Kufeya - planting and care in the open field
Content:
The kufei flower is a rather unusual garden plant that attracts with interesting flowers. Some even compare them to cigarettes, the culture itself is called the cigarette tree.
From the history of appearance
It is not known for certain how and when kufeya migrated from the vastness of America to European garden plots. Despite the fact that it is impossible to find a grower who would not have heard anything about the shrub, the plant is still considered a great rarity and a flower for collectors.
Kufeya is a very unusual flower
Despite this, thanks to the development of the sphere of industrial floriculture and the introduction of fundamentally new methods and techniques in breeding, the popularity of kufei is growing. So, for example, recently there has been a particularly high demand for the ampelous plant species.
What does it look like
Kufea is a fast growing shrub native to South and Central America. The species belongs to the Derbennikov family. The name of the plant kufeya comes from the Greek word "kyphos" meaning "crooked" or "hunched over". This is due to the fact that both flowers and fruits of the culture have a slightly curved shape. The leaves of the flower are dark green, narrow and smooth. The stems can grow up to half a meter. The flowers of the plant are relatively small (up to 3 cm), their color can be purple, red, white, etc. The plant blooms throughout the warm season - from spring to autumn.
The flowers of kufei can be different, even if the plants are of the same variety.
Common varieties
The described perennial has more than two hundred species. In garden plots, most often only some varieties can be found.
Kufea hyssopolis
Kufea hyssopolis is a small shrub that is found in wildlife in the territories of Mexico and Guatemala. Despite the fact that the plant is considered thermophilic, it is quite possible to plant it in a garden in the Moscow region.
The flower grows on average up to 50 cm. The flowers are rather small, white, lilac or pink. Usually the whole bush is strewn with them. This species is often planted on balconies in containers or in patios.
When winter comes, a flower growing in a pot can be easily transferred into the house, saving oneself from the need to prepare a decent and reliable shelter for the southern plant.
Kufeya Dynamite
Dynamite kufea is another species that is quite capable of growing safely in the conditions of Russian garden plots. This creation of breeders blooms with bright red flowers, beautifully flowing cascades. The height of the shrub is approximately 40 centimeters. Flowering lasts from June to September.
Kufeya fiery red
Fiery red kufea is often cultivated as a houseplant. Often the plant is also called Fire.
This is a short and very compact bush with cigar-shaped flowers, the corollas of which are painted in a deep red color, against which there is a white spot. The throat, located in the center of the bud, is purple in color. This type is very unpretentious and is suitable for growing even not the most experienced growers.
Kufeya Gel
Kufeya Gel feels great both in a pot on the windowsill and in a flower garden in the garden. The plant grows into a compact bush with bright red tubular flowers. The height of the flower rarely exceeds 40 centimeters. The flowers are relatively small, as a rule, appear in large quantities at once and continue to bloom throughout the summer. The variety tolerates windy and rainy weather well.
Outdoor care
Special attention should be paid to the topic of kufei, planting and care in the open field. Only in this case will the culture feel comfortable and delight with its amazing flowers.
Kufeya feels great outdoors
Temperature
A comfortable temperature for kufei in the warm season varies from 22 to 25 degrees. In winter, the plant will perfectly tolerate 12-18 degrees. If wintering on the street is planned (the flower will not be brought into a warmer room), a special place should be allotted for the organization of shelter and insulation.
Lighting
It is recommended to grow the flower on the sunny side. Culture needs direct sunlight. The best option would be the eastern side of the site (in extreme cases, the western one).
Watering
In the case of kufei, sufficient attention should be paid to watering when planting and caring at home. It is usually sufficient to moisturize twice a week using warm water.
It is not worth pouring the flower over too much - the plant reacts poorly to stagnant water.
Spraying
The shrub does not need regular spraying, but at the same time it tolerates it well.
Humidity
The moisture index of the plant requires a relatively high and stable. The soil in a constant mode must remain moistened, it cannot be allowed to dry out.
Priming
Speaking about the cultivation and care of the kufei flower, one cannot fail to mention some of the requirements for the soil.
