Ixora - a tropical plant, named after a Hindu deity. Due to its appearance, this flower is considered the most beautiful home plant. Ixora is a tall shrub, characterized by a unique, rich brown color and umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Home flower will be the pride of any owner, but first you need to know and take into account the peculiarities of caring for him.
- Where to place the flower
- Lighting and temperature
- What kind of soil loves ixora
- How to water ixora
- How and what to fertilize ixora
- Plant Transplant Rules
- How to propagate ixora
- Features flower care
- Why ixoru is not grown in open ground
Where to place the flower
Since Ixory is home to the Indian tropics, this plant is thermophilic. For proper cultivation of Ixory, care at home should be special. The lighting, temperature, soil, watering and fertilizer of a flower are all very important for the perfect appearance of the plant.
Lighting and temperature
The place for planting Ixora plants must meet such requirements as a sufficient amount of natural light and constant heat. But direct sunlight on flowers should be avoided so that they do not suffer.
Ixora needs constant access to fresh air. In the warm season it is better to put the flower on the balcony or in the garden. The most favorable temperature for plant growth is 16-25 degrees above zero.
What kind of soil loves ixora
Ixora is quite whimsical to the soil. The most favorable for planting floral multicomponent land, rich in minerals and characterized by reduced acidity.
Such land can be prepared independently, but for this it is necessary to use the highest quality components: sod land, sand, foliage, peat, etc. For Ixory, drainage is obligatory.
How to water ixora
For ixora flower care at home should be anxious. Particular attention should be paid to watering. During flowering plants in the summer, watering should be at least three times a week. In winter, the frequency of watering is 6-8 days.The soil should not dry out, but not be flooded.
Color distributors recommend using softened water at room temperature. For greater effect several times a month in water it is recommended to add a couple of drops of lemon juice (5 ml per 1 l of water).
How and what to fertilize ixora
The plant is constantly in need of specialized and intense feeding. Multicomponent mineral compounds like fertilizer for orchids are suitable for this. It is necessary to fertilize a flower at least twice a month, but it should be done only in summer (in winter it is better to give the plant a rest).
The dosage and rules of feeding the soil vary depending on the concentration of active substances in the composition of the fertilizer, so pay attention to the instructions on the package.
Plant Transplant Rules
Ixora requires annual transplants. In the first five years, the flower should be transplanted into a larger and larger pot, and after the final strengthening of the root system, it is enough to update the top layer of soil in the pot.
It is extremely important that each subsequent pot was not only large, but also had a hole to remove excess water!
Initially, a drainage layer should be placed on the bottom of the pot, which will guarantee not only adequate oxygen access to the root system, but also timely removal of excess fluid.
After laying the drainage, the flower is immersed in the pot, its root system is carefully placed in the center, then sprinkled with a special earthen mixture, which includes leafy ground, peat, sand, turf ground, etc.
The root and trunk of the flower is poured with an earthen mixture almost to the edges of the pot (after the first watering, the earth will settle and occupy the usual volume).
Ixora adapts to a new place for about three weeks. During this period, the flower needs special care.
How to propagate ixora
Ixora plant propagates by cuttings, which are cut immediately after flowering from each non-flowering process. The length of such a cutting should not exceed 10 cm. Ixora flowers are quite whimsical in the care, so you should not hesitate with their development.
A freshly cut stalk should either be quickly dried and rooted in a greenhouse, or placed in water and waiting for the root system to grow.
For the reproduction of Ixory by the first method, it is necessary to prepare a special multicomponent soil for flowers.
The second method also requires preliminary preparation: you need to stock up on plant-type growth accelerators (before immersion in water, they should be processed at the cutting point).
Features flower care
At home, Ixora is quite rare. People often refuse to breed a flower because of the high requirements for its maintenance. But for high-quality cultivation Iksory at home enough to know its features and follow the recommendations.
- Ixora is dependent on regular watering, but excessive fluid content will destroy the flower. Therefore, placing the pot in any water tank is strictly prohibited.
- In the period of leaf fall (after flowering), the plant drops leaves. This is a normal process that should not cause concern. But at the moment when the buds appear on the flower, any movement of the pot with the flower will cause them to fall.
- To activate the flowering and branching of the plant, it is recommended to pinch the upper branches. This should be done very carefully, but on a large scale, leaving no more than half of the upper branches on the flower.
Why ixoru is not grown in open ground
Ixora, the care of which at home is quite scrupulous, is not grown in open ground. This is due to many factors, such as instability of air temperature or light.
The flower is strongly recommended to be planted only in pots, which makes it possible to move it depending on changes in temperature, level of natural light and other factors.
In the warm season, the Ixora plant can be taken out on the balcony or in the garden, in order to give it enough oxygen.Please note that Ixora heavily tolerates any changes in weather conditions. Because of this, sudden changes in temperature and direct sunlight are detrimental to the plant.
