Kleinia
Family. Asteraceae.
Origin of the houseplant. Africa.
Description. Kleinias are succulent species of ragwort. Some of them form a thick, slender, branched trunk with a diameter of up to 25 cm and a height of up to 1 m with fleshy, elongated, light green or bluish leaves with a waxy coating up to 12 cm long, collected at the tops of the branches. Fragrant white, yellow or red flowers with a diameter of about 1 cm appear from March to October in inflorescences - corymbs. Other species are groundcovers and form small rosettes of long, cylindrical leaves. In some species, the stems and flower tubes have attractive white pubescence.
Height. Depends on the type and can range from 20 cm to 1 m.
Care at home
Temperature conditions
In spring and summer, this plant prefers very warm and even hot conditions with temperatures up to 30 ° C. In autumn and winter, kleinia needs a coolness of about 5 - 15 ° C. During the dormant period, the plant can withstand short frosts down to -5 ° C if kept in relatively dry soil.
Lighting
Kleinia needs a lot of light to remain compact, healthy plants. It tolerates shade only on very hot summer days. Changes in light conditions should be gradual, so that the plants have time to get used to the new conditions.
Caring
The succulent is very easy to grow, does not require special conditions and careful care. The plant is suitable for inexperienced gardeners.
Substrate
The main requirement for soil is its ability to pass water and air. Suitable soil for succulent plants with the addition of coarse sand or perlite and a small amount of peat and leaf humus.
Feeding
Feed monthly with fertilizers for cacti and succulents. Kleinia responds to feeding by accelerating growth. In winter, stop feeding.
Flowering time
Can bloom at any time from spring to autumn.
Air humidity
Does not require spraying; in the cold season the air should be dry.
Soil moisture
Water deeply from March to October, draining excess water from the pan. Avoid letting water drop on the leaves of the plant - especially when it is exposed to sunlight. The soil should dry out before the next watering. In autumn, watering is gradually reduced and the plant goes into a dormant state.
Transplant
In the spring, when the pot becomes cramped. After transplanting, stop watering for about a week. Mature plants need to be replanted approximately every 2 to 3 years.
Reproduction
Depending on the species, it is propagated by daughter rosettes, shoots or leaf cuttings. The place where the cutting is cut is dried for several days. Rooting is carried out in a mixture of wet peat and sand.
Pests and diseases
Rotting due to overwatering.
Harmful insects sometimes include mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, and sciarid thrips.