Guzmania tempo. The symbol of male longevity is the guzmania flower. Care of young plants
Invited to the anniversary - the first year of marriage of acquaintances. She began to ask what to give the newlyweds. Previously, such a “wedding” was called chintz, and everyone carried diapers - but today they are not needed at all ... It turned out that I was behind the times - most of my friends advised me to buy a flower that I had not even heard of.
They say that guzmania must be brought into the house of a young family. It will improve the love microclimate in the home, and in general, it should be placed in the bedroom in order to increase the male power of the owner.
These are epiphytes, which can still be seen today in the humid forests of both Americas.
Guzmania is a representative of the Bromeliad family (like other indoor flowers - vriesia, tillandsia, neoregelia, bilbergia, and also pineapple). About 130 species of this plant live "in freedom".
On top of the Guzmania bushes (Guzmania, Guzmania) there is a bright “sultan”, more often red, but it can be yellow, orange, and pink, and now it can even be blue, purple or two-tone (the so-called mix created by people of Guzmania - by the way, in not only flowers, but also leaves can be atypical, contrasting).
Many people think that this is a flower. No! This is a catchy bract with which the plant lures insects to pollinate less visible flowers.
The roots of the plant are small. But amazing: wild nature the flower can "crawl" with their help - not far and very slowly, but still!
As for the size of the flower, on the windowsill it grows up to a maximum of 40 cm, although in the wild it can be larger - up to 70 cm.
Features of flowering guzmania
- Guzmania blooms once in a lifetime. Almost all species wither and die after the death of the flower (it takes about six months, and even the most wise and thorough care will not save the plant). Therefore, if you want to continue to admire this beauty at home, have time to put the kids away (I will write about how to do this below).
- Many flowers require insects for pollination, but some species have learned to pollinate themselves.
- The plant may refuse to bloom if: it will be in a draft, it will receive little light or top dressing, it will become a victim of temperature fluctuations (it will freeze first, but it also does not like to “steam”) or improper watering.
This is what the flowers look like. Here are how different and decorative they can be:
And this is a flower:
What amazing properties are attributed to this home flower
- In the homeland of Guzmania they say: a flower increases male power. And not only in the bed of love. It is believed that if you keep this charm in the house, the owner will become a real long-liver, and he will be cheerful and cheerful all the time.
- Many believe that this plant symbolizes love and care, and if you give a man (guy) such a flowerpot, it's not just like that.
- Bioenergetics assure: Guzmania cleans the energy of the room (any - not only at home, but also in the office), positively affecting the tone of all those present, even women and children.
- If you keep the potty in the bedroom, guzmania will improve sleep and protect against depression. And if you put it in your office, the plant will become a real muse, awakening your creative abilities. It is especially shown to workaholics who sit at the computer until late at night.
- Remember: in the bedroom of the spouses (according to Feng Shui), you should put not one, but two pots of guzmania. In general, in this place everything should be paired. When the flowerpot blooms, the feelings of the husband and wife will flare up with a vengeance.
- And our scientists say: the flower perfectly cleans the air, and this is certainly not a myth.
What care does guzmania need
- The temperature in the room. Blooming guzmania requires about 25 degrees, and when the flower finally blooms, the plant becomes less demanding - 20 degrees will suit it. In general, the flower feels comfortable at a maximum of 27 and a minimum of 13 degrees.
- Humidity. It should be as high as possible. A box with expanded clay will not be enough - it is better to spray the plant daily without getting on the bracts ("sultans", pseudo flowers). Protect water or buy distilled. In autumn and winter, the spraying procedure can be carried out only in the morning.
- Watering. The water should be soft and warm. As soon as the soil in the pot dries up on top, immediately carry the watering can. Moreover, it is necessary to pour water into the leafy outlet. In spring and summer, the flower should be watered more often.
- Top dressing. Suitable for a flower fertilizer for Bromeliads (but without copper and boron in the composition - these substances can destroy your flower). When diluting fertilizer, pour in twice as much water as indicated on the bag. It is possible to give top dressing to a flower infrequently - once every 30 days, from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. You can make them when spraying, as well as watering (all in the same place, in the outlet).
- Lighting. The light must be indirect. Shade the flower - the direct rays of the sun will burn the leaves.
