Evergreen cross-country: home care

Crossandra is an evergreen shrub growing in nature up to one meter high and having a motley, elegant flower. The place of origin of the plant is the solar regions of India. Smooth leaves have a rich green color and very beautifully shine under condition of good lighting. Flowering lasts throughout the summer and early autumn. In this regard, in our country is increasingly growing such a plant as a cross-dresser. Home care allows you to grow these flowers up to half a meter. As for the varieties, there are about fifty of them. Each of them is beautiful and effective in its own way. Together with this, for a window sill, one of the best solutions is a funnel-shaped cross-thread. Care at home for her will ensure the presence of orange-red bright colors with a yellow patch, each of which includes five lobules. Another option suitable for home is nicolite, growing to 60 cm with brick-red flowers.

Home care

Variegated inflorescences can be obtained only if several rules are fulfilled. For a plant such as a cross-dress, home care implies, first of all, the realization that it is of tropical origin. In this regard, the temperature of its environment should not be released below the mark of 15 degrees. Moreover, drafts and temperature differences can lead to the scattering of leaves. A pot of flowers is best placed in the southern room. As for watering, in summer the plant needs a lot of water (which should have room temperature), and in the winter time - in a temperate one. The flower of the crossband prefers humid air. Proceeding from this, it is recommended from time to time to spray it with the help of an atomizer, while trying not to get on the inflorescences. Wilted flowers must be constantly broken off. Do not forget about pinching young shoots, which will provide abundant flowering.

Reproduction

Approximately once every three years, it is recommended to update a home plant such as a cross-dresser. Reproduction of it is most often done by cuttings. It is also possible to output new specimens from seeds, however, in a room environment, as a rule, such a method is inexpedient. Cuttings are harvested throughout the year and take root under the condition of a temperature of more than 20 degrees. In the role of the soil in this case is peat, which in equal parts must be mixed with sand. When the roots appear, the cuttings should immediately be sent to separate pots for several pieces and prishchepit. The transplantation of young plants should be carried out at least once a year, and adults - as the need arises.

Diseases

For a plant like a cross-dresser, care at home should be done and taking into account the knowledge of possible diseases. Dropping leaves indicates a lack of moisture and cold air. Drying their tips also means insufficient watering. If the cuttings acquire a brown frame, the plant does not need to be watered. For the prevention of leaf damage with mold, the cross-dresser is treated with fungicide. In addition, it is also desirable to use the means against aphids and spider mites, which are the most dangerous enemies of the plant.