Aeschynanthus is a rather unusual member of the Gesneriaceae family. There are currently about 140 known varieties of this plant, native to the tropical climates of Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. Only a couple dozen species are grown as houseplants, but a vast number of their hybrids have been bred.
Caring for eschynanthus at home is quite complex: watering, fertilizing, and propagation all have their own subtleties. But the effort will be well worth it when the entire bush is covered in bright and unusual flowers. True, getting it to bloom can be challenging even for experienced gardeners, but even before it blooms, the plant looks impressive and has high ornamental value thanks to its large oval leaves.
In its natural habitat, the flower climbs tree trunks and rocks, so indoors it's often planted in hanging baskets and planters. In this position, the foliage takes on a unique appearance, creating a unique living cascade.
Characteristics of Aeschynanthus, photos and names of species
Aeschynanthus are primarily climbing plants, but shrubby varieties also exist. Their fleshy, thick leaves on short petioles form whorled or oppositely on the stems. They are characterized by a bright green color and pointed tips. The tubular flowers are borne in the axils of the leaves at the ends of the branches.
They are colored red, yellow, or orange. Mature specimens can grow up to 90 cm in height. After pollination, the stems produce fruits—elongated capsules containing seeds. The seed maturation period is about three months.
The main attraction of eschynanthus is its unusual flowers, but some varieties are also grown for their decorative foliage. Looking at the most popular species in the photo, it becomes clear why they were given such names—their appearance speaks for itself.
Twister
Aeschynanthus twister stands out from its relatives with its beautiful, curled foliage. The dark green, glossy leaves resemble curls. The surface of the foliage appears coated with a waxy layer. During flowering, the vine produces red flowers with an orange tint. This trailing plant with long, twining stems looks great on high shelves, racks, and in hanging pots.
Aeschynanthus pulcherrima or Aeschynanthus magnificus
This variety is the most common in indoor gardening. Its stems can grow up to 50 cm. The hanging stems are covered with elongated, oval-shaped leaf blades, which are dark green, almost olive-green. Each leaflet is approximately 10 cm long. The flowers form at the ends of the stems and resemble small, tapered tubes. The petals are bright orange or hot yellow.
Long-stemmed or marbled
This epiphytic plant reaches 60 cm in length and is prized by plant enthusiasts for its decorative foliage. Numerous stems are densely covered with marbled leaves. They have a vibrant network of veins, and the undersides of the leaf blades have a reddish tint. The large leaves can grow up to 10 cm. The flowering of this specimen is rather inconspicuous. Tubular, pale green flowers form at the ends of the long shoots.
Brilliant
This species is actually a hybrid, but is sometimes described as a distinct variety. The flower has long stems covered with robust, pointed leaf blades. During flowering, numerous large, glossy flowers bloom, which are yellow or orange in color. The flowers form at the ends of long branches and gather in large inflorescences.
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The Aeschynanthus tricolor (tricolor) has medium-sized leaves and a distinctive flower shape. The base of the sepals is widened and can be pink or deep red. The open flowers have distinct burgundy and orange longitudinal stripes.
Elegant
This species of aeschynanthus is characterized by slender stems and small, dense leaves. The most common variety grown indoors is Red Elf, which boasts compact growth and red flowers with distinct cream-colored stripes.
The Coral Flame hybrid is often encountered, featuring coral-pink flowers and numerous small leaves. The plant's stems are drooping, firm, and quite flexible. Unlike other varieties, flowers form along the entire length of the stem.
Caring for Aeschynanthus at home
Caring for this capricious plant is quite difficult, which is why many never get it to bloom. The difficulty is further compounded by the difficulty of determining what exactly the flower needs to form buds. Ornamental foliage varieties require more light, so pot placement is chosen based on the preferences of the particular species.
Lighting and temperature
Aeschynanthus is a tropical plant, so it doesn't tolerate shade or cold well. Wild species thrive in humid, warm forests, where they grow on trees in the middle canopy. The room should have indirect light, and the plant should be protected from the scorching sun. A good location for a potted plant is a window on the east or west side of the house.
Furthermore, the air temperature must remain constant, as the epiphyte is sensitive to fluctuations. A temperature drop is only permissible during the dormant period, which lasts for a month and a half (December-January). During the active growing season, the ambient temperature should not exceed 26°C.
