General information about the plant, advice on care and propagation, soil selection and replanting, pest control methods and cultivation problems, plumbago species. Pig, or as it is also called Plumbago, in Latin sounds like Plumbago and it belongs to the numerous Pig family (Plumbaginaceae), which in 2010 already numbered 27 genera and about 800 species of representatives of the green world of the planet. Lead acquired its name for the analogy of the Latin word plumbum - lead, since in ancient times it was believed that the plant could be an antidote for poisoning with this substance. And also the juice that is released from the plumbago root can dye fabrics in a gray-blue tint. It is possible that the name was given to the flowers of the plant, which can take on a pale blue or blue color, and as you know, lead is a metal with a silvery-gray color scheme with a bluish tint. The homeland of the origin of this delicate flower is considered to be the tropical regions of Africa and Australia, the American and Asian regions, the Mediterranean. Wherever a warm and dry climate prevails on the globe, you can find lead.
This flower is one of the varieties of phlox, characterized by a delicate color of the buds. Pig is a perennial plant with a herbaceous, semi-shrub or shrub form of growth. The height of this flower varies from half a meter to three and more meters. On the shoots, the leaf plates have a spiral arrangement. The leaves are distinguished by a simple, elongated-conical shape with a solid edge. The length in some species can be up to 14 cm. Sometimes there may be hairy veins on the surface. When the leaves ripen, the reverse side of some varieties becomes whitish.
From flowers, racemes or spike-shaped inflorescences are collected, located at the tops of the stems. The bud has a tubular calyx with five ribs. They have glands that secrete a sticky liquid. The seeds also have a sticky surface, which helps the plant to spread by attaching itself to animals or birds. The corolla itself has the shape of a narrow tube and ends in a calyx formed by 5 bent petals. The color gamut of colors is very diverse, there may be shades of white, purple, blue, red or pinkish color scheme. The flowering process stretches from early spring to September.
The plant is also actively used in cosmetology and pharmacology, as it has pronounced antiseptic properties. Many growers, having seen photos of luxurious blooming plumbago bushes, want to have indoor phlox at home, but do not know that the plant can grow to simply enormous sizes. Since the growth rate of the lead is very high - it can reach 60 and more cm per season. The plant requires constant molding and obligatory support, since, without antennae or thorns, it will not be able to curl, but with some help from the grower it grows to 3 –4 meters high. Although its stems are durable, they are not very flexible, and therefore the branches will have to be bent very carefully. Plumbago in countries with mild and warm climates is grown in gardens, in flower beds, hedges and phytowalls are created. Where moderate climatic conditions are present, lead is grown as a tub or pot crop, in greenhouses, greenhouses or conservatories. If you provide sufficient care and cool wintering, then the flower will become a long-liver in the house, as it can live up to 7 years. In terms of the complexity of leaving, plumbago is considered a medium plant, as it is necessary to organize rest for it so that it pleases with its flowering and longevity.
As soon as the piglet stops flowering, then it is required to trim its shoots to half the height. This will stimulate the growth of young branches, since on the old ones, there will be practically no flowers formed.
Recommendations for growing lead
- Lighting and location selection. The plant loves a good degree of light and even a certain amount of direct sunlight, so it is worth placing the pig pot on the windows in the southeast or southwest direction. As soon as the plumbago has been purchased and brought into the house, then you should not immediately put it under intense solar streams, you need to gradually accustom the flower to this. In the summer months, when solar radiation reaches its maximum at lunchtime, you still have to arrange a little shading for the lead, as sunburn of the leaves can occur. In the autumn-winter period, on the contrary, the bush should be slightly supplemented, since with a short daylight hours the plant will begin to shed its leaves. As soon as the temperature is allowed, you can arrange a "vacation" for your blue flower in the fresh air, taking the pot out into the garden, on the balcony or terrace, but first the plant is taught to increase the illumination and choose a place protected from the winds.
