Kolumneya is a tender ampelous plant with pubescent shoots and bright flowers. For the shape of the bud, the columna is often called the "goldfish". This plant is native to Latin America, where it forms beautiful thickets in bright tropical forests. Columnia belongs to the Gesneriaceae family and can boast of an unpretentious character.
Plant description
Kolumneya is a perennial herb with a fibrous root system. In the natural environment, columnae are epiphytes or semi-epiphytes and are located in the folds of tree bark. Young shoots are directed upwards, but as they increase in size, they begin to droop. Fleshy brittle vines can reach a length of 7-10 cm. They are densely covered with small petiole leaves. The heart-shaped or ovoid leaf blade has a glossy surface, smooth edges and a pointed tip. Branches and petioles often have a dense whitish pubescence. The length of the leaves is 2-10 cm.
Flowering occurs in winter and early spring, when the summer comes in the southern hemisphere. Single tubular flowers form in the leaf sinuses of the central part of the shoot. Their petals are painted in pink, terracotta, orange or yellow. Two-lipped buds remotely resemble orchid flowers. Their length can reach 4-6 cm.
Types and varieties of columnaea
More than 190 species have been recorded in the columnaeus. Many of them live only in the natural environment. The following varieties are suitable for indoor cultivation:
Columnia Carnival. The plant is covered with small shiny leaves of dark green color. During the flowering period, the vines are abundantly covered with bright yellow flowers with a red border on the petals.
Kolumney Allen. This herbaceous plant quickly grows shoots up to 7 m long. Dark green lanceolate leaves are arranged in pairs on branches. The flowers are bright red.
Kolumneya Krakatau. The shoots of this ampelous species are elevated from the base. They are densely covered with small, thin leaves of dark green color. Medium-sized flowers are painted in red-orange tones.
Kolumneya blood red. The semi-artisanal appearance has thickened vines and large leaves. There are red spots on the back of the leaves. Scarlet flowers are collected in small inflorescences and are located in the axils of the leaves.
Columnae Banks. Shoots up to 1 m long are covered with small glossy leaves of light green color. Between them, during flowering, beautiful yellow-orange flowers bloom up to 6 cm long.
Columnia is glorious. The shoots are covered with fleshy, pubescent leaves of a dark green color. Above them are larger orange-red flowers.
Kolumney Shida. The plant consists of fleshy, flexible vines with a slight reddish pubescence. Red villi also covers the back of dark green leaves. The length of the shoots in the culture is 1.5 m, and the leaves are 10 cm. Flowers are formed along the entire length of the vine and are painted yellow.
Breeding
The most convenient way to propagate columnae at home is the rooting of cuttings. In February or early March, they are cut from the tops of the shoots. The length of the handle should be at least 5-6 cm, it is necessary to leave 4-6 leaves on it. Rooting is done in a moist mixture of garden soil and peat.
Seedlings are kept in a bright place at a temperature of + 22 ... + 24 ° C. They need moderate daily watering. When young roots form and a new pair of leaves grows, the cuttings can be transplanted into small pots in a permanent place.
Seed propagation of Kolumna is a very painstaking work that does not always end successfully. Only experienced flower growers can decide on such a step. Seeds should be germinated in a greenhouse in a sand-peat mixture. In late February, they are placed on the surface of the soil and slightly crushed. The container is covered with a film and kept at a constant temperature + 24 ... + 26 ° C. Ventilate and moisten the soil daily. Shoots appear within 1-3 weeks. After this, it is necessary to transfer the seedlings to a bright place, but to shade from direct sunlight. You can use a fluorescent lamp. Growing plants with 4 leaves are transplanted without diving to a permanent place.
Landing rules
Columnae has a small and sensitive rhizome. After the purchase, it is recommended to transplant it. In the future, frequent transplants are not needed. It is enough to do this as the roots grow. The pot is selected medium and shallow. At the bottom there should be openings for water drainage. First, a thick layer of drainage material is placed, and then the soil mixture is poured. You can buy ready-made land for semi-epiphytes or make up the substrate yourself. For him you will need:
- turf land (4 parts);
- sheet land (4 parts);
- peat (2 parts);
- a mixture of sand, moss-sphagnum, charcoal (1 part).
The transplant is carried out by the method of transshipment of an earthen coma, so as not to injure thin roots.
Columnia care
Care for the column at home requires careful selection of a place for the plant. Liana needs bright diffused lighting and feels good near the eastern or western windowsills. During the flowering period, additional illumination is required. It is undesirable to take a column into fresh air, also she does not like direct sunlight and is afraid of drafts.
In summer, the optimal air temperature for the plant is + 22 ... + 27 ° C. It can develop normally in a hotter environment, but only with high humidity. In winter, cooling is recommended up to + 16 ... + 18 ° C. They contribute to the formation of flower buds.
A resident of the tropics is demanding on air humidity. The desired rate is 80-90%. To achieve it, any methods are suitable:
- frequent spraying;
- humidifiers;
- pallets with wet pebbles or expanded clay;
- aquariums and fountains.
It is necessary to water the columnar with small portions of soft water. Only the upper part of the substrate should dry out, but liquid stagnation should not be allowed. Water with lime is unacceptable, it can destroy the plant.
During the period of active vegetation (April-October), Columnae need mineral fertilizers. You can use complexes for indoor flowering plants, which are sold in flower shops. Top dressing is diluted in a large amount of water and introduced into the ground, avoiding contact with leaves.
For several years, the liana can stretch out and lose attractiveness. To prolong its youth, pruning is carried out after each flowering. 30-50% of the length of the vine should be removed. You also need to cut dried flowers, leaves and shoots. However, in this case, after 5-7 years, it is recommended to rejuvenate the column.
Diseases and Pests
With excessive watering on the shoots and roots, gray rot can be found. It poses a great danger to the plant. If the infection site is small, you need to cut off the diseased shoots, transplant with a colum and treat it with a fungicide. In advanced cases, healthy cuttings are cut, and the plant itself is destroyed.
Sometimes on juicy leaves you can find aphids, thrips, scutes and spider mites. Spraying with an insecticide solution helps to get rid of parasites.
