Lollipop - Pachistachis

Send

Pachistachis (Pachystachys, fam. Acanthus) is a small, 40–70 cm tall, herbaceous flowering plant native to the tropics of America. The leaves of the pachistachis are ovoid in shape, slightly wrinkled, dark green, about 10 cm long. Spike inflorescences about 12 cm tall rise above them. In the yellow pachistachis (Pachystachys lutea), they consist of golden bracts and white flowers, and in the pachistachis bright red ( Pachystachys coccinea) inflorescences are scarlet. The main advantage of this plant is a long flowering period - from late spring to early fall.

Pachistachis needs bright diffused light, so it’s good to place it on a light windowsill. The plant is thermophilic, in summer it requires a temperature of at least 18 - 20 ° C, in winter it can withstand a temperature drop of up to 12 ° C. The humidity in the room where the pachistachis is located should be high enough; in summer its leaves need to be often sprayed.

During the growing season, pachistachis is watered abundantly, in winter, watering is reduced, not only allowing the earthen coma to dry out. During the period of growth and flowering, pachistachis need to be fertilized 2-3 times a month. At the end of autumn, the plant is pruned, leaving shoots with a height of no more than 15 - 20 cm. In spring, the bush is formed as it grows, pinching the tops of the branches. Pachistachis is transplanted annually, preparing a soil mixture of turf and leaf soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1. Pachistachis is propagated by apical cuttings in spring or summer, while lower substrate heating is used up to 24 - 25 ° С.

Pachistachis problems occur with improper care. Inadequate watering leads to yellowing and falling of leaves. In addition, the plant can be affected by aphids, insects can be seen on the tops of young shoots. In this case, spraying with an actress is required.