Hakea

Family. Proteaceae.

Origin: Australia.

Description. Hakea is an extensive genus of approximately 150 species of trees and shrubs with a dense, rounded crown. The shape and size of the leaves are extremely variable. Hard leaves can be simple - linear or oblong-lanceolate, up to 20 cm long or complex, arranged alternately. The inflorescences are large, round or cylindrical, appear at the tops of the shoots and consist of many miniature flowers of yellow, pink, orange, greenish, purple or red with a slight aroma. An interesting feature of this plant is that the seed pods often open only when exposed to high temperatures, that is, in nature, seeds spill out mainly after forest fires.

Height. Height. In its natural habitat it reaches a height of 1 - 6 m. In indoor culture, the height of the plant is regulated by pruning.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, when the hakea is actively developing, it is kept at normal room temperature. During the winter months, a period of rest is required at a temperature of 4 - 10 ° C.

Lighting

Hakea loves sun and should be placed in a well-lit area with some shade on summer days. 

Care

Plants may lose their foliage in the fall. Moderate pruning and crown shaping should be done in the spring, before growth begins. 

Substrate

Moderately nutritious and well-drained soil is suitable for growing.

Feeding

From spring to autumn, fertilizing is carried out every 2 weeks.

Flowering time

April - August, flowering is long, but occurs only under good maintenance conditions and mainly in mature plants. 

Air humidity

Hakea tolerates dry indoor air well.

Soil moisture

Watering should be economical even during the growth period. Dry the soil a few inches deep between waterings. In winter, watering is kept to a minimum. Adult specimens are drought-resistant. 

Transplant

Repot plants in spring into larger pots every 2 years. Replace the top layer of soil in large tub plants if repotting is difficult. 

Reproduction

They are more often propagated by seeds, since vegetative propagation using stem cuttings is not always successful. Seeds are sown in spring. The germination period takes 1 - 2 months. 

Pests and diseases

Root rot. Infected parts of the plant, including roots, are cut off and replanted in fresh soil.