How to grow pachistachis at home?

Pachistachis has been cultivated at home since the 19th century. The plant pleases the eye with decorative succulent leaves, unusual spike-shaped inflorescences, a long flowering period. Unfortunately, this luxurious flower is rarely seen on our windowsills. For some reason, it is believed that pachistachis is fastidious, capricious and requires complex care. But this is not so, even a novice florist can grow a plant.

Description

Blooming yellow pachystachis

Pachistachis is a tropical flower native to eastern India, central and south America. It grows in the form of a bush, the height of an adult plant is 2 m, oval leaves of rich green color are directed downward. It is valued for the original bright yellow or red bracts in the form of a ten-centimeter spikelet; small white flowers are almost invisible against their background. The flowering period is from early spring to mid-autumn, the flowers themselves fall off quickly, but the bracts do not lose their decorative effect for a long time. The plant feels quite comfortable in indoor conditions, prefers high humidity.

Pachistachis varieties

There are 12 plant varieties, of which only two varieties are domesticated - yellow (Pachystachys Lutea) and the rarer red pachystachis (Pachystachys coccinea). Pachystachis yellow is a shrub 1–1.2 m high, with erect shoots, the lower part of which becomes stiff over time. The shape of the leaves is oval with narrowed tips, the size is 5 cm wide and 15 cm long. Spike-shaped inflorescences are covered with bright yellow bracts, from which small white flowers appear.

Pachistachis red differs from its relative in the size of the bush and the color of the inflorescences. This species has dark green bracts, rather large red flowers appear on them. Bushes can grow up to 2 m, apparently, due to its impressive size, the plant is rarely found in home flower collections.

Photo gallery: varieties of pachistakhis

(Pachystachys coccinea)

Table: Features of care depending on the season Factor Spring, summer Autumn, winter

Planting and replanting: drainage, soil and pot selection

Young plants need to be replanted every spring. Adult flowers change the soil every 2-3 years. The most suitable time for moving the pachistachis to another pot is early-mid-March. Before transplanting, the plant is pruned. The flower is planted in a nutritious soil enriched with humus. You can use ready-made soils for flowering plants. Pakhistakhis does not tolerate stagnant water well, so the lower part of the pot must be filled with a layer of drainage (1–2 cm): pebbles, expanded clay, clay shards.

Soil composition for self-cooking:

• Peat - 1 part.
• Sod land - 2 parts.
• Sand and humus - 1 part each.
• Leafy land - 1 part.

Young plants are planted in medium-sized pots with a volume of 1–1.5 liters. The containers should not be too high, it is good if you can find dishes with the same height and diameter. Each next transplant is carried out in a pot 1–1.5 cm wider than the previous one. Adult plants are planted in a container with a volume of 2.5 liters, the proportions of height and diameter are preserved.

Home care

The plant is not capricious, however, if the rules of care are not followed, it loses its presentation, stretches ugly, sheds its leaves and stops blooming. Watering and feeding, the choice of fertilizer depending on the season Pachistachis is sensitive to both overflow and drying out. In the summer, the flower needs frequent watering, as soon as the topsoil dries up. In no case should the earthen coma completely dry out.

In winter, the intensity of watering is reduced to 3 times a week. You can use only soft water without admixture of mineral salts. Tap water should be allowed to stand for several days before use. During the period of active growth, starting from the first days of April and ending in September, pachistachis are fed with complex mineral fertilizers and organic matter. The procedure is performed every 14 days. You can use liquid complex fertilizers for flowering plants, such as Agricola, Fasco, Living Force.

Spring pruning

Pruning pachystachis at a distance of 10-15 cm from the ground

In nature, the pachistachis bush grows up to 1.2 (yellow) and up to 2 m (red). At home, uncontrolled growth will lead to a loss of decorativeness of the plant - the lower part will be ugly exposed, the size of internodes will increase, and some of the foliage will be lost. To form a compact and harmonious crown, pachystachis must be cut or pinched every spring. The first pruning is done at a distance of 10-15 cm from the ground. In the future, you need to pinch all the branches over the second pair of leaves. Each spring, the tops of the flower are cut to stimulate flowering. If you adhere to these rules, in a few years you will become the owner of a plant with a beautiful crown.

Scheme of further pruning of pachistachis

Flowering period

One of the main advantages of a perennial is its beautiful, candle-like flowers.The main task of the owner is to provide all the conditions for long and lush flowering. With proper care, flowering lasts from early March to mid-autumn.

What factors affect the appearance of peduncles:

• The correct temperature regime, the required air humidity, abundant watering.
• A sufficient level of lighting, with a lack of light, pachystachis will not be able to form flower buds.
• Top dressing with complex fertilizers during the growth period. Mandatory spring pruning. Flowers are formed only on new shoots.

After the plant has faded and the bracts begin to dry out, they must be cut off with at least one pair of leaves. This stimulates the further growth of pachystachis and the laying of new buds.

Dormant period

At the end of October, after the end of flowering, a dormant period begins. The growth of pachystachis slows down. The plant even consumes much less moisture during its rest. But in no case should you overdry the earth, the flower will quickly respond to insufficient watering - large leaves will begin to curl the edges down, in an attempt to save precious water. Caring for pachistachis during the rest period:

Water every other day.

• Stop fertilizing.
• Do not prune.
• Do not transfer to the shade, leave the pot on the east or west windowsill.

Table: How care errors appear (curling, leaves fall, etc.) and what to do to correct the situation

Photo Gallery: Care Errors

Diseases and pests, their signs, prevention and treatment measures

With proper care, pachistachis is practically not susceptible to disease, but it can suffer from numerous insect pests. The plant most often becomes infected from nearby diseased flowers or infected bouquets brought into the house. Some diseases, such as powdery mildew, are carried by air currents.

Table: pests and diseases, signs, treatment and prevention

Photo gallery: pests affecting pachistachis

Propagation of pachistachis by cuttings

Pachistachis at home propagates by cuttings. To obtain new plants, you can use the shoots left after spring pruning. Cuttings are rooted in two ways: by germinating the roots in water and by planting them in the ground. In the first case, lower the planting material into a glass with a small amount of water, wait for the roots to appear and plant the young plants in the ground. To stimulate root formation, you need to add a stimulant to the water (a few drops of aloe juice, Kornevin, etc.). Unfortunately, when propagated in this way, a small percentage of plants survive, most of them rot during rooting. When using the second method, cuttings are rooted in moist soil.

Rooting pachistachis in the soil:

We prepare small pots with a diameter of 12-15 cm.

Pots for planting pachistachis cuttings

Fill with light soil consisting of peat and sand (2: 1), slightly moisten the soil.

Pot filled with soil for planting pachistachis

Take cuttings 10-15 cm long, remove the lower leaves.

Pachystachis cuttings for rooting

We lower the lower part of the shoot into the Kornevin preparation (produced in the form of a powder).

