Hypoestes

The plant's name is derived from the Greek "hypo" and "hestia", and can be translated as" return to the hearth"; given because of the shape and arrangement of the flowers. The genus Hypestes includes about 150 species distributed in the tropics of the Old World, in South Africa and Madagascar. These are perennial herbaceous or shrubby plants with small opposite leaves from 3 to 10 cm long. Flowers with small bracts, in spike-shaped inflorescences. In indoor floriculture, one species is used - Hypestes leafy (Hypoestes phillostachya), sometimes called hypestes blood-red (H. sanguinolenta). This plant was discovered in Madagascar in 1887. In nature, leaf-spined hypestes can reach 1 m in height, but in most rooms it does not exceed 40 cm. The leaves are egg-shaped or heart-shaped, dark green, with numerous small spots of light pink and carmine-red color. On the reverse side, the leaf is lighter, and the spots are white. The flowers are rather nondescript, sitting at the base leaves, purple, light lilac or white. The original form served as the basis for more decorative garden forms with very bright leaf colors. Hybrid plants available for sale look compact, undersized, and have very short internodes. Unfortunately, this trait is not genetically fixed. As soon as the action of retardants (drugs that cause a decrease in the length of internodes) ends, the plant takes on its characteristic appearance: it stretches in height, it seems to be sparsely leaved.

The plant's name is derived from the Greek "hypo" and "hestia", and can be translated as" return to the hearth"; given because of the shape and arrangement of the flowers.

The genus Hypestes includes about 150 species distributed in the tropics of the Old World, in South Africa and Madagascar. These are perennial herbaceous or shrubby plants with small opposite leaves from 3 to 10 cm long. Flowers with small bracts, in spike-shaped inflorescences.

In indoor floriculture, one species is used - Hypestes leafy (Hypoestes phillostachya), sometimes called hypestes blood-red (H. sanguinolenta). This plant was discovered in Madagascar in 1887. In nature, leaf-spined hypestes can reach 1 m in height, but in most rooms it does not exceed 40 cm. The leaves are egg-shaped or heart-shaped, dark green, with numerous small spots of light pink and carmine-red color. On the reverse side, the leaf is lighter, and the spots are white. The flowers are rather nondescript, sitting at the base leaves, purple, light lilac or white. The original form served as the basis for more decorative garden forms with very bright leaf colors. Hybrid plants available for sale look compact, undersized, and have very short internodes. Unfortunately, this trait is not genetically fixed. As soon as the action of retardants (drugs that cause a decrease in the length of internodes) ends, the plant takes on its characteristic appearance: it stretches in height, it seems to be sparsely leaved.

Cultivation

Hypestes is grown for its amazing bright leaves. For planting, slightly acidic earth mixtures of leafy earth, peat, sand and a small amount of clay are used. You can also take ready-made soils. It is advisable not to transplant the purchased plant into a new substrate for as long as possible in order to maintain compact growth. Due to the high humidity requirements of the air, it is better to grow hypestes in compositions with ferns, pila trees and other plants, combining them in low but wide containers or in bottle gardens. The leaves of hypestes are short-lived, so over time the stems are very bare. Flowering occurs in summer and is also accompanied by the extension of shoots in height. To avoid blooming, the plants are constantly pinched and pruned.

Location

Hypestes feels great both in bright diffused light and in partial shade, but when there is a lack of light, it is strongly elongated and worse colored. This is especially noticeable in winter. Without additional lighting, the plant completely loses its decorative effect.

Temperature

For cultivation, a room temperature of 16-25 °C is suitable, but in winter the plant can tolerate a short-term decrease to 10-12 °C with limited watering.

Watering

A very important condition for the life of the plant is a constant moderate moistening of the substrate, without drying out or waterlogging. In summer, liquid fertilizers are added to the water for irrigation once every 2 weeks, in winter the number of top dressing is halved.

Care

Hypestes is very difficult to maintain in the same form as it was at the time of purchase. This is possible if two conditions are met: the light is as bright as possible, but diffused (helps to reduce internodes) and constant pinching of the tops to stimulate the development of lateral shoots. Elongated and bare shoots are ruthlessly cut off at the root in early spring and summer.

Reproduction

For reproduction of hypestes, apical cuttings with three pairs of leaves are selected during pruning. They perfectly root in water for 1-2 weeks.

Diseases

Do not forget that the plant is thermophilic. An open window in the cold can lead to damage to the leaves, and when the earthen lump cools down in combination with heavy watering, the entire plant can die. When the soil is completely dried, the leaves turn yellow and crumble. If the relative humidity is low, spider mites may occur. The best measure against pests is a strict quarantine for new plants, because all tick control drugs are undesirable to use at home. A good alternative to acaricides is a pet shampoo for ectoparasites.

Acquisition

Hypestes is almost always on sale in flower shops and greenhouses.

Landing Hypestes has a small root system with thin and tender roots. When planting, preference should be given to low pots and make a good drainage layer in them. Transplanting with a complete replacement of the substrate is carried out annually.

Landing

Hypestes has a small root system with thin and tender roots. When planting, preference should be given to low pots and make a good drainage layer in them. Transplanting with a complete replacement of the substrate is carried out annually.