Episcia

 
эписцияEpiscia variety Silver Skies

Gesnerium family. Homeland - Tropical America (Brazil, etc.). There are more than 40 species in nature. They are perennial herbaceous plants that are grown in hanging baskets or planters like ampeles. This delicate and capricious plant in culture is represented by two species:

The carnation flowering Episcia dianthiflora is a herbaceous plant that has two types of shoots - short stems with closely planted leaves and long whiskers with daughter rosettes and rooting in knots. The leaves are small up to 4 cm long, elliptical in shape, with a serrated edge. The surface of the leaf is velvety, dark green with dark veins. The flowers are tubular, solitary, white with purple interspersed in the throat, corolla up to 4 cm in diameter.

эписцияCarnation flowering

The coppery Episcia cupreata is a large herbaceous plant, with hairy, thick stems. Leaves up to 10 cm long elliptical, with a serrated edge. The surface of the leaf is wrinkled and pubescent, copper-green. The flowers are tubular, solitary or arranged in twos on a peduncle, red-orange, corolla up to 3 cm in diameter. It is the starting species for many varieties, differing mainly in leaf color.

CARE TIPS

Temperature: Moderate during the period of growth and flowering, in winter at least 18 ° C. Eruption must be protected from drafts .

Lighting: Episcia loves bright diffused light, but with a lack of lighting, the color of the variegated leaves fades .

Watering: Eruptions are watered moderately during growth and flowering. Watering careful and rarer in winter, the soil should have time to dry well .

Fertilizers: Feeding begins from about April to early August, weekly. Use special fertilizers for flowering indoor plants.

Humidity: Eruptions require very high humidity. Pots with these plants are placed on a tray with wet pebbles and, in addition, are regularly sprayed.

Transplant: For growing these gesnerium, it is better to take sufficiently wide pots, not a large height. Transplanted annually in the spring. The soil should have a slightly acidic or neutral reaction, pH = 5.5-6.5. The soil mixture consists of 2 parts of leafy land, 1 parts of peat (or greenhouse land) and 1 parts of river sand, sphagnum moss and pieces of charcoal. You can also use purchased Violet mixes, etc. Provide good drainage and large drain holes at the bottom of the pot.

Reproduction: Seeds, leaf cuttings, daughter rosettes.

By the way

Episcia grows quite quickly and therefore requires the formation of a bush. After flowering, shoots are shortened, and daughter rosettes from cut stems are planted in the same pot to make the bush more lush.

By the way

Eruptions are very sensitive to watering mode. Excessive dampness, as well as severe drying, is destructive for them. When watering, it is advisable to use warm soft water.

Growing problems

Brown spots on the leaves - the plant was watered with cold water, the water for watering should be warm.

Leaves turn yellow - Fertilizer overdose, air too dry and too hot, too much sun.

Gray plaque on leaves and flowers - gray rot or powdery mildew, which usually occur during violations of the conditions of detention - old sour soil and poorly ventilated rooms.

The plant does not bloom - in low light, lack of nutrition in the soil, if the air is too dry or cold, incorrect content during rest, excess nitrogen fertilizers.

Pests - eruption can be attacked by whiteflies, aphids, thrips, mealybugs, and other pests. (see pests).