Streptocarpus, or common folks, streps is one of the most beautiful indoor flowers loved by breeders. Variety and annual updating of the list of varieties turns the plant into a real collector's item.
The history and general characteristics of streptocarpus breeding Dimetris
The island of Madagascar is recognized as the birthplace of streptocarpus. In 1818, the nerd Jay Bowie discovered an unusual plant, was able to save and transfer seeds to the botanical greenhouses of London. Initially, the flower was called Didimocarpus rexii, but a decade later it was renamed Streptocarpus rexii. It was this flower that became the basis for all modern hybrids.
Streptocarpus rexii
General characteristics of the plant:
- belongs to the family Gesneriaceae, unpretentious in care;
- inflorescences consist of several large buds;
- the base of the leaves is a wide rosette, which is attached to the stem at the very bottom.
In the wild, streptocarpuses prefer a humid and warm climate. Growth halo - near water bodies. In rare cases, the plant is found in mountainous terrain.
Description of the popular varieties of streptocarpus Dimetris
The main types of streptocarpus:
- Rocky. It prefers rocky soil, is resistant to drought and ultraviolet rays. The root system is dense, twisted, numb. The foliage is small with villi, the flowers are small, have a pastel purple color.
- Royal. Preferences - subtropical climate, shaded places. The root system is branched, foliage elongated and long. The flowers are large up to 30 cm, have a bright purple color.
- Wendland. Prefers a temperate, humid climate. The leaves are wide and long, extended up to 1 m. The flowering period is long. On a flower with one root system, up to 19-20 large purple inflorescences are located.
Note! Streptocarpus Dimetris has more than 150 varieties, in the name of which the abbreviation DS is used.
Different varieties of flower
DS 2080
Streptocarpus ds 2080 has terry large flowers of a rich purple hue, by the middle the color turns to white. A feature of the variety is the central part, consisting of 3, not 4 petals.
DS 1920
Streptocarpus 1920 has large, curved wavy petals of a saturated shade of fuchsia. In the middle of the petal there are inclusions of white and pale pink flowers.
DS 2059
The variety has 2 levels of petals, each of which is different in color. The lower tier is a juicy yellow hue with a red mesh. The upper petals are burgundy red. The variety is abundantly blooming, the texture of the petal is semi-double.
DS 1726
Inflorescences of streptocarpus 1726 have a dense terry coating of petals. Color ranges from light pink to a deep dark shade. The socket does not thicken. The size of the flower is from 8 to 10 cm.
DS 1931
The flower has wavy semi-double petals. The color ranges from pink at the base to a dark crimson border. On the lower petal there are mesh blotches of white color, the rest of the flower is monochrome.
DS Margarita
This streps has large, up to 9-10 cm, buds. Velvety petals, in the form of ruffle. The color of the petals is divided into levels: the lower tier is saturated raspberry, the upper tiers are light pink. In the sunlight, the flower gets orange glare. Inflorescences are strong, do not thicken.
DS Eternity
This streptocarpus DS is terracotta red. The edges of the petals are burgundy, almost black. Terry flower texture dense. The size of the bud reaches 9 cm.
DS Ezhkin cat
This kind of streps has large artsy branches. Terry petals, painted in black and purple. They are interspersed with white and purple tones. The shape of the petal is peaked, resembles a wasp.
DS Midnight Poison
The name in translation means "midnight poison." The poisonous-lilac color of the petals with a white net fully corresponds to the name of the variety. The size of the bud reaches 9-10 cm, the flower stalk has a strong base.
DS Fire
This streps has petals in the form of ruffles, their texture is thick, terry. The color of the flower is burgundy with a splash of red and purple. The lower tier of the petals is covered with white spots. The bud is large, 8-9 cm. The flower has a rich aroma.
Streptocarpus planting and soil composition
Streps for seedlings are usually planted in early February. Haste during sowing will not bring results. Procedure:
- For seedlings, a container is prepared, the bottom of which is covered with drainage.
