Tropical epiphytes are very interesting plants, which is clearly demonstrated by the guzmania. Its habitat is the forests of America. Most often it can be found on the bark of dead trees. Therefore, its roots are used in a slightly different sense than that of traditional plants. The plant satisfies its need for moisture from the air.
Guzmania is a classic herb with long leaves, bright bracts and miniature flowers... Indoor specimens are compact in size, growing no more than 0.5 m in height. The reason for this is due to the fact that in natural conditions they lack moisture and lighting. However, even in such conditions, guzmania can develop quite well.
The decorative character of the guzmania is given by the bracts, which can have various colors: bright red, orange, brown, burgundy and orange. They look very beautiful against the background of bright greenish leaves, decorated with patterns, which makes guzmania even more attractive. When the white flowers wither, the pods, which contain many small seeds, begin to ripen. They can subsequently serve as planting material for the propagation of guzmania.
Seeing this plant for the first time, many growers may think that it will not be easy to grow it at home. However, this is not the case at all, because if you follow the rules for growing guzmania at home, then even a novice florist can replenish his green corner with guzmania.
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Home care for guzmania
Regardless of the cultivated variety, when caring for guzmania at home adhere to general rules, which makes it possible to provide for this plant conditions that practically do not differ from natural ones.
Lighting and air temperature
Like any houseplant, guzmania is very dependent on lighting. Therefore, it is best to grow it on a windowsill facing the west and east side. It is not recommended to place plants on the south side, where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. It will not do the plant any good. It is not the best solution to grow guzmania on the north side, since the lack of light will prevent it from blooming. Guzmania feels most comfortable at temperatures not lower than 25 degrees in summer and 18 degrees in winter.
It is also necessary maintain optimal humidity level, which must be at least 85%. Proper care of guzmania also involves regular airing of the room. However, here it is necessary to ensure that drafts do not occur, since they can cause a delay in flowering, as well as create favorable conditions for the development of certain diseases.
Watering
For the guzmania flower, watering is also very important, which must be carried out using warm, settled water. It must be directed directly into an outlet where it will remain throughout the summer. Winter watering is different in this regard, since it is necessary to control the excess water that has not been absorbed by the plant and drain it after each watering. In order to provide the guzmania with the necessary amount of moisture, it must be watered every day in summer, and in winter, watering is reduced to 2 times a week.
Before placing a flower pot in the pallet, into it lay gravel or mosswhich must be kept moist. On hot days it may be necessary to water the soil. To maintain optimal moisture levels, you should spray the plant every day.
Fertilizing Guzmania
Home care does not provide for feeding as a mandatory measure. However, they should not be completely ruled out. Experts recommend adding fertilizer for orchids to the soil every month during the summer by adding the prepared solution to the outlet. This will help the flower stalks form earlier, as well as increase the flowering period of the guzmania.
Diseases, pests and ways to control them
Proper care of gusmania presupposes strict adherence to growing conditions. Otherwise it may cause the appearance of certain diseases:
- Fungal diseases (powdery mildew, gray rot, etc.). The reason for their appearance is associated with high humidity and air temperature. An effective method of combating them is the use of a fungicide;
- spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs. Favorable conditions for the appearance of the pests described above are low air temperature, excessive soil moisture, and the use of contaminated soil. At the first signs of the presence of pests, the plant is treated with an insecticide.
Reproduction of guzmania at home
You can get new guzmania bushes with the help of lateral shoots and children, the formation of which occurs after the death of the mother plant, as well as seeds.
Features of reproduction by children
During the flowering period of the main plant, children are formed. When they reach a height of 15 cm, they begin to be divided and transplanted into individual containers. By this time, the main plant dries up completely, while the children have four leaves, as well as a well-developed root system. This usually takes two to four months from the time the shoots appear.
It is recommended to plan the transplantation of Guzmania children in the spring. First, you need to remove the plants from the container, carefully separate the processes with a sharp knife, after which you can get rid of the mother plant.
