Cuphea

The genus Cuphea covers about 250 species of tender plants, only a few of which are cultivated as indoor plants. In areas with cold winters, they are grown as annuals. Cuphea hyssopifolia (Cuphea hyssopifolia), called false erica , is a small semi-shrub 60 cm high, with lanceolate linear dark green leaves and tubular flowers with a white, pink or red-purple corolla. This type is more suitable for indoor culture than others. Fire-red Cuphea (C. ignea) reaches only 30 cm in height, has ovate-lanceolate leaves and tubular red flowers with black and white edging. It is often grown as a summer plant in the open ground. Small-leaved Cuphea (C. micropetala) grows up to 90 cm in height, with lanceolate, slightly scaly leaves. Collected in a brush, the tubular flowers in the lower part are red with a green or yellow tint, and the petals are red, white or yellow.

The genus Cuphea covers about 250 species of tender plants, only a few of which are cultivated as indoor plants. In areas with cold winters, they are grown as annuals.

Cuphea hyssopifolia (Cuphea hyssopifolia), called false erica , is a small semi-shrub 60 cm high, with lanceolate linear dark green leaves and tubular flowers with a white, pink or red-purple corolla. This type is more suitable for indoor culture than others.

Fire-red Cuphea (C. ignea) reaches only 30 cm in height, has ovate-lanceolate leaves and tubular red flowers with black and white edging. It is often grown as a summer plant in the open ground.

Small-leaved Cuphea (C. micropetala) grows up to 90 cm in height, with lanceolate, slightly scaly leaves. Collected in a brush, the tubular flowers in the lower part are red with a green or yellow tint, and the petals are red, white or yellow.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Cuphea are grown in warm climates in the open ground in flower beds, in pots on balconies and terraces. In moderately cold climates, it is grown at home, and taken out to fresh air in the summer. The soil should be fertile and well-drained with a pH of about 6; organic fertilizers should be applied when planting. When growing in a pot, use a substrate prepared from sterilized earth (50%), neutral peat (25%) and sand (25%), add 40 g of mineral fertilizer to a bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 2 weeks, as a top dressing, water for irrigation is added complete mineral fertilizer in the amount of 20 g per bucket. During dormancy, before the resumption of vegetation (at the end of winter), the branches are shortened by 1/3 to encourage the growth of new shoots.

Plants of the genus Cuphea are grown in warm climates in the open ground in flower beds, in pots on balconies and terraces. In moderately cold climates, it is grown at home, and taken out to fresh air in the summer. The soil should be fertile and well-drained with a pH of about 6; organic fertilizers should be applied when planting. When growing in a pot, use a substrate prepared from sterilized earth (50%), neutral peat (25%) and sand (25%), add 40 g of mineral fertilizer to a bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 2 weeks, as a top dressing, water for irrigation is added complete mineral fertilizer in the amount of 20 g per bucket. During dormancy, before the resumption of vegetation (at the end of winter), the branches are shortened by 1/3 to encourage the growth of new shoots.

Location

A bright room is required. In the fresh air, plants should be placed in the open sun, but in a place protected from winds.

Temperature

Maintain the house at room temperature, in winter not less than 5 °C.

Watering

Water often and abundantly in spring and summer, in autumn watering is reduced, bringing it to a minimum in winter.

Transplant

Transplanted in May annually, it is possible in the summer, if not grown every year from seed.

Care

Remove withered flowers and inflorescences, as well as damaged parts of the plant.

Reproduction

Not too lignified cuttings are rooted in spring at a soil temperature of at least 20 °C. Plant several cuttings in a pot, then pinch them 2-3 times. Sowing is carried out in April-March in containers with seed soil. Both vegetative propagation and seed propagation require a certain temperature-18-22 °C. Seeds are not covered with earth on top. Rooted cuttings and new seedlings obtained from seeds are planted in pots one at a time in May.

Diseases

Spots on leaves and rotting of shoots and root necks can be caused by various fungi and gray rot. Treat the plants with fungicides and anti-gray rot medications. Nematodes infect the roots. Their appearance can only be prevented by using uninfected soil, otherwise it is necessary to remove the diseased plant. Iron deficiency manifests itself in the yellowing of the leaves. Use suitable soil and top up with iron chelates.

Acquisition

Cuphea is easily found in nurseries and gardening centers. Choose dense, disease-free plants. The best time to buy them is at the end of April.