Porphyrocoma

Family. Acanthaceae.

Origin. Brazil.

Description. Porphyrocoma is a perennial, tropical, evergreen, herbaceous plant. The stems are erect, not branched, the leaves are long, lanceolate, grayish-green. The veins of the leaves are highlighted in a lighter shade. At the tops of the shoots during the flowering period, bright inflorescences of crimson or purple flowers appear, with bright bracts.

Height. 15 - 45 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Heat-loving plants develop better in rooms with a temperature of 15 to 20 - 25 ° C. At lower temperatures they suffer from lack of heat and often die. 

Lighting

Avoid exposing leaves and shoots to direct sunlight during daylight hours. Too much light can cause leaf discolouration. Porphyrocoma grows very well in partial shade.

Care

Regularly pinch the tops of young plant shoots. Remove withering inflorescences, weak and diseased branches in a timely manner. Too long stems are cut after flowering.

Substrate

Well-drained soil with a large amount of nutrients and a high content of organic matter in the form of peat, leaf humus, pH 6.1 - 7.5.

Feeding

During the summer, apply liquid fertilizer 2 times a month. In autumn and winter, you can feed with a weak solution of fertilizers monthly. 

Purpose

This plant will help green up the darkest corners of the house.

Flowering time

In good maintenance conditions, flowering occurs at any time of the year and can occur twice a year.

Air humidity

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

Soil moisture

Never allow compost to dry out; use warm water for irrigation. In autumn, the frequency of watering can be slightly reduced by drying the soil between waterings to a depth of 1 - 3 cm. 

Transfer

Do not rush to transplant the porphyrocoma into a large pot. The bush prefers a slightly cramped pot and blooms profusely in such conditions. If necessary, transplant in the spring when the soil needs to be refreshed.

Reproduction

Propagate in spring, by apical cuttings, about 7.5 cm long. Cut the stem just below the node - the place where the leaf attaches to the main stem. Root the cuttings with growth hormones in a loose soil mixture with good drainage under a plastic cap at a temperature of 20 - 25 ° C. After 3 weeks, the cap can be removed. Give the cuttings plenty of light and expect new shoots to appear in 6 weeks.

Pests and diseases

Leaf falling can be caused by dry soil, cold drafts or direct sun in spring and summer. Darkening of the tips of the leaves indicates low air humidity. 

Among the pests, plants can be attacked by aphids and spider mites.

Note

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