Kolumnea(Columnea) is a genus of plants native to the humid forests of tropical America. In pot cultivation, the most common are: Banks columna (Columnea x banksii), Columna hairy (Columnea hirta), small-leaved columnar (Columnea microphylla) and columbine (Columnea gloriosa). We suggest whatcultivating column plantsat home, what requirements must be met, and whether it is possible to reproduce them on your own.
Column - Columnea
Fig. © Tadek, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Column - variations
Banks' Column(Columnea x banksii) - the plant produces scarlet flowers up to 7.5 cm long, which you can admire all winter and spring. The leaves of this plant are fleshy, dull green, they grow on shoots up to 1 m long. The Banks Column is often recommended as the easiest to grow indoors.
Columnea kosmata(Columnea hirta) - also called a rough column, is an epiphyte with creeping or hanging shoots covered with elliptical, hairy, brown-green leaves. Tubular flowers of this species appear in the leaf axils. They are carmine red in color.
Small-leaved Column(Columnea microphylla) - creates clearly cascading pendulous shoots with numerous rounded leaves and orange flowers.
Columnea turned out(Columnea gloriosa) - the plant forms slender shoots over 90 cm long with leaves covered with small brown hairs, flowers orange-red. Apart from the mentioned species, the columns are available in several interesting breeding varieties. The most interesting are:
Columnea turned 'Purpurea'- in this variety the hairs covering the leaves are purple.
Column 'Alpha'- creates light yellow flowers.
Kolumnea 'Chanticleer'- characterized by a more compact habit and orange flowers appearing all year round.
Kolumnea 'Mary Ann'- creates dark pink flowers.
Kolumnea 'Stavanger'- it has smooth, hairless leaves.
Column - cultivation
Columnega requires a bright growing positionHowever, direct, strong sunlight should be avoided. The window sill on the east or west side will be appropriate. In the case of the southern exhibition, the plant should be moved a little further, so that the light reaching the plant is filtered through the curtain.
In spring and summercolumn grows well at average room temperaturei requires fairly sparing watering.We only slightly moisten the soil and let its top layer dry between waterings. Since the plant grows best in an acidic substrate,for watering the column it is best to use water without calciumIt can be rainwater or possibly tap water stagnated for 1 day.
Column - Columnea
Fig. © Tadek, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The plant requires high air humidity. Therefore, it is recommended to regularlysprinkle the leaves of the column withlukewarm water. Do not use cool tap water, poured directly into the sprayer from the tap. Brown spots quickly appear on the leaves of plants that are sprayed with too cold water.
From spring to autumn, we carry outcolumn fertilizationusing a potassium-rich fertilizer every 10-14 days. This condition will be met by any fertilizer for flowering plants.
More difficulties are posed by the correctcolumn wintering It is extremely important if we want the plant to bloom profusely. To this end, the column is put into winter dormancy in October. Then we limit watering, stop fertilizing completely and lower the temperature in the room to about 18 ° C. All the time, however, the plant should be in a bright place, well-lit by sunlight.
In December or January, for 4-6 weeks, the air temperature is lowered to only 10-15 ° C and watering is reduced even more. However, you must not allowColumn to lose leavesIf this happens, the leaves without leaves must be trimmed, which unfortunately has a negative effect on flowering.
Such a short cooling and drying of the plant promotes flowering.Columnea blooms from February to MarchWhen the plant starts to bloom, go back to more intensive watering and start fertilizing it. Once the plant has finished flowering, a good time will come forcolumn pruningAll faded sections of the shoots are then shortened to a length of 5 cm.With sufficiently intensive watering and fertilizing, new shoots will soon start to grow out of the leaf axils.
Replanting a columnis best done immediately after trimming it. A substrate based on acid peat is recommended.
Column - multiplication
The propagation of plants of the columnar genusis done by apical or shoot cuttings taken after the plant has finished flowering. Most often this happens in spring or summer. The seedlings should be about 10 cm long. They can be rooting in water only or in a moist substrate. Heating from below is recommended to promote rooting. 4-6 rooted cuttings are planted in a 10 cm pot.
