Medinilla

 
Мединилла

Melastoma family. Homeland Africa, Fr. Madagascar, islands of the Malay archipelago.

This plant, demanding on growing conditions, is not widespread among florists, but is loved by connoisseurs of exotic plants. About 400 species of the genus Medinilla are known in nature, represented by shrubs and vines, only one species is common in culture. This is Medinilla majestic Medinilla magnifica - a large shrub up to 2 m tall. Woody shoots have a tetrahedral shape, the leaves are large, oppositely located, up to 30 cm long, oval. The leaf surface is smooth, dark green above, with lighter veins, slightly wavy along the edge. The underside of the leaf is lighter. Pink flowers are collected in a multi-flowered racemose inflorescence. Inflorescences drooping, can reach half a meter long, have large pink bracts.

Medinilla care

Medinilla grows beautifully at home, if you provide her with enough space in a bright place, regularly ventilate the room, illuminate in winter. In addition, try to wipe the leaves from dust once a week, and after heavy watering, loosen the top layer of the earth.

Temperature: In summer, the optimal temperature is 23-28 ° C during the day, 20-22 ° C at night. In winter, a cooler content, optimally not higher than + 18 ° C, but not lower than 15 ° C. The flower does not tolerate drafts and sudden temperature changes.

Мединилла

Lighting: In summer, shading from direct sunlight is required if the pot is on the windowsill of the south or west window from noon to 5 p.m. In winter, good lighting is also needed: in central Russia, medinilla in winter can be safely kept on the southern windowsill without shading. Medinilla is quite a shade-tolerant plant, but if the pots are inside the room, the plant will be dark without additional light. When the flower no longer fits on the windowsill due to size, it is worth rearranging it on a table or nightstand under additional lighting.

Watering: Abundant during flowering and during the growing season, while the soil must have time to dry in the upper third of the pot. By autumn, watering is reduced, especially if the weather is damp and cold. Watered only after the soil is thoroughly dried. For irrigation, only soft, well-settled water at room temperature or warm is used. During the rest period, at a temperature of 16-18 ° C, they are watered after the earthen lump dries completely, even a slight drooping of leaves is allowed.

Fertilizer: From March to July, every two weeks they are fed with special fertilizer for flowering indoor plants.

Humidity: Medinilla likes very humid air, regular spraying is required. Optimal air humidity is 75-80%. Try to avoid water when spraying on flowers. Usually, with central heating in winter and on hot days in summer, it is very difficult to maintain high air humidity with frequent spraying, the best way out for growing plants like medinilla is to turn on the humidifier.

Transplant: In spring - in March, and if necessary (medinilla grows quickly) also in summer, you can transfer the bush to a larger pot. Soil is a purchased mixture for epiphytes or a mixture of 3 part of the leaf land, 1 part of the peat and 1 part of the sand, and you can also add chopped sphagnum moss and pine bark. Good drainage is mandatory. The main requirement for soil is looseness. The soil should be of such a structure that after copious watering at a temperature of 24-26 ° C, it dries completely no longer than two days. If the soil dries longer - 4-5 days, or even more, there is a high probability of soil acidification, impaired root respiration and root decay. Remember that frequent watering does not compensate for insufficient humidity!

Reproduction: In spring, when transplanting, cuttings are cut, which are rooted using phytohormones and with soil heating up to 30 ° C.

By the way

During the transplant, which is advisable to carry out in time from the end of February to the beginning of April, the medinilla overgrown for the year can be cut. Cut branches to old wood, making a cut immediately above the sheet. Cut stems can be used on cuttings, which are more convenient to root in a room greenhouse .

By the way

The main requirements of such a delicate tropical plant as medinilla are high humidity (at least 75%), constantly warm content (at least 15 ° C) and bright diffused lighting. Medinila also does not like when it is moved from place to place, especially during flowering, and even when they simply turn on the window.

Very often, medinillas "bend" within a couple of weeks after purchase - a frequent change in conditions of detention affects. To preserve the purchased plant, try not to buy newly brought copies in the store, it is better to purchase one that has stood in the store for at least 3 weeks and does not look stunted.

At home, immediately identify the plant in a permanent place on the windowsill or near the window. Place the pot on a wide tray with wet expanded clay or moss-sphagnum. If the pot is very small, the plant can be transferred to a larger pot, while it is better to cut the old plastic pot with a hot knife to completely preserve the earthen lump. Place the roots together with the old earth in a new pot, fill the voids with fresh substrate, but do not tamper. If the land settles, it can be filled up. Water the plant very carefully, after drying the top layer of the earth (when immersing your finger in the ground, it should be dry to the touch).

By the way

The best place for growing medinilla is, of course, a greenhouse, in room conditions you can try to create optimal conditions if you additionally install a third frame on the window, blocking the plant from the hot dry air of the batteries and allowing you to maintain a humid atmosphere around the plant. However, the large size of the medinilla should be taken into account and annual pruning should be carried out.