"Bird of Paradise" - Strelitzia: features of home care, flower photo

Strelitzia is a bright representative of exotic plants. She has large juicy green leaves, multicolored, original form of inflorescence. Such a plant cannot go unnoticed.

The flower is used as a beautiful decor in residential and public buildings. Also, florists have long preferred strelitzia, using cut flowers to form bouquets. From the article you will learn how to care for a flower: transplanting, how to achieve flowering. And also what diseases and pests should be feared.

How to care for the plant at different times of the year?

Despite the fact that the plant is a maternity hospital from warm countries, in a temperate climate it feels no less comfortable. Strelitzia is not demanding and hardy enough, this is associated with its popularization.

Location selection and lighting

The plant prefers space. This is especially true for tall varieties. Therefore, it is difficult for him to get along in the cramped conditions of apartments. Often, Strelitzia can be found in non-residential premises or greenhouses, where it has enough space.

Preferably for the indoor flower is the presence of diffused sunlight. It is important that there is a lot of coverage in the summer. It is better to choose window sills from the western side. Of course, the plant can also grow on window sills on the north side, but flowering will not be plentiful, and the size of the inflorescences is much smaller in size.

In the warm season, a pot with an exotic beauty is taken out to fresh air. However, it is better to shade from the midday sun. Strelitzia is better to gradually accustom to the sun, in order to avoid burns. In the autumn-winter period, the plant lays flower buds, and if there is insufficient lighting, the daylight is less than 12 hours, then additional illumination is required.

Temperature

A comfortable temperature for Strelitzia should be between 20-24 ° C - this is summer. She is able to tolerate even higher temperatures, only plentiful watering and high humidity are needed. But in winter, the temperature should be lowered to + 12-15 ° C in order to wait for spring flowering. Temperature + 10 ° С and less than strelitzia will definitely not like it.

Humidity

In summer, the preferred high humidity is 70%. Water procedures will also be useful: spraying, warm shower.

Importantso that water does not fall on the flowers, or you need to immediately wipe the water drops, otherwise dark spots will remain.

Humidity in the room is maintained using a household humidifier or a special fountain with water, also open containers filled with liquid are placed near the pot. In winter, lower the humidity parameters to 50-60%. During this period, it will be enough to wipe the leaves, and not leave a flower near heating appliances.

Watering

From the beginning of spring and all autumn Strelitzia moisten abundantly. The soil in the flowerpot should be wet, but not wet. Water approximately 1 time in 2-3 days. Also, do not allow the complete drying out of the earthen coma in the pot. In the cold season, the amount of moisture is necessarily reduced. Once every 2 weeks - such watering will be enough. Use soft, settled water for the procedures, preferably without impurities and salts.

The soil

A suitable substrate for a tropical guest should have friability, lightness and fertility. No less important are such qualities: breathability and moisture resistance. Soil should have a neutral pH. For a flower, the usual universal primer for indoor plants is suitable.

Fertilizers and fertilizers

Fertilizing the soil for exotics is a must. This is especially true for an adult, which is no longer transplanted annually. A good flower reacts to nutritious organic fertilizers. Nitrogen preparations are introduced from March to July, and also use complex minerals. The frequency of nutrition is about 3-4 times a month. During the dormant period, the fertilizer process should be postponed until spring.

Transfer

Updating the soil is done for a young individual up to 3 years old every year in the spring. Adult plants need a change of soil and pot no more than 1 time in 3-4 years. Strelitzia herself will inform you that a transplant is needed:

• the growing root will crawl into the drainage holes;
• due to lack of space, the root will, as it were, push the earth out of the pot;
• the plant may tilt;
• the development process will slow down.

Soil preparation

First of all, you need to prepare in advance for the procedure, buy or independently prepare the soil mixture. The substrate is preferably taken humic, nutritious, with a pH of 6.5-7. For your own cooking you will need:

• turf land - 1 part;
• deciduous land - 1 part;
• humus - 1 part;
• coarse sand - 1/2 part.

You can also add moss, peat, baking powder.

