Stefanotis is a beautiful climbing plant from the Lastovnie family. It has not yet received wide distribution. Florists are just eyeing this exotic. It can be used as an indoor flower and for making bouquets. Stephanotis lives in East Asia (Japan, China), on the Malay Archipelago and Madagascar. For delicate flowers, it is often called "Madagascar jasmine." Caring for him is not so simple. To achieve abundant flowering, a number of rules must be observed.
What does a flower look like
Stefanotis is an evergreen shrub with long, climbing stems. The length of a weakly branched shoot can reach 5-6 m. Even young plants need support. Shoots cover leathery dark green leaves on short petioles. They have an oval shape with a pointed end. The glossy leaf plate is slightly bent along the central vein. The sheet length is 7-9 cm, and the width is 4-5 cm.
Over the entire height of the shoot, loose inflorescences of 5-7 buds are formed in the axils of the leaves. Snow-white fragrant flowers have a funnel shape and consist of five fused petals. The diameter of the open corolla can reach 5 cm, the length of the tube is 4 cm. Flowering occurs in May-July. After pollination on stefanotis, the fruits ripen - small seed bolls with small, pubescent seeds.
In nature, there are 12 species of stefanotis, but so far the only variety is used in culture - Stefanotis is abundantly flowering (Floribunda).
Superstitions and signs about the plant
Several signs are associated with stefanotis. He is considered to be a "husky plant", that is, weakening male energy. But it is perfect for women, strengthens their beauty and prolongs youth. Many people generally doubt whether it is possible to get stephanotis in the house. Why give up such a beautiful plant? It is enough to place it in a room where more often women are.
Despite a number of prejudices, stefanotis is considered a flower that patronizes marriage. If Madagascar jasmine blooms in the house of an unmarried girl, then she will soon get married. It is also good if its delicate flowers will be in a wedding bouquet. Then the marriage will last a long time, and the feelings of the spouses will never cool down.
Breeding stefanotis
Stefanotis propagates by vegetative and seed methods. Sowing seeds at home is not done, because they do not ripen, and long transportation for seeds is completely disastrous. Although it is also not easy to propagate stefanotis with cuttings, this method is more reliable.
In April-June, parts of the semi-lignified shoots of last year should be cut. Cuttings should have 1-2 internodes and healthy, developed leaves. The cut site is treated with a special solution to stimulate the formation of roots. Rooted seedlings in the sand under a cap. The shank is placed at an angle and instilled 1-1.5 cm. It is necessary to choose a bright and warm place. Rooting usually takes 15-20 days. The successful development of the root system is indicated by young leaves that appear on the shoot.
Transplant Rules
Stefanotis are transplanted every 2-3 years. Young plants transship each year. It is necessary to choose a stable clay pot, as the plant has a voluminous crown and needs support. A transplant is performed in the spring before the buds appear. The root system of the plant is very developed and tightly wraps around the earthen lump, so it is recommended that the transplant be carried out by transshipment.
The soil for stephanotis should be sufficiently dense and heavy. You can use the following components:
- deciduous land;
- turf land;
- deciduous humus;
- river sand.
To make the transplant procedure less painful, it is recommended to add some root stimulants to the water for the first watering.
Content Features
Caring for stefanotis at home requires some effort. This plant cannot be called simple. Of great importance is the selection of the right place. Stefanotis prefers bright rooms. It can be kept on the southern windowsill, but in strong heat it is better to shade from the midday sun so that there are no burns. In spring, when flower buds form, you should not turn the plant relative to the light source or transfer it to another place. This may cause the buds to fall. Liana needs a long daylight, so in winter it is recommended to illuminate it with a fluorescent lamp.
Stefanotis needs warm summer keeping and a cool wintering. In this case, excessive heat is undesirable. In summer, it is better to maintain indoor temperature + 18 ... + 24 ° C. You can take the plant to the garden, but you need to protect it well from drafts. In winter, the temperature should be lowered to + 14 ... + 16 ° C. Such a difference contributes to the laying of a large number of flower buds.
Naturally, a tropical plant needs high humidity. It is recommended to spray the crown from the spray gun more often and periodically wash it from dust. Water for these procedures should be warm. In winter, it is worth moving the stefanotis pots away from heating radiators.
Everyday flower care
If the right place is chosen for stefanotis, caring for it at home is quite simple. The plant prefers frequent and plentiful watering. Only the topsoil should dry. For irrigation use soft, warm water. With cooling, the frequency of irrigation should be reduced, focusing on the state of the soil.
From the beginning of spring to the end of flowering, stefanotis needs regular feeding. Twice a month, low nitrogen fertilizer must be applied. Ready mixes for flowering indoor plants, which can be bought at a flower shop, are suitable. It is recommended to alternate mineral and organic compounds.
Immediately after buying stephanotis, you should take care of a reliable support for the liana. It is better to prepare a voluminous base that the stems can completely braid in a few years. In the winter garden, stefanotis look beautiful as window frames. The plant lends itself well to pruning, so too long shoots can be shortened. Also, wilted flowers should be removed. Pruning stimulates the development of lateral processes.
Possible difficulties
Stefanotis may suffer from root rot and powdery mildew. The problem occurs when water stagnates and dampness in the room. Fungicide treatment and changing conditions will help to cope with the fungus.
Even in the greenhouse, scabies, aphids and spider mites can live on juicy leaves. These parasites are difficult to immediately notice, and damage to the plant can be significant. Stephanotis should be inspected periodically for pests. At the first sign of insects, you need to treat the plant with an insecticide. After a few days, the treatment is repeated to get rid of the larvae.