- Lead keeping temperature. Plumbago develops normally if normal heat values are maintained in the range of 17-25 degrees during the summer months. If the line is crossed and hot days come, then the humidity will have to be increased so that the roots do not overheat. With the arrival of autumn, it is required to ensure a decrease in heat to 10-15 degrees Celsius. The pig will not survive a greater decline and will die. The plant requires a constant supply of fresh air, so if it is not possible to take it out to the balcony or garden, the room where the plumbago is located is often ventilated, but the plant should be protected from the effects of a draft.
- Winter "rest" period. The place where the plant will spend the autumn-winter period should be well lit with heat indicators not lower than 8 degrees and not higher than 15. If there is not enough light, and the temperature starts to rise, then the plumbago will quickly lose all the deciduous mass. The pig should spend its winter rest from October-November until the end of winter days. At this time, the frequency and abundance of moisture is greatly limited, but the soil should be in a slightly damp state. Complete drying of the substrate is not permissible. Top dressing is not applied at this time.
- Moisture content of plumbago. Since this is a resident of tropical areas, the plant is very fond of high humidity. It is necessary to use spraying often, especially at a time when the thermometer readings exceed the permissible 25 degrees. Water for this procedure is always used soft at room temperature (20-23 degrees). In a period of low temperatures (approximately 13-15 degrees), to increase the moisture in the air, it is recommended to install a pot with lead in a deep container filled with expanded clay or chopped sphagnum moss, into which water is poured. It is important not to allow the bottom of the pot to be submerged in water, as this can provoke rotting of the root system of the flower.
- Watering the lead. When carrying out regular moistening, it is necessary to focus on the state of the soil in the pot, as soon as its upper layer dries up, then immediately the plumbago is watered - this applies to the spring-summer period of maintenance. When autumn comes, the moisture content of the plant is reduced, the lead is watered after drying the upper layer of the substrate after 1-2 days. When the flower is in low temperatures of winter "rest", then watering should be extremely careful, since overflow at such a time will serve as the beginning of decay of the roots. Water for moisturizing is taken only warm and soft, free from harmful salts and impurities. To do this, sedimentation, filtration and boiling of tap water can be carried out, but it is better to use slightly heated rain or thawed snow.
- Feed plumbago stands from May days to early autumn twice a week with liquid complex fertilizers. The plant also responds well to the introduction of organic matter (for example, mullein solution). Such dressings should be alternated with universal ones. The composition of dressings must necessarily include manganese - this will not allow the leaf plates to turn yellow. You can use potassium permanganate at the rate of 1 dessert spoon per 10 liter bucket of water.
- Soil selection and replanting recommendations plants. To carry out a change of pot or soil, you must choose the spring period of the year. When the plant is still young up to 3 years old, then this procedure is performed annually, and after this period only with a two-year regularity. Before planting the lead, it is required to create a support in the pot so that in the future it can normally "crawl" along it with shoots (for example, a trellis or a ladder). For normal growth, you will have to tie the branches to the support yourself, since the plumbago has nothing to cling to with. When transplanting, the stems are usually shortened. You need to take a large container, since the plant feels uncomfortable in a cramped pot. Holes must be made in the container to drain excess moisture, and a layer of moisture-retaining materials (for example, foam plastic, expanded clay or pebbles) is poured onto the bottom.
In order to transplant the lead, a fertile, well-drained soil is chosen. You can take universal commercial soil and lighten it with sand, and add humus for nutritional value. But the soil mixture is also compiled independently from the following components:
- raised sod, peat land, leafy soil, humus (in proportions 4: 2: 1: 1), and river sand is added a little;
- turf, peat soil, leafy soil, humus with the addition of superphosphate (in a ratio of 4: 2: 1: 1).
Tips for self-propagation of lead
Reproduction of the plant occurs by planting seed or vegetatively (cuttings).
With the arrival of the first spring days, you can plant plumbago seeds in a container filled with a moist substrate based on fertile soil and river sand. Alternatively, the soil is prepared from peat, perlite or sand. The container can be wrapped in a plastic bag. The temperature for successful germination should be around 20 degrees. Lead entrances usually appear on the 10-14th day. As soon as a couple of leaves appear on the sprout, the seedlings should be transplanted into small separate pots - dive. As they grow, young plants will require transplanting into large containers. They will begin to bloom two years after the start of growth.