- Transfer. Since the plant does not live long, it is rarely transplanted. However, sometimes from an ugly pot in which he was grown in mall, I want to “relocate” it to my own, more decorative one. Take a heavy ceramic, but shallow pot. Lay a lot of drainage at the bottom. The soil is suitable for the one that is sold for orchids or ferns. The roots of the plant are very delicate, so use only the transshipment method, do not shake off the soil from them.
- Insect enemies. This is a mealybug, scale insect, tick. As a preventive measure, you can “wash” the leaves with soapy water from time to time.
- Diseases. Rot (roots and leaves) causes excess watering. fungus ( dark spots on the leaves) can eliminate the fungicide that they sell you in the flower shop. yellow spots the sun can leave on the sheets - shade the plant even more, because since burns have appeared, it means that the flower hurts.
flower reproduction
When the guzmania fades, it gives lateral processes on the sides, they are also children. Even near the "mother" they begin to grow roots. The rooted baby is separated with a knife (cut the cut with charcoal or garden pitch, and not only on the baby, but also on the “mother” - let it live on).
Remember: even children of the same size can grow roots in different ways. Therefore, if some of your sprouts are not yet ready for transplanting, this is normal.
Each baby is planted in a small pot with "adult" soil. In order for them to take root exactly, they are covered with a film on top (but it must be lifted so that the sprout does not suffocate). When the kids get stronger, they can be transferred to ordinary pots, where they will bloom over time.
This video will tell you how babies look and how to separate them correctly. It is long (16 minutes), but very detailed. Just what a newbie needs:
Curiously, this flower can also be propagated by seeds. They are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate and sown on top of the soil for Bromeliads (without sprinkling on top). The pot is wrapped with a film or covered with a transparent glass. Keep warm, water only by spraying.
Babies germinate after 2 months. When they get stronger, they dive into small pots. From there to large pots they are relocated no earlier than six months later.
Such guzmania will not bloom soon - even after a few (3-5) years. But how long will they live!
By the way, if after flowering “boxes” filled with seeds formed in the bracts, congratulations - insects managed to pollinate your guzman (or maybe she did it for herself). These seeds can also be sown in the ground.
Guzmania mix is an unusually beautiful plant that can be found both at home and in the wild.
But, in our area, one cannot meet guzmania that grows on its own, since America, India, Brazil, and Venezuela can be called the main habitats. Often this plant is also called Gusmania.
Guzmania is a monophonic and very bright flower, but you can also find multi-colored species with leaves painted with transverse stripes. It is worth noting that this plant is evergreen.
Growing and caring for a crop is not difficult, since the plant is quite unpretentious. IN natural conditions can grow over 50 cm. The leaves are very dense, and in the direction they form a kind of bowl that collects liquid inside. This is a kind of reserve that will save the plant in the dry season. Often this liquid also saves birds.
Flowering lasts a very long time - about 15 weeks. Quite unusual for a tropical plant, but the care and cultivation of this crop is very primitive. In order for flowering to proceed fully, it is important to observe the usual temperature for guzmania, which should be at least 25 ° C. No less important for this process constant illumination of sufficient brightness. But at the same time, direct sunlight is undesirable.
Guzmania - evergreen tropical plant, the flowering process of which continues for a long period.
Types of Guzmania
The flowering period depends entirely on the variety.
Most popular varieties Guzmania:
Reed guzmania (minor) is the most common type. Flowering continues for a long time in the form of beautiful bright inflorescences. The leaves are smooth, even glossy and have an emerald color.
Often in specialized stores you can find guzmania mix. It is worth knowing that this name applies to all types of flowers, and speaks of a wide variety of colors.
Such types of flowers as mosaic and musical guzmania are in demand among professional designers and plant growers. And this is not surprising, since the leaves of these species are very beautiful and unusual.
There are a huge number of species of guzmania, but several varieties are most common in our regions.
reproduction
Reproduction of guzmania is mainly possible only with one the only way- runaways. At the very base of a fully developed flower, a small embryo appears. In order to transplant, you must wait until it grows a little. The soil for transplantation should be light and warm.
In no case should the plant be placed in water, since the process of decay will begin very quickly and in short time it will die.
The peculiarity of the reproduction of this tropical plant is that after the appearance of a new life - the embryo, the adult dies. Although, even here there are exceptions in the conditions home growing. It all depends on care.
There are cases when attempts are made to propagate this flower by seeds. This is a rather long process.
