How to Care for Heliotrope: Instructions

Heliotrope Flower - is a perennial shrub with beautiful decorative flowers. South America is Homeland Heliotrope.

There are several species of plants in nature. European heliotrope is the most popular of them. It is used as a flavoring agent in cosmetic products. Its soft a vanilla scent was in demand from ancient times.

There are some features in the care and cultivation. You need to make the right favorable climate.

Breeders have deduced a certain number of varieties, thanks to multiple crossings, but the primeval smell, unfortunately got lost. Now different flowers of the same varieties may differ in odor.

Description

Heliotrope leaves are lanceolate, green, with pointed ends. The surface of the leaf is darker than the bottom.

All the leaves are twisted inward (form of the boat). In the middle there is a distinct streak. Thin veins evenly spaced from it on both sides.

The leaves are velvety on short petioles.

The flowers are purple or blue. They are collected in inflorescences on long and straight flower stalk.

Thanks to breeders, heliotrope flowering is abundant and long, which begins in the summer and continues until the first frost. Flowers are constantly rotated behind the sun in open areas. In nature, its height reaches 60 cm.

Care for flower heliotrope

Lighting

At home, heliotrope is placed in well-lit space, with windows on the south or southwest. In the hot season you need to regularly ventilate the room, or to put a flower on outside. If the flower is a shaded area, and it is not enough light, the leaves become flaccid, pale, are pulled shoots, and flowers are very small.

Temperature

The optimum temperature is 22-24 °C. In winter, during the period of rest flower feels well at a temperature of 5-6 ° C.

Humidity

Heliotrope is not picky about moisture, but on hot days, it is necessary to spray it. Water is used room temperature and soft.

The composition of the soil

The soil for shrubs and ornamental flowering plants, buy in a flower shop, or do it themselves. For this purpose use: leaf and grassy land, clay and sand. All components are mixed in equal proportions. Pre-is placed drainage from the expanded clay at the bottom of the pot.

Watering

Bush during the summer abundantly watered. The soil should be constantly moist. Watering is reduced with the onset of cold weather, and in the winter period, almost stop, but do not allow the drying of the earth.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing is used from spring to late autumn, 2 times a month. As a rule it store bought mineral and organic fertilizers for ornamental flowers and shrubs.

Transplant

The plant is grown as an annual in the home. Transplant is carried out every year, by using a mixture of store bought for flowering ornamental plants, or make your own. It is necessary to mixed in equal proportions turf and leaf ground, sand and clay.

Previously you need to do trimming. If you grow a flower at home, you must first make at the bottom of the pot drainage from the expanded clay.

Reproduction

Heliotrope in our time is propagated seeds and cuttings. In ancient times, heliotrope was propagated only vegetative.

Reproduction by seeds. In early spring (late February), the seeds are planted in the ground. They need to be deepened by 1 cm and grown as seedling. If the shoots appear them are planted in individual pots or in the open ground (in the garden, a greenhouse).

If you want to make a lush bush, you need to plant shoots on some pieces together. This technique is not sufficiently effective. Young plants are often poorly are blooming and the flowers themselves are small and pale.

Reproduction by cuttings. Heliotrope is enough difficult to grow, and this method is better than the previous one. Cuttings are cut from the end of February to April. Cuttings are placed in a small container with peat humus and wait until roots appear. You need to install additional lighting. The temperature is maintained stable 18-20 degrees.

Sprouts from top is covered with a glass bulb, or plastic film to create a microclimate. Do not forget to ventilate regularly.

When appear first roots, cuttings are planted in separate containers. Then you need to give some time for rooting and only then transplanted into a pot or outside. Pinch plant for the creation pomp.

Diseases and pests

Heliotrope is attacked by whiteflies, aphids, spider mite.

Brown spots on the surface - a consequence of fungal diseases. You must remove the affected area.

If the leaves are falling, so the plant is infected with spider mites. You need to spray the leaves with a soft water throughout the day a few times.

Beneficial features

Leaves of plants are often used in occult rituals to drive away evil and dark forces. Some people contain heliotrope in the house for protection against of thieves.
In medicine, heliotrope is used as an aromatic additive to medicines and perfume.
If you grow plants in the apartment, it has a positive impact on the relationship between husband and wife.

Heliotrope - Kinds of