Pentas is a flower widely used for decorative purposes both outdoors (in soil or pots) and indoors. He is praised for the beauty of his huge flowers, which attract a large number of hummingbirds and butterflies in the wild in their homeland. Pentas lanceolate is popular in floriculture as a home option. To create hybrids with remarkable colors, this species is usually taken.
Description of pentas outdoor and indoor flower
Pentas is a plant native to Africa. He is widely known as an Egyptian star. It has simple green leaves with fairly noticeable veins. The main species of this genus are Pentas Lanceolata, Pentas Nobilis, Pentas Longiflora, Pentas Bussei, Pentas Zanzibarica. The name of the genus comes from the Greek "Pente", which translates as "five" - five flower petals, and the Latin "Lanceola" - "spear-shaped" - emphasizes the appearance of the leaves. Used to shape the interior of the garden or plant in pots to decorate balconies and terraces.
Pentas lanceolate
For your information! The flower is ideal for places with a Mediterranean climate.
Despite the fact that his life expectancy in a temperate climate is quite short, the ease of care and sowing, as well as the high decorative value make him a very interesting look. For example, the Pentas Starla Mix is used to decorate terraces and balconies, and the Pentas Graffiti is a very effective beautiful flowering indoor flower.
This is a perennial shrub that can grow to a maximum height of 1 m. It has oval and lanceolate foliage with teeth divided into two parts. Star-shaped flowers appear throughout the summer, even in areas with a prevailing harsh climate. They are usually pink or white, but new varieties have added shades of purple, lavender and mixed colors such as pink with red centers.
Note! The garden perfectly creates colored spots in combination with other plants, also great for planting along the edges of large bushes.
Proper pentas flower cultivation
An Egyptian star grows well in containers outside and can even be a good houseplant if it gets enough light. It grows and develops best when it is in the sun and in moist, drained soil. It can adapt to less sunny conditions, but its bloom will not be so plentiful. Similarly, the flower is not suitable for planting in complete shade, there it will be exposed to pathogenic fungi.
Pentas Starla
Temperature
Pentas Lanceolata is a tropic plant that loves warmth and intense light. On particularly hot days, the pentas will weaken and wilt, so a temperature of 20-25 ° C is preferred.
Important! Although the pentas loves the sun, you can not immediately put it on the south window. Without gradual accustoming, the flower will get burns. In summer, you may even need to shade the window.
In a high-rise building, it is better to transfer the flower to the balcony, and in a private house - to the garden. Pentas Lanceolata normally tolerates drafts, so frequent airing will not damage it. Strong cold winds in the garden are carried by the flower thanks to the right place. Pentas is best planted near a wall or surrounded by stronger specimens.
In August-September, it is necessary to change the upper soil in the container and put the plant on the north window. Moisturize liberally. In October, Pentas Lanceolata can be rearranged to the south window, and in November it will bloom.
Humidity
For a flower, the humidity mode must be kept at 60%. When spraying, it is better not to get on the inflorescences. A tray with wet expanded clay and moss proved to be quite good. If you put it in a flower pot, then be sure to make a drainage layer of small stones at the bottom, which will help remove excess water.
Watering
It is necessary to take the settled water, and also after watering to make mineral fertilizers with phosphorus, which stimulate the development of buds. Since dry soil can lead to yellowing, in the autumn-winter period you need to especially monitor the frequency of watering.
The plant can adapt to different types of soil, but prefers rich soils and slightly moist with drainage. When grown outdoors, the flower must be planted after the risk of freezing frost disappears. Excess moisture and watering is very harmful. In late autumn and winter, you need to water just a little bit.
Watering at different periods
Top dressing
As a rule, the pentas blooms several times during the season. Pentas Lanceolata cannot be forced to bloom continuously, but one can influence the duration of this process. Fertilizing the flower significantly increases this period, but do not get carried away with fertilizer, any plant needs rest, just like a person.
Note! Mineral fertilizers can be applied every 20 days during flowering, no more.
The plant needs fertile soil, but he does not like the high level of salt content. Pentas is suitable soil for decorative foliage plants. Frequent transplants are also important. The pot quickly becomes cramped due to the fact that the flower vigorously builds up fast-rooted shoots. Pentas Lanceolata is transplanted once every 1-2 years.
To increase the green mass, it is advisable to fertilize in the spring with slow-release granular fertilizer, as well as compost to save water and at the same time avoid the appearance of weeds that can compete for soil nutrients. The soil should be slightly acidic (pH 6.5).
Pruning
Pentas is not very picky. Keeping track of his health is quite simple, but it’s much more difficult to get an ideal look from him: he bends somewhere, crawls away, stretches out. For any deviations from the desired type, pinch the flower. Frequent pruning of shoots will help preserve the beauty and neat appearance of the plant. Pinching is carried out only between flowering phases.
Seed propagation
Growing a pentas flower from seeds and cuttings
This species quite easily propagates from cuttings or seeds. In the first case, in the spring it is recommended to cut the shoots and immerse them in the root hormone. Then the cuttings are instilled into pre-moistened sand and allowed to take root. After a couple of weeks, the new plant will begin to actively grow and develop.
Fruits contain many brown seeds in ovoid capsules, divided into four valves. Everyone has a good germination for several years. Growing from seeds will allow you to quickly obtain new specimens, but the flowering of the plant will come much later than those grown from cuttings. Growing from seeds is suitable for Pentas Starl and many other varieties. Pickling seedlings will be required after 4-6 weeks.
Note! You can often find the claim that Pentas lanceolata is an annual. This can be considered true only if you do not rejuvenate it by cutting the elongated stems. It is necessary to regularly buy seeds or sprout cuttings, as after a few years the bushes fall apart.
Although Pentas Lanceolata is able to delight with its colors all summer, it is better to give it a periodical rest during this period. Classic winter flowering will bring much more joy.
For a garden, it is better to grow pentas from seeds. Planting material must be planted in the ground at a temperature of at least 20 ° C. The first shoots of the pentas appear in 1-2 weeks. Seedlings can be planted in May. For indoor use, cuttings can be placed immediately in the ground.
Pentas Starla in the Garden
Description of care
The Egyptian star is a low-maintenance species. As long as he has enough water, sun and heat, he will develop well and dissolve in large numbers buds. After this, it is necessary to remove dried inflorescences in order to stimulate new flowering. In addition, it is recommended to trim the bush to give it a more compact shape, otherwise there is a risk that the bush will fall into several parts, after which it will not be saved.
For your information! Home Pentas hibernates after flowering.
Various rotten ailments can attack leaves. In case of damage, immediately treat with a special agent (fungicide). It can also be attacked by aphids and midges. Insecticides have proven themselves against them.
The pentas flower is able to please the owner for many months, even with minimal care. The main thing is to monitor the lighting, do not over-moisten the soil and monitor the condition of the crown.