Watering and fertilizing
When watering, be extremely careful, as the plant is very sensitive to the amount of water in its pot. Be sure to monitor the moisture level of the top layer of the substrate—if it begins to dry out, water it. Failure to monitor soil moisture, simply watering regularly, will kill the plant. Excess moisture can trigger root rot, causing leaf drop and a characteristic putrid odor in the soil.
Water with purified water at room temperature. The water should be free of salt, as it accumulates in the soil and harms the root system. It is recommended to use boiled water that has been left to settle for at least two days. Experienced gardeners recommend that beginners water the plant as little as possible, as the eschinanthus tolerates a lack of moisture much better than waterlogged soil.
Fertilize the soil twice a month during the active growth period (March-September). Any mineral fertilizer intended for flowering houseplants is suitable for eschynanthus. Avoid fertilizing during the dormant period.
Trimming
Pruning is done to create a beautiful bush shape. Timely pruning preserves the decorative appearance of the flower, and pinching young stems promotes good branching. Pruning is performed after the flowering phase has ended.
Mature plants over four years old lose their appeal due to leaf shedding near the roots, revealing unsightly bare shoots. You can cut off the shoots and plant a new flower, or pinch out the young shoots, which will cover the bare stems as they grow.
How to propagate and transplant eschynanthus at home
Like all houseplants, eschynanthus needs to have its soil and pot changed periodically. Over time, the roots grow, and they become crowded in the old pot. If the roots are sticking out of the pot, it's definitely time to repot.
How and when to replant
Young plants need to be repotted annually, while mature plants should be repotted no more than once every four years if the pot has become too crowded. A new container should be selected that is 3 cm larger than the old one. The selected pot should be boiled or rinsed with boiling water. To facilitate removal of the plant, water it approximately 30 minutes beforehand.
Healthy plants are repotted using the transshipment method. If rotten roots are noticed, they should be removed with a sterile instrument.
The bottom of the flowerpot must be covered with a drainage layer, then fresh soil is prepared. You can use store-bought substrates, or you can make your own flowerpot filler from the following ingredients:
- 30% peat and leaf soil;
- 20% sphagnum and sand.
The root ball with the plant is placed in the center of the new pot, and the remaining voids are filled with fresh soil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw79vRK1CJw
Propagation by seeds
The plant is propagated in the spring and summer by seeds or cuttings. For seed propagation, the prepared soil is moistened with settled water, the seeds are placed in it, and covered with glass. To maintain the greenhouse microclimate, the planting material is watered through a tray.
After a month, the first shoots appear on the surface, gradually acclimating them to indoor conditions. It's best to plant several young seedlings in a single pot, which helps create a lush bush.
Cuttings
Cuttings can be taken in the spring. Using a sharp, sterile instrument, cut the longest stem and divide it into cuttings, each about 10 cm long. Each cutting should have at least 5 nodes. The next step is as follows:
- the lower leaves are removed from the cuttings;
cuttings - prepare a substrate, which should contain two equal parts of sand and peat;
- the cutting is treated with a growth stimulator (Kornevin) and deepened into the container up to the first leaf;
cuttings - The pot is covered with a bag and transferred to a warm room, the temperature of which should be within 24˚C.
Rooting takes place within three weeks. If new leaves appear on the cutting, the propagation process was successful.
The bag is removed from young plants gradually: first for several hours a day, and then removed completely.
You may be interested in:Diseases and pests of indoor plants
Most diseases and pests attack weakened plants that haven't been properly cared for. Excessively dry air encourages the development of spider mites, which can be detected when the leaves turn brownish-gray. At an early stage, you can eliminate the pest by rinsing the plant with warm water. If the above-ground part of the plant is covered with tiny webs, insecticides should be used.
If scale insects appear, wipe the plant with a soapy solution and treat it with Actellic. Mealybugs stunt the growth of eschynanthus, so treatment begins at the first sign of infestation. Carefully inspect the above-ground portions for sticky white fluff. Remove the insects with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, then rinse the plant with warm water.
Gray mold attacks plants growing in humid environments with low air temperatures. In its early stages, this disease resembles mold. The first step is to normalize the room's microclimate, then treat the eschynanthus with a foundation solution. Powdery mildew can be eliminated with a garlic solution.
Frequently asked questions about growing
This tropical plant is quite demanding in terms of care, so only a responsible and dedicated gardener can grow it (let alone make it bloom). However, the vibrant and unusual blooms are sure to be a wonderful addition to your home and a source of admiration.
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