With the arrival of spring, with planned pruning, removed shoots remain, which can be used to obtain a new plant. The length of the branch should be 8-10 cm, the lower leaves should be removed. They are planted in a peat-sand mixture, the sand can be replaced with perlite. The container is wrapped with plastic wrap to create conditions for a mini-greenhouse (with constant high humidity and heat). The temperature for root formation should be 14-16 degrees. It is necessary to regularly ventilate the planted branches and moisten the substrate. After showing signs of growth (after about 2 weeks), it is recommended to transplant the cuttings into large pots with soil suitable for permanent growth. After 4 months, the young pig will delight with the appearance and dissolution of flowers.
You can wait for the roots by placing the cuttings in a container with water diluted with a root stimulator (for example, "Kornevin"). As soon as root shoots form on the branches and they reach 1.5–2 cm in length, it is recommended to plant in pots with a diameter of 7–9 cm with a sand-peat mixture.
When transplanting young plants, there is a complete change of soil and capacity.
Possible problems with plumbago cultivation
The plant is quite resistant to diseases and pests, but sometimes it can be affected by spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, whitefly or scale insects. These pests at the initial stage of the lesion are quite difficult to see, when, for example, the spider mite has multiplied strongly, then a thin cobweb is already distinguishable on many leaves, and the scabbard is manifested by sticky blooms on the leaf plates and brown dots on the vernal side of the leaf. Aphids are clearly visible, as this green insect grows up to 2 mm and crawls along the leaves, sucking the life sap from the plant. It is dangerous because, due to its sticky sugary waste products, other diseases may appear - soot dew (fungal infection). The whitefly appears on the back of the leaves with small white dots (these are the laid eggs of the pest), if they are not destroyed by removing the affected leaf plates and processing, then soon there will be a whole swarm of small whitish midges on the plant. The mealybug becomes visible due to the cotton-like formations that begin to cover the stems and leaves of the flower.
To begin with, you can remove pests by hand using oil, soap or alcohol solutions or carbaphos. A cotton swab is moistened with these means, and the leaves and shoots of the plant are wiped off. If this method does not work or it is necessary to consolidate the result, it is worth treating (spraying) with special insecticides. Against a spider mite, Aktofit, Vermitek or Fitoverm can be suitable. Some advise using Aktara, but it is toxic enough to be used indoors. To combat aphids, you should also use Karbofos, Akarin or Bankol.
If the leaves begin to turn brown, then the watering of the plant is insufficient. Lack of sufficient lighting and a small amount of nutrients in the soil characterize stunted growth and the absence of plumbago flowering.
Types of lead
- Ear-shaped pig (Plumbago auriculata). There is a second name for this plumbago - Cape lead. The plant takes the form of a bush, differs in shoots that can creep or curl at a length of 3 or more meters. The stems are very reminiscent of lianas, on the top of which are inflorescences in the form of brushes of beautiful blue-white buds. The flowering process takes several months. The leaf plates on the branches are arranged in a regular sequence. They have the shape of elongated scapula, a slight narrowing and two rounded stipules go to the base. Measured - 7 cm in length with a width of 3 cm. The tube of the corolla of the bud has a length of 3.5 cm. It is formed from accrete lobes of obovate petals. There are 5 free stamens, extended filaments grow at the base. At a temperature of 6-7 degrees, it can freeze slightly, and if the winter was cold, it freezes completely up to the root collar. There is a variety "Akba" which has a pure white color.
- Indian pig (Plumbago indica). The southeastern regions of Asia are considered the homeland of growth. This plant has a red or pink tint to the flower petals. It is quite rare. It is grown only in greenhouse conditions, since tropical indicators of heat and humidity are necessary for its growth. Shoots in this variety can droop slightly to the ground, be creeping or grow upright. It differs in that its inflorescences are not racemose, but rise above the deciduous mass in the form of long, slightly branched spikelets. Flowers can reach a diameter of 2.5 cm.
What a pig looks like, see the following video:
