abutilon

Abutilon blooms profusely and continuously wonderful flowers of various colors , has a magnificent crown of delicate downy leaves, but unpretentious , and he is well propagated , is growing rapidly, but it is easy to care - for all these qualities abutilon love and growers . Leaves abutilon , increasing humidity, can improve the microclimate in the room.
Abutilon (Abutilon) - genus of annual and perennial plants in the family Malvaceae . More than 150 species of this genus are distributed in the tropics and subtropics , and this grass , shrubs or small trees. Derived from plants growing in the nature of coarse fiber used for the production of ropes and other woven products , abutilon given a second name - " Kanatnikov ."
As a houseplant most common are : abutilon Sellova (A. sellovianum) and its varieties with striped leaves ; abutilon Amazon (A. megopotanicum), abundantly blooming almost all year ; abutilon hybrid (A. hybridum), obtained by crossing different species. In the indoor environment is also grown abutilon Indian with cream flowers, abutilon vinogradnolistny with pink flowers, ampelnoe abutilon Brazilian , etc.
Room abutilon refers to growing plants kadochnym , it may soon become closely on the windowsill and take free placement . It is an evergreen tree or shrub up to 1.5 meters, with a fairly large leaves and drooping flowers , lanterns on long stalks that decorate the crown of leaves from early spring to late fall (and sometimes all year round ) . Pointed soft leaves with irregularly shaped blade , serrated edges , resembling the outline maple , gave abutilon third name - the " room maple ." There are many varieties of abutilon with green , golden- mottled , variegated leaves, with a variety of flower color , with varying height and compact crown . Abutilon bell-shaped flowers with numerous stamens and pistil longer be simple and terry with bright petals of the corolla : white, golden , orange , pink, red , burgundy .
Abutilon love of light , but does not tolerate rapid movement of a bright light. Sapling abutilon useful in the summer to fresh air in the garden or on the balcony by going for it is protected from the wind semidarkness . In hot weather it is recommended spraying the crown. In favorable conditions, abutilon gives a big boost over the summer .
Abutilon need much water from March to August (when drying of the substrate abutilon losing leaves and buds ) . When watering a must remove from the pan leaked water. Very moderately watered abutilon from September to February ( only need a slight moistening the rootball ) , over- watering also leads to " Falling Leaves" . Winters abutilon in a bright cool place , the optimum temperature of 10-14 degrees and it is important to avoid contact with direct sunlight . In winter spraying is conducted periodically abutilon crown .
In the spring , before the period of active vegetation pruning shoots abutilon necessary ( from third to two thirds of their length , depending on the plant crown ) . Pruning is necessary for the formation of a compact and beautiful crown of a rich and long flowering abutilon . Since the beginning of the growth of young shoots abutilon provide a warm and humid content . To enhance branching of young shoots pinch out the tops .
Every spring abutilon transplanted into a pot only slightly greater than the former , because the abundant flowering occurs only if the earthen room well entwined roots. Abutilon needs nutritionally dense substrate , composed of a mixture of clay turf, humus , sand and leaf soil in ( 2:1:1:0,5 ) suitable ready Soils " Palma " . Abutilon fed complete mineral fertilizer and slurry from March to August 2 times a month ( for undernutrition lower leaves fall off ) .
Grades abutilon with green leaves are propagated by seeds and cuttings , variegated varieties - only cuttings. Sown in spring in a warm substrate ( 22 degrees ) , the seeds germinate abutilon together . Seedlings grow quickly , so they rolled over into a larger pot 2-3 times over the summer. Propagation by cuttings may abutilon throughout the year , but faster rooted herbaceous cuttings with remote buds in the spring, and semilignified cuttings - in August. Cuttings rooted in sand or a mixture of peat and sand ( 1:1) " mini teplichke " soil with warm (22-25 ° C) .
On the soft leaves abutilon often attack pests: aphids, scale insects , spider mites . Scale insects must be carefully removed from the leaves of a cotton swab . If the pest is small, plant sprayed with soapy solution or tobacco . Since ancient times in Russia fought against pests abutilon infusion of sorrel , tree spraying every 10 days to complete disappearance of pests. With a large defeat for the treatment of pests abutilon use insecticide (for example , a solution aktellikom : 2 ml per liter of water