Nautilocalyx

Family. Gesneriaceae.

Origin. South America.

Description. Nautilocalyx are perennial evergreens with erect, fleshy stems. The leaves are 10 - 14 cm long, slightly wrinkled, opposite, lanceolate, glossy, dark green, burgundy, sometimes almost black, the lower part of the leaf blade is often purple or burgundy. The surface of the leaves sometimes has pubescence. The flowers are small, with a long, densely pubescent floral tube and 5 rounded petals, appearing in the leaf axils in the summer. Shades include white, yellow, orange, red, purple, sometimes with contrasting speckles. Flowering is abundant. 

Height. From 30 to 60 cm.

Care

Temperature conditions

Nautilocalyx is ​​suitable for year-round warm conditions at a temperature of 18 - 23° C. 

Lighting

For abundant flowering, nautilocalyx requires a well-lit place. The plant can receive direct sunlight in the early morning and evening when the heat subsides. Varieties with unusually colored leaves need more sunlight; when grown in partial shade, the leaf color becomes green. 

Care

It is not the easiest plant to care for. The main difficulty when growing is to ensure high air humidity, and spraying is not recommended, since the fluffy leaves retain moisture and the leaves become covered with white spots.

Substrate

Porous, nutrient-rich soil based on peat with the addition of leaf humus and sand. Prefers soil with a slightly acidic pH. 

Feeding

During the period of active growth, you can feed 2 times a month with complex fertilizers; in autumn and winter, the frequency of feeding is reduced or stopped feeding altogether.

Purpose

Valuable decorative foliage and decorative flowering plant.

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

Nautilocalyx need a very humid atmosphere, the air humidity should be at least 70 percent. Use a tray of water covered with a wire rack or a tray of wet pebbles to increase humidity. The pot with the plant can be surrounded with a layer of moist sphagnum. Loves rooms with sufficient air movement, but without cold drafts. Place the pot away from heating devices.

Soil moisture

During the growing season, the soil should remain evenly moist and not swampy; in autumn and winter, watering should be somewhat reduced, however, avoiding even short-term drought. For irrigation, it is advisable to use softened filtered or bottled water. 

Transfer

Nautilocalyx are often grown as annual plants and do not need replanting. If you decide to keep your pet for the second year, replant it in the spring.

Reproduction

Stem and leaf cuttings that root easily and very quickly in a mixture of wet sand and peat, under a glass or plastic cover. Seeds are sown in spring. 

Pests and diseases

Spider mites if kept too dry. Sometimes aphids and mealybugs appear.

Note

Unfortunately, this attractive plant becomes loose with age, exposing the lower part of the stems and must be replaced with a new one.