Rivina

 
ривина

Laconose family. Homeland Central and South America (Southern states of the USA, Chile, Argentina).

Rivina low Rivina humilis is a herbaceous plant or shrub, about 1.5 m tall, with lignified stems. The leaves are alternate, oblong, pointed at the end, slightly wavy, up to 12 cm long, green, pubescent. Inflorescences are axillary racemose, about 10 cm long. The flowers are pinkish-white, about 0.5 cm in diameter, the fruits are bright red berries, similar to clusters of red currants.

In order for the plant to have a more decorative lush appearance, it is regularly pinched or pruned. This can only be done in early spring (February-March), as it bears fruit on young shoots.

Care for rivina

Temperature: Moderate, cool in winter within 18-20 ° С, minimum 12 ° С. In a too hot room in winter and with a lack of lighting, there may be a loss of lower leaves.

Lighting: Bright diffused light with some direct sunlight, an eastern, western window and even a southern one will do, but with sun protection from 11 to 15 hours.

Watering: Plentiful from spring to autumn. The top layer of soil (in the upper third of the pot) should have time to dry before the next irrigation. In winter, watering is more limited, after the soil has dried in the upper layer, wait another 2-3 days before watering.

Fertilizer: From March to August, they are fed every two weeks with liquid fertilizer for indoor plants. Fertilizers are suitable for ferthica-lux, uniflor bud, etc.

Air humidity: Regularly sprayed from a fine spray bottle. Rivina loves moist air, so in winter it must be protected from the dry hot air of the batteries. Due to the requirements for humidity and cool temperatures in winter, rivina is more suitable for growing in greenhouses than apartments.

Transplant: Annually in the spring. Rivina is not demanding on acidity, but prefers loose leaf soils than dense clay ones, does not like too voluminous deep pots. The soil 2 part of the sod, 1 part of the humus, 1 part of the sheet earth and 1 part of the sand. Good drainage to the bottom of the pot must be done.

Breeding: Stem cuttings and seeds in spring. It is better to root cuttings in a mixture of vermiculite and peat, covered with a cap or bag to maintain high humidity. The rooted handle must be ventilated 2-3 times a day, shake off the condensate from the bag to avoid decay. The seeds are also sown in a mixture of vermiculite and peat, or in leaf earth. It is better to grow seedlings in a room greenhouse, which can be made from a cake box. Germinate seeds at a temperature of 24-25 ° C. When 2 pairs of real leaves grow, rivina seedlings can be planted in pots with a diameter of 8-10 cm.

By the way

Rivina leaves of low Rivina humilis in its historical homeland are used to treat wounds, scratches and burns. They contain bactericidal substances, so they promote wound healing. Scientific studies have proven the antimicrobial effect of Rivina humilis on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and other microorganisms.

For the use of leaves for the purpose of treatment, you can use a decoction, in the form of a compress or freshly cut leaves. Pour a few leaves with a small amount of boiling water, stand for five minutes and moisten a cotton swab in solution. Apply to the affected area for 20 minutes. Freshly cut leaves need to be finely cut like greens into a salad, applied to the wound surface and wrapped in cling film, left for 20 minutes.

Growing problems

If the leaves of the plant have begun to fly around, look for the reason:

    lack
  • of nutrients when the plant has not been transplanted for several years;
    • lack
  • of lighting, especially in winter, then additional lighting with ET lamps will be required;
    • in a
  • spider mite lesion - on the back of the leaves, gray or white grains, like dandruff, to the lumen of the puncture leaf;
  • in violation of the irrigation regime - rivina allows some short-term drying of the ground, but the lost lower leaves do not grow back - the trunk is exposed, excess moisture can lead to rot of the roots.