Aphelandra

Family. Acanthaceae.

Origin. From tropical America. Brazil.

Description. Aphelandra is an evergreen, very spectacular shrub with a juicy, thick stem about 30-60 cm high. The leaves are large, 20-30 cm long, oval, pointed to the tip, shiny, arranged oppositely, emerald green with silvery veins. At home, it is used both as a decorative foliage and as a flowering plant.

During the flowering period, from each stem - and there may be several of them - a tall apical inflorescence-spike of yellow-golden color up to 30 cm in height is thrown out, which persists for up to 6 weeks. Externally, the tetrahedral inflorescence resembles a cone. The flowering itself is short-lived - only a few days, the flowers are tubular, from yellow-golden to red. 

Height. 30 - 60 cm.

Home care

Reproduction 

Aphelandra cuttings are carried out in the spring - the apical cuttings, about 7.5 cm long, are cut off. Trim the stem just below the node - the place where the leaf attaches to the main stem. Rooting of cuttings should take place using growth hormones in a loose earthen mixture with good drainage under a plastic cap. After 3 weeks, you can remove the cap. Give the cuttings plenty of light and expect new leaves in 6 weeks. 

How to care 

Provide the plant with warmth, a nutrient medium and the necessary air humidity and enjoy the result.  

Transplant 

Do not rush to replant the plant into a large pot after purchasing it. Aphelandra prefers to be a little cramped in the pot and blooms more profusely because of this cramping. If necessary, replant in the spring, when it is necessary to renew the soil. Flower pots should have large drainage holes.

When it blooms 

From early summer to mid-autumn. In good conditions, it can occur twice a year. 

Diseases and pests 

The leaves of a houseplant fall off and dry out when the soil becomes too dry, cold drafts or direct sun in the spring and summer. Darkening of the tips of the leaves indicates low air humidity. Aphelandra leaves turn black when the root system rots. In conditions of lack of light, aphelandra does not bloom.

Pests include mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, mites, nematodes, and scale insects.

Watering aphelandra 

Never allow compost to dry out; use warm water for irrigation. Keep the soil evenly moist year-round. Dry soil causes leaves to wilt or fall.

Soil 

Suitable soil consisting of peat, leaf humus, with the addition of sand. Good drainage is necessary. 

Feeding

Flowers in pots have a limited feeding area and need regular feeding. During the summer, liquid fertilizer is applied monthly at half strength. 

Containment temperature

Heat-loving plants develop better in rooms with a temperature of 15 to 20 - 25 ° C. At lower temperatures they suffer from a lack of heat and often die; they cannot tolerate hypothermia - at least 15° C.  

Lighting

The plant prefers bright light. Do not expose to direct sunlight. Aphelandra squarrosa often blooms a second time during the year when there is sufficient light, and it is the intensity of the sun's rays that is important here, and not the length of daylight hours.

Direct sunlight on a hot summer afternoon can cause leaves to curl or wrinkle. Light-loving indoor plants (abutilon, aphelandra, geranium, beloperone, cacti) prefer intense lighting, so it is recommended to place them on southern windows. 

Spraying

Quite high - about 60 - 70 percent. It is advisable to place the pot in a tray with wet pebbles and spray it daily. 

Purpose

Winter flowering makes this plant especially valuable for indoor cultivation. 

Note

Indoor flowers welcome a certain period of rest after flowering - during this time, slightly reduce watering and lower the temperature to 12 ° C. Sharp fluctuations in temperature and humidity are not acceptable.

Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponics.

Varieties:

Aphelandra sguarrosa

    A low plant with large, dark green leaves. Leaf blades are glossy. The branched veins of the leaves are highlighted in white. The inflorescences are apical; the greatest attractiveness is given to them by the yellow bracts, which remain on the plant for a long time after flowering.