Preparing the soil for gusmania
The agrotechnology of planting guzmania involves the use of soil of a suitable composition. It is very important that it has a loose structure. To do this, it can be prepared from the following components:
- Sod land;
- Peat;
- Sphagnum moss;
- Coarse sand.
For quick rooting of the shoots, you can use the following soil substrate:
- Leafy land - 3 parts;
- Pine bark - 1 part;
- Coarse sand - 1 part.
In cases where it is difficult to prepare your own planting soil, it can be replaced prepared soil for orchids and bromeliads... The transplantation of children itself is recommended to be carried out in low containers of small diameter. Before laying the soil, the containers are filled with drainage. During the transplantation process, you need to be very careful with young shoots because of their fragile roots. Any slightest injury can lead to the death of the plant.
When the children are in the pot, they are covered with plastic wrap. Then they are transferred to a room where it is necessary to maintain a temperature of at least 28 degrees.If this condition is met, the children begin to grow rather quickly, and caring for them will be similar to adult plants. The first flowers appear only after 3 years. At the same time, you can speed up this moment if you do not separate the children from the mother plant, but let them grow further in the old container. Then the flowering phase will begin in a year. In this case, you will need to carefully trim the mother plant.
How to grow guzmania from seeds?
Even before sowing seeds need to be processed... To do this, they are placed for disinfection in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Next, planting is carried out directly into the soil prepared on the basis of peat and sand, taken in equal amounts. It is not required to sprinkle the seeds with a layer of earth on top. Containers with landings are covered with glass or plastic wrap. After that, they are transferred to a lighted room, where it is necessary to maintain the air temperature at 25 degrees. The seeds germinate after about three weeks. After a month, the seedlings will reach a state sufficient to be dived into individual pots with a diameter of 7 cm.
Transplanting an indoor flower guzmania
This plant can be grown in one planting container during several years... The need for a flower transplant may arise only after purchase. Indeed, as a rule, in stores, guzmania is offered in transport soil, in which this exotic plant cannot grow normally. Therefore, as soon as it is in the apartment, it will need new nutrient soil, which has a looser composition.
Given that guzmania is a tropical plant, novice growers can face certain difficulties during breeding:
lack of flowering. One of the reasons for this may be a lack or excess of lighting, as well as a lack of nutrition and low humidity. Therefore, the first step is to determine what exactly caused this condition. After that, measures are taken to stimulate flowering. Apples or bananas can help in this, which are placed next to the plant and cover the flower with plastic. The ethylene production process will start in a couple of days. This gas is very effective on bromeliads, which bloom rather quickly. However, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the fruit, since it is important to prevent rotting and the formation of mold;- wilting leaves. Most often this is caused by stagnation of water in the outlet, which is fraught with rotting of the root system. This situation can be corrected by reducing the number of irrigations. In some cases, the activity of certain pests can lead to this;
- slow growth or lack thereof. The most probable reasons are low soil fertility, lack of nutrients and lighting.
The uniqueness of the guzmania plant lies in the fact that its positive effect extends both to people and to the entire atmosphere in the house. Therefore, people living in a room with this flower quickly get out of a depressive state, receive a charge of vital energy. Such houses often have an atmosphere of peace, harmony and tranquility. Growing guzmania allows you to concentrate powerful energy flows in the surrounding space, and also contributes to increased well-being and brings happiness to the house.
When grown in the wild, this flower is usually associated with masculine strength. Therefore, it is often used in the bedroom, where it demonstrates the properties of a natural aphrodisiac.
Conclusion
There are not so many among domestic gardeners who are well acquainted with guzmania. This tropical plant is very interesting to grow in our climate. Not only flowers differing in a varied color palette can attract in it.
Guzmania is of interest because of its unique ability to positively influence the well-being of people who quickly improve their mood and also pass their depression. And even the fact that the natural habitats of the plant are the tropics cannot prevent flower growers in our country from enjoying this plant. It provides simple growing rules at home, therefore, with their exact observance, even this exotic plant can feel normal in our latitudes and have a positive effect on people.