Cuttings processed by Kornevin

We plant the plants in the ground, deepening the lower part by 1–1.5 cm.

Pachistachis planted in the ground

We cover small pachistachis with a cap from a jar or a cut plastic bottle.

Pachystachis cuttings covered with a plastic bottle cap

It will take about a month to form the root system. The caps can be removed when new leaves appear on the cuttings. The young plant will need to get used to the reduced humidity, so do not remove the protective containers immediately. Start with 1 hour a day and gradually increase the time so that after 2 weeks, you completely abandon the shelter.

Growing reviews

Video: growing pachistachis

Pachistachis is an unusual tropical plant with original candle-like flowers. Adhering to simple rules of care, you can grow a beautiful and compact bush and achieve annual long flowering.

Hello! My name is Olga, I am 38 years old, I am a tourism manager by education.

Pachystachis yellow (Pachystachys) has been known to Russian lovers of indoor floriculture for a long time. However, not everyone knows about what kind of care is required for this native of the southern Peruvian countries.

Currently, depending on climatic conditions, pachystachis flowers can be used not only to decorate window sills, but also as a landscape shrub. Indeed, with properly organized agrotechnical care, the height of the kut can reach one and a half meters. This highly ornamental plant, in a harsh climate with cold winters, can be used for transplanting. But the main practical application is the cultivation of the indoor pachistachis flower at home.

There are several varieties of pachistachis. It is the yellow species most commonly found in our homes. In addition to it, there are red, orange, purple, white pachistachis.

Description of pachistachis flower with photo

Pachystachis flowers, according to the description, are an evergreen shrub that is used in landscape landscapes and as a houseplant. Belongs to the acanthus family. The flower is native to the territory of South America, where it is still common in the wild culture in El Salvador and Peru.

With proper care, it reaches a height of 1.5 - 2.0 meters. For cultivation at home, agricultural technology provides for the formation of compact plants with a small stem height. The leaves are elongated, spear-shaped. They are distinguished by a glossy, saturated dark green surface. The average leaf length is 6 cm. Veins are expressed on them. A healthy plant is covered with foliage with the edges down very densely, which creates a ball effect. You can see pachistachis in the photo.

Flowers are spike-shaped, which is formed by inflorescences tightly attached to each other. The spike is tetrahedral, rich yellow, red, orange or white. As the spike grows older, white wings begin to appear from the axils of the inflorescences, which only add exoticism to the look of the flower. The lifespan of one ear can range from 2 weeks to 1 month. After that, the inflorescence is discarded.

Long flowering. In the middle lane, it can be interrupted only for a period of reduced daylight hours, by 1 - 2 months. To prolong the flowering of pachistachis, regular full-fledged fertilizing is needed in the form of organic and mineral fertilizers.

The use of pachistachis flowers in culture

Pachystachis yellow flowers are easily grown indoors. For reproduction, the method of grafting and dividing the bush is used. Places with a high level of illumination throughout the day are selected for cultivation. Otherwise, the stems may be pulled out and the leaves fall off.

In central Russia, pakhistakhis can be used as a decorative landscape culture. Usually, a seedling growing method is used for this. For future planting, cuttings are made in the first half of February. The cuttings are rooted and planted in seedling containers. Provides additional lighting and regular feeding.

After the frost on the soil has passed, the grown bushes are planted in the ground in the place of their constant growth. During the period of growing seedlings, it is necessary to periodically pluck the main shoots. This way you can create an excellent appearance and prevent early flowering.When the air temperature outside rises to 15 degrees Celsius, you can start hardening the plants. For this purpose, they need to be taken out into the fresh air once a day. The procedure begins in 20 minutes and is gradually brought to 3 hours.

Growing pachistachis: care and propagation by cuttings

Growing pachistachis at home is not a burdensome process. However, it is worth knowing the basic rules of agricultural technology in order to get a beautiful and abundantly flowering plant, and not an incomprehensible bush with elongated stems and single inflorescences.

Pachystachis is planted in fertile, perfectly structured soil, which must first be enriched with organic matter in the form of humus, compost or rotted manure. Reproduction of pachistachis by cuttings is the most affordable way in our conditions. Fresh, healthy shoots up to 12 cm long are taken for cuttings. They are cut with a sharp knife and placed in water. The water is changed daily until roots up to 1 cm long appear. At this time, the cuttings are rooted in separate containers or are immediately planted in a pot in which they will grow constantly. In this case, it is advisable to plant 3-5 cuttings in one container. This will make it easier for you to form the correct shape of the bush and achieve abundant flowering.

When pachystachis propagates by cuttings, the plant retains all its maternal properties, including the color of the seed heads, its shape and standard length. For selection, methods of crossing, seed reproduction are used.

It is necessary to provide adequate home care for pachystachis. Coming from the hot regions of our planet, this flower does not tolerate even short-term exposure to cold air. Therefore, you should not allow drafts, especially in autumn and winter. This can lead to massive loss of foliage and cessation of flowering.

Regular watering is required. In the summer and spring, watering should be daily until the earthen coma is completely wet. In winter and late autumn, watering is carried out as the topsoil dries up. As the leading measures for caring for pachistachis at home, regular spraying of the leaves with settled warm water is listed. In the hot season, spraying can be carried out 2 - 3 times a day. However, make sure that plants with water droplets on leaves and flowers are not exposed to sunlight. This could result in burns.

Top dressing is carried out depending on the season. During the period of growing green mass, use mineral fertilizers with a high percentage of nitrogen and organic matter. In preparation for flowering, magnesium and potassium should prevail in the fertilizer. This will ensure the formation of a large number of flower buds and their more intense color. Organic matter should be applied once every 2 weeks. Mineral dressing is carried out 2 times a week during the flowering period and 1 time in 2 weeks during the dormant period.

Diseases and pests of pachystachis

There are some specific diseases and pests of pachystachis that create problems in indoor cultivation. Most often whiteflies, mealybugs, aphids, spider mites settle on flowers. May be affected by powdery mildew. Against pests and diseases, you should use special preparations that you can buy in stores.

In the summer, the problem with diseases and pests is solved by regularly ventilating the shrubs in the open air under the direct unprotected action of ultraviolet rays.

Very often, gardeners complain that the leaves of the pachistachis are curled. This is a consequence of insufficient watering and dryness of the surrounding air. Examine the leaves from the inside, if you do not see any damage and insects there, then just wet the earthen ball thoroughly and intensify the watering of the plant.To soak the earthen clod, the pot with the plant is placed for 10 hours with a basin with settled water at room temperature.

If pachystachis leaves fall off, then this is a consequence of improper care of the plant at home. It is necessary to reconsider your policy of applying mineral fertilizers. Most likely, this is a consequence of nitrogen deficiency. Also check the moisture content of the earthen coma and spray the leaves of the plant at least once a day.

