Distinctive characteristics of the plant, cultivation of geogenanthus, reproduction, difficulties in growing and ways to solve them, interesting facts, species. We are well aware of Tradescantia with its gorgeous leaves and ease of maintenance. However, there are related representatives of this family, not inferior to her in the beauty of leaf plates, but more capricious in care and requiring knowledge of reproduction. Today we will talk about such a "green inhabitant" of the planet as Geogenanthus, a member of the Commelinaceae family. Six more varieties of representatives of this genus are also included there, but most often it is customary to grow only Geogenanthus undatus under indoor conditions. The plant “considers” the lands of the Upper Amazon, namely Peru and Brazil, to be its native growing areas.
The plant got its name in Latin because of the property not to raise its inflorescences too much above the soil surface, therefore the word is made up of two Greek components "geo", translated as "earth" and "anthos", meaning "flower". It turns out as a whole a Ground or Earth flower.
Geogenanthus rarely exceeds 30–45 cm in height and has a non-branched stem, which is painted in reddish tones. It has a long life span, but its reproductive organs quickly fade. At the very beginning of its growth, the stem is erect, but over time it lays down and practically spreads along the surface of the soil. New shoots appear in the nodes, which later rise slightly upward.
The big pride of this South American exotic is the rather decorative leafy plates, which can reach 10 cm in length. Their shape is almost rounded, the top is pointed, and the surface is folded, reminiscent of an Indian "reaper" (fabric with stripes and folds). They go in the direction from the very base of the leaf to its top, often wavy. There are also varieties that differ in elongated-lanceolate outlines of leaves, their arrangement is group, final, several units each. Each leaf plate is attached to the stem with a sturdy petiole, the length of which does not exceed 8 cm.
Also, the color of the leaves depends on the variety. From above, it can be a rich dark emerald, and from the back - dark purple. Most of all, the variety is popular, with a silvery pattern, which makes the leaves even more decorative and originality.
Flowers are not of particular interest in Geogenanthus, they are medium-sized and their petals have pale pink tones. The flowering process occurs at the beginning of the summer period. They fade very quickly. Since the height of the geogenanthus is rather low, it can be effectively used as a decoration for the lower tier in phytocompositions. Since the view of the leaf plates from above, when their color alternates with monotony and variegation, it gives the flower grouping more color. Due to the high demand for care, this plant is usually grown in florariums or "flower windows" - specially equipped devices, in the form of two parallel glass showcases, between which a pot with a plant is placed and there it is possible to withstand the necessary indicators of heat and humidity.
Creation of conditions for growing geogenanthus, care
- Lighting and location selection. The "harvester plant" is quite light-requiring, but it cannot stand the influence of direct streams of light, therefore a place is selected for it on the windowsill of windows "looking" to the east or west. If there is no choice, and the geogenanthus will stand on the window of the southern location, then light shading will be required so that the illumination remains bright, but diffused. When the brightness of the light is very strong, the decorative color of the foliage will fade. However, the northern orientation is not suitable for cultivation, since with a lack of light, internodes begin to stretch ugly, and the color of the foliage becomes dull. In this case, backlighting is performed.
- Content temperature. When growing geogenanthus, it is necessary to maintain room heat indicators, within 20-23 degrees. In the autumn-winter period, you can lower them to 15, but not lower. The plant will not be able to endure frosts, as well as watering with cold water and the action of a draft.
- Air humidity. The plant is distinguished by a great love for moisture, therefore its optimal indicators in the air should be in the range of 65–70%. It will be necessary to carry out mandatory spraying on days when the thermometer readings exceed the mark of 24 units. The water should be soft, you can slightly cool temperature. If the dryness of the air increases, the plant may suffer from damage by harmful insects. You can also solve the problem by installing a pot with geogenanthus in a deep and wide pallet, at the bottom of which a little moisture is poured and a layer of drainage material is laid (often expanded clay, pebbles or chopped sphagnum moss are used as it). The only important condition is that the liquid level does not touch the bottom of the pot, otherwise rotting of the root system may begin.
