Smitianta is a miniature herbaceous plant from the Gesneriaceae family. It lives in mountain forests and on the rocky cliffs of Central and South America. Smitianta looks very gentle and defenseless, prompting her to surround her with care. Florists note the beauty, unpretentiousness and variety of smithiants, which is easy to buy at any flower shop.
Plant description
Smitianta is a herbaceous perennial plant with soft, pubescent stems. Creeping rhizome is covered with small scales. The size of the rounded bush is 30-50 cm. Shoots strongly branch along the entire length. They are painted in a greenish-burgundy color and covered with a small red pile. The length of the stems is 0.4-1 m.
Along the entire height of the stem are long-leaved leaves. The opposite foliage is heart-shaped or ovoid. On a green surface are red or burgundy stains. The leaf plate is densely covered with short villi. On the edges of the leaves rounded cloves are visible. From above on a leaf through a bumpy surface a pattern of veins appears.
In spring, rare paniculate inflorescences bloom at the top of the bush. They consist of 10-20 tubular fragrant flowers. Petals are painted in orange, pink or red. When the flowers wither, all the terrestrial shoots begin to die off and a period of rest begins for the Smithyant. By February, new shoots begin to bloom from the base of the root neck, and the life cycle repeats.
Types of Smithyantes
In the genus, 9 species of Smithyans are registered, they can be seen in the photo. For a greater variety, several decorative varieties are bred.
Smitianta striped. This ornamental perennial forms a compact bush 30-40 cm high. Its straight, juicy shoots rise above the fibrous, scaly root system. The heart-shaped leaves are opposite. Their length reaches 18 cm. The velvety green surface is covered with a pattern of burgundy veins. Reddish-orange flowers with a long tube and rounded, slightly bent petals bloom on the peduncle. The pharynx of flowers is painted in bright yellow color and is covered with burgundy dots.
Smithyna Cinnabar Red. The plant is more compact in size, its height does not exceed 30 cm. Large velvet leaves up to 15 cm long are painted in dark green color. They are covered with many burgundy hairs. A pyramidal inflorescence rises above a bush about 25 cm high. It consists of cascades of orange bells. Flowers form from spring to autumn. By the end of flowering, their number can reach one hundred units.
Smitianta is multiflorous. Soft grassy perennial 25-30 cm high, it is distinguished by a lighter color of the leaves. The leaves are heart-shaped and short teeth near the end. Cream or snow-white flowers are located in loose brushes of inflorescences. The length of the bud tube is 4 cm. Flowering occurs in the summer months.
Hybrid variety is popular Smithyant early spring. Her flowers are collected in a beautiful, cascading inflorescence. Delicate buds have a light pink tube, yellow pharynx and white, covered with red dots, petals.
Smitianta Zebra. This species forms a soft shoot up to 60 cm high. Wide-oval foliage is painted in dark green and covered with burgundy stains along the veins. The leaves are densely pubescent, their length is about 15 cm. Loose buds of red flowers bloom over the bush. The pharynx of each bud is colored orange and covered with many red or burgundy dots.
Smitianta hybrid. Erect perennial with heart-shaped, dark green leaves. Paniculate inflorescences bloom on the tops of shoots and from the axils of the leaves. They consist of many scarlet, orange or cream flowers on elongated pedicels.
The variety is very popular. Prelude. Its flowers have a purple tube. Inside, it is painted yellow with a lot of scarlet dots. The white edges of the petals are covered with pink stains and dots.
Breeding methods
The following methods are suitable for propagation of smithiantes:
- sowing seeds;
- rhizome division;
- rooting cuttings.
Sowing seeds is carried out in a small greenhouse with sand and peat soil. It is better to do this in February-April. Small seeds try to evenly distribute on moist soil. The box is covered with glass and transferred to a bright and warm place. Seedlings germinate within 3 weeks. Plants grow quite quickly and are ready to dive and transplant in a week. The first flowers will appear in six months.
For rooting cuttings, apical sections of 5-8 cm long are prepared. Rooting is performed in water. When small roots appear, plants can be planted in the ground. Within two weeks after planting, it is necessary to ensure high humidity.
You can propagate the adult smithiant by dividing the roots. During the transplant, it is freed from the ground and divided into segments with several growth buds. The roots are laid out horizontally at a depth of 3 cm. You can plant 2 or 3 dividens in each pot. After transplantation, the smithiant should be very carefully watered. At first, it is enough to lightly spray the soil from the spray gun.
Cultivation and care
Caring for a smytiant will require some effort, however, with careful gardeners, it looks very impressive. A plant needs diffused light and a long daylight hours. Direct sunlight is harmful to delicate leaves. It is convenient to put the pot in the depths of the southern room.
Smitianta likes moderate warmth. She is comfortable at + 22 ... +25 ° C. In winter, during a dormant period, a slight cooling is allowed, but not less than +20 ° C.
It is necessary to water the smithant abundantly and often. Water should freely leave the soil and not stagnate at the roots. It is also undesirable to get it on foliage and branches. It is recommended to use the method of wick watering.
Smithyant will have to provide high humidity. The first signs of dry air are curled leaves with drying edges. You can not spray velvet leaves, so it is recommended to put the plant near aquariums or fountains, as well as use trays with wet pebbles. Pebbles cannot come into contact with the ground so as not to provoke root rot.
In April-August, the smythianta needs regular feeding. It is recommended to wear top dressing for violets. Strongly diluted top dressing is added to the ground weekly.
The Smithy is transplanted annually or a year later. Try to renew the soil whenever possible. You can buy ready-made land for violets or make it yourself from:
- leaf soil (2 parts);
- soddy soil (3 parts);
- coniferous soil (1 part);
- peat (1 part).
Capacity choose shallow and wide. The bottom of the pot must be lined with a thick drainage layer.
Possible difficulties
The succulent shoots and leaves of the Smithyant may be affected by gray rot or oidium. When soft, pollen-covered plaques appear, the plant must be treated with a fungicide.
Sometimes the plant is attacked by aphids and mealybugs. It will not work to get rid of pests, therefore, the shoots are treated with insecticides.