We hope that we have provided you with comprehensive information about indoor pachystachis flowers, their reproduction and growing at home. We wish you the best of luck in cultivating this exotic guest on our windowsills.

Pachistakhis - home care, temperature of maintenance, lighting, feeding and soil selection, flowering, video

To grow healthy and lush pachystachis, home care for this plant must follow certain rules. It is important to choose the right soil and utensils for growing, maintain the required temperature and humidity, and regularly water and feed the flower. Then he will be able to show himself in all his glory.

Creating a supportive environment

The homeland of pachistachis is the forests of the tropical zone of Central and South America. In order for a plant to develop successfully indoors, you need to create conditions for it that are as close to natural as possible:

1. Maintaining air temperature. In spring and summer, it should not fall below 18–20 ° C. If the thermometer rises above this mark, then it is important to increase the humidity in the room to prevent the leaves from drying out. In autumn and winter, the optimum temperature for pachystachis is 15-19 ° C. In cooler air, the leaves of this thermophilic plant begin to fall off, and in the spring, with the beginning of the growing season, it will need a long recovery period for the bush to gain volume again.
2. Cool drafts are a big threat to pachystachis. This must be taken into account when choosing a place for a plant. In the cold season, it is better to remove it from the window sill and put it at some distance from the window.
3. Lighting for pachistachis should be moderate. An exotic flower should receive enough sun, but its direct rays leave unsightly burns on the leaves. The ideal choice would be a window on the east or west side of the house. If pachistachis is grown on the southern window, then he needs to create artificial shading.
4. This tropical plant is used to high humidity - from 60%. When growing in a room with dry air, special measures must be taken: put a container of water next to the pot, hang a wet towel on the battery, or use a special device - an air humidifier. In winter, it is better to move the pachystachis away from heating appliances.

The creation of favorable conditions is the basis for the active development and flowering of pachistachis. Its requirements for the environment are not much different from the requirements of most indoor plants, "migrated" on the windowsill from tropical forests.

Planting pachistachis and fertilizing

The size of the pot for a plant should depend on the size of the root system: it is better that the volume exceeds them by 3-4 cm, because pachistachis loves free space.

It is recommended to give preference to wide dishes. At the bottom of the pot, a drainage layer of less than 2 cm is required.

This will ensure sufficient air flow to the roots and prevent stagnation of water at the bottom, which leads to rot.

For drainage, you can use small stones, necessarily disinfected, or expanded clay purchased in a store.

Top dressing and soil selection for pachystachis also play an important role in the development of the plant. It prefers fertile soil with low acidity and good aeration, so the soil should be loose.The easiest way to buy a universal mixture for flowering indoor plants is to add coarse sand or vermiculite to it in a 4: 1 ratio.

You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing:

• leafy ground;
• sod land;
• peat;
• sand;
• humus.

All components are taken in equal parts.

From April to the beginning of autumn, pachistachis actively develops and blooms, therefore, it needs regular feeding. They are done 1-2 times a month. In order for the plant to receive all the necessary substances, it is possible to alternate the introduction of organic matter (for example, mullein infusion) and complex mineral fertilizers for flowering species. In autumn and winter, there is no need for feeding.

Regular care

In caring for pachistachis at home, regular watering plays a key role. This plant loves moisture, so in spring and summer, the soil should not be allowed to dry out.

It needs to be watered as soon as the top layer of the earth dries up. In winter, watering is reduced to 2 times a week, but you always need to focus on the condition of the soil and the flower itself.

Lack of moisture greatly harms the pachystachis, and can lead to its death.

On hot days and in dry indoor air, the plant responds well to regular spraying from a spray bottle. It is better to produce them in the morning and in the evening, until the rays of the sun fall on the pachistachis.

In order for the plant to grow into a lush bush with numerous bright inflorescences, caring for pachystachis at home must necessarily include regular pruning and pinching of young shoots. If you do not do this, you will get an almost naked, unbranched stem with sparse leaves, and such a specimen will not look decorative.

The best time for crown formation is early spring, when vigorous stem growth begins. Young shoots are pinched at the top above the leaf axils, from which new shoots will appear in the future; and the old ones are cut with sharp garden shears. This procedure should be started when the height of the pachystachis reaches 20 cm.

During the growing season, crown formation can be performed up to three times. Pulling the stems in height will slow down, but at the same time the number of shoots will increase.

Adult specimens should be pruned once a year, in March.

The cut off parts of the shoots are used for plant propagation. To do this, they are rooted in water or soil, pre-treated with a growth stimulant. The roots will appear in about 10-14 days, and then the cuttings can be transplanted into a small pot or plastic cup.

If you properly care for pachistachis, then flowering occurs from early spring to mid-autumn. Sometimes, under favorable conditions, it continues all year round. To do this, you need to create favorable conditions for the plant indoors and do not forget about regular maintenance.

about pachistachis

Pachistachis plant Home care Reproduction by cuttings Photo varieties and description

If the house lacks exoticism with flowers blooming all year round, then the overseas guest pakhistakhis is ideal.

It looks like a bush, its tree-like stem is covered with dark green foliage, and among it are bright inflorescences that look like flaming torches.

The plant has not lost its popularity among flower growers for two centuries, it was grown both in peasant houses and noble estates.

In countries with a tropical climate, this perennial shrub is used as landscaping in parks, squares, city flower beds. For its unusual shape, the indigenous people called it the "golden ear", and in countries near the sea coast, the "golden shrimp".

Homeland of pachistachis

The origin of the plant is not known, according to the historical notes of travelers of the 19th century, it is possible to determine the homeland of the flower - South America, the shores of the Indian Ocean. Today, the plant is found in the wild along the shores of the Australian continent, in the tropical forests of East India.It can be found in the forests of South American countries, where the climate is tropical or close to it.

In the era of colonization of India, the mass development of new territories, travelers and sailors brought plants from those places to Europe, in addition to exotic goods. They were not suitable for the local climate and were only grown indoors.

This is how botanical gardens became popular, where herbs, bushes, even trees from different tropical countries were grown. Some took root among home gardeners, others began to decorate theaters, museums, and colonnades.

With the advent of cinema, tropical plants were used as scenery for adventure films.

Description of pachistachis

Pachistachis belongs to evergreen shrubs of the Acanthus family, which number about 17 species, but only pachistachis yellow is used for indoor cultivation.

The stems of the shrub grow stiff with age, so you can determine the age of the plant: the older, the stronger and harder the stem.

The natural height ranges from 1 to 1.5 m, at home, subject to favorable conditions, it reaches 1 m.

The leaves are oblong with a pointed tip at the end, they are green in color from dark to light shade (depending on growing conditions), with a clear network of veins that give ribbing to the plate. The leaves are located opposite, forming a dense crown on a tree-like strong stem. With regular pruning to form a bush, you can create a spherical or elongated composition.

