Exotic Strecilia flower or "bird of paradise" on the windowsill
Strecilia flower resembles a fabulous bird frozen in flight. On her head she has a bright tuft of multi-colored petals. And instead of wings, wide leaf plates. Such a spectacular plant has long "settled" on the windowsills of city apartments and country houses. How to take care of Strelitzia at home to enjoy its majestic beauty? However, before answering this question, consider the external features of culture. We will find out where her homeland is. Let's get acquainted with the popular varieties.
Lush outfit of an exotic flower
In its natural environment, the strecilia flower grows along small streams or shallow rivers. There he hides in the shade of bushes or tall grasses. But when the spectacular buds appear, it seems that the birds of paradise have returned to earth.
The largest representatives of the genus grow up to 10 m. The rest are from 2 to 3.5 m. The dense root system consists of core elements that penetrate deep into the ground. The leaf plates are oval in shape and leathery in character. The maximum width is about 80 cm, the length is up to 2 m. They resemble banana foliage, but have long petioles.
During the flowering period, strecilia releases an upright shoot. Exotic buds of a bizarre shape are formed on it. One part is horizontal. Other lilac and orange petals resemble the crest of the bird depicted in children's fairy tales. Usually 5-7 buds bloom on the peduncle. And in total there are up to 10 such shoots. Therefore, the plant pleases the eye for 6 months.
Strecilia flowers, even when cut, retain their original beauty for up to 30 days.
Varieties of culture
In nature, biologists have noted several spectacular plant varieties. Each of them can boast of a unique shape and color.
They are painted in the following colors:
- white;
- purple;
- Orange;
- purple;
- blue;
- yellow;
- blue.
The buds bloom for 14 days. When the petals wither, new specimens appear. This continues for several months. They are even cut to create bouquets. We will find out how they look like known species in their natural environment.
Strecilia reed flower
The species is found on the territory of South Africa. It tolerates day and night temperature changes wonderfully. Not afraid of prolonged drought. The bush is decorated with orange-blue buds. Narrow oblong leaf plates. The edges are needle-like. The leaves are painted in a rich green color with a bluish tint. In their natural environment, they grow in a dense rosette. The maximum height of an adult plant is about 2 m. The flowering process begins in May and ends in October.
White
The Strecilia flower gets its name from the coloring of its petals. Against the background of a lush bush, they look just gorgeous. In nature, the species grows up to 6 m. It is distinguished by large, light green foliage, which has an elliptical shape.The surface of the plate is shiny, which gives the view a royal look.
The buds are composed of white petals. The lower element resembles an old rook. The upper part is lanceolate. The length of the inflorescence reaches 30 cm, the height is about 7.5 cm.
Royal
Plants of this species are considered the most accurate and beautiful among their relatives. In nature, it grows up to 2 m in height. The leaf plates are held on long petioles with a thickened base.
The tall axillary stalks are like a woven veil with red-green veins. The petals of the majestic buds of the royal strelitzia are painted in two colors. The outside is a bright orange shade, the inside is dark blue. The maximum bud length is about 15 cm. They appear on the bushes in early spring and remain until mid-summer. It is this majestic view that miraculously tolerates indoor conditions. Therefore, it can be found in any corner of the planet, however, on the windowsills.
At home, royal strecilia begins to bloom only in the 4th year of life.
"Nikolai"
The species got its name in honor of the Russian prince Nikolai Nikolaevich the Elder. In the tropics, the plant grows up to 10 m. The trunk of an adult culture resembles a palm tree and is up to 4 m in diameter.
Luxurious buds are held on the axillary peduncle, which consists of several beak-shaped "veils". White and blue petals rise above it. The unripe fruits of Nikolai's strelitzia are used to prepare African dishes. And ropes are made from dried shoots.
Mountain
This tree-like plant is called the "Desert Banana" by the locals. It can grow up to 10 m. Its "trunk" is decorated with huge wide leaves. And the "crown" is crowned with huge buds in the shape of a boat.