First of all, the preparation of special soil is carried out: fine sand mixed with very finely ground peat. On this soil, the seeds are laid out from above. Seeds also need to be prepared in advance: soak in a weak manganese-based solution and then dry very well.
You can not plant the seeds in the soil, because they require a large amount of light. But for protection it is worth covering the container transparent material such as glass or film.
It is very important to monitor the air temperature, which should be at least 22 ° C. From time to time, the seeds need airing and light spraying with plain water.
The first shoots should appear in a couple of weeks. Picking is carried out two or two and a half months after germination. For this, the soil is prepared, which should include the following components: turf and leaf ground, peat.
After six months, you can plant the plant at a permanent place of residence.
A plant grown in this way will bloom no earlier than two years later. Also, this period can last up to five years.
Propagation of guzmania shoots and seeds. Seed propagation takes a considerable amount of time.
Landing in the ground
Before planting a plant, it is worth deciding on the capacity and composition of the soil for this.
The root system of the flower is very small, so there is no need to prepare a large container. It is desirable that it be a small pot, the diameter of which is within 12 cm.
In order for the container to stand confidently on the surface, you will need some weight.
The soil for guzmania can be of several types. Let's consider three options:
- Very crushed fern roots - 3 parts. And also the crushed root system of sphagnum moss - one part
- Leafy earth - 2, needle bark - 2, moss - 1, sand - 1 part
- Sod land - 2, peat - 4, humus - 2, sand - 1 part
It is very important to observe the ratio when adding components, since the development of the plant depends on it.
Drainage is necessarily laid at the bottom of the pot and after that the guzmania moves.
This must be done very carefully, since the root system of the plant is very fragile and easy to damage. It is advisable to move it with an old clod of earth. That will be safer. After the plants are in a new pot, prepared soil is added. And that is all.
Planting guzmania in the ground is not at all difficult, for this it is necessary to prepare the soil and the container.
flower care
As mentioned earlier, guzmaniya is unpretentious plant, but still, for its full development and well-being, it is necessary to follow certain rules.
For this plant, several main factors are considered very important: watering, temperature, humidity, light. More about each of them.
Correct watering Guzmania mix:
Ordinary water in a small volume is poured into the plant outlet. Leave for a few minutes, and then drain off the remaining liquid that has not been absorbed.
The soil is watered only in case of high air temperature and drought. You can also pour a small amount of water into the tray.
IN summer time need to be watered every other day. When too high temperature air every day. In winter, the interval between watering should be from one to two weeks.
This culture does not like an excess of water. Therefore, it would be better if, in some cases, the soil dries out than excess liquid will stagnate in a pot.
Spraying foliage from a special spray gun should be done daily.
In order to irrigate guzmania, you must first let the water settle for two days.
From time to time it is worth wiping the foliage of the plant with a soft sponge. This will help get rid of settled dust and some pests.
When watering Guzmania, it is important not to overdo it, as this will quickly destroy the plant.
It is worth taking care of the air temperature in the room. It won't make it difficult at all. IN summer period it is important that the temperature is kept in the range from 20 to 25 ° C. IN winter period it is necessary to ensure the temperature is within 17-20˚С. But it is important that the temperature does not fall below 16˚С.
It is possible that this will not lead to the death of the plant. But diseases will arise in this case in any case.
This can significantly slow down or completely stop the development of guzmania.
Lighting plays a very important role in the development of this culture. Therefore, it is worth paying close attention to this. Ideally, if the plant is suitable to be in a semi-shaded place. The location of the room is preferably on the western or eastern side.
For the winter period, it is worth moving the plant to a room located on the south side. This can make up for the lack sunlight. But it is important to know that you can not just put the plant on the windowsill, since direct sunlight is undesirable.
With direct contact with the rays, burns on the leaves may occur. After that, they will gradually die off.
Humidity is very important for Guzmania. After all, it takes some of the moisture for itself from the air. The most favorable humidity for it is in the range from 60 to 85%.
For the summer period, it is advisable to put a flower on the balcony or in the kitchen. In winter, the atmosphere in the bathroom is ideal for plants. But this is only possible if there is a window opening there.
To eliminate the lack of humidity, you can think about installing a special indoor small fountain. You can also pour a small amount of liquid into the pan. But this must be monitored, because when the water stagnates, the root system of the plant can die very quickly, because the process of decay will begin.