A special decorative value is the bract of an unusual candle-like shape, for which it received the name "thick ear". Several scaly leaves of bright yellow or orange color are collected in pairs in four rows in an ear 12 cm long. Long white two-lipped flowers make their way from them, which, after flowering, leave the bracts glowing for several more months.

Pachystachis care at home

How to care for pachistachis

The overseas guest on the windowsill prefers light soil, bright light and the optimal amount of moisture.
If the bush was bought in a flower shop, then for its successful acclimatization, you need to organize a sanitary zone.

The flower will be kept separate from other plants, where it is systematically monitored to identify pests and diseases. If pathogenic microorganisms are detected, sanitation is carried out. The bush is transplanted into a new pot with prepared soil.

Seat selection

The east and west sides of the house are best suited, where there is a lot of light, but there is no direct sunlight. On southern windows, especially in summer, you will need shades in the form of light curtains, screens, or a place away from the window.

The northern sides are not suitable for growing, there is not enough light, which will lead to a disease of the flower, a slowdown in its growth. In summer, she is happy to move to a balcony or veranda, where there is enough light and warmth for active growth.

Important! The plant does not tolerate drafts, so the room should be ventilated on one side, or protected from direct air flow.

Air temperature and humidity

The optimal temperature for active growth is considered to be 22-25 Сº, although pachistachis can easily endure a short-term decrease to 12 degrees in winter.

However, prolonged low temperatures are detrimental to the flower: the leaves begin to fall off, exposing the stems, and flowering stops. So the plant became unsuitable for growing outdoors in a continental temperate climate.

Although the southern regions of Russia can grow pachistachis in flower beds as an annual.

Tropical origin, where precipitation occurs often and in large quantities, determined the love for the water procedures of the flower. Watering in the summer should be done often and abundantly so that the soil remains always moist, but without stagnant water. In winter, you can water after 1-2 days, allowing the soil to dry by a quarter.The water should be settled, at room temperature.

Pachistachis responds well to water procedures under the shower in the summer. On a hot day, it is necessary to spray the leaves more often from a spray bottle, providing the necessary level of humidity, similar to a natural rain shower, bypassing the inflorescences.

The ingress of moisture on the spikelets causes decay, wilting, beauty disappears, and the damaged perianth falls off. You can maintain air humidity using a decorative fountain, a small aquarium, a tray with pebbles and moss filled with water.

Soil composition

A breathable soil with a slightly acidic alkaline medium pH 5.1-6.5 is suitable, checked with a litmus indicator strip. On sale is a soil for flowering indoor plants, which is ideal for pachystachis.

You can prepare the soil yourself, for this you will need:

• 1 part peat;
• 1 part sand;
• 2 pieces of garden land;
• A handful of chopped pine bark, the flavonoids of which will prevent the development of mold, the spread of insects.

Expanded clay or large pebbles must be laid at the bottom, which will prevent stagnation of water in the lower layers of the soil, ensure good drainage and air permeability of the substrate.

The transplant is carried out annually for the first three years of growth, changing the volume of the flower pot to a larger one. It is enough to replant an adult plant every 3-5 years, but not less often, providing a constant change of nutrient soil.

This is important for further active flowering, leaves shine.

A three-year-old flower will need a soil volume of 2.5 liters, the former earthen lump will take 5/6 parts, so there will be room for loosening and watering, additional growth of the root system.

How to feed pachistachis

A flowering bush needs regular feeding, therefore a complex of liquid organic fertilizers for flowering is introduced every 10 days from April to October.

Before using the fertilizer, you must read the instructions, since manufacturers produce concentrated and diluted mixtures.

For pachystachis, a top dressing for flowering indoor plants or a universal substrate for indoor plants is suitable.

The dry mineral complex is applied once in the spring for better flowering and bright shades of leaves and inflorescences. The plant is fed after abundant watering, otherwise there is a high risk of burning the roots and stems, which will lead to the death of the flower.

Pruning and shaping pachystachis

Natural conditions make it possible to grow additional branches only after reaching a meter height. Such bushes form thickets, where the bottom is bare, and the top is abundant crown.

The home atmosphere does not provide the usual tropical climate and spaciousness, therefore, to form a rich crown, it is necessary to prune every spring in the spring.

The plant has new shoots, the leaves fill the space between the branches, which ensures a neat appearance and the correct shape of the crown.

Interesting! The short growth causes the plant to form additional buds. Pachystachis blooms only on new shoots.

• For the first time, pinching is carried out upon reaching 10-15 cm in the first year of life. Pinch the third pair of leaves at the central shoot and all lateral processes. They begin to double, providing the bush with volume.
• For a year, the bush can grow up to 12 additional shoots, which, with proper pinching, form a compact look. In the second and subsequent years, all tops are cut, shortening by 5-15 cm, which depends on the desire of the florist and the capabilities of the room.
• By the third year of growth, the first inflorescences will appear, and the crown will begin to fluff after cutting.

Adult plants are pruned at different levels at the discretion of the owner without much damage to decorativeness. The remaining branches sprout many shoots

Propagation of pachistachis by cuttings

Reproduction of pachistachis by cuttings photo

How to propagate pachistachis at home? There are 2 ways to propagate a plant: seed, which is rarely used, and cuttings, when a slightly stiff shoot is taken from an adult bush. More often, growers buy already grown plants grown in nurseries.

In order for the stalk to take root, its height should be about 10 cm, on which 2-3 internodes with a pair of leaves can fit.

• The choice of cuttings is carried out in the spring with annual cutting, preference is given to a strong stem with large leaves.
• The cutting is immersed directly into the ground or placed in water, before that the cut site is treated with "Kornevin", which promotes root growth.
• If planted directly into the ground (perlite with the ground, cocoa soil, Jiffy tablets), it is better to cover it with a transparent plastic jar or plastic bag. The procedure helps to provide a greenhouse effect similar to that of a tropical climate. The protection is removed daily, giving an influx of fresh air.

How to propagate pachistachis by cuttings photo

• Cuttings take root better if they are sprayed with growth stimulants, for example, Epin or Tekamin Max.
• If you choose small cups, the roots that appear will be immediately visible, and as you grow, you can understand when to plant in a permanent pot.

Roots appear in water after 3-4 weeks, if the ambient temperature does not drop to 22 ° C. The stalk is planted in a permanent pot, the new plant is looked after in the usual way.

Diseases and pests of pachystachis

Most often, pachystachis is affected by aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. A favorable environment for the development of pathogenic organisms is the lack of bright light, shaded rooms, abundant or insufficient watering. The affected areas are removed, the whole plant is washed with soapy water, treated with acaricidal fluids for indoor plants.

Characteristic growth and developmental disorders

The lack of favorable growing conditions leads to a violation of the growth and development of the bush. In order for a flower to delight with its lush greenery and bright flowers, it is necessary to timely change the soil, pruning, and the growing conditions must correspond to the tropical climate.

