Otto Brunfels care at home

beautiful houseplant Otto Brunfels grows compact bush or small tree.

Description plants

The genus includes about thirty different species, but only one species of the genus Brunfelsia pauciflora florists grow at home. The plant is a native of Brazil, grows in open forests and thickets. Evergreen spread around the world from the American tropics. The scientific name of the plant is related to the famous German botanist Otto Brunfels.

Flowering herbaceous perennials differ in size and growth bushes forms. In nature, they grow up to 1-3 meters and can form small trees.

For cultivation in the home launched only one species – Otto Brunfels oliganthous, so choose a houseplant. There are several subspecies, but they are very similar in shape and color of flowers.

Pot Otto Brunfels – small bush in height and 60 cm, with erect stems densely covered with bright green lanceolate leaves (8-15 cm.) Flat flowers, with five petals and 5 cm, change color each day. Disclosed are violet-purple, gradually become pale lavender (almost white) and dry to the fourth day. They appear in groups but are disclosed separately. The plant can bloom all year round.

Important!Otto Brunfels belongs to the family Solanaceae and requires careful handling, as its sap is highly toxic.

Care room Otto Brunfels

Brunfelsia quick and easy to grow. This moisture-loving and light-requiring culture. For the full growth and flowering in the home she needs: frequent watering, air moisture, fertilizing.

humidity

High humidity is provided in the room where it grows a flower, because it is difficult to grow in the dry air of apartments. They require frequent spraying, (at the time of flowering it is not carried out). And take additional measures – placing the pots on the tray with moist pebbles to increase humidity.

Illumination

Otto Brunfels like sunny places, but it needs some protection from the heat of the day. Direct sunlight is fired and dried its leaves. Preferably place it on the western and eastern sides of the windows. In autumn and winter, when the days are short, flower room rearranged to a lighted place.

Low

Exotic abhors a constant air temperature fluctuations and drafts – especially cold. At normal room temperature, it feels good, but the temperature decrease to +9 ° C can be detrimental to it. In the period of active growth of normal room temperature is suitable.

In winter, when the room is warm and moist, the plant will not have a significant rest period. If at this time to leave Otto Brunfels grow in warm conditions, it not only does not bloom, but the leaves fold. Plant stand in the cold condition, while maintaining the familiar lighting, no more than 12 weeks (enough to withstand 8 weeks in the cold).

Flowering

To encourage flowering, (October-November) is reduced to room temperature from 9 to 14 degrees (in a cool place it is possible to achieve the beginning of flowering).

Flowering begins in late winter and lasts until May. During this period, the stems are fully covered with bright flowers with a delicate and very pleasant aroma that is heard just after sunset. After flowering, the flowers appear on the site Juicy orange berries. The fruits are characterized by high toxicity.

Trim sprouts

To maintain the beautiful shape of the bush spend pruning shoots immediately after flowering, shortening them to a third of the height. This stimulates the growth of young stems and the formation of new flower buds. If the plant grows and stretches can prischipnut shoot tips in the warm season.

soil

The culture is very demanding to the soil, which is growing. Provide its nutritious, well-drained soil. Ready substrate for planting roses, which is sold at a flower shop suitable for her. In the summer the soil is constantly kept in a wet state.

Note!The soil in the pot should not dry out, but do not be too boggy.

Watering

Water the supernatant with water at room temperature 2-3 times a week. At lower temperatures reduce watering, but drying clod of earth can not be allowed, as the flower starts to drop flower buds. The rest period watering them enough to soil mix does not dry out completely.

Feeding

Fed homemade flower throughout the year (even in times of peace) to stimulate flowering. Despite the relatively long flowering, it fed in moderation. The excess or shortage of nutrients harmful to the culture. In the period from November to February, and fertilizers are applied rarely and reduce dose (every 3-4 weeks) During the warmer months (the period of active growth) fertilizers are applied every two weeks.

Multiplication

Otto Brunfels can be propagated by seed and vegetatively. Self-propagate whimsical flower is not easy. Simple, but not easy method of reproduction – cuttings. When the shoots can be pruned to obtain a large number of apical cuttings are treated with growth stimulants and perpetuate under greenhouse conditions, and by a covering transparent object. Under these conditions the roots can occur in 4-6 weeks.

The seeds are sown in the soaking wet peat substrate and covered with foil. Watering is carried out every other day. Seedlings appear after 4-6 weeks. After 14 days, the plants are transplanted into a dive and some pots.

Transplantation Otto Brunfels

substrate shift and pots is best done only when necessary – with signs of lack of free space for the root system. The pot should not be large.

Important!Conduct transplant only after flowering, when the plant is at a stage of complete rest.

Diseases and pests

Exotic flower resistant indoor pests. The danger for him are only aphids and spider mites. Diseases can occur when incorrect care:

  • Incorrect soil acidity;
  • a lack of iron;
  • developing a variety of mold on shoots when wetting of the substrate.

Problems in the cultivation of Otto Brunfels:

  • too pale leaves in bright light;
  • leaf yellowing under insufficient level of iron in the soil, watering hard water or stagnant water in the pots.

Otto Brunfels differs excellent decorative properties. To ensure the full development of the culture and abundant flowering, you need to properly care for it. Subject to all rules and recommendations of the flower will please abundant flowering twice a season.