This is not to say that kufeya, when planting and leaving in the open field, is somehow especially demanding on the soil. But in any case, the land should be fertile and moisture-permeable.
Top dressing
In addition to the organic matter introduced during the planting of the shrub, it is recommended to use fertilizer during flowering. In this case, any preparations for flowering crops are suitable. One feeding every two weeks will be enough.
Pruning
One of the features of kufei is its very fast growth. The plant grows to its maximum height in no time. To make it look neat and well-groomed, you need to periodically prune and pinch the shoots. Some give the bushes the shape of a ball or pyramid. The plant is pruned in early spring, the process is completed before flowering.
When and how it blooms
In most cases, kufeya is planted because of its flowering.
Many varieties are suitable for planting in apartments
Types of flowers
Regardless of the variety, the flowers are generally quite similar. Their size and quantity on a plant may vary. As for the shades, they are represented by almost everything except blue and black. Periodically, breeders manage to bring out a new original type of flower.
Flower shape
Regardless of the variety, the shape of the flowers is almost identical - cylindrical.Someone compares kufeya to a smoldering cigarette, to someone a flowering shrub resembles a plant hung with a New Year's garland with elongated LED bulbs.
Flowering care
It is not difficult to take care of the plant, but during flowering the kufei shrub requires a little more attention. During this period, more water and additional feeding are desirable.
Flower propagation
Most often, two methods are used for plant propagation: seeds and cuttings.
Seeds
It is grown from kufei seeds, but not too often. This is due to their low germination rate. If you still set out to grow a flower from seed, you will need to follow these steps:
- Place the seeds on a damp substrate.
- Tamp them lightly without sprinkling with soil.
- Cover the container with plastic wrap.
- Provide a temperature of + 22-24 degrees.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
- Remove the film.
- After the first leaves appear, plant the seedlings in separate pots.
Rooting cuttings
When spring comes, cuttings are cut from the strongest shoots of the plant, the length of which should be about 15 cm. After treatment of the root formation site with a growth stimulator, the cuttings are planted in a moist substrate and covered with a cut plastic bottle. For watering and airing the seedling, the bottle is periodically removed. You can finally remove it after fresh leaves appear. When the first leaves grow and new ones begin to appear, the seedling can be moved to a permanent place.
Air layering
The method of layering with kufei is not applied.
Transfer
It is recommended to replant young plants every spring. If the shrub is already mature enough, the procedure should be repeated every 2-3 years.
Growing problems
Despite the general unpretentiousness of the culture, some difficulties may arise in the process of growing it.
Dropping leaves and buds
Shedding buds and leaves is often a natural process. In some cases, the described phenomenon indicates the wrong conditions for keeping the flower: lack of lighting, the presence of pests, waterlogging or overdrying of the soil.
Blanching leaves
Most often, the blanching of the foliage is associated with sudden temperature changes during the night and daytime and drafts. This also happens with seedlings that are planted in open ground too early and with specimens of flowers that are in the open ground until late autumn.
Drying the tips of the leaves
Drying of the tips of the leaves in kufei is often associated with insufficient air humidity. In some cases, some pests create a similar problem.
Pests
Kufeya most often suffers from attacks by pests such as:
- spider mite;
- shield;
- thrips.
When a spider mite attacks, a cobweb appears on foliage and branches. The pest is attracted by dry air indoors or in the area where the crop is grown. You can get rid of the insect with a solution of potassium soap, they need to thoroughly spray the flower. Insecticides will be just as effective.
As for the scale insect, its presence is signaled by well-visible brown bulges on the foliage - these are insect shells. Soap solution and insecticides are also effective against them.
When a shrub is infected with thrips, the shape of the leaves is deformed, and notches appear at their ends.Pest control is most effective by rinsing the bushes under running water and then treating them with insecticides.
If the plant is well cared for, it will not hurt.
Having carefully studied the description of the culture, one can make a completely logical conclusion that kufeya is a relatively simple plant in terms of growing. Given its beauty during the flowering period, it is worth seriously thinking about planting this amazing flower in the garden.
Video