• Pachystachis does not bloom or the inflorescences are faded - due to a sharp temperature drop, dry air, drafts or a disproportionately large pot.
• Dry twisted leaves - pest damage, insufficient moisture.
• Dried and yellowed leaf tips - insufficient nutrients, lack of moisture, dry air.
• An elongated bush with small foliage - insufficient amount of light, northern location of the flower.
• The lower part of the trunk is exposed - annual pruning is not performed.
• The inflorescences rot and fall off - water has got into the flowers, there is no flow of fresh air.
• The color of the leaves brightens - pachystachis has little light, not enough nutrients in the soil.
• Leaves turn yellow and fall off - not enough moisture, little light.

Pachistachis is a beautiful plant with an unusually strong positive energy. In the caring hands of a florist, he is able to give not only aesthetic beauty, but also fill with inner energy, contribute to the successful closure of all undertakings.

The plant is used as a symbol of success and promotion, therefore it is often grown in offices and companies. At home, the flower refreshes the room due to constant moisture.

Only proper care can contribute to the development of a beautiful plant!

Types of pachistachis with photos and descriptions

In addition to the yellow look, fiery red is used for indoor breeding. It turns out there are only two species that can take root indoors, whose needs are easy to implement under normal growing conditions.

Pachystachis yellow Pachystachys lutea

Pachystachis yellow Pachystachys lutea photo Pruning and care at home

Large, bushy plant up to 1 m high with yellow or orange bracts.Flowers appear alternately from the base to the top. Flowering is not long, but it is not they who give brightness, but the “golden spike” itself. A frequent inhabitant of indoor flowers, we love it for its unpretentious care, long flowering.

Pachystachis red Pachystachys coccinea

Pachystachis red Pachystachys coccinea photo of flowering

A plant that is not often found among domestic inhabitants, but just as beautiful in its external characteristics. It is distinguished by a dark green bracts with bright red flowers. The height of the bush under favorable conditions can reach 2 m, which is not very convenient in small apartments.

More often found in cultural institutions, education, government agencies. For his mischievous appearance, thanks to the bright orange perianth on a green background, he received the title of "Cardinal's Guardsman".
They grow in the apartment to attract good energy, as an assistant to achieve the task.

Radiant energy fills the house with light, gives an atmosphere of coziness and comfort. And on gray days it cheers up, lets the sun into the house.

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Indoor flower pachistachis: home care

Pachistachis is a very beautiful flower. It is impossible to pass by this plant at the moment when it blooms. It seems that it is very difficult to grow such beauty at home. Any florist will refute this statement and say that pachistachis can easily contain even a beginner.

What does pachistachis look like? Photo. Care

Pachystachis is a tropical plant. It grows in southern and central America and eastern India. On average, there are 12 plant species. Pachystachis yellow is grown as an indoor flower.

It is very rare to find red pachystachis. Home care is not difficult. The main thing for him is light, warmth and humidity. And during active growth and flowering, you need to provide the plant with additional feeding.

Pachystachis has elongated dark green leaves. It attracts attention with its yellow inflorescences, reminiscent of golden ears or candles. They are often mistaken for flowers, but these are only pre-flowers.

Pachystachis blooms with inconspicuous white flowers that grow perpendicular to the pre-flowers, moreover, they quickly fall off.

But yellow ears last for a very long time and give the plant an elegant solemn look.

Where to locate?

A flower needs good lighting and warmth. The ideal place would be windows facing west or east. For pachistachis, bright, but at the same time, diffused lighting is necessary. You can place the flower on the south window, but then in the summer the plant must be shaded.

The most comfortable temperature in spring and summer is 200C for the pachistachis flower. Home care at temperatures above 240C requires increasing the humidity. In summer, pachistachis can be taken out on the balcony and put in the shade. In autumn and winter, it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room within the range of 16-190C. Pachystachis is sensitive to drafts. It is also undesirable to place the flower near the battery.

Pachystachis requires maintaining a sufficiently high humidity. For spraying, it is better to use soft water, filtered or settled. In winter, the flower needs to be sprayed every day. During flowering, you must be careful when spraying and do not fall on the inflorescences.

Requirements for watering and fertilizing pachistachis

In summer, the plant needs abundant watering. The soil should always be moist. It is recommended to water the flower every three days. Excess moisture, especially water stagnation, should not be allowed. In winter, watering should be reduced. It is required to moisten the soil about once every 2 weeks, or a little more often when its top layer dries up. Do not allow the soil to dry out.

During summer flowering, it is necessary to feed the pachystachis. Home care allows you to use both mineral and organic fertilizers.The flower reacts especially well to complex flower fertilization.

Top dressing is applied at the time of watering 1 or 2 times a month. Chicken manure or cow dung can be used as organic fertilizers.

Both mineral and organic fertilizing have a good effect on the plant, therefore, when choosing, it is necessary to be guided by personal preferences and capabilities.

Crown formation

As you know, there are plants that require extra attention to the branches and foliage. One of them is the indoor pachistachis flower. Crown care should be started early enough. As soon as the flower grows to 10-15 cm, you need to carry out the first pruning. It is also necessary to pinch the side shoots. To do this, it is enough to remove the 3rd pair of leaves.

Pachystachis should be pinched up to 4 times a year. As a result, by the beginning of winter, a small plant about 8 cm tall with a large number of tops will be formed. After wintering, the flower must be cut off again or the shoots must be pinched off. There is no need to be upset that the plant will not bloom in the first year. It is better to devote this time to the formation of the crown, and enjoy the flowering next year.

Each branch that blooms will independently split into two, which will also bloom. Next spring, you need to pinch the shoots again in order to again enjoy the flowering of the pachistachis houseplant. Flower crown care is necessary. The plant starts branching only after it grows to a height of 80 cm to 1.5 m.

You end up with a long, bare trunk and one flower at the top, which doesn't look very attractive.

Reproduction and transplantation

Pachystachis propagates by cuttings. They appear during flowering. To propagate pachistachis, you need to cut off a 10-12 cm long stalk and put it in water for rooting. After 2 or 3 weeks, when the roots appear, the plant can be planted in a small glass.

As the pachystachis grows, it is transplanted into a pot 12-13 cm in diameter, and then into a large flower pot. It should be 2.5 liters in volume and not high. The roots of the flower love space. You also need to take care of drainage. It can be a layer of expanded clay or clay shards 1.5 cm high.

Frequent transplanting causes the pachistachis to bloom actively.

You can immediately plant the cuttings in the ground. In this case, the soil is mixed with sand. If you cover the stalk with polyethylene or a glass cover, it will grow faster. With this breeding method, it is imperative to open the soil for 2-3 hours for ventilation 2 times a week.

The air temperature in the room during the rooting period of the flower should be at least 200C and no more than 260C. It is also necessary to maintain high humidity at all times.

