Komarzyca , or spike plectrum, is a popular mosquito repellent.The cultivation of mosquitoescan be carried out in the apartment, as well as on balconies and terraces, where its interesting leaves and hanging shoots decorate. See whichvarieties of komarzycalook the most attractive, what does it look likewintering of komarzycafor the next year, and how to carry outreproduction of komarzyca from shoot cuttings.
Komarzyca 'Variegata'
Komarzycais a tropical perennial, usually grown here as an annual pot plant in apartments, balconies and terraces.Thanks to its long, leaf-covered shoots, the mosquito looks good in hanging containers. After rubbing its leaves, they give off a camphor-like smell, thanks to which the plant effectively repels mosquitoes and many other insects that are bothersome to us. Other names attributed to Komarzyca are: plektrantus koleusowaty, Forster's stalk, fly (Latin Plectranthus forsteri, formerly Plectranthus coleoides).
Komarzyca - varieties
Komarzycacreates stems initially straight and green, and as they grow they turn red and sag, which makes them attractive to hang from the pot. The leaves are oval, notched and light green. There are numerous interestingvarieties of Komarzycain cultivation, differing mainly in the color and shape of the leaves.
Probably the most popularvariety of komarzycais 'Variegata' with leaves with a white, crimped edge. Another common name of this variety iskomarzyca 'Marginatus' .
There are also interestingvarieties of komarzycasuch as:
Komarzyca 'Cilatus'- creates green leaves with white spots, irregularly cut at the edges.
Komarzyca 'Elf'- has thick and densely growing leaves in two shades of green.
Komarzyca 'Green Mountain'- very interesting tricolor leaves - white-yellow-green.
Komarzyca 'Nico'- has green leaves, almost round, with purple colored veins and the entire lower side of the leaf blade.
Komarzyca 'Two Tone'- has purple stems and the underside of the leaves.
Komarzyca - cultivation
The cultivation of komarzycais best done in sunny or semi-shaded places. Newly purchased plants can be planted in the soil for potted flowers or balcony plants, peat soil or a substrate with an admixture of compost soil. Already duringplanting of mosquitoes , it is worth adding a slow-acting fertilizer to the substrate, which will be enough for the entire season.If we do not do this, the plants will need to be watered approximately every 2 weeks with a liquid fertilizer solution for potted plants or green-leafed plants, preferably with an increased potassium content. We fertilize from spring to the end of August.
Komarzyca is wateredquite often, keeping the soil moist, but not wet. Fortunately, any short-term overdrying does not harm the plants to any greater extent. It has even less damaging effects than shedding. That is why we water the mosquito frequently, but not too abundantly.
When mosquito shoots become too long or bulging, they can be slightly trimmed, which promotes their branching. It is also worth removing smallKomarzyca flowers that appear at the end of summerThey may be white or light purple, but they are not very decorative and they weaken the plant unnecessarily.
Good to know!Bloated stems with large spacing between leaves occur when plants are not sufficiently exposed to sunlight.Foliage also becomes less as the plants age. If we want to maintain a compact, shrubby habit, it is worth pinching off the tips of the shoots regularly.
If you want to create a composition of different species of balcony plants on the balcony or terrace, it is worth planting flowering plants with similar requirements and nicely matching their leaves, such as Blume's coleus, pelargonium or verbena.
Komarzyca - wintering
Wintering of Komarzycamay be practiced but does not have to. Most people treat the plant as an annual and buy new ones in the spring. However, if we overwinter our specimens, in spring we will be able to obtain seedlings from them for the next growing season.
Towinter komarzyca , in the fall, before the first frosts come, the plants are pruned around 10- 15 cm above the ground and transports it to a frost-free place. It should be bright and cool to ensure a temperature range of 10-16 ° C.This is usually done in a staircase, in a basement with a bright window, or even in a less heated room, on a window sill with no radiator underneath. For this periodwe limit watering the mosquito , just try not to dry the substrate too much.
Good to know!Unfortunately, wintering is not always successful. Komarzyca varieties with green and purple leaves are the easiest to overwinter. Komarzyca hibernating less often is successful in cultivars with white-edged leaves.
Komarzyca - reproduction
If we managed to overwinter our plants of Komarzyca, in the spring we can obtain shoot cuttings from them for new plantings. This is a very easy way toreproduction of mosquitoesCut off fragments of shoots quickly take root both in water and put right into the ground. They do not require the use of rooting. Trim the growing shoots so that the plant sprouts, and when the late spring frosts pass, and therefore usually from mid-May, mosquitoes can be planted on balconies and terraces.
