Medinilla

FamilyMelastomataceae.

Origin. Philippines, grows in humid mountain climate.

Description. Medinilla is a fairly large genus of about 150 species of evergreen plants, which are shrubs with erect stems. The stems have edges and are quadrangular in cross section. The leaves are simple, glossy, dark green, lanceolate, with pronounced veins and wavy edges, up to 30 cm long, arranged oppositely, in pairs, sessile. Small pink flowers are collected in large branched inflorescences - panicles on long drooping peduncles. Each panicle reaches a length of 45 cm and has large pink bracts at the base.  

Height. In its natural habitat it reaches a height of 2.5 m, but when grown indoors the shoots are cut, and the height rarely exceeds 120 cm, it develops quickly.

Medinilla

Care at home

Diseases and pests 

The plant reacts to any sudden changes in the environment - it sheds its leaves. With each change in conditions, gradually acclimatize the bush. The leaves begin to turn yellow when watered with untreated tap water or when there is a lack of light. Exposure to direct sunlight can cause sunburn. Medinilla sheds its leaves when the soil becomes dry for a long time. The tips of the leaves dry out when there is insufficient air humidity. Common harmful insects include mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, thrips, and scale insects.

Reproduction

Often propagated by semi-ripe stem cuttings that appear after pruning. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings, and the base is dipped in rooting agent. Young seedlings are covered with glass to maintain uniform humidity and placed in a warm place with a temperature of at least 24 °C. Rooting takes 2 - 3 months. Reproduction is not always successful.
Medinilla can be obtained from seeds - they are sown in the spring in loose, well-moistened, nutritious soil. Crops should be covered with transparent plastic or glass to maintain uniform humidity - even a slight drying out can kill young plants. Crops are aired for several minutes every day.
The container with seedlings should be placed in a warm room with a temperature of 18 - 25 °C in a place where there is no access to direct sunlight. The germination period is not fast - it can take from 1.5 to 3 months. Young specimens develop slowly, in the first 3 months they are fed with a hydroponic solution. Picking is carried out when the bushes reach a height of 4 cm.

When it blooms 

From May to August.

Medinilla

How to grow and prune 

The plant is very impressive, but caring for it is a lot of trouble and not every gardener can do it. The bush appreciates high humidity and warmth. After flowering, long stems are cut to half their height to maintain a compact shape. When pruning, leave at least 2 leaves on each shoot, otherwise it will die. During the flowering period, it produces long flower stalks with large inflorescences - they can break too weak shoots - provide support for the shoots at this time. Representatives of this species do not have a clearly defined dormant period and can be kept at room temperature all year round.

Transplantation 

Transplantation is carried out in spring or after flowering, only if necessary, since the bush has thin, fragile roots that are easily damaged. Keeping it in a slightly cramped pot will help control the height of the plant. For large tub specimens, the top layer of soil about 5 cm thick is replaced with fresh soil annually. Only transplanted plants are not fed for 1-2 weeks and are protected from the scorching rays of the sun.

Soil for growing 

Nutritious, loose soil with good drainage and a high content of organic matter, pH slightly acidic - from 6.1 to 6.5.

Watering

Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. For watering, use softened rain or bottled water. During the dormant period, if the air temperature drops, the frequency of watering should be significantly reduced. Medinilla tolerates short-term drought, thanks to the moisture reserves stored in thick, large leaves. 

Feeding 

In spring, the bush begins to be fed with liquid fertilizers with a high phosphorus content every 2 weeks. In autumn, feeding is stopped and resumed only with the beginning of new growth.

Lighting

A well-lit place with bright reflected sunlight. The bush can receive direct sunlight only early in the morning and before sunset. 

Medinilla

Containment temperature

This is a heat-loving houseplant, which prefers to be kept at a temperature of 18 to 27 °C during the growing season. In the winter months, you can provide a cool rest period in a room with a temperature of about 16 °C. Do not expose the bush to temperatures below 13 °C. Medinilla loves daily temperature fluctuations, when the temperature drops to 12 - 14 °C at night, and rises to 22 - 24 °C during the day. With such fluctuations, more flower buds are formed.

Spraying

Air humidity should be at least 60%, the air should be especially humid during the formation of flower buds and during flowering. Spray the leaves daily with water at room temperature or place a room humidifier near the plant. You can also surround the pot with a layer of damp sphagnum moss or place the pot on a tray of damp pebbles to increase humidity. Increased humidity helps prevent pests such as red spider mites. Indoor medinilla does not tolerate cold drafts. 

Purpose

Inflorescences hanging over the edge of a hanging basket look very impressive.

Note

The plant will delight you with flowering for many years only with proper care. Medinilla is included in the register of poisonous plants of the Malay Peninsula.

Medinilla