Pests, flower diseases

Pachystachis pests can be:

• mealybugs;
• spider mite;
• aphid;
• scabbards:
• whitefly.

You can deal with them with the help of special tools that are sold in stores.

In addition to pests, the flower can infect diseases:

1. Powdery mildew. The disease looks like a white coating on the leaves and stem. To get rid of it, you first need to remove the affected areas of the flower and spray with special preparations. As a preventive measure, it is necessary to apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to the soil.
2. Curled leaves appear due to insufficient watering and moisture. If the earthen lump is dry, it must be soaked. To do this, pour settled water at room temperature into a container and place the plant in it for 10 hours. Then you should increase watering and spraying frequency.
3. Yellowing tips appear due to lack of moisture.
4. Withering leaves. If there is enough moisture and watering, then you need to feed the pachistachis. Home care requires organic or mineral fertilization to the soil. In this case, you will most likely need nitrogen fertilizers.
5. Falling leaves in summer - lack of watering and moisture, in winter - low temperature.Drafts may also be the cause.
6. Elongated small leaves appear when the flower does not have enough light.
7. Root decay occurs due to low temperature and its fluctuations. If the roots are severely affected, then the apex must be rooted.
8. Slow growth indicates a clear lack of nutrition. In this case, the plant needs mineral and organic feeding.

Where else can you find pachistachis?

This plant is grown not only at home. In the middle lane, you can see how indoor flowers pachistachis are used in landscape design. Caring for them in these conditions is not very different. In early February, cuttings are cut, then they are planted in small containers for seedlings.

The flower also needs good lighting, feeding and pinching of the shoots. To prevent the plant from dying on the street, it must be hardened. At a temperature of 150C, seedlings should be taken out once a day to fresh air. The procedure is started from 20 minutes and gradually brought up to 3 hours.

Cuttings are planted in the ground in the spring, when there will be no more frost.

It must be remembered that pachistachis flower care is not difficult, but at the same time it cannot be left unattended. If you do not create favorable conditions for the plant to live, then it will quickly die. And in order for pachistakhis to please with lush flowering, you need to pinch it, prune it and replant it in a timely manner.

Pachistachis

Plants such as Pachystachys are evergreen shrubs and perennials. They belong to the family called Acanthaceae. In the wild, they grow in Central and South America (rainforests), as well as on the coast of Australia (east) and in East India (subtropics).

Pachistakhis got such an unusual name due to its flowers. So "pachys" means "thick", and "stachys" is translated as an ear.

This evergreen plant can grow up to 100 centimeters in height. Its shoots are straight and not thick. On the shoots are quite large leaves (length up to 10-12 centimeters). They have an oval shape, pointed towards the end. These dark green leaves are located opposite.

Pachystachis has rather unusual and very spectacular inflorescences, which are spike-shaped and consist of several bracts, painted in bright orange and yellow colors. The length of such an inflorescence can reach an average of 10 centimeters.

The flowers themselves are white in color and only slightly peek out of the bracts.

This unusual plant blooms from 10 to 12 days, and then its flowers wither and fall off. But even after that, it does not lose its spectacular and very elegant appearance, and all this is due to the bracts. One pachistachis bush can have up to 15–20 inflorescences. It blooms for a long time, or rather, from March to October.

Pachystachis care at home

Illumination

Despite the fact that this plant needs good and sufficiently bright lighting, it reacts extremely negatively to direct sunlight. Therefore, the flower should be shaded if necessary.

A window sill located on the west or east side of the room will be an excellent place to place pachistachis.

In winter, he also needs a lot of light for normal growth and development.

Temperature regime

In spring and summer, the air temperature in the room where the flower is located should be about 20 degrees. In the event that the air warms up above 24 degrees, the plant must be additionally moistened.

In autumn and winter, it will feel comfortable in a room where the air temperature will be from 16 to 19 degrees. However, make sure that it does not drop below 14 degrees. Also, pachistachis must be protected from drafts and not placed close to heating devices.

Air humidity

This flower is quite hygrophilous.Therefore, it must be regularly sprayed all year round and preferably as often as possible. Alternatively, you can fill the tray with moss or expanded clay and pour in some clean water. A flower pot is installed on top, just make sure that the bottom does not touch the water.

Watering features

In spring and summer, this evergreen plant must be watered abundantly enough. In winter, watering should be reduced. So, the flower is watered only after a couple of days have passed after the topsoil has dried.

Please note that the ground should be slightly moistened all the time, but at the same time remember that there should not be stagnation of water in any case. Also, do not allow the earthen coma to dry out.

How to feed

Pachystachis is fed only during the growing season. Complex fertilizer for flowering plants is perfect for this. Fertilizers are applied to the soil 2 times a month.

Soil preparation

For planting this flower, you can purchase a universal mixture for decorative flowering plants. And also the mixture can be prepared by hand. To do this, you need to mix sand, peat, humus, leaf and clay-sod soil in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1: 2.

How to transplant

This plant is transplanted annually in the spring months, preferably immediately after pruning. Don't forget to drain well.

Pruning features

In order for the pachistachis to look very impressive and have a gorgeous crown, it just needs to be regularly pruned and pinched. For the first time, the plant is cut in such a way that a stump equal to 10-15 centimeters rises above the soil.

When young side shoots appear from the sleeping buds, then they should pluck out the 3rd pair of leaves. The same is done with the following shoots.

If during the first year of a flower's life you do this procedure at least 3 or 4 times, then the result will be a bush with 8-12 tops.

With the onset of spring, before the plant begins to actively grow, each tip is pinched or trimmed. As a result of this, a pair of young shoots will grow from all tops. This way, your flower will have 16 to 24 tops.

The pachistachis can now be allowed to bloom. After one branch has faded, it will be divided into 2, and flowering will begin again. And you will be able to observe this until the end of the season.

Next spring, it is imperative to re-pinch all the tops.

How to propagate

The main breeding method is cuttings. Cuttings are obtained from the plant during pruning (usually in spring). You need to cut off the apical shoots, which must have at least 2 internodes. Their rooting is carried out in water, and they also need to be provided with heat (20-22 degrees) and high humidity. Spraying is carried out systematically with warm, settled water.

For faster rooting, the cuttings are covered from above with a glass jar or a polyethylene bag (transparent). Every day he is ventilated, removing the shelter for half an hour.

After rooting, the cuttings are planted in small pots (12 centimeters in diameter). And then into a larger pot. This stimulates abundant flowering in pachystachis. To make the bush more lush, you can plant several plants in one pot, and you can also systematically pinch the side shoots.

Possible diseases and pests

Spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects may appear on this plant. However, this is extremely rare.

