Callistemon - an incredibly beautiful tropical shrub, blooms with red