Hibbertia

Family. Dilleniaceae.

Origin. South-eastern Australia.

Description. There are more than 150 species of plants in the genus Hibbertia, most of which are covered with yellow flowers in spring and summer, until autumn. They are perennial, evergreen, medium to large shrubs or vines with woody, long, thin stems, often colored red. Elliptical or narrowly lanceolate leaves are 3 to 9 cm long and 1 to 3 cm wide. Large orange or yellow flowers, 5-7 cm in diameter, appear from May to October and resemble buttercup buds in appearance. Each flower usually remains open for only 1-2 days, but new buds appear over a long period.

Height. In the wild, depending on growing conditions, it varies from 30 cm in height to 1.5 m. In indoor conditions, the vine can reach a length of 5 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Moderately warm or cool content. The minimum permissible temperature is about 10 ° C. 

Lighting

Bushes kept in a shaded place do not stretch out and remain dense, but grow more slowly than in an open sunny place. Specimens grown with sufficient lighting and some direct sunlight bloom more abundantly, but the flowering period is shortened.

Care

Prune the plant back to half the length of the stems in late winter to maintain a compact, bushier shape.

Substrate

Light and well drained, containing coarse sand.

Feeding

Feed once a month with liquid fertilizer to stimulate growth from March to August. Do not feed Hibbertia during the winter months.

Flowering time

Spring - autumn.

Air humidity

Spray when the air in the room becomes too dry.

Soil moisture

Tolerant of short periods of drought, but prefers even moisture. In winter, reduce watering. 

Transplant

Adult specimens are replanted every three years or as they grow, when the root system becomes cramped in the pot.

Reproduction

Take cuttings in early spring before flowering. Rooting is fairly easy. Seed germination leaves much to be desired. 

Pests and diseases

Plants that receive proper care rarely suffer from diseases or pest infestations.

Harmful insects sometimes include aphids and spider mites.