Pontederia

Family. Pontederiaceae.

Origin. North America.

Description. Pontederia is a perennial herbaceous plant that forms a basal rosette of green, smooth, heart-shaped leaves up to 20 cm long, which are located on long petioles. During the flowering period, it throws out tall leafless peduncles, bearing an inflorescence at the top, which contains up to 100 small flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter. The buds are blue, lilac, purple, white or pink. Each flower remains open for only one day, but they open sequentially from the bottom up and each inflorescence remains attractive for a long period of time. In their natural habitat, representatives of the species quickly grow and form large colonies.

Height. In nature it reaches 1 m; in indoor culture the size of the plant will be more modest.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

During the growth period, pontederia is kept at normal room temperature; during the winter months, the plant goes into a dormant period and should be placed in a cool place with a temperature of about 5 ° C.

Lighting

A brightly lit place with slight shading during the daytime. In the morning and evening, plants can take sunbaths for 3 to 4 hours daily. During the winter months keep in a dark place. 

Substrate

The substrate should have an acidic pH and contain sufficient nutrients. There are no special requirements for drainage - in nature, the flower grows on the edges of swamps and easily tolerates stagnant moisture.

Feeding

During the growing season, feed with water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Purpose

The flowers are used for cutting and do not lose their attractiveness in water for a long time. 

Flowering time

All summer, until mid-autumn.

Air humidity

The air humidity should be high - place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles or use a room humidifier.

Soil moisture

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the spring and summer. Under no circumstances should the substrate dry out. During the winter months, the plant can be stored in a bucket of water.

Transplant

As they grow, replant into larger pots in spring.

Reproduction

Dividing plants during transplantation, separating parts of rhizomes.

Pests and diseases

Spider mites and aphids sometimes appear among harmful insects.