Possible problems and causes

Pachistachis may experience the following problems:

1. Leaves are falling. This is due to poor watering or the presence of drafts.
2. Leaves curl and tips dry... Air humidity is not high enough.
3. The trunk is bare from below... This can only be corrected with a short cut. It is recommended to root the resulting cuttings.
4. Small leaves and elongated shoots... The plant lacks light.

overview

Main types

Pachystachis yellow (Pachystachys lutea)

It is a shrub that grows up to 100 centimeters in height. This evergreen plant has straight shoots, which after a while become lignified (only in the lower part).

Its dark green leaves are very beautiful and have the shape of an oval, which tapers towards both ends. These sessile leaves reach a length of 15–20 centimeters, and their average width is 5 centimeters. Their venation is quite distinct.

Their bright yellow inflorescences (spike-shaped), reaching a length of 10-15 centimeters, are erect. The blooming of white flowers occurs gradually. It starts from the base of the inflorescence and gradually moves to its top.

The long double-lipped flowers are deeply incised. Flowering begins in the first spring month, and ends in the second half of autumn.

Pachystachis red (Pachystachys coccinea)

This type of pachistachis can reach a height of 200 centimeters. Its flowers have a very rich and bright red color, and the bracts are colored dark green. Decorativeness to this plant is given by an interesting combination of two rather saturated colors, namely, scarlet red and dark green.

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Exotic pachistachis: home care

An interesting plant, pachistachis, which is easy to take care of at home, is not often found on indoor window sills. It is believed that this flower is finicky and requires special conditions for keeping. This common misconception can be dispelled if you find out what the pachistachis flower really is.

Pachistachis - a plant from the tropics

As a house plant, pachistachis became widely known about 150 years ago. Its homeland is considered to be the tropical zones of South America, Eastern India and Australia. Belongs to the Acanthus family and has up to 17 common species. So far only 3 have been cultivated, one of them is yellow pachystachis (Pachystachys lutea).

Breeders do not stop in their experiments, and in the windows of flower shops you can find red pachystachis (Pachystachys coccinea), which differs from the more common yellow counterpart in green bracts and red flowers with an orange-red corolla.

For the original appearance, he was nicknamed the Cardinal's Guardsman.

At home, the plant can be up to 1 m.It is a lush bush with branching erect stems, on which dark green leaves up to 12 cm long are located opposite each other.Each leaf has a pointed tip and clearly protruding veins, which makes the leaf plate look embossed.

The bracts, located at the tops of the shoots and in the form of an ear or vertical candles, give a special decorative effect to the plant. It is because of them that the plant acquired its name. Translated from Greek, the word "Pachystachys" means "thick ear". The bracts are about 10-12 cm long, most often they have a bright yellow color and are often mistaken for flowers.

Pachistachis

However, true snow-white inflorescences appear in the axils of the bracts. They are small, tubular, located perpendicular to the ear and are diverse in shape: they resemble butterflies. shrimp, animal tongues. They are short-lived and fall off quickly.

However, golden bracts stay on the bush for at least 12 days. On a well-developed adult plant, several dozen yellow ears can be counted at the same time, giving pachystachis a bright decorative appearance during the entire flowering period from spring to autumn.

Pachistachis care

In order to effectively care for pachistachis at home, it is important to know a few secrets.

Pachystachis yellow is a native of the tropics. The plant needs bright light all year round. Better to place it on windows on the east or west side.The northern windows of the apartment are not suitable, in the southern one you will need to shade the flower, especially in summer.In winter, if there is a lack of natural light, you can illuminate the bush with fluorescent lamps.

The room temperature should not be lower than + 20 ° С in summer and + 16 ... + 18 ° С in winter. If in the warm season it becomes hotter than + 25 ° C, the plant must be constantly sprayed.

Pakhistakhis tolerates fresh warm air well, so in summer it can be taken out onto the balcony without drafts and shaded moderately.

Central heating in winter has a detrimental effect on the foliage of the plant, so it is better to keep it away from the battery.

Pachistachis in the interior

Watering, spraying, fertilizing

During the period of growth and flowering, pachystachis requires constant abundant watering and daily spraying. You need to water it with water at room temperature, it is advisable to pre-filter it or filter it out for several hours.

The soil in the pot must be constantly moist. In winter, watering is reduced, but complete drying of the soil should not be allowed. It is enough to moisturize the plant after 1-2 days.

Experienced growers use the moisture indicator, this greatly facilitates plant care.

An important procedure is spraying. In summer, this should be done every day, and if it is very hot - 2 times a day. In winter, it is sufficient to spray daily if the air in the room is very dry. If the humidity is more than 60%, it is enough to spray every other day.

It is better to use a finely dispersed atomizer, the water should be slightly warm, settled.

If it is not possible to spray the plant constantly, you can put the pot in a tray with moss or small stones and add water from time to time.

By evaporating, it will effectively humidify the air around the plant. You can place a room fountain or a decorative container with water next to the pachistachis.

Departure from the tradition of yellow

During the flowering period, you need to ensure that water droplets do not fall on the bracts and flower petals - the plant can throw them off.

For active growth and abundant long flowering, pachystachis must be fed. It is best to use a complex mineral fertilizer or complexes for flowering plants. Top dressing is carried out during the entire growing season - from March to October.

Fertilizer is applied during watering, the concentration of the solution must correspond to that indicated on the package. Before feeding, the flower must first be watered with clean water, after 10 minutes - with a nutrient mixture. If you pour the top dressing into the ground without first spilling it, it can burn the roots of the plant.

Pachistakhis also responds well to organic fertilizers - infusion of mullein, chicken droppings.

Crown formation

An important point in how to care for pachystachis is correct pruning and timely crown formation.

The number of lateral shoots depends on how many bracts will grow on the plant during the flowering period. When growing pachystachis at home, you do not need to strive to stretch it in height.

Experienced growers recommend forming a low-growing shrub with many lower side branches and a lush crown.

You should not grow the flower up, it is better to make it a lush crown formation

Trimming and pinching is a must. You need to start it already in the first year of life. The first pruning is desirable in the spring.

Fundamental rules:

1. Gently cut off the top, as soon as the young plant reaches 15-20 cm in height. After a while, 2 shoots will appear at the cutoff site.
2. As soon as 3 pairs of leaves are formed on each of them, pinch the top again.
3. Every 3 pairs of leaves on the newly formed shoots are pinched again.

Depending on the growth rate of the flower, a few pinching may be needed for the entire growing season until October. With proper formation, by winter, a single shoot can produce a low shrub with 8-10 tops.After wintering, the plant is pinched again, and such a formed specimen is already completely ready for the formation of bracts and blooming of flowers.

If you do not systematically engage in the formation of the crown of the pachistachis, it can grow up to 1 m in height with a completely bare trunk, a minimum of foliage and 1 bracts at the apex.

If, as a result of unforeseen events, the adult pachistachis completely discards the foliage and becomes bare, then the complete pruning of the stem at a height of 12-15 cm from the ground and the further formation of the crown will again return the decorative appearance to the plant.

