Sanchezia

The genus Sanchetia belongs to the "Acanthus" family and has more than fifty species. This group includes shrubs, semi-shrubs and lianas, which can be found naturally in South America.

Sanchezia is grown both in greenhouses and at home, this plant is very popular because of its decorative effect, which is primarily possessed by the chic large leaves of the plant. Despite the large number of species, only two of them are cultivated as a houseplant: the noble sanchetia (the most popular type) and the small-covering-leaved sanchetia. The plant does not require complex care, but you should still familiarize yourself with some of its features in advance in order to carry out timely procedures and maintain the beauty and decorativeness of the sanchezia.

Sanchezia: description of a houseplant

Sanchezia: photos

When you look at the noble sanchetia, your attention will immediately be attracted by its large (up to 30 cm in length) leathery leaves of a deep green color with contrasting veins, as if painted with golden cream paint. Against the background of chic leaves, tubular inflorescences with small yellow or orange flowers do not look so attractive. In addition, at the end of flowering, the plant often loses its elasticity and looks lethargic, despite the addition of fertilizing and regular watering. That is why experienced flower growers recommend removing flower stalks at the very beginning of formation and allowing flowering only if you need to collect plant seeds.
The indoor plant Sanchezia noble is distinguished by very rapid growth and in two to three years, with good care and proper lighting, it grows up to a meter (although in natural conditions the plant can grow up to two meters in the same period of time).

Sanchezia: home care

Room sanchetia: photo

Like most houseplants native to the tropics, Sanchezia needs bright but diffused light. Direct sunlight can irreparably damage the appearance of the plant, leaving burns on the leaves, so do not place the sanchezia on windowsills with a south, southeast and southwest orientation.

Indoor Sanchezia is thermophilic, so the temperature in the room must be maintained around + 23 ... + 25 degrees. In winter, a drop in air temperature is allowed, although a cool dormant period of the sanchezia is not necessary. But still, make sure that the mark of the thermometer does not fall below + 14 ... + 15 degrees.
Spraying daily will help you keep the air humidity at the right level. In addition to spraying, decorative vessels with water can be installed between moisture-loving indoor plants - this will help maintain high air humidity near the plants.

It is recommended to water the sanchezia houseplant twice a week, it is very important to ensure that the soil in the flower pot does not dry out completely, as this can lead to the death of the plant. In winter, watering should be more moderate, once a week will be enough.

Regular liquid feeding of the sanchezia is not required; fertilizers are applied to the soil in the form of granules during the process of plant transplantation. It is important to ensure that the roots of the sanchezia do not have direct contact with the fertilizer granules, as this can lead to root burns.

Sanchezia transplant

Sanchezia: photo of flowers

Experienced florists recommend replanting the Sanchetia flower annually in the spring.While the plant is young, the size of the flowerpot will need to be increased every year, then it will be enough just to change the soil and add complex fertilizer to it. Soil is suitable for heather plants, mixed with a small amount of peat, the drainage layer at the bottom of the flower pot should be at least 5 cm.

If you buy an adult plant in a flower shop, then it will still need a transplant, so at the same time with the purchase of sanchetia, you should buy special soil and fertilizers.

Reproduction

As a rule, the noble sanchetia is propagated by rooting cuttings. It is effortless and takes three to four weeks. A prepared cutting of about 10 cm in size with two or three nodes is deepened into the moistened soil and covered with a transparent cover on top to form a greenhouse. To achieve the result, you should maintain a high air temperature, regularly moisten the soil and ventilate the greenhouse daily. After young leaves begin to appear on the cuttings, rooting can be considered successful.

Sanchezia leaves turn black and curl. What to do?

Sanchetia flower: photo

As we already know, the loss of decorativeness can occur due to flowering. In addition, a sharp drop in air temperature in the room can cause harm to the plant - after that, the sanchetia flower can throw off all the foliage. Sometimes partial loss of leaves or a change in their appearance can occur after wintering. In such cases, it is recommended to cut the plant, it grows quite quickly and will return to its former decorative effect in the near future.

If we talk about harmful insects, the mealybug can take a fancy to the houseplant Sanchetia noble. If a pest is found, first of all, it is necessary to arrange for the plant to quarantine until complete recovery, then wipe the leaves with a swab dipped in soapy water, removing cotton-like deposits. After that, treatment with Actellik will be required in accordance with the instructions (when using this drug, strictly observe the dosage and do not forget about individual protective measures).