- Soil is poured on top, and the finished substrate is moistened.
- Streptocarpus seeds are scattered on top of the soil, without a depression.
- The container is closed with polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect.
Note! For germination, planted streptocarpuses Dimetris are placed in a bright, warm place with a temperature of + 23-24 degrees. Every day, the film is removed for several minutes for ventilation and oxygen access. The first shoots appear 14-15 days after sowing. Watering is done through the pan, as the sprouts are weakened, and can easily rot.
The soil for streps should have a salt pH of 5.0 and consist of the following elements (calculated as ml / l):
- nitrogen - 150-160;
- phosphorus - not less than 250;
- potassium - 350-360.
The general characteristic of the soil substrate is loose, air- and water-permeable.
Care for Streptocarpus at home
With proper care, streptocarpus can bloom almost the entire year, starting not only in August. To achieve this effect, it is necessary to follow the rules of watering, lighting, top dressing and temperature conditions.
Flower care
Watering
The quality of hydration of the flower must be given special attention. Water for irrigation should be soft, settled or thawed, the optimum temperature is slightly above room temperature. Excess moisture is detrimental to the flower.
Watering is moderate, after the middle layer has dried. When moistening the plant, water should not fall on the petals and leaves. The best method of watering is in a pan with water. After 15 minutes, excess moisture is poured out of it.
Note! Streps loves a humid climate, so next to the pots you need to place containers with water or a humidifier.
Top dressing
From spring to the end of autumn, streptocarpus needs feeding. For this, nitrogen and potassium fertilizers are used, alternating them. Top dressing is applied to wet soil. The dosage is calculated in accordance with the instructions on the package, but the amount is halved. For young, recently rooted plants, nitrogenous feeding is considered the most suitable.
Lighting and temperature
Streps daylight should be 12-14 hours long. The plant prefers bright and diffuse lighting. During the period of the year with a short daylight hours, it is necessary to use phytolamps. The ideal location of the flower are windows facing east and west.
Streptocarus is a thermophilic flower. The average temperature in the room all year round should be + 15-18 degrees for ordinary species and + 18-20 degrees for hybrids. The most comfortable streps feel at room conditions. Any draft can lead to illness and death of the flower.
How streptocarpus propagates
Streps propagates in two ways: by seed and by the vegetative method. The simplest option is to divide the adult bushes into 3 parts, each of which should be planted in a suitable soil to the root of the root. Place cuts sprinkled with crushed coal. If propagation is carried out using a leaf, it is planted in the soil, deepened by 10 mm. The container is covered with glass or film to achieve a greenhouse effect. Every day the sheet is aired. The temperature of the content is +24 degrees.
Plant propagation
Plant seeds are being prepared for planting in April. The technique is described above in the "Landing" section. After emergence, dive twice.
Important! The disadvantage of seed propagation is the high probability that hybrids will lose their varietal properties.
Major pests and common diseases
Streptocarpus is threatened by 4 main types of problems:
- Gray rot. It appears on the leaves in the form of brownish spots, plaque of a brown hue and leads to decay. The method of treatment is the treatment of plants with a solution of copper chloride of 0.5%.
- Powdery Mildew Leaves and stalk are covered with whitish bloom and spots. Method of disposal - treat the affected areas with fungicide every 10 days. Continue until the manifestations of the disease completely disappear.
- Thrips. Only the stem can be treated for these insects. The foliage and flowers are cut, the cut places are covered with Acarin.
- Aphid. These small insects leave the plant only after treatment with insecticides and a soap solution. The diseased flower must be isolated from healthy counterparts.
Important! If the disease is not noticed in time and the streps are not treated, then the plant will soon die. Diseases are transmitted to each flower, so healthy specimens isolate from the diseased.
Flower pests
Streptocarpus, regardless of variety, will become a favorite of any grower. Proper care, timely transplantation and treatment will provide the plant with a long period of active flowering, and the appearance of streps will improve the mood of the owner.
