Stefanotis represents evergreen liana. Process of cultivation of plant in house conditions is quite difficult, however in case of success it will beautifully blossom on joy to people around.
Conditions for cultivation of stefanotis
Stefanotis is photophilous plant and therefore it is desirable to have pot in brightly lit place. At the same time direct sunshine can issushivat leaves. In order to avoid negative consequences it is optimum to have pot at northwest or east window. During the winter period it is desirable to establish plant under the 30-watt fluorescent lamp that it has begun to blossom by the beginning of the next season.
Indoor temperature with plant has to be within 20-25 degrees (in the winter - not lower than 16 degrees). Stefanotis badly transfers drafts and temperature differences therefore the balcony or the seasonal dacha are not the best places for its cultivation.
Watering of plant also has the rules: from March to October it it is necessary it is abundant to water, at the same time watching that water did not stand in pallet. Between waterings the earth has to dry out. During the winter period the supply with water becomes more moderate. For watering it is necessary to use the otstoyanny water which is not containing lime.
It is regularly important to spray plant, keeping air humidity within 80-85%. Especially this procedure is important in the winter when air in apartments becomes excessively dry. Spraying is made moderately not to cause various diseases in sapling. During blossoming the spraying stops.
Leaving for stefanotisy
If stefanotis did not change long ago, it needs the fertilizing from the fresh soil containing necessary natural elements. Since the beginning of spring on July it is necessary to feed up liana each 10 days. Also the organic and mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus are added. They accelerate blossoming and decorative qualities of plant. Fertilizing is carried out not earlier than in two hours after watering.
Change of young stefanotis is made annually in March, and plants are more senior – each 2-3 years. Fast drying of the soil becomes sign that it is time to replace plant. It blossoms better in close pot therefore it is even better to place age lianas in pots, identical by the size. At the same time openings for water drain have to be provided in the lower part of capacity.
Soil mix for plant is prepared with addition of peat, bank sand, humus and the cespitose earth in identical proportions. The optimum level of acidity of soil is 5.5-6.5 rn. Also small amount of haydite is added to pot and the strong support is established: the plant quickly gains growth and will soon need support.
Small cutting of plant is carried out from January to February. It is necessary for the reason that ovaries of flowers appear only on new escapes. Also cutting can be carried out in the summer for increase in duration of blossoming.
The plant breeds shanks though at the same time it is considered hardly implanted. For reproduction last year's escapes during the spring and summer period are used. Shanks land in pots with a diameter of 8-10 cm in the soil mix prepared by the method described above. For rooting of escapes of stefanotis the artificial heating as which the batteries located under windowsill or the fluorescent lamp can act is used.
The plant demands additional leaving in order to avoid development of such disease as mealy dew. For this purpose it is ezhesezonno processed by the medicine "Hom" (3-4 ml on water liter). Besides, stefanotis the web tick and plant louse can overcome. For fight against them the biological medicine "Akarin" is used (3-4 ml on water liter). Also suit Aktellik, "Kleshchevit" or Fitoverm. Means against wreckers are applied time in 2-3 weeks.