Setcreasea

Family. Commelinaceae.

Origin. Central America. 

Description. Setcreasea is a small genus of perennial evergreens. Stems are lodging. The leaves are green or purple, 10 - 15 cm long, on short petioles or sessile, arranged alternately. There are varieties with longitudinal pink stripes. The leaf blades have velvety pubescence. The flowers are pink, with 3 triangular petals, up to 2 cm in diameter. In its appearance, the setcreasea plant resembles Tradescantia, its close relative.

Height. The stems can reach 30 - 60 cm in length.

Caring at home

Propagation 

Propagation is very easy, using stem cuttings about 8 cm long. Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings and root in a damp mixture of peat and sand or in a simple glass of water. Rooting will take 3 - 4 weeks. Cuttings root even in a glass of water. Lodging stems can easily root on their own when in contact with the ground.

Growing, pruning 

Regularly pinch the ends of long branches after flowering to stimulate the appearance of side shoots. Do not place plants in corridors - stems easily break off. Bushes will look more robust and strong if you place them outside in the warm season, taking care to shelter them from wind, rain and direct sunlight.

When does bloom 

Flowering time is in spring - summer; foliage gives the plants the main attractiveness.

Transplant 

In spring, when the roots have filled the entire pot. Some fast-growing specimens are replanted twice a year. Setcreaseya does not like deep pots - its root system is very compact in size - plant the flower in a shallow wide bowl.

Watering 

Water deeply and often enough during warmer months to keep the soil moist most of the time. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering, as the plant will slow down its development. When watering, do not get water on the leaves and stems of the plant - it is better to use bottom watering.

Containment temperature

Setcreasea as a houseplant is kept at normal room temperature throughout the year. In the winter months, the temperature should be slightly lowered, but it should not fall below 4° C. When grown in warm conditions, it develops faster; when kept in cool conditions, growth slows down, and this is important with short daylight hours.

Lighting

Requires a large amount of reflected light; when grown in partial shade, the variegated color of the leaves disappears - they become green. Variegated varieties should be sunbathed for 3 to 4 hours, morning and evening. Do not expose green setcreasea to direct sunlight - in the daytime they can leave scorch marks on the leaves. The plant also looks good in artificial light. 

Soil

Well-drained soil, a mixture of peat and perlite or coarse river sand is suitable. pH range from 5.5 to 7.5. 

Fertilizer

Feed regularly during the growing season - 2 times a month with liquid fertilizers in half concentration. Remember that too much fertilizer can cause leaf color to fade.

Spraying

It tolerates the dryness of heated rooms well, but sometimes the leaves become wrinkled or their tips turn brown - in this case it is necessary to increase the air humidity. Spraying is not recommended - water can leave unsightly whitish spots on the leaves. 

Pests and diseases

If there is not enough light, the stems will be elongated and the leaves will be pale. Variegated leaves will turn green and lose color with too much light and too much fertilizer. The bush can rot if overwatered and there is insufficient drainage. The tips of the leaves will dry out when the soil becomes too dry.

Pests sometimes include scale insects, whiteflies, aphids and spider mites.

Purpose

Setcreaseya, like its relative Tradescantia, is often grown as a hanging plant in hanging baskets to show off its long, beautiful stems. Sometimes the branches are tied to a trellis or the bush is used as a groundcover.

Note

Shoots often lose their attractiveness at the age of 2-3 years - the lower part of the stems becomes bare - in this case, the flower is replaced with a fresh seedling.

Hydroponics

Suitable for hydroponic cultivation.