You can also increase the number of foliar sprays. But at the same time, it is necessary to monitor the sun's rays, which, when they enter through moisture, will leave very severe burns on the leaves, undoubtedly having a detrimental effect.
In order for this tropical plant to receive the required care, it is necessary to monitor proper watering, complete lighting, temperature regime and humidity in the room.
When growing guzmania mix at home, some problems may arise.
If the lower leaves have dried up and turned brown, then the problem is a lack of moisture. Irrigation should be adjusted.
If the plant faded, and then began to wither and die, this is normal for bromeliads, provided that lateral processes appear. If they do not appear, then the room is too cold.
If at the ends of the leaves appeared dried dark places, then the reason is too dry air and lack of moisture. It is necessary to make spraying from the spray gun more frequent.
If the base of the flower darkened, and then began to rot, then the plant was waterlogged for a long time. You need to carefully remove it from the pot and let it dry. But, it is unlikely that Guzmania mix will recover.
If gray and brownish dry spots appear on the aerial parts of the bush, then these are traces of sunburn. It is necessary to change the place of residence of the plant.
Of the pests, scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs are dangerous.
If the leaves began to turn yellow and die off, became sticky, then the cause of the problem is the scale insects, because they suck the juices out of the plant. In addition, the vital activity of these pests provokes the development of soot fungi. A soot-like coating appears on the aerial part. The plant loses decorative look.
The pest itself looks like a brownish plaque. They settle on the back of the leaves. The color is usually either yellow or brownish. Biggest Problem is that adults are difficult to process chemicals, as they have a wax shield.
To get rid of the shield, you need to wipe the places of their accumulation with a cloth that is soaked in alcohol or a soap solution. You can try Aktellik or Karbofos. If there is no effect, remove the affected areas of the plant.
With the concomitant appearance of soot fungi, you need to wash them off the foliage and other parts of the flower, because they interfere with respiration and photosynthesis.
Red or yellow dots, too light leaves that have begun to fall off, all these are signs of infection spider mite. Another one characteristic- a thin cobweb on the foliage. The prerequisite is dry air.
When infected, it is necessary to increase the humidity of the air, carry out treatments with Decis or Phosbecid.
White cotton-like coating on the plant is mealybugs. Mechanical removal and treatment with Karbofos is recommended.
Should the plant be fertilized?
Guzmania fertilizer is very important during the period when the flowering process begins. Basically, the beginning of this period is March, and the end is August-September. For this, the plant requires additional and mineral, and organic matter. Do not try to make your own feed, for this there are special fertilizers designed for plants. of this type. You can buy them in specialized stores.
The interval between fertilizers should be 2 to 4 weeks. For the convenience and safety of the plant, it is advisable to pre-compile a special schedule. After all, you can oversaturate the plant with fertilizers, which will not lead to good.
Fertilizers are diluted with water. Along with the purchased top dressing, there must be an instruction that accurately describes the proportion and correctness of its application to the plant.
Fertilizer should also be poured into the guzman outlet. It is imperative to remove the remnants of top dressing from the foliage. To do this, you can use a soft cloth or sponge.
Plant nutrition is not always performed. It is worth monitoring its condition: if flowering is complete, then there is no need for additional substances. That is why it is believed that guzmania does not need fertilizers.
Tropical epiphytes are very interesting plants, which clearly demonstrates guzmania. Its usual habitats are 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 meaning than those of traditional plants. The plant meets the need for moisture from the air.
Guzmania is a classic herbaceous plant that has long leaves, bright bracts and miniature flowers. specimens grown in room conditions, 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 under such conditions, guzmania can develop quite well.
The decorative nature of guzmania is given by bracts, which can have a variety of 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, fruit-boxes begin to ripen, which contain many small seeds. They can later serve as planting material for breeding Guzmania.
Seeing this plant for the first time, many flower growers may think that it will not be easy to grow it at home. However, this is not at all the case, because if you follow the rules for growing guzmania at home, then even a novice grower can replenish his green corner with guzmania.
Home care for Guzmania
Regardless of the variety grown, when caring for guzmania at home stick to general rules , which makes it possible to provide conditions for this plant 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. It is not recommended to place the plants on the south side, where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. This will not benefit the plant. Not The best decision grow guzmania on the north side, since the lack of light will not allow it to bloom. Guzmania feels most comfortable at a temperature of at least 25 degrees in summer and 18 degrees in winter.
