Features of the propagation of streptocarpus leaf and seed: conditions for transplantation

Streptocarpus is a plant native to South Africa. With quality care and cultivation, the flower will delight with abundant flowering. The popularity of streptocarpus came not so long ago. He used to be a rare guest on the windowsills.

But now it is rapidly gaining popularity, and a wide variety of species and varieties of streptocarpus will not leave indifferent any grower. Very important in the process of growing and caring for a plant at home is the question regarding its reproduction.

How to propagate a plant?

Leaf

Reproduction from the leaf is considered the easiest. The shrinking flower expands due to the growth of lateral shaped bushes and is easily divided into parts. Thanks to the division, the bush is rejuvenated.

From seed

This method, despite all the complexity, is considered the most interesting. Reproduction from seeds is a great opportunity to get a new type of plant, which can be given its name. To grow seeds, two plants are used that pollinate each other.

Now you know how streptocarpus propagates.

What conditions must be observed?

Shine

Streptocarpus - photophilous plants. They need full daylight. The daylight hours must be at least 14 hours. The plant grows well on the windowsill. In winter, artificial lighting will have to be applied. Use a fluorescent lamp and a photolamp in turn for this.

Soil and fertilizers

Planting is carried out in a light and loose substrate. If it is too dry and knocked down, then add the following components to it:

• peat;
• perlite;
• vermiculitis;
• moss sphagnum.

Streptocarpus has a rapidly developing root system. So for planting, it is advisable to use a mixture of peat and vermiculite, taken in equal proportions. Only have to be watered more often. Otherwise, peat will become loose, and will not allow air to pass through well.

Fertilizing should be done often, since streptocarpus responds positively to this. For these purposes, nitrogen-phosphorus compounds with a high nitrogen concentration are used. To avoid oversaturation with nitrogen, dilute the fertilizer with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Fertilize every 7 days, reducing the concentration of fertilizer. Flowers that are fed begin to actively grow green mass, as well as bloom profusely.

Watering

This plant prefers moderate watering.. It tolerates drought. Moisturizing should be regular and frequent. Perform it as soon as the top layer of the earth has dried out. If the plant became sluggish due to lack of moisture, then this is not scary. Water it 2-3 times with an interval of 2 hours.

Transplant such a flower into a pot with a new substrate, and then put it in the greenhouse. These activities will save him.

Humidity

This plant needs high humidity. Getting it indoors is not so easy. So you have to additionally install a container of water near the flower. Besides, streptocarpus responds positively to various sprayings.

Temperature

Streptocarpus is a thermophilic plant. In summer, keep it at a temperature of 23-25 ​​degrees. During the heat, when the air temperature is high, the plant begins to fade, leaves dry out of it, it loses its decorative effect. In the daytime, shade the flower from the sun. In winter, the streptocarpus begins a dormant period. So move it to a cooler place where the temperature is 14-15 degrees. In addition to lowering the temperature, stop feeding and reduce watering. The daylight hours should be 7-8 hours.

Seed propagation

The method of reproduction from seeds is the most difficult. It requires accuracy, since the seeds of the plant are small. For good germination, use freshly harvested planting material. The longer the seeds are stored, the less they will sprout. The process of reproduction is as follows:

1. Prepare a plastic pot with a lid. The bottom should be solid, without drainage holes. But in the cover, make several holes for ventilation.
2. At the bottom of the pot lay a layer of coarse sand, perlite, vermiculite, and then a layer of moist soil mixture.
3. For better planting, pour the seeds on a dry piece of paper, then evenly distribute it on the surface of the earth.
4. Seeds germinate in the light, so leave them on the ground without sprinkling.
5. Cover the container with foil with holes or a lid. The soil should be moist, because after sowing the seeds do not water.

Watch the video on the propagation of streptocarpus seeds:

Leaf propagation

How to propagate from a leaf? If propagation by cuttings is used, then it can be in two ways:

1. Divide the selected leaf into 2 parts across using a sharp knife. Make sure that the length of the leaf fragment is not less than 2 cm. To quickly root the leaf, double its base, forming a pseudo-leg. Put a small layer of drainage in plastic containers, and then the mixture obtained from such components: perlite, peat, sphagnum and vermiculite (2: 1: 1: 1).