- Watering the "earthen flower". Geogenanthus prefers abundant but moderate soil moisture. From the beginning of the growing season to the onset of autumn, the soil should be constantly moist, but not waterlogged. In especially hot months, watering is carried out 2-3 times per week. With the arrival of September, moisture is gradually reduced, especially if the plant is kept at low heat levels. At this time, watering is carried out only once every 7 days. If the earthen lump is in a dry state long enough, then the flower may die. Also, water should not be allowed to flood the soil, this can be the beginning of fungal diseases and root rot. Humidifying water should be free of chlorine and impurities. For this, it is recommended to use collected rain or river water. But if this is not possible, then you will have to take tap water, pass it through a filter or boil it, then let it stand for a couple of days. After that, all the liquid is drained from the container, trying not to touch the one at the bottom. The water temperature should be room temperature, about 22-24 degrees.
- Top dressing geogenanthus is carried out as soon as the plant began to show signs of spring awakening, that is, young leaves began to form. Apply from March until the end of summer every 14 days or at least once a month liquid preparations for fertilizing decorative deciduous indoor plants. In winter, the subcortex is not carried out or becomes very rare. This will help the plant with harvested foliage to grow more actively and not lose color saturation. The use of organic matter has a good effect on geogenanthus.
- Transfer the plants are held annually on spring days. The new container should not be too deep. 2-3 cm of drainage material is placed on the bottom, which will retain moisture, preventing the soil from drying out quickly - it can be expanded clay or medium-sized pebbles, broken brick or shards. Also, holes should be made in the bottom for the drain of excess liquid that has not been absorbed by the root system.
The transplant substrate is taken fertile and not heavy. You can make a soil mixture yourself by mixing clay-sod soil, leafy soil, humus and peat soil, as well as river sand (all parts are taken of equal volume).
Features of the reproduction of geogenanthus at home
Since the plant is a close relative of Tradescantia, the breeding rules are very similar. All these procedures are performed in the spring.
You can get a new plant with crinkled leaves using stem cuttings. The tops of the stems are cut so that their length is at least 10 cm. They can be placed in a container with boiled and settled water (so that it is free of impurities and chlorine). A little bit of a drug that stimulates root formation (for example, Kornevin) is sometimes added to it. When root shoots are formed on them, which reach a length of 1–2 cm, then planting can be carried out in a moistened peat-sand mixture. After the cuttings are wrapped in a plastic bag to create conditions of high humidity and heat (temperature indicators should vary within 23-25 degrees). Sometimes some growers plant cut twigs, bypassing the process of emergence of roots in a vessel with water. They immediately transplant into the already mentioned substrate.
When the cuttings show signs of rooting (young new leaves will appear on young plants), they can be planted in separate pots with soil suitable for further cultivation. It is necessary to remove the shelter and gradually accustom young geogenatuses to the indoor atmosphere, but it is not recommended to put them in a place with direct sunlight. Also, during the next procedure for changing the pot and soil, it will be necessary to divide the mother bush of the "harvester plant" into parts (delenki) and plant each in a prepared container with moistened suitable soil. Until there are signs of successful rooting of the plots, the pots are placed in a place with diffused light.
Diseases and pests when growing a flower
Often the plant suffers from pests such as spider mites or mealybugs. The first reveals itself as a cobweb on the leaves and in internodes, and the second in the form of a sugar coating on the foliage and cotton-like whitish lumps between the leaves and on the stem. It will be necessary to carry out treatment with insecticides, and if the pest is not completely destroyed, then after a week the procedure is repeated.
If the conditions of detention are violated, the following troubles occur:
- the edge of the leaves begins to dry out and turn brown in case of low air humidity or insufficient watering;
- the color of the foliage turns pale when the plant lacks the level of illumination;
- the leaves can also dry out if in the winter the pot with geogenanthus is located next to the central heating radiators;
- when watering is carried out with cold water, the tips of the leaf plates also dry out;
- if there is not enough light, as well as few nutrients, then the plant's stems begin to stretch ugly, the leaf plates are not densely located;
- in the case of softening of the stems at their base and the appearance of a brownish color, then we can assume their decay due to a too waterlogged substrate, especially at low thermometer readings.