On a note. Do not forget about the drainage layer, because the fleshy, large root often undergoes decay when fluid stagnates at the bottom of the pot.

As drainage used:

1. expanded clay;
2. broken brick;
3. pebbles;
4. fine crushed stone.

Pot selection

If the root system in the pot is crowded, the exotic plant will grow poorly. In the process of transplanting, it is important to change the landing capacity. Usually choose a pot about 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.

The pot itself must be deep so that the long, rod-shaped root fits well. And also wide - for the growth of young lateral leaves and root shoots. A small sprout will suffice a plastic pot. An adult flower with large, massive leaves is best planted in a ceramic heavy flowerpot, to give resistance.

Diseases and Pests

Strelitzia is a strong exotic flower that stably tolerates diseases. It can be said that it is practically not affected by infections. However, health problems may occur due to improper care.

Symptoms	Causes	Help
Leaf edges dry	Low humidity in the room	Spray the green mass with spray water at least 3 times a day. If possible, place a flower near the aquarium. Place a pan of wet sand or pebbles near Strelitzia.
The presence of black spots on the leaves, the roots rot at the base	Waterlogging + low temperature	Correct the irrigation system. The lower the air temperature in the room, the less moisture is needed.
	Fungal infection	Inspect the roots, if rot is noticeable - treat the flower with systemic fungicides.
The leaves turn yellow and fade	Cold in the room	Raise the air temperature or move the exot to a warmer place.
	Lack of nutrition	Feed with complex mineral fertilizers.
The peduncle does not grow. Fade buds	In the process of budding, the flower was moved	When Strelitzia released the peduncle, it cannot be moved.
Young sprouts are deformed	Nutrient deficiency	During the growth period, use minerals for top dressing.
	Lack of lighting	Move the flower to a well-lit place or use additional light.
No growth	Close pot	Perform a transplant and choose a larger pot.

Full development is also hindered by harmful insects. Among them:

1. mealybug;
2. whitefly;
3. spider mite.

The latter provokes the blackness of the sheet plate, under the sheet he weaves a web.

And these pests feed on Strelitzia juice. As a result, the flower is exhausted, fades, dries, which is a signal of exot feeling unwell. If such neighbors are found, one should spray the solution with one of the chemicals:

• Neoron
• "Actellik";
• "Akarin."

Ticks are terribly afraid of moisture, so splashing water with water is fatal for him. For prevention purposes:

1. produce visual inspections of the flower;
2. wipe the leaves with soap and water;
3. have a shower with warm water.

Important! However, it should be remembered that parasites quickly adapt to poisons, therefore, in subsequent procedures, the drug should be changed.

What is needed for flowering?

Strelitzia blooms mainly in spring or summer. The color of the inflorescences is blue, blue, yellow, orange. The length of the flowers reaches 15 cm in length. In this case, there is a delicate floral aroma.

Why does it sometimes happen that Strelitzia does not bloom? The main reason is that the plant is not provided with appropriate conditions. For In order for the plant to please you with bright flowering, the following is necessary:

1. The age of the tropical beauty should be at least 4 years, or even 6 years. Some individuals do not bloom until 8 years old.
2. Intensive lighting for at least 10-12 hours a day.
3. Well developed root system.
4. A large number of strong, healthy leaves.
5. During rest, the surrounding air should be cool and dry.

But even if all the recommendations are followed, Strelitzia may still not bloom. Then she needs a shake. For example, transfer it for 1 month to a balcony or to a room with a temperature of + 12-14 ° C. There will be plenty of lighting, and minimize watering. And then return to a warm room, into the light, with the same plentiful moisturizing. Also potassium phosphorus top dressing does not hinder. According to flower growers, such stress stimulates peduncle formation.

Photo

In the photo, offered to your attention, you can see how Strelitzia blooms:

Useful video

From the video you will learn how to care for Strelitzia, how to make it bloom:

Conclusion

As seen, growing Strelitzia at home is not at all difficult. The plant is hardy and non-capricious. Regular transplantation, abundant watering and the right place to live are enough for her, but otherwise the exotic flower will adapt itself. In addition, it will give a beautiful, truly paradise flowering.

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