Clianthus

Family. Legumes.

Origin. New Zealand, Australia.

Description. An attractive flowering, evergreen shrub with a height of 80 cm to 3 m. The leaves are compound, up to 15 cm long, consisting of numerous pairs of almost sessile leaflets, each up to 2.5 cm long, oblong-oval in shape, green. During the flowering period, almost the entire length of the stems is covered with bright, hanging, unusually shaped large flowers of white, pink and red colors. Flowers up to 8 cm long, reminiscent of a parrot's beak, are collected in racemose axillary inflorescences.

Height. In indoor culture it reaches a height of 1 - 2 m and requires a lot of space.

Temperature conditions

In summer, a normal room temperature of about 20°C is suitable. In winter, the dormant period should take place in a cool place - at a temperature of about 10°C.

Lighting

It tolerates partial shade, but for abundant flowering it needs a brightly lit place. The sun's rays should hit the plant in the morning and evening in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, choose a place where the clianthus will receive maximum light.

Care

In warmer months, place the bush on a balcony or terrace where it will receive enough sunlight. Protect it from strong winds and bring it indoors before frost sets in. The stems are brittle and require support. After flowering, long shoots can be cut back heavily. The main difficulty in growing is that clianthus requires cool conditions during the dormant period.

Substrate

A mixture of leaf humus, peat, with the addition of a small amount of pine bark and coarse river sand to improve drainage. The soil should have an alkaline pH of about 8.0. 

Feeding

During active growth, feed every two weeks.

Purpose

Can be used as a climbing plant to decorate trellises.

Flowering time

From spring to early summer. With proper care, it can bloom twice a year - in spring and autumn, or even all year round. 

Air humidity

Prefers to have good air movement. The leaves are periodically sprayed if the air in the room becomes too dry.

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, clianthus requires regular watering; the soil should be evenly moist, but not swampy. In autumn and winter, allow the soil to dry halfway before each subsequent watering. 

Transfer

Clianthus is often grown as an annual plant and does not require replanting. If you decide to leave the bush as a perennial, replant it in the spring if you need to change the soil or when the pot becomes clearly cramped and the roots begin to peek out of the drainage holes. It is advisable to use transshipment so as not to disturb the root system unnecessarily.

Reproduction

It is quite easily propagated by seeds and half-ripe stem cuttings. Seeds should be soaked in warm water for 1 to 2 days. Keep the seedlings warm, at a temperature of 20 - 22 ° C.

Pests and diseases

Powdery mildew due to too humid air and lack of ventilation.

Of the harmful insects, the main dangers are mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. 

Note

In some types of clianthus, the appearance becomes less impressive with age - replace these plants with new ones.