Akalifa: Valuable Southern Beauty Care Tips
Content:
Akalifa has bright leaves and an interesting kind of inflorescences. Thanks to her appearance, she was able to gain great popularity among ordinary citizens, so she can often be found on many window sills. In the "wild" nature, the height of this plant can reach 2-3 m. Scientists have identified more than 400 species of this variety, but at home, Akalifa bristly-haired and Wilks' variety have gained great popularity. The first species reaches a low height, about half a meter. The leaf plate is small in size, rough to the touch, carved along the edges, a bit like nettles. Most often, the flowers are crimson, but sometimes there are white, beige and burgundy versions of this plant. Akalifa blooms for quite a long time. Most of all in summer. The second type of this variety is also distinguished by beautiful leaves that are bronze, copper and red in color.
Akalifa: photo of a plant
Akalifa: species and varieties
Unfortunately, on the territory of Russia, this plant can be found not so often, but every year the number of those who grow this plant at home becomes more and more. Most often you can find the following types:
- Akalif Wilkes. This is an evergreen shrub, which can reach a height of about 3 m. The shoots of the plant are straight, red in color, covered with small pile. The plates are green in color with a bronze tint. Thanks to its bright color, beautiful color compositions can be made with this look.
- The Indian is representative of the genus. This plant is an annual, reaching a height of about half a meter. As it grows, the stem begins to branch. The leaves are small, oval in shape. Blooms in the summer in the form of inconspicuous stripes.
- Akalifa southern. It is also an annual plant. The stems are covered with hairs. It can be about half a meter high. In summer, it blooms with inflorescences that do not have bright colors.
- Akalifa Godsef. This is a hybrid species of Akalifa. The leaves are pointed, serrated at the edges. They are bronze colored. In bright sunlight, it can acquire a bright red color.
Akalifa: home care
Akalifa belongs to the milkweed family, and they are known to be distinguished by their unpretentious care. But since Akalifa is a tropical guest, in order to take care of her at home, you need to remember a few rules:
This plant is very fond of bright sunlight. In the shade, the bright leaves will begin to lose their color.
As a tropical plant, it needs warmth.
Have an urgent need for a damp room. Try to spray the leaves as often as possible.
Akalifa: photo of a plant
Reproduction of Akalifa
Akalifa flowers can be propagated in 3 ways:
- Through the seeds... Planting material should be sown at the beginning of the spring in a separate container containing a light substrate. When a young plant reaches a height of several centimeters, they can be dived.
- Through the top of the shoot. Reproduction is best started in March. In the cuttings, the shoots will need to be constantly sprayed and kept at a temperature of 22-25 degrees before they take root.
- Air layering... An air layer appears when tying the middle part with wet sphagnum. After one year, they can be separated from the "mother" plant.
