Smithiantha

Family. Gesneriaceae.

Origin. Mexico.

Description. Smithiantha is a small genus of herbaceous perennial plants that contains only 4 species. The low, erect stem bears opposite, soft, plush, rounded or broadly lanceolate leaves of green, burgundy or even almost black color. The leaf blades have small teeth along the edges. The flowers are drooping, with long floral tubes with long hairs - white, yellow, orange, red or pink. The inner surface of the fused petals often has contrasting speckles.

Height. 30 - 50 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

A constant temperature of at least 18°C ​​throughout the year is encouraged, while maintaining a very high level of humidity. During the winter months, the temperature should be lowered, but it should not fall below 12°C.

Lighting

Smithiantha needs very bright light all year round. It will appreciate several hours of direct sun per day, avoiding midday rays in summer. Artificial lighting can successfully replace the lack of sun. Ideally, the bush should be provided with bright light for twelve hours per day.

Care

In autumn, the leaf blades begin to dry out and eventually die off - the flower enters a dormant period.

Substrate

A mixture consisting of well-sterilized humus, peat, sphagnum, vermiculite or perlite and limestone. To improve drainage, coarse river sand is added.

Feeding

Smithiantha requires fertilizers rich in potassium and highly diluted from the recommended dose. Fertilizing is carried out in spring and summer - when the plant is actively developing.

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

When grown indoors, a hot and humid atmosphere is required; the bush does not tolerate the too dry atmosphere of heated rooms. Place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. Do not spray - if drops of water get on the leaves and flowers, stains will remain. Dense pubescence of leaf blades can retain droplets of moisture, which leads to rotting. Good air circulation around the plant can prevent stem rotting, but smithiantha does not tolerate cold drafts.

Soil moisture

The soil should be constantly moist, but not soggy, with good drainage. The slightest drought threatens the onset of flowering. Water should not stagnate in the pan. For irrigation, use softened water. In autumn, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced, and in winter, the rhizomes of the plant are kept in almost dry soil.

Transplant

Adult specimens are replanted in the spring once every 2–3 years; when replanting, add a little charcoal mixed with humus. The rhizomes are placed at a depth of 1–2 cm.

Reproduction

It is fairly easy to propagate by division - adult bushes are divided during transplantation, by stem or leaf cuttings, less often by seeds sown in the spring. In this case, they only need to be lightly pressed into the ground. Seedlings obtained from seeds bloom at the age of 2 - 3 years.

Pests and diseases

When kept at low temperatures, yellow spots may appear on the leaves. Aphids and scale insects sometimes annoy these plants, and sometimes whiteflies and thrips and spider mites appear.