The royal flower strecilia on the windowsill
Having got acquainted with an exotic culture, I really want to get it in my chambers. It turns out that everything is very simple. The plant is actively sold in flower shops, and it successfully takes root at home. How to properly care for him in order to enjoy his paradise beauty? Find out what the experts are saying.
Temperature regime
We must never forget that Strecilia came to us from the southern part of Africa. It develops wonderfully at room temperature. In winter, when the plant is in the dormant stage (conditionally), the indicators are reduced to 12 ° C.
Indoor culture loves an abundance of oxygen. Therefore, the room is regularly ventilated. In the warm season, the pot is taken out into the yard or placed on balcony... The main thing is that direct sunlight does not fall on the foliage.
Stretsilia does not like drafts, so it is advisable for her to choose a cozy place of "residence".
Perfect lighting
Indoor culture prefers an abundance of light. However, he must be absent-minded. Indeed, in its natural environment, the flower hides under the foliage of tall plants that are nearby. At home, the container is placed on the windowsills on the east or west side. If all windows in the apartment face south, the glass is covered with paper or white cloth. As a last resort, the pots are kept out of direct sunlight. For example, in a well-lit corner of a room. From the beginning of December, the plant needs additional lighting.
Moisturizing
When the strecilia flower begins to grow actively, it is provided with regular watering. For this, water is used that meets the generally accepted requirements.
She must be:
- defended;
- room temperature;
- extremely clean.
The liquid is poured under the root system of the plant or into a tray if drained soil is used. In winter, watering is carried out as the upper part of the soil dries.
Soil when planting
Since the tropics are the homeland of the "bird of paradise", a properly selected soil plays an important role.
The plant prefers a loose mixture, which is prepared from the following components:
- sod land;
- sand;
- leaf mixture;
- humus;
- compost.
In extreme cases, the soil for strelitzia is purchased in specialized stores. The soil is suitable for flowering ornamental crops. The required information is indicated on the label.
Suitable capacity
To make the plant feel "at home", it is planted in a voluminous deep pot. After all, its root system will eventually fill the entire space of the container. As a result, it will bloom faster. The bottom of the container is covered with pebbles or expanded clay. This will protect the root from decay.
Regular feeding
In early spring, when the flower is gaining strength, it is fertilized once every 10 days. For this, mineral and organic substances are used. They are brought in one by one. A similar procedure is carried out during flowering. At the end of the season, the peduncles are removed, and the strecilia is sent to rest.
The ideal fertilizer complex is sold in flower shops. Doses are indicated on the package.
Bloom
Typically, the plant begins to cast flower buds in early spring. They appear alternately and please the eye for several months. However, this is not always the case. Therefore, the owners are worried, why does not strelitzia bloom at home? In fact, there are several reasons. Firstly, the first buds appear 4-6 years after planting. Secondly, sometimes drastic measures are required.
Experienced gardeners know how to make strelitzia bloom at home, regardless of age. During the winter dormancy period, the plant is taken to a cool room, where the temperature is maintained from 12 to 14 ° C. There should be no bright lighting. In addition, the flower is not fed and watered with small portions of water. When spring comes, Strelitzia is returned to her favorite windowsill. Then it is abundantly watered and fed with special preparations to stimulate the buds. After a while, the grateful plant will put on a chic veil decorated with birds of paradise.
The reason for the lack of buds can also be too tight or bulky pot.
The close acquaintance with the tropical guest caused a lot of positive emotions. In nature, the culture grows up to 10 m. Its fancy buds resemble fairy birds from children's books. In addition, some plant species do well at home. The main thing is to adhere to the rules of competent care. And if strelitzia does not bloom, experienced gardeners will prompt “what to do”. It turns out that all ingenious is simple. So let exotic “birds of paradise” “fly” into the apartment or country house and fill the monastery with beauty.