Calliandra

Family. Legumes.

Origin. Bolivia (South America).

Description. Calliandras are herbaceous perennial plants or shrubs, less often trees up to 6 m high. The leaves are compound, pinnate, green, consisting of several pairs of oblong-lanceolate glossy leaves. Young, newly emerged leaves have a copper tint. The flowers are collected in cylindrical or spherical inflorescences up to 8 cm in diameter and have numerous long thin stamens, which give them a delicate, fluffy appearance. Flowers can be bright pink, red or white.

Height. It grows quite quickly and in a few years reaches a height of 1-2 meters.

Lighting

Calliandra needs a very well-lit place with direct sunlight in the morning and evening for 3-4 hours every day. In autumn and winter, you can put the tree in direct sunlight during the day.

Care

Prune the plant's long stems in late winter/early spring to create a compact shape. It tolerates pruning quite well. Calliandra is not very difficult to grow indoors, but flowering will occur only with proper care. The bush needs constantly moist soil, high humidity and bright light. Since the flower likes daily temperature fluctuations, it is advisable to take it outdoors in the warm season, where night temperatures are lower than daytime temperatures, for example, on a balcony or terrace.

Substrate

Adapts well to any type of soil, even to soils poor in nutrients. Grows well in a peat-based substrate with the addition of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage, the pH is slightly acidic.

Feeding

Regular liquid fertilizer in half the concentration every 15 days in the spring and summer. 

Purpose

A very attractive plant with showy flowers that can be grown in bonsai style.

Flowering time

Flowering can occur throughout the year, the flowering period can last 2 - 3 months.

Air humidity

Calliandra requires high humidity. Use a room humidifier or place the plant on a tray of damp pebbles. For spraying, use soft water at room temperature. 

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, water generously, not allowing the soil to dry out. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering, but the soil should not dry out.

Transfer

Every year in spring or early summer in a larger pot. When grown in crowded conditions, growth slows down. For large specimens, remove the top layer of soil about 5 - 6 cm thick and replace it with a fresh mixture. The root system is shallow and sensitive to damage. 

Reproduction

Propagate by apical cuttings about 15 cm long, in early summer. Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings and dip their lower ends in rooting powder, then in a mixture of damp peat and sand. Cover the seedlings with a transparent plastic cap or glass to maintain humidity and place in a warm place protected from direct sunlight. Remove the cap when new growth begins. Rooting is quite easy.

Pests and diseases

Leaves shrivel and dry out when kept in a dry atmosphere. If there is a lack of light, the plant will refuse to bloom. Leaves turn yellow when overwatered.

Pests may include aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies. When grown in open ground, plants can be attacked by cutworms, coriander seed beetles, garden bugs, cockchafers, and umbrella moths.

Note

Calliandra lives for many years in indoor conditions with proper care.