Plumbago (Plumbago) is a plant from the Plumbago family. Homeland – South Africa, tropics and subtropics of Asia, America.
The family includes about 27 genera and 800 species, which are periodically replenished. The name of the plant guinea pig comes from the Latin word plumbum, which means lead. Previously, it was believed that this plant is an antidote for poisoning with the specified substance. In addition, the pale blue and blue flowers of the lead are identical to the shade of lead, which has a bluish tint.
Popular types of plants
Plumbago is a small evergreen flowering shrub with long, thin, flexible shoots.
The height of the plant reaches 1.5 – 3 m. The leaves of the flower look attractive, the leaf plate has an elongated conical shape and a solid edge, its length is 14 cm, the arrangement of the leaves is spiral. There are hairy veins on the surface of the leaves. The peculiarity of the matured leaves of some varieties of pigs is that they change their color to grayish or whitish on the underside.
The flowers are collected in racemose or spike-shaped inflorescences, formed at the tops of the stems. The shape of the bud is narrow, tubular, the calyx consists of five bent petals with glands that secrete a sticky substance.
The seeds of the plant are also sticky, which allows them to attach to other plants or animals and thus spread quickly. The flowers are light blue, white or pink, sometimes red, with a very pleasant, barely perceptible aroma. Blooms from spring to autumn.
The piglet flower is not often found on windows in houses and apartments due to its rapid growth. It is more suitable for keeping in greenhouses, winter gardens, flower beds.
Having decided to breed and care for plumbago at home, you should be prepared for the regular formation of the plant. In addition, you will have to make a support for the flower, since it does not have antennae and thorns, which means it cannot curl. A tall bush will be unstable and without support it will simply begin to fall, which will lead to its breakage and death.
In indoor floriculture are very popular:
Cape pig, or ear-shaped (P. auriculata, syn. P. capensis) .
Indian pig (C. indica) .
Eared piglet (Plumbago auriculata) or Cape piglet – has the shape of a shrub and creeping or climbing shoots, reaching up to 3 m in length. At the top of the stem is a racemose inflorescence with white-blue buds. Flowering lasts several months. Leaf blades alternate, oblong-oval, narrowed towards the base, with a pair of rounded stipules. Leaves are 7 cm long and 3 cm wide.
There is a variety “Alba” in which the color of the flowers is pure white.
Indian guinea pig (Plumbago indica) is a small shrub that is very rare. It is mainly bred in greenhouse conditions due to its whimsicality. The shoots of this species can spread along the ground or grow vertically. Inflorescences are long, slightly branched spikelets. The flowers are up to 3 cm in diameter.
You can get acquainted with the characteristic features of plumbago varieties in the photo below:
The following are tips for plant care.
Tips for caring for pigs at home
Despite the fact that this is a plant of the tropics, caring for a pig is considered to be of medium complexity. An important factor that plays a role in the formation and flowering of plumbago is the correct location. For the abundant flowering of the piglet at home, direct sunlight is needed, but it must be protected from the hot rays of the midday sun. The ideal place for a flower will be windows with access to the southwest and southeast. Do not leave the plant in direct sunlight, as this will burn the leaves. At noon, it is better to shade the flower. In the autumn-winter period, supplementary lighting with artificial lighting is recommended, since the plumbago begins to shed its leaves from a lack of light. In hot weather, the piglet can be taken out into the garden or onto an open balcony.
It is important when caring for a piglet at home to create the correct temperature regime. So, in the warm season, the optimum temperature will be 17 – 25 degrees. On hot days, it is recommended to humidify the air, give the plant a shower at room temperature, as the leaves droop, wither or may dry out at high temperatures and dry air.
Caring for the plumbago, the grower should know that this is one of those plants that are in dire need of a dormant period. In winter, the plant is best kept in cool rooms at a temperature of 8-12 ° C. The piglet cannot withstand lower temperatures and dies. C. Indian at a minimum temperature of 15 ° C. We must not forget about the illumination at this time. Winter rest at the flower begins in early November and lasts until early March. For this period, watering should be reduced, but at the same time, the earth should be slightly damp. Do not allow the earthen coma to dry out. The plant does not need fertilizing during the dormant period.
When breeding pigs, the main thing to remember is that this is a tropical plant, which means that it is necessary to create conditions for it that are as close as possible to the conditions of the tropics. The flower loves high humidity, so regular spraying is required, especially in the summer season. Water should be soft and at room temperature.
In summer and autumn, the plant requires abundant watering, in winter and spring – moderate. When watering, you need to focus on the state of the earthy coma – if the top layer is dry, the plant needs additional moisture. In winter, watering should be rare and very careful; drying out of the soil in a pot, as well as excess moisture, can lead to the death of a flower.
At temperatures above 23 ° C, the plant must be provided with additional ventilation.
Pigs are fed with liquid fertilizers for flowering plants. Top dressing is carried out from May to September 2 times a week. Plumbago responds very well to organic fertilizers, which must be alternated with universal ones. Fertilizers containing manganese will help to avoid yellowing of the leaves.
Young plants (in the first 3 years) require an annual transplant, this is due to their intensive growth. In subsequent years, it is enough to transplant the piglet once every 2 years. Transplantation is carried out in the spring. In the pot where the plant is transplanted, there must be a support, for example, a ladder.
The grower will have to tie the branches to the support so that the shoots of the plant can attach to it and crawl. The flower pot should be slightly larger than the previous one and have holes to drain excess water. A layer of pebbles or expanded clay is laid on the bottom, then the substrate is poured – turf and leaf earth, humus, sand (2: 1: 1: 1). In the process of transplanting, shorten the stems and carefully place the flower in a depression made in the soil, then sprinkle with earth and water. 4-5 months after planting, the plumbago blooms.
Pruning enhances flowering. Branches need to be cut twice a year: in February, shorten last year’s shoots by 2/3; the second time – immediately after the end of flowering, leave the stems about 20 cm long. By strong pruning, you can get an ampelous form.
How to care for a pig at home is shown in the following photos, by looking at which you can get a complete picture of the content of this flower:
Mumps breeding
Propagation by seeds, spring cuttings, early summer – shoots of the current year. Cuttings take root in 15-17 days.
Seeds are planted in early spring in a container filled with substrate. A glass tank or plastic film is applied on top. Seeds are kept in a warm place, shoots appear at a temperature of at least 20 degrees in 1.5 – 2 weeks. When the first pair of leaves appears, seedlings can be planted in separate containers. Flowering begins after 2 years.
You can get a new plant with the help of shoots that are pruned from the plant during a planned transplant. The length of the cut shoot should be at least 8 cm.
The shoots are planted in a container filled with a mixture of peat and sand, covered with plastic wrap, thereby creating a mini-greenhouse.
The planted branches are harvested in a cool place where the temperature will be about 15 degrees, which is optimal for the formation of the root system. The greenhouse with shoots needs to be periodically ventilated, the substrate should be watered. Within 2 weeks, the root system should form, and the shoots should grow. After that, they can be seated separately in large pots with nutrient soil.
Plumbago flower is great for creating phytowalls and hedges. This plant is a long-liver and, under good conditions, can live for 7 years.