Also, if the substrate in the pot is often subjected to waterlogging, then fungal diseases (root rot) may develop, in this case it is recommended to adjust the moisture and treat the geogenanthus with fungicides.
Interesting facts about geogenanthus
If we consider geogenanthus from the point of view of astrology, then this plant is most suitable for people born under the sign of Taurus. For them, Venus manifests itself as the Morning Star and is responsible for form, harmony and beauty. These representatives of humanity love to be engaged in plant growing, but their preference is given to flora with beautiful outlines and aroma. Decorative leaf plates are eye-catching and delight their owner with their outlines. The ease of rooting attracts florists.
Types of geogenanthus
- Wavy geogenanthus (Geogenanthus undatus) can be found under the name Dichorisandra undata. The plant is a perennial with a herbaceous form of growth, reaching a height of 30 cm. The ascending stem has geniculate contours and a reddish tint. Its top is crowned with 2-3 closely growing leaf plates. They have short petioles and tubular sheaths. The leaves are broadly ovate in shape, with parameters not exceeding 8–10 cm in length and about 4–7 cm in width. Their surface is wavy, leathery, the color on the reverse side is purple, on the upper side it is dark greenish with metallic reflections. On the surface there are longitudinal stripes of silver color, located along arcuate veins, their number varies within 5-7 units. The flowers do not differ in beauty and decorativeness, short curls are collected from them, which subsequently form inflorescences with racemose outlines. Inflorescences are often located in the leaf axils of those plates that grow below the stem. They begin their growth in the leaf sheaths, punching them. The plant "venerates" the lands of the Upper Amazon, more precisely in Peru and Brazil, as its native territories.
- Geogenanthus ciliatus (Geogenanthus ciliatus). The name of the plant comes from ciliates - referring to the type of petals in flowers - they have ciliate pubescence along the edge. The homeland is the territory of the Upper Amazon, like other varieties, it also includes the average heights on the eastern slopes of the Andes in the lands of Ecuador and low-lying parts in the north of Peru. Often, the growth of representatives of the family falls on semi-primary tropical forests. The plant has one fleshy thick stem, the top of which is decorated with juicy leaf plates, but occasionally it is found that the pair is located from the base to the top. The number of leaves in the terminal rosette can be up to 3 units. The upper surface of the leaf plate is glossy with a dark emerald color, while on the reverse side it is shaded with a dark purple color scheme and velvety to the touch. The flowers are located on long pedicels, which measure 5 cm. They take their origin from the leaf sinuses. The buds have 3 greenish-brown sepals, 3 flower petals are cast in blue or purple color and along the edge they are covered with fringed cilia. There are 5-6 stamens in the corolla.
- Geogenanthus poeppigii (Geogenanthus poeppigii). It is popularly called Seersucker - "Indian crinkled fabric with stripes", which characterizes the surface of the sheet plates. The plant got its name in honor of the German zoologist and botanist Eduard Friedrich Peppig, who lived in 1798-1868. This scientist became famous for becoming very famous, studying the nature of the territories of the South American continent. One can also find the name Geogenanthus undatus in literary scientific sources, but this is already an outdated name. The genus Geogenanthus originated about 66 million years ago, according to estimates of scientific research and the diversification of the order of the Cammiliformes. Most often, this variety is found in its homeland - in the Amazon, choosing low-lying lands for growth in Peru and western Brazil, where semi-primary tropical forests are located. On the lower side, the leaf plate is painted in purple, while the upper side is covered in green with darker stripes. The surface as a whole has a highly decorative "wrinkled" appearance, hence the already mentioned name "Indian reaper". The plant is unique in that its curls of flowers begin to rise from the lower nodes on the stem and it often looks as if they are growing directly from the soil. The upper three stamens are hairy, and the lower three are long and smooth. The nodes and internodes are well distinguished on the stem. The stem is covered with small brownish hairs, and under the ground there is a short branched rhizome.
