Tetranema

Family. Scrophulariaceae.

Origin. Guatemala, Mexico.

Description. Tetranema is a low herbaceous perennial plant. The leaves are basal, collected in a rosette, oval, soft, dark green, 7 - 15 cm long, on short petioles. The edges of the leaf blades sometimes have denticles. From the center of the rosette emerge tall, leafless peduncles, each bearing several drooping flowers at the top. Flowers with a long floral tube formed by fused petals, in shades of lilac and white, about 3 cm long.

Height. 25 - 45 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Representatives of this species do not have a pronounced period of rest and simply slow down their development a little in autumn and winter. At home, they are kept at a temperature of 18 - 24 °C throughout the year. In winter months, the room temperature should not fall below 13 °C.

Lighting

A well-lit area with plenty of reflected light, but no direct sunlight. If there is a lack of natural light, you can use fluorescent lamps.

Care

If you can provide the plant with a warm room with fairly high air humidity, then growing this species will not cause you any difficulties. 

Substrate

Choose peat-based soil with a sufficient content of organic matter in the form of humus, well-drained. 

Feeding

From spring to autumn, feed the tetranema every 2 weeks; in autumn and winter, feeding can be done monthly.

Purpose

The small size of the plant allows it to be placed on a cramped windowsill.

Flowering time

With good care, flowering can last throughout the year, but the most abundant will occur in the summer months. 

Air humidity

Requires moist air, periodically spray with soft water at room temperature.

Soil moisture

Watering should be regular and plentiful. Tetranema prefers evenly moist soil at any time of the year. 

Transfer

The bush prefers slightly cramped conditions. - Do not rush to plant it in a large pot. Replant in the spring, changing the soil as needed.

Reproduction

The rosettes can be divided during spring replanting. Seeds are sown in loose nutrient soil in the spring; seedlings are kept under a plastic or glass cover. At temperatures above 20° C, germination will occur within 2 - 3 weeks. 

Pests and diseases

The edges of the leaves begin to dry out when there is insufficient air humidity or prolonged drying of the soil. Brown spots on the leaves appear when exposed to direct sunlight.

Among the harmful insects appear spider mites and aphids.

Note

With age, tetranema loses its attractiveness and blooms less profusely - such plants are replaced with new ones obtained by division.