Hypocyrta

The genus Hypocyrta includes 12 tender semi-shrubby species. The leaves are elliptical to obovate in shape, pointed, smooth or pubescent, the underside is often purple in hue. In summer, tubular flowers develop in the axils of the leaves, with swollen flowers in the lower part. The height of plants varies from 10-15 cm (creeping species) to 40-60 cm (semi-erect species). They are grown for the beauty of their foliage and flowers. Hypocyrta glabra is a semi-erect species with smooth stems. The leaves are small and the flowers are yellow with a reddish pattern. Hypocyrta monetchata (H. nummularia ) is a creeping species with red, slightly pubescent stems. The flowers are also red, ending in small yellow lobes.

The genus Hypocyrta includes 12 tender semi-shrubby species. The leaves are elliptical to obovate in shape, pointed, smooth or pubescent, the underside is often purple in hue. In summer, tubular flowers develop in the axils of the leaves, with swollen flowers in the lower part. The height of plants varies from 10-15 cm (creeping species) to 40-60 cm (semi-erect species). They are grown for the beauty of their foliage and flowers.

Hypocyrta glabra is a semi-erect species with smooth stems. The leaves are small and the flowers are yellow with a reddish pattern.

Hypocyrta monetchata (H. nummularia ) is a creeping species with red, slightly pubescent stems. The flowers are also red, ending in small yellow lobes.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Hypocyrta are grown in pots at home. They like high humidity, in a good time of year they can be exposed to the open air, while avoiding drafts and wind. In spring, plants are planted in a soil consisting of peat (50%), sand (20%) and rotten beech foliage (30%). To make the soil softer and looser, it is also recommended to add expanded clay pellets or charcoal. Make a complete long-acting mineral fertilizer during planting, with a gradual release of nutrients, at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket. During the spring and summer months during this period, once every 15-20 days, 10 g of complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation per bucket for fertilizing.

Location

The place should be shaded. Plants also tolerate diffused light, but not direct sunlight.

Temperature

Since these are tropical species, they are resistant to high temperatures, but do not tolerate cold weather below 12-14 °C.

Watering

During the spring and summer period, they are watered often. In addition, it is recommended to spray plants with water to increase the humidity of the surrounding air. In winter, you should increase the intervals between watering, but do not stop spraying with water.

Transplant

Transplanted in spring in containers that are more spacious compared to the previous ones.

Care

Remove withered flowers and yellowed leaves.

Reproduction

In summer (June-August) it can be propagated by apical cuttings, which are kept indoors at a temperature of 22-24 °C, often sprayed and covered with a piece of plastic or an inverted vessel to maintain constant humidity. The soil is made up of 2/3 peat and 1/3 agroperlite. In the spring, the seedlings are transplanted completely.

In summer (June-August) it can be propagated by apical cuttings, which are kept indoors at a temperature of 22-24 °C, often sprayed and covered with a piece of plastic or an inverted vessel to maintain constant humidity. The soil is made up of 2/3 peat and 1/3 agroperlite. In the spring, the seedlings are transplanted completely.

Diseases

Plants of the genus Hypocyrta are usually not susceptible to diseases. Only excess water or too dense soil can trigger the onset of rotting and wilting. Direct sunlight causes burns on the leaves. All this can be prevented by carefully observing the rules of cultivation.

Acquisition

At the beginning of the growing cycle, it is not too easy to find hypocyrta seedlings. However, you can buy already formed flowering plants or in some specialized flower nurseries. Choose compact and well-formed bushes.