Rhoeo

The genus Rheo (Rhoeo) has a single species, Rheo discolor (syn. Rhoeo spathacea), which is native to tropical forests. Perennial herbaceous plant with an erect stem up to 30 cm high and horizontally arranged, sessile, linear, slightly curved leaves, reddish-purple below and dark green glossy above. The flowers are small, enclosed in a kind of "boat" - a blanket formed by two or three greenish bracts. The flowers do not last long and bloom at different times of the year. Among the numerous varieties, the most common is 'Striped', characterized by the presence of longitudinal white or cream stripes on the upper side of the leaf plate. Other varieties have only one wide central stripe on their leaves.

The genus Rheo (Rhoeo) has a single species, Rheo discolor (syn. Rhoeo spathacea), which is native to tropical forests. Perennial herbaceous plant with an erect stem up to 30 cm high and horizontally arranged, sessile, linear, slightly curved leaves, reddish-purple below and dark green glossy above. The flowers are small, enclosed in a kind of "boat" - a blanket formed by two or three greenish bracts. The flowers do not last long and bloom at different times of the year.

Among the numerous varieties, the most common is 'Striped', characterized by the presence of longitudinal white or cream stripes on the upper side of the leaf plate. Other varieties have only one wide central stripe on their leaves.

Cultivation

Reo is grown in pots; in the warm season, the plant can be taken out into the open air, and at the first approach of cold weather, it is removed indoors. The substrate consists of a mixture of fertile garden land (50%), peat (30%) and sand (20%) with the addition of a complex fertilizer at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil. In spring, once every 2 weeks, the same fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation, 10-20 g per bucket.

Location

The room should be very bright, and partial shade is desirable in the open air. The exception is the 'Striped' variety, which increases the variegation of color from exposure to the sun. The growth of Rheo in a dense shade can lead to impaired development and deterioration of leaf color.

Temperature

Reo can withstand high temperatures. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 10 °C.

Watering

In spring and summer, water often, avoid stagnation of water. In the autumn-winter period, watering is reduced.

Transplant

Every year in spring, the plants are transplanted into larger pots; the maximum diameter of the pot is 15 cm.

Care

When caring for plants, remove withered flowers and damaged or dry leaves.

Reproduction

In spring, cuttings are separated from new shoots and planted in boxes filled with a mixture of peat and sand. The room temperature is adjusted at 18-20 °C. As soon as the cuttings are properly rooted, they are individually planted in pots. Seeds are sown in April in boxes, in the same substrate, maintaining a temperature of 20-21 °C. As soon as the seedlings grow up, they are placed in separate pots, and after the root system is formed, the seedlings are transplanted into decorative flowerpots.

Diseases

Too much sun damages the leaves. Excessive compaction of the soil or excessive watering often leads to root rot. These troubles can be avoided if you monitor the location of the plant during the day, carefully care for it and dose watering.

Acquisition

Reo multicolored can always be found in gardening centers and specialized nurseries. It is better to choose a young plant with a single leaf rosette, in a container.

Very similar plants Species of the genus Palisota are often sold under the name " Rheo ": the appearance of plants and the color of leaves are similar. These are herbaceous plants from tropical Africa, but unlike the multicolored Rheo in palisota species, the leaves on the reverse side are green, not purple. Palisades also differ in the presence of rhizomes and, among other things, do not tolerate temperatures below 15 °C.

Very similar plants

Species of the genus Palisota are often sold under the name " Rheo ": the appearance of plants and the color of leaves are similar. These are herbaceous plants from tropical Africa, but unlike the multicolored Rheo in palisota species, the leaves on the reverse side are green, not purple. Palisades also differ in the presence of rhizomes and, among other things, do not tolerate temperatures below 15 °C.