Reproduction of pachistachis

Plant propagation is carried out by cuttings, which can be taken from an adult plant during spring pruning. It is best to take apical shoots 10-12 cm long with 2-3 internodes. Experts advise to root the cuttings in a container of water, covering the shoot with a glass jar or polyethylene.

The temperature in the mini-greenhouse must be constant, at least + 20 ° С. Every day, the appendage must be ventilated, sprayed with warm water. Usually, after 2-3 weeks, roots appear, after which the cutting is planted in a separate container with a diameter of about 12 cm.

As soon as the plant grows, it can be transplanted into a larger pot and wait until next spring to start forming the crown.

Pruning for grafting

The flower also multiplies by rooting cuttings in the ground. For this, a nutritious substrate is prepared: 1 part of leaf and peat soil and 1 part of sand and humus are taken for 2 parts of sod land.

The cut cutting is treated with solutions of Heteroauxin or Kornevin for root formation and the soil is planted to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. A mini-greenhouse is created and looked after like a cutting that germinates in water.

Despite the method of reproduction of pachystachis, with proper care, you can always achieve rooting and growth of a young plant.

Pachistachis transplant

Plants 1-2 years old need an annual transplant, adults - 1 time in 3-4 years. Better to do it in late February - early March. Before transplanting, the pachistachis must be cut off.

For a flower, take either ready-made soil for flowering plants or prepare the substrate yourself. You can add crushed pine bark or vermiculite to it for greater looseness. The roots of the plant love freedom, so the pot doesn't have to be small.

For an adult plant, a container with a volume of at least 3 liters is recommended. If you plan to plant several cuttings in one dish at once, it is better to take the pot wide and low.

Good drainage is required: expanded clay, perlite, broken brick, clay shards can be poured on the bottom.

It is better to transplant the plant by transferring an earthen coma into a new pot without damaging the roots. Fresh soil should be sprinkled on the sides and on top.

After transplanting, water the plant abundantly, spray and leave it alone for 2-3 days, putting it in the shade. After a short period of adaptation, the flower pot can be placed in its usual place.

Diseases, pests and problems in growing

Pachystachis can be affected by spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs. Special insecticides will come to the rescue.

Falling and curling of leaves may appear due to improper watering.

Small leaves, lack of flowering - there is not enough light for the plant.

It is important to notice the problem in a timely manner and start treatment, otherwise the plant may die.

The pachystachis flower is a tropical species of plant from the Acanthus family, which is native to South America and India. In nature, there are about 12 varieties of these plants, some of them are successfully grown for home care.

General information

The leaves of the plant have a dark olive tint. The shape of the leaf is an oblong oval. The inflorescences of pachystachis are like bright sunny spikelets, which also resemble a candle in shape. Everyone misleadingly takes them for the flowering itself, but these are only bracts.

The plant blooms with unsightly light flowers that appear perpendicular to the spikelets. It happens suddenly and quickly crumbles. And the remaining golden spikelets give the plant an elegant look for a long time. Pachistachis can reach a height of almost a meter. The stems of the plant are even and erect.

The duration of flowering in a plant lasts the entire warm season until the beginning of autumn. But the inflorescences themselves crumble in a couple of weeks, after the beginning of flowering. Up to 20 such spikelets can be present on one plant.

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Varieties and types

Pachystachis "Yellow" or "Lutea" can fluctuate around a meter. Leaves are large, oval leaf shape and length in the region of 20 cm. Inflorescences have a hot yellow tint. Flowering lasts a long period.

Pachystachis "Yellow" the most popular indoor plant in growing.

Pachistachis "Red" has bracts of a dark olive shade, and of them, during the flowering period, flowers of a rich scarlet hue can be seen. Its height can be up to 2 meters. This species is quite bright and its color gives it a variegated attractive appearance.

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Pachistachis home care

Lighting pachistachis prefers diffused bright, but direct sunlight should be avoided, they burn the leaves. The best location is the west or east side of the room.

The temperature regime for the plant is necessary within the range of 17 - 22 degrees in the summer, and in the winter it is necessary to maintain the dormant state of the pachistachis with a decrease in temperature to 15 degrees. The plant does not tolerate drafts and with the beginning of the heating season, it is preferable to move it away from the battery.

The flower prefers increased soil moisture, especially in the summer. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, otherwise the plant immediately drops its leaves and begins to dry out.

Water for irrigation needs soft and settled water. In hot weather, it is preferable to spray the flower. You can also additionally moisten the plant by pouring water into the pan, but so that the root system does not touch the water. In this case, it is better to put small stones in the pallet.

The entire period while the plant is blooming, it must be fed with a liquid mullein or complex fertilizer. This procedure should be carried out once every 15 days. Fertilize after thorough watering.

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Transplant and soil for pachistachis

The composition of the soil for the plant should include peat, leafy soil, sod soil, humus, coarse sand. Mix all components in equal proportions.

It is necessary to transplant the plant as needed, when the root system becomes cramped. They move the plant into a container larger than the previous one by a couple of centimeters in width and height, but before that, the shoots are pruned.

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How to trim pachistachis

Once every few years, the plant needs to be renewed and rejuvenated. This is necessary so that the stems are not bare.

In order for the plant to have a luxurious lush crown, in the first year of planting, the plant must be cut and pinched to make the bush more luxuriant. Pinching should be done after flowering. And pruning should be done before flowering, in early spring. All stems should be trimmed and three pairs of leaves should be left. Then the third pair of leaves, which is located on the lateral stems, must be pinched.

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Pachistachis propagation by cuttings

In pachistachis, propagation by cuttings can be done all year round. To do this, you need to take a stalk with several pairs of leaves. Rooting can be done both in soil and in water.

In the ground, cover the container with a film or a cut-off plastic bottle. The emergence of roots occurs after about 21 days. After rooting, the plant is transplanted into a slightly larger container.

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Reproduction of pachystachis by seeds

Seed propagation is a little more painstaking. Seeds are sown in light, loose soil and covered with foil. Open the film, only for airing and spraying the soil.

After the emergence of shoots, the greenhouse is removed and the plants are adapted to external conditions. With the appearance of several pairs of leaves, it is necessary to plant the plant in separate containers.

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Diseases and pests

• Among the pests, the plant is affected by spider mites and scale insects. As a control, the plant must be treated with insecticides. Or you can make a light garlic solution and spray the plant. And after the destruction of pests, arrange a warm shower for the plant.
• Pachystachis has fallen off the leaves - this is due to the change in the climate in the room. Or the air is too dry and there is no sufficient spraying. Or drafts have appeared and the air temperature has dropped.
• Pachistachis sheds leaves - the reason is a lack of moisture in the soil. Or cold conditions.
• Pachystachis leaves turn yellow and dry out - this is due to too dry air in the room. It is necessary to ensure adequate moisture and spraying of the plant.
• Pachystachis leaves curl - the reason is the lack of light, moisture and spraying of the leaves.

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