   Make a 1 cm deep and seat the leaf. Press it a little to fix it. A month later, children are formed. As soon as they form several leaves, separate them and plant them in a separate pot.

2. This method involves the use of a sheet plate, cut not across, but along. Remove the central vein, and then plant the leaf parts in the substrate according to the instructions proposed above. Using this method, you can get much more young plants, but only the survival rate of the leaf below. This method of reproduction is more suitable for experienced growers who use additional material in the planting process.

How to transplant streptocarpus sheets? To root a leaf of a plant, you must adhere to a certain plan:

1. Treat planting material with a growth stimulator. Just do it carefully, do not overdo it. Just dip the leaf into the solution and dry it. Due to the growth stimulator, roots are formed much faster.
2. Transplanted leaf fragments should be watered sparingly. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
3. After watering, pour loose soil along the leaf.
4. Roots should form in two weeks, and babies form in 1.5-2 months.
5. Each vein has 1-2 children. But do not rush to immediately separate them from the mother sheet. Let them still grow to 2 cm.
6. For growing children use 100 gram disposable cups.

Watch a video about rooting a streptocarpus leaf:

Care

At home

To successfully grow and care for streptocarpus at home, plants must be in shallow containers. This will allow you to get abundant flowering and build green mass. Streptocarpus initially grows leaves, and only then begins to bloom. So cut off the peduncles immediately. Water moderately as a dry crust forms. At the beginning of growth, make nitrogen-containing fertilizing. Do this after watering so that the ground is wet. And when the buds begin to form, then exclude nitrogen fertilizers using mineral complex compounds.

Ventilate the room regularly. The first shoots of streptocarpus are formed after 2 weeks, and with the development of the second leaf you can perform a pick. To do this, use already full pots with prepared drainage and soil mixture.

Monitoring the status of shoots

Throughout the growing period, make sure that the flower does not rot, does not dry out. And this requires proper watering. If the plant is far from heating appliances, and the earthen lump does not dry out quickly, then moisten the soil once a week. Water not at the root, but moisten the soil in a pot at the edges. And although streptocarpus is a photophilous culture, leafy shoots must be shaded, protecting from direct sunlight. Otherwise, the care is identical to that for plants grown from seeds.

Diseases of the flower and their treatment

1. Powdery mildew. This is a fungal disease caused by an autoparasitic fungus. The disease manifests itself in the form of white dust, which settles on a leaf or stem. At the initial stages of development, the pathogenic fungus is concentrated near the nearby or interwoven parts of the flower.

   To combat powdery mildew requires an integrated approach:

   • Remove all affected flower elements.
   • Replace topsoil in pot. Before treating the plant with chemicals, it is necessary to remove as much of the infected area as possible.
   • Carry out treatment with antifungal drugs: Fitosporin, Bactofit, Topaz, Skor.
2. Gray rot. This is a fungal disease that infects the leaves, stems and root system. It spreads through soil, air, and infected plants. You can recognize the ailment by the presence of brown spots on the stems and leaves. The main reason for the development of the disease is a saturation of the soil with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

   Treatment is carried out according to the following scheme:

   • Removing infected parts of the flower.
   • Restoration of disturbed agricultural conditions (watering, drainage, temperature).
   • Treatment with fungicides: Fitosporin, Trichodermin.
3. Phytophthora. This disease populates the produced soil. You can recognize the disease by the presence of a whitish coating that covers the ground. Because of this, the root begins to rot. If no action is taken in time, the plant will die. For the treatment of late blight, they use late blight, Previkur.

You will find more information about the diseases and pests of streptocarpuses, as well as how to get rid of them in a separate article.

Conclusion

Reproduction of streptocarpus is a simple matter, but very responsible. Each grower must clearly follow the instructions during planting and provide young seedlings with complete care. And then the flower will fully grow and develop, and after a while it will thank for all efforts with bright and plentiful flowering.

Watch the video: Streptocarpus Care (May 2024).