It is also necessary maintain optimal humidity levels, which should 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, as 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 sent directly to the outlet, where it will remain throughout the summer. Winter watering is different in this regard, since it is necessary to control the excess water not absorbed by the plant and drain it after each watering. In order to provide guzmania with the necessary amount of moisture in summer, it must be watered every day, and in winter, watering is reduced to 2 times a week.
Before placing a flower pot in the pallet, laying gravel or moss which needs to be kept moist. On hot days, watering the soil may be required. To maintain the optimum level of humidity, the plant should be sprayed every day.
Feeding Guzmania
Care at home does not provide for top dressing as a mandatory measure. However, they should not be completely ruled out. Experts recommend every month during the summer to fertilize the soil for orchids by adding the prepared solution to the outlet. This will help flower stalks form earlier, as well as increase the flowering period of Guzmania.
Diseases, pests and how to deal with them
Proper care of Gusmania involves strict adherence to growing conditions. Otherwise, this may cause the appearance of certain diseases:
- fungal diseases ( powdery mildew, gray rot etc.). The reason for their appearance is related to high humidity and air temperature. effective method their control is the use of a fungicide;
- spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs. Favorable conditions for the appearance of the pests described above are low temperature air, excessive soil moisture, as well as the use of contaminated soil. At the first sign of the presence of pests, the plant is treated with an insecticide.
Reproduction of guzmania at home
You can get new bushes of guzmania with the help of lateral processes and children, the formation of which occurs after the death mother plant as well as seeds.
Features of reproduction by children
During the flowering period of the main plant, the formation of children occurs. When they reach a height of 15 cm, they begin to divide and transplant into individual containers. By this time, the main plant dries up completely, while the children form four leaves, as well as a well-developed root system. It usually takes two to four months from the moment the shoots appear.
Soil preparation for Gusmania
The agrotechnics 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;
- Large sand.
For quick rooting of shoots, you can use the following soil substrate:
- Leaf 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 ready soil for orchids and bromeliads. The transplantation of babies is recommended to be carried out in low containers of small diameter. Before laying the soil, the containers are filled with drainage. In the process of transplanting, 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 plastic wrap. Then they are transferred to a room where it is necessary to maintain a temperature of at least 28 degrees. Subject to this condition, the children quickly begin to grow, and caring for them will be similar to adult plants. The first flowers appear only after 3 years. At the same time, this moment can be accelerated if the children are not separated from the mother plant, but allowed to grow further in 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, it is directly planted in the soil, prepared on the basis of peat and sand, taken in equal quantities. It is not required to sprinkle the seeds with a layer of earth from above. 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. After about three weeks, the seeds germinate. After a month, the seedlings will reach a state sufficient to be dived into individual pots with a diameter of 7 cm.
Indoor flower transplant guzmania
This plant can be grown in one planting container during several years. The need for a flower transplant may arise only after purchase. After all, as a rule, in stores, guzmania is offered in transport soil, in which it is normal to grow this exotic plant can not. Therefore, as soon as it is in the apartment, it will need a new nutrient soil, which has a looser composition.
Considering that guzmania is a tropical plant, novice flower growers can encounter certain difficulties during its breeding:
The uniqueness of the guzmania plant lies in the fact that its positive influence extends both to people and to the whole atmosphere in the house. Therefore, people living in a room with this flower, get out of depression quickly, receive a charge of vital energy. In such houses, an atmosphere of peace, harmony and tranquility often reigns. Growing guzmania allows you to concentrate powerful energy flows in the surrounding space, and also helps to increase well-being and brings happiness to the house.
In the wild, this flower is usually associated with male power. Therefore, it is often used in the bedroom, where it demonstrates the properties of a natural aphrodisiac.
Conclusion
There are not many among domestic gardeners who are well acquainted with guzmania. This tropical plant is very interesting to grow in our climate. It can attract not only different diverse color palette flowers.
Guzmania is of interest because of its unique ability to positively influence the well-being of people who quickly improve their mood and also overcome their depression. And even the fact that the tropics are the natural habitats of the plant cannot prevent flower growers in our country from enjoying this plant. It provides simple rules cultivation at home, therefore, with their exact observance, even this exotic plant can feel normal in our latitudes and exert its positive influence on people.
