English (United Kingdom) 
Russian (Russia) Kohleria
Family. Gesneriaceae.
Origin. South America.
Description. Kohleria is an attractive flowering, perennial, herbaceous indoor plant with long drooping stems. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, sometimes have beautiful velvety pubescence, soft, located opposite. Leaf blades with small teeth along the edge. The flowers are suspended, single or in small inflorescences of several pieces, with a long floral tube, and 5 pubescent petals, red-orange, salmon, pink, yellow, sometimes bicolor, up to 5 cm long. On the inside, the petals have various spots and markings of light or darker color.
Height. Kohleria stems grow up to 90 cm in length.
Caring at home
Growing, formation
Some types of kohleria can shed their leaves in the autumn, in which case the plants must be given a rest period at a temperature of 7 - 13 ° C.
Propagation
By dividing adult plants during transplantation. Seeds that are sown in the spring on the surface of the soil. In this case, it is necessary to water the crops through a tray, and to maintain moisture, they should be covered with a transparent plastic cap or glass. Apical cuttings about 10 cm long are rooted in a damp mixture of peat and sand for 1 - 1.5 months.
When it blooms
The flowering period is long. The plant blooms most profusely in summer, but can bloom all year round.
Soil for kohleria
A loose nutrient substrate with good drainage. A mixture of garden soil with leaf humus, peat, with the addition of a small amount of coarse river sand and crushed charcoal is suitable.
Diseases and pests
Leaves wither for no apparent reason when overwatered - when root rot occurs. The edges of the leaves turn brown and become dry when there is insufficient air humidity.
The plant is susceptible to attacks by spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, cyclamen mites, thrips, and scale insects.
Transplantation
In the spring, when the plant has outgrown its pot.
Lighting
Well-lit location without direct sunlight.
Feeding
In spring and summer, during the growing season, feed 2 times a month. Plants that are kept at room temperature all year round can be fed in autumn and winter.
Containment temperature
The flower is kept all year round at a room temperature of 18 - 20 ° C. It is desirable to provide a small difference between day and night temperatures.
Spraying
For kohleria, air humidity should be about 70 - 80 percent relative. Place the plant pot on a tray of damp pebbles, use a room humidifier or spray with soft water at room temperature. The plant does not tolerate drafts.
Watering
In the warm season, it is advisable to keep the soil evenly moist - avoiding overdrying or waterlogging. In winter, the frequency of watering is slightly reduced. Plants that have been given a period of rest are watered so that the earthen ball does not dry out. For irrigation use only warm water.
Purpose
An attractively delicate, beautifully flowering plant.
Varieties:
Kohleria eriantha
A tender herbaceous perennial plant up to 50 cm high with thick, succulent, branched, erect shoots. The leaves are green or blue-green, arranged in opposite pairs. Leaf blades with a finely toothed edge and slight pubescence on the surface. The flowers are tubular, oblong, scarlet or orange with 5 fused, round, pubescent petals.
Kohleria lindeniana
A perennial herbaceous plant that can be safely classified as both decorative foliage and flowering. Bushes up to 50 cm high with erect, thick, pubescent stems. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, abundantly pubescent, dark green or brownish. The main feature of the plant is lighter stripes along the leaf veins - bluish or light green. The flowers are funnel-shaped - lilac or pinkish, with rounded fused petals on tall, thin, slightly curved peduncles.
Kohleria bogotensis
A delicate herbaceous perennial up to 60 cm high with soft, pubescent, lanceolate leaves up to 10 cm long, arranged in opposite pairs. The edges of the leaf blades have small teeth. Stems are vertical, succulent, branched. The flowers are long, tubular, red, up to 5 cm long. The inner surface of the lower petals is painted yellow with small red specks.
