Pentas - Pentas

Pentas description

Pentas is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Madder family. The homeland of these perennial and biennial plants is the eastern part of Africa. The Pentas genus includes about 40 different species.

The pentas is characterized by high growth rates: the annual increase in the height of its stems and shoots is from 0.3 to 0.4 m. The stems are, as a rule, straight and strongly branching - as they mature, they become lignified. The foliage is painted in dark shades of green; it is characterized by a lanceolate or spear-shaped plate. The average length of the leaves is about 10 cm. The most common is the opposite or spiral arrangement of glossy leaves. Their surface, like the surface of young shoots, is covered with an edging.

The blooming period of the pentas begins in May and ends in October. The average flowering time of each inflorescence is about 3 weeks. Proper care of pentas increases the likelihood of re-flowering within one year. Pentasa flowers form umbellate inflorescences located at the tops of the shoots. Their diameter is 10 cm: lush flower umbrellas often hide the foliage of the plant under them. The flowers themselves are not large in size, have the shape of stars with pointed tops of the petals. The pentasa color scheme includes red, pink, white, lilac and salmon shades. Variegated varieties are especially decorative, the leaf plates of which are decorated with a white or pale green border along the contour.

Due to its lush bloom, pentas is often used for landscaping balconies and glazed loggias. Often, flower arrangements are created from various varieties of pentas, located in one container, pot or flowerpot.

Pentas cultivation and care

Pentas is not demanding. Due to the high growth rate of its shoots, the plant needs regular pruning, which helps to maintain its compact and attractive shape. To make the flowering phase longer, it is recommended to remove wilted inflorescences in a timely manner. The tops of young shoots need periodic pinching - this will allow them to branch even more and form a dense crown. In the spring-summer period, the pentas will feel good on the street - it can be taken out to an open balcony, while providing protection from direct sunlight.

Breeding methods for pentas

The easiest way to propagate pentas is by cuttings. During the spring pruning of a shrub, fresh shoots from 5 to 8 cm long are cut off from its shoots. The bases of the cuttings must be treated with a root growth stimulator and placed in a container filled with a mixture of peat and sand. It is recommended to cover containers with future seedlings with a plastic or glass cover and put them in a room with a constant air temperature of 21 to 27 degrees. After 1.5-2 months, the cuttings will form independent roots and will be ready for transplantation. Another way to root cuttings is to place them in a glass of water - the roots may appear as early as 14 days.

The seed method of reproduction of the pentas will require some effort from the grower. The sowing period falls in the spring - in case of successful germination of the seed, the pentas will bloom in 4-6 months. In the process of sowing, the seeds are simply scattered over the surface of the nutrient substrate - it is important that the containers with the soil are located in a well-lit place.If the air temperature in the room is about 20-25 degrees, the first shoots can appear quite quickly - after 7 days. Only freshly harvested pentas seeds are suitable for sowing - old seed will not be able to germinate.

Protection against diseases and pests

All ailments of the pentas are directly related to the violation of recommendations for its maintenance in room conditions. So, if the plant is not provided with shelter from the bright direct rays of the sun, its foliage is likely to be damaged by burns. Excess moisture in the soil and air with insufficient ventilation of the room causes the development of putrefactive processes in the root system of the pentas. A lack of sunlight also harms tropical shrubs: in the shade, its stems will begin to stretch excessively, the crown will become loose, and flowers may not appear at all, or in small quantities. Lack of nutrients in the soil also leads to certain ailments. The lack of iron is expressed in the development of chlorosis - in this case, iron chelate is recommended as a top dressing.

Of the harmful insects, the main enemies of the pentas are red spider mites, aphids and whiteflies. You can get rid of pests with the help of insecticidal preparations.

Recommendations for soil composition

Pentas prefers nutritious, loose, slightly acidic soils. It is very important that the soil is thoroughly drained in order to protect the roots of the shrub from moisture stagnation. The soil for growing pentas can be prepared at home. This requires mixing garden soil, peat and leaf humus. It also does not hurt to add charcoal and river sand to the mixture.

Indoor air temperature

Pentas does not require high room thermometer readings. The optimum temperature for the flowering period of the shrub is 18 degrees. In a warmer room, the flowers will wither too quickly. With the arrival of winter, the pentas plunges into a state of rest - at this moment it is important that the air temperature in the room where it is located is not higher than 13 degrees. It is important to prevent hypothermia of the plant - at temperatures below 10 degrees, its growth will slow down, and then completely stop.

Lighting mode

Pentas prefers the indirect rays of the morning and evening sun. On average, he needs about 3 hours of daily sunbathing. On hot summer days, it is necessary to provide the pentasa with shading and protection from exposure to bright sunlight. In partial shade, the shrub will feel good, but will not bloom profusely, since sunlight plays a primary role in the flowering process. In the autumn-winter period, due to the reduction in daylight hours, it may be necessary to organize additional lighting with the help of fluorescent lamps. In order for the stems and shoots of the pentas to lengthen evenly, it is necessary to turn the pot with the plant by ¼ of a circle weekly during watering. Otherwise, the stems located in the shade will stretch towards the light source, and the bush will lose its neat shape.

Fertilization

During the spring-summer period, the phase of active growth of the pentas lasts - at this time the plant needs additional nutrition. Fertilizers are applied once every 14 days before the onset of autumn. For this, complex feedings are suitable, which can be purchased at a specialized store. In the autumn-winter period, fertilizers are not applied.

Pentas watering mode

In spring and summer, when the plant is developing rapidly, watering should be frequent and abundant. In between waterings, the top layer of soil in a pot about 1 cm thick should have time to dry out. In winter, watering is reduced - it is enough to keep track of whether the earthen lump around the roots of the bush was always moistened. At the end of flowering, watering of the pentas also stops - after 6-8 weeks. The plant should be watered only with water at room temperature, well settled and softened.

Pentas transplant recommendations

Annual pentasu transplants are not required, even if it becomes cramped in an old pot. The lack of space will only benefit the plant and provoke a more abundant and lush flowering. As a rule, the transplant is carried out no more often than once every 2 years, in the first half of spring (March).

Room humidification

Pentas does not need to constantly maintain a high level of humidity in the room where it is located. It is recommended to resort to spraying in the driest and hottest summer periods, when the thermometer is constantly above 22 degrees. Also, additional humidification is indispensable during the heating season, when the air becomes very dry under the influence of central heating batteries and heaters. In these cases, the pentas should be sprayed in the morning using room temperature water. The use of a room humidifier will also allow maintaining the required level of air humidity in the heated room. Along with these procedures, do not forget about regular ventilation of the rooms in which the plants are located, in order to ensure good air circulation. It should be remembered that drafts are dangerous for the pentas - during ventilation it is not recommended to keep it near an open window or balcony door.

Varieties

The Pentas genus includes 40 different species of this plant. In culture, the most widespread is the lanceolate pentas (Pentas Lanceolata).

Lancet pentas

This type of pentasa belongs to perennial shrubs and has a rather slow growth rate, which makes it most suitable for growing indoors. In height, the bushes of the pentas lanceolate can reach 1.8 m.The foliage painted in a rich green color has an oval or spear-shaped plate. The surface of the leaves is covered with a not very dense fluff, as well as pronounced veins. Traditionally, during the flowering period, red, pink or white flowers bloom on the shoots of the lanceolate pentasa. However, to date, varieties have been bred, for which other shades are also characteristic - lavender and purple. There are also known two-color varieties, the petals of which are painted in one color, and the core in another. A combination of rose petals and a red central part of the flower is often found.