a plastic bag before they take root. Sowing of seeds is carried out in late winter and early spring in seed soil based on peat and sand. The temperature is maintained at 24-26 °C; the humidity of the soil should not be too high.

Diseases

The greatest danger for columnea is gray rot, which is found on the plant when there is an excess of watering. It is necessary to immediately treat it with a special fungicide (against gray rot) and reduce the humidity of the soil and air. With a very strong lesion, the plant can die.

Acquisition

Columnea can be found in the best flower shops and gardening centers. The most favorable time to buy is spring. It is better to choose a plant already planted in a hanging basket with long lashes and numerous buds that have not yet opened.