Curiosities of the Crossandra

Curiosities of the Crossandra

Let's start by talking a little about the origin of the crossandra and we can say that this plant is native to India, although some species also come from South Africa and Madagascar.

Crossandra is a versatile plant grown as an annual, perennial or flowering houseplantDepending on where you live, apart from the fact that it is a highly appreciated plant thanks to its constant display of orange or apricot flowers, its attractive glossy foliage and its easy-growing nature.

Curiosities of the Crossandra

The Crossandra are orange flowers

It was introduced to Europe in the early XNUMXth century.

It is a very original plant with a long flowering period.

As it does not tolerate temperatures below 15 ° C, this plant is generally reserved for indoors, greenhouses and verandas.

You have many growing needs and the greatest difficulty is a good irrigation management, since the slightest excess of water is fatal.

Requires atmospheric humidity, it should be installed on a bed of wet gravel or pebbles.

Its abundant flowers appear on a variety of ears of corn; they bloom one after another from the bottom of the stem upwards.

Its useful life is rather short because its flowering is less when it is more than three years old.

The cuttings can be used to renew them regularly.

Despite all these growing limitations, the Crossandra is a very decorative and unusual.

It is not a rustic plant, does not tolerate temperatures below 15 ° C (ideally between 18 and 20 ° C) and is generally grown indoors or on a veranda.

Its foliage is persistent, elliptical and has slightly wavy leaves and greens.

They multiply by sowing and by cuttings.

This plant appreciates pure heather soil or a mix with a little potting soil.

You can find this plant in color yellow, orange, salmon.

The parasites that can harm our plant They are red spiders, mealybugs and aphids.

It could rot in case of excess water.

It is a plant that prefers to be alone in its pot.

Their specific crop needs they make other plants incompatible with Crossandra.

Transplanting and sowing are done on a descending moon and maintenance work is done lunar days in Libra, Gemini and Aquarius.

The cuttings are made in a descending moon.

In northern areas, Crossandra is treated as an annual, mixing it with other sun-loving flowers in gardens and borders. It is also a plant excellent for container gardens.

Some species / varieties of the Crossandra

There are about fifty species and varieties, but the most cultivated are:

Crossandra "Fortune"

Vigorous and well-branched variety with orange blossoms.

Crossandra "Mona Walhead"

Variety with a compact bearing and salmon flowers.

Caring for the Crossandra

Some species / varieties of the Crossandra

You can and should place a good layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to ensure proper drainage.

You can and should apply fertilizer for flowering plants every two weeks and from March to September.

The Crossandra need bright light but without direct sunlight.

It should not be exposed to drafts and should be kept away from heat sources.

It can reach a height of 30 to 50 cm.

During sowing, the seeds should be covered with a centimeter of well-ripened soil.

They should sow the seedlings throughout the year under a mini greenhouse and at a temperature of about 25 ° C.

Transplantation is done in the spring and in well-drained soils.

To promote flowering, regularly pinch young shoots.

Irrigation represents the greatest cultivation difficulty and is sensitive to the slightest excess.

Always use water that is not calcareous and especially at room temperature.

In winter and during your rest period, the ground should be almost completely dry.

Never let the water stagnate in the saucer.

On the other hand, the pot should be placed on a bed of pebbles that are always wet.

When the last leaf on the flower stem is withered, cut the stem by cutting above the last pair of leaves.

In spring, fold stems that are too long.


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