Solanum: description, reproduction, care and pest control of the plant
Solanum belongs to the category of nightshade plants. It has a very original appearance, which gives it a high level of popularity. But at the same time, solanum is quite demanding in its care, which requires efforts to achieve its attractive and original appearance.
Content:
Description of the plant
This plant looks like a bush. It has erect stems on which green foliage is placed. The flowers of this plant are characterized by leatheriness. During the flowering period, this flower is covered with a large number of small white flowers.
During the fruiting period, this plant has a rather attractive appearance.
When fruiting, this plant is covered small round red fruitsthat make its appearance unsurpassed. Solanum fruits are very poisonous, therefore it is strictly forbidden to use them for any purpose.
This plant blooms for several months, which gives its appearance to originality. Solanum can be grown as a house or greenhouse plant.
Care features
This plant is quite light-requiring, therefore, the pot with it must be placed in places that are characterized by the presence of bright diffused light. In the event that this plant is located in a place with low light, then it will cease to bear fruit and may even discard foliage. That is why it is best to place this plant on the western or eastern windows. At the same time, from 12 noon to 5 am, this flower needs to be lightly shaded.
In the summer, this plant must be taken out into the open air, but at the same time it is protected from direct sunlight.
This plant does not tolerate drafts, therefore it is necessary to protect it from the effects of the wind. If you adhere to all these recommendations, then the fruiting of solanum will be quite abundant. When growing this plant, it is also necessary to strictly stick to temperature... For solanum in the spring-summer period, the optimum temperature will be from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. This will ensure abundant fruiting of this plant.
In the autumn-winter period, such a high temperature negatively affects the solanum. At this temperature, this plant may turn yellow and fly around the leaves. That is why he needs to provide a temperature in the autumn-winter period of 12-15 degrees.
Watering the plant:
- From April to September, this plant must be provided with abundant watering. It is produced regularly when the topsoil dries up.
- In this case, the pot with the plant must be placed in a room that is characterized by a high level of humidity.
- In winter, watering solanum should be slightly more moderate. Humidity greatly affects the fruiting of this plant. That is why in order to ensure a large number of fruits on a flower, it is necessary to adhere to a humidity of 65 percent. This requires daily spraying of the leaves of this plant.
- You can also use another method to increase the humidity. To do this, you need to put a flower pot on a pallet, which is filled with hidden pebbles, expanded clay and peat. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the bottom of the pot does not touch the water.
Since May, this plant it is necessary to provide additional fertilizing... For this purpose, liquid fertilizers are most often used. Top dressing of this plant is done no more often than once every 1-2 weeks. In the last two to three weeks of winter, solanum needs to be pruned.
This plant is pruned to a third of the height. This action is performed when the fruit is fully ripe. During this period, it is also necessary to perform a solanum transplant. It is produced in soil, which consists of turf, peat, humus soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 1. In order to limit the flower from root decay, fresh drainage is placed on the bottom of the pot. Solanum is quite whimsical to care for.
For its full development, it is necessary to perform the following actions:
- Provide an optimal room temperature.
- Provide ventilation.
- Watering in a timely manner.
- Feed the plant.
- Prune and transplant.
- Provide optimal indoor humidity.
With all these actions, you can achieve the correct and full growth and development of this plant.
Reproduction of solanum
Solanum propagation is carried out both by seeds and cuttings. More common is seed propagation method... Seed planting should be done in early spring.
Propagation using seeds:
- For this, a well-drained soil is used, which is characterized by a moderate level of moisture.
- Seed rise is observed after two weeks. After the seeds have sprouted, it is necessary to provide them with regular watering and frequent ventilation.
- When several leaves appear on a given plant, they are seated.
- In order for the crown of solanum to form correctly, it must be plucked regularly.
For the purpose of propagation of this plant, cut shoots are used by cuttings.
They must be placed in a container of water. Shoots are planted in the ground when the first roots appear. In the event that the end of the cutting is rotten in the water, it is necessary to remove it and put it back into the water. Also, cut cuttings can be planted immediately in the ground, but they need to provide regular and abundant watering.
Plant pests
In the event that the solanum is in conditions of excessive dryness, then it can be attacked by a whitefly, spider mite or aphid.
- Whitefly has white wings and infects solanum foliage. This pest appears mainly with stale air in the room, as well as with the accuracy of plants. The fight against this pest is carried out in several stages. Initially, you need to make the whitefly rise into the air. To do this, you just need to approach the plant. After this pest rises into the air, it will need to be collected with a vacuum cleaner. The plant during the fight against whitefly is best placed in a room, the temperature of which will correspond to an indicator of 14-15 degrees. Also, solanum must be treated with insecticides, which can be purchased at a regular store.
- The spider mite is very small and reddish-brown in color. This pest feeds on cell sap, which is extracted from the foliage of the plant. As a result, the leaves of solanum become yellow-green in color. At the first signs of the appearance of a spider mite, it is necessary to tear off all damaged leaves, and place the flower itself under a stream of water. Further, solanum must be treated with a special agent that is designed to combat this pest.
- Aphids on solanum can appear by putting them on clothes from the street, as well as as a result of their flight from other plants. It is most often located on the lower part of the foliage, which withers, clusters and dries up. This pest spreads very quickly, so at the first signs of its appearance, you must immediately begin to fight it. To do this, it is necessary to rinse the ground part of the plant under the shower and, after it dries, treat it with pesticides. You can also use tomato tops to fight aphids, which are crushed and infused with water. It is necessary to process the ground part of the solanum with this liquid.
Solanum is quite whimsical plant to care for... But its good looks deserve it. If you carry out timely watering, airing and fertilizing this flower, you can achieve very good results.
It is also very important for solanum to ensure the optimal temperature and humidity in the room. Anyone can perform these simple actions, one hundred will have a beneficial effect on the growth and development of this flower.
More information can be found in the video.