Guzmania belongs to the bromeliad family or, as they are also called, pineapple flowering plants. Under natural conditions, guzmania grows everywhere from Florida to Brazil and is especially common in Costa Rica and Colombia. Guzmania got its name in honor of the Spanish naturalist Anastasio Guzman, so it would even be more correct to call the flower gusmania. Guzmán traveled through South America and died on an expedition to Ecuador in 1807.
The height of Guzmania reaches 45 cm in large plants. The peduncle is usually shorter than the leaves. Flowering lasts from 2 to 6 months. The bright flower grows from the center of the plant and can be red, yellow, orange or deep purple depending on the species. Guzmania flowers do not smell. What we mistakenly call a flower are actually modified leaves called bracts.
The plant has long, thin, narrow, shiny green leaves that rise from a deep central bowl. Guzmania is slightly taller than other bromeliads.
Types of Guzmania.
There are over 120 different species, all native to South America. These tropical beauties are widely known among lovers of beautiful indoor flowers. Although there are several varieties of Guzmania, the most popular are the Guzmania reed (lingulata) and blood red (sanguinea).
| - the most popular of its kind. Her common name is Scarlet Star. The leaves come together in the center in a star shape. Most often, the bracts of Guzmania reed are pink or red, but shades of yellow and orange can also be found, depending on the variety. In nature, the flowers of the reed guzmania are white. They survive well in low light and artificial light conditions. However, they do not tolerate exposure to intense direct sun rays.Reed guzmans include popular species minor rondo And tempo. | |
| Gusmania price or zana has green, glossy leaves that droop downward. Some varieties are variegated or horizontal stripes on the leaves. Tsana has red bracts and yellow flowers. |  |
| Guzmania blood red has long, wide, flat leaves, which cascade down on top of each other and bent towards the ground. The flowers are bright red or orange and turn yellow or green tint closer to the center and around the edges. The plant is wider than tall. |  |
| Guzmania single-eared or crested - rare view, which is endangered in natural conditions. The plant has broad, flat, yellow-green leaves. The flower is placed on a thorn above the foliage. The flower is usually red. |  |
Gusmania can become great gift. It will decorate any room. Avid flower growers try to buy everything possible types Guzmania.
Guzmania - care at home.
Guzman care quite typical of bromeliads. Two best advice for success:
- make sure the pot is stable and of adequate size;
- provide adequate heat and humidity.
Optimal conditions for guzmaniya.
- Lighting.
Guzmania is suitable for bright but diffused light and warm temperature. No direct sunlight.
- Temperature.
Guzmania does not tolerate temperatures below 12 0 Celsius. The preferred temperature during flowering is 20 - 25 degrees.
- Watering.
Guzmania is an epiphytic plant, and therefore it prefers to receive water from the air. Do not water guzmania under the root. The best option- frequent spraying of leaves, rare watering in the center of the leaves and even more rare soil moisture.
Water more in summer and less in winter, despite the dry air when heating. In winter, it is more important to monitor the humidity of the air (!), and not the soil.
To prevent spots on the leaves, use distilled or filtered water for irrigation. The buildup of minerals found in tap water will result in white salt formations on the leaves. You can use rain water. The soil should be slightly moist during the spring and summer months and dry in the fall and winter.
Never leave water directly in the flower - this will shorten the life of the inflorescence. Now you know how to water guzmania.
- Fertilizers.
Use different fertilizers very carefully - use them in a lower concentration than for other indoor flowers. You can fertilize the plant during spring and summer. At the end of the summer, stop fertilizing the Guzmania.
- Growing problems.
Some of the potential problems you may encounter when growing Guzmania include:
- spots on the leaves;
- spider mites;
- mealybugs.
Guzmania does not suffer from many pests, especially when grown indoors. However, if you notice that one of the plants is sick, keep it away from the rest.
Which pot to choose for Guzmania?
The pot for growing guzmania should be heavy, as the center of gravity of the plant is on the flower, which is located high, which is why we need a good balance. The best option is a ceramic pot. To give it more stability, place small decorative stones above and fragments of pottery down under the ground. These measures will also improve drainage, which is very important.
The soil mixture should be sufficiently porous to allow water to drain quickly and not stagnate at the roots. It is also important that the soil is airy - the roots of guzmania need air to flow.
How to transplant guzmania? Guzmania transplant.
After flowering, the mother plant dies. Branches, or children, will ensure the renewal of the plant.
After the flower dies, new sprouts appear from a height of 5 cm. They need to be planted in pots, providing support, as the plant may fall due to the still weak and undeveloped root system, which cannot yet support the plant upright.
Children can not be seated, but left to grow on / near the mother plant, if the size of the pot allows. Adult plants cannot be transplanted - this will most likely lead to their death.
When transplanting, use a special soil for bromeliads. You can make your own mixture of peat moss, vermiculite and bark.
Why doesn't Guzmania bloom?
Most likely, it's not time yet. Guzmania babies begin to bloom 3-5 years after the death of the mother plant.
In order for Guzmania to bloom faster, it can be treated with ethylene gas. It is found in rotting apples. Put a few apples near the plant and cover them with transparent plastic bag for 4 days. Of course, this method is not a panacea, but it can help.
The time has come, but your flower is not blooming. Why Guzmania does not bloom?
Guzmania will not bloom if:
- the temperature in the room is above 26 degrees;
- the room is too dry;
- the plant is placed next to the central heating;
- the plant stands in a draft;
- guzmania suffers from the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, that is, from root rot.
Surely, when visiting flower shops, your gaze lingered on plants with green, juicy foliage and bright inflorescences of different colors. These are breeding species of representatives of the bromeliad family. But among the flowering ehmei, cryptanthus, tillandsia, the guzmania flower stands out most vividly and effectively - an exotic guest from Central and South America or the West Indies. At home, it grows in tropical forests, preferring open ground bark of dying trees. The genus of plants owes its name to Guzman, a botanist, explorer and traveler from Spain, therefore, correct name- Gusmania.
Gusmania in nature grows on trees
The species of the bromeliad family consists of two groups: epiphytic plants and terrestrial. Bromeliad, Guzmania, Vriesia, Echmea - are included in the epiphytic group. The leaves form a kind of bowl in which rainwater is collected. The main purpose of small roots is to fix and hold the plant on stones or tree trunks. Developing on a tree trunk, the plant is protected from grass-eating animals, receives better lighting. The species included in the terrestrial group, thanks to a well-developed root system, feed on soil water.
be sure to check with the seller the group to which the selected instance belongs. Belonging is a fundamental factor in creating optimal conditions.
For the first time the genus "Gusmania" was studied and described at the beginning of the 18th century, according to different sources has over 200 species. Since then, breeders have bred more than 10 hybrid varieties for growing exotic ornamental plant at home. Cultivated species of guzmania grow lower than their wild counterparts - up to 40 cm, the height depends on humidity and light.
REMEMBER
Lovers of bright and colorful flowers need to remember that blooming guzmania is not perennial, while the flowering period stretches up to 2-3 months.
Home care is not complicated, but it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the main features before buying.
Features of caring for guzmania at home
Despite unpretentiousness, there are a number of features that are characteristic of the entire bromeliad family - monocarpic plants that bloom and bear fruit only once in a lifetime. You need to know how to care for such plants and how to create the most favorable environment for them.
Optimal conditions for the growth, flowering and reproduction of guzmania:
temperature regime. Under natural conditions, the flower grows in subequatorial and tropical climatic zones, which are characterized by a hot summer season and high humidity. Accordingly, the houseplant guzmania is a heat-loving flower. The recommended temperature in summer is 24-28º C, in winter - 18-20º C;
lighting. The tropical guest is photophilous, but it is better to protect it from direct sunlight. It is recommended to place flower pots in the western or east room. In winter, in order to compensate for the lack of lighting, you can move to south side, preferably not on the windowsill;
watering. The peculiarity of Guzmania is that its root system is underdeveloped. Settled water, at room temperature, must be poured directly into the leafy bowl. Unabsorbed water is carefully drained - excess moisture threatens the roots with decay. In winter, water moderately, in spring and summer - more abundantly in combination with periodic spraying of leaves;
priming. A prerequisite is high-quality drainage, expanded clay balls will cope with this task. The optimal composition of the soil is a mixture that includes peat, charcoal, soddy clay soil and sand (1:1:0.5:0.5). In flower shops you can buy ready composition, specially selected for flowers of the bromeliad family;
transfer. How many times you need to transplant is a moot point. Some sources indicate - once every 2-3 years, practitioners recommend that this procedure be carried out once - after buying a flower. The optimal diameter of the pot is 10-15 cm;
top dressing. Guzmania at home does not need fertilizer, so you can do without top dressing. If desired, in stores you can purchase a complex solution of minerals prepared for flowers of this type and apply once during the flowering period.
Reproduction features
The long flowering period of Guzmania is at the same time the culminating period of her life. After the end of flowering, the guzmania first fades, the leaves dry, then completely dies off - this is precisely the feature. mature plant faded and died, but up to this point, young children (layering) had already formed. By the time the new shoots reach a height of 15 cm, they have already formed their own roots and the plants are ready for separation and transplantation. Due to the uneven growth of children, it is recommended to separate from the maternal root system in turn - starting with the strongest and most developed.
For separating, you can use stationery knife with a new blade.
the root shoots of young shoots are weak and fragile, try not to damage them when planting.
To maintain the required level of humidity, it is recommended to cover the pot with a polyethylene cap during the rooting period. Subsequently, the young guzmania receives the same care as for an adult plant. As a rule, a young plant blooms in the third year. If the children have formed a little (1-2 sprouts), they can not be separated, but carefully cut off the dried parent trunk, leaving the old root system. In this case, the flowering period may come next year.
Formed babies on a faded Guzmania Separated Guzmania babies Rooted Guzmania babies
In addition to layering, Guzmania propagates by seeds. Before planting, the seeds must be disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and dried. Plant in a planting container filled with a mixture of peat and sand. Important - the seeds are not sprinkled with soil, but the container itself must be covered with glass or polyethylene. Periodically, the film is removed, the seeds are ventilated and sprayed from the sprayer with water. When creating optimal conditions, seedlings will appear in 15-20 days. After 2-3 months, young plants dive and sit in separate pots.
Decorative types of guzmania
Under natural conditions, the color range of guzmania is represented by various shades of three colors - more often red and orange, less often yellow. Decorative varieties, bred for growing at home, the color spectrum is much wider - there are purple, blue, white colors, sometimes two colors at the same time.
In home floriculture, the following types are most common: reed guzmania, ostara, blood-red, mosaic, conifera, single-eared, Nicaraguan. Distinctive indicators of the created varieties: compact form, bright and varied color, long flowering period, striped leaves.
Guzmania reed (Guzmania lingulata) - a basic decorative species, characterized in that the inflorescence is bright red, and the flowers themselves are yellow. Long leaves with a green or variegated color. A variety of the species is guzmania minor rondo - a compact plant with a stemless rosette of red leaves. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, varieties with a very different color palette have been bred, as a rule, sellers call such plants - guzmania mix.
Ostara is a variety obtained by crossing Guzmania lingulata with Guzmania witmackii.
It reaches a height of 40-50 cm, arrow-shaped leaves of a rich green color, the inflorescence, as a rule, is bright red, blooms with small white flowers that fall off after a few hours.
Blood red (Guzmania sanguinea).
A distinctive feature is that during the flowering period (April-August), the color of most of the rosette leaves changes.
Characteristic color - different shades red.
Mosaic (Guzmania musaica).
Differs in denser green leaves with longitudinal light stripes. The inflorescence opens on a tall stem, the color is from shades of red to pink. It has a more developed root system, capable of rooting.
Conifera (Guzmania conifera).
It is distinguished by the shape of the inflorescence - a cone-shaped cone of red-orange color on a solid peduncle.
In comparison with Guzmania reed - more large plant.
One-eared (Guzmania monostachia).
The name of the variety is associated with the shape of the inflorescence - it looks like a large ear of red or orange.
Throws out one peduncle.
Nicaraguan (Guzmania Nicaraguensis).
compact, small plant with green and smooth leaves.
The color of the inflorescence is bright scarlet. Due to its size, it is ideal for breeding at home.
Optima (Guzmania Optima).
It differs in size - the height of the plant is 0.8 - 1 m, the diameter is 0.6-0.8 m. The inflorescence is bright red.
Guzmania optima serves as a decoration for winter gardens or flower beds in the summer.
Finally. It doesn’t matter what kind of guzmania you get, the main thing is that knowing how to care for a flower, you can create the most favorable conditions for its growth and flowering. Blooming Guzmania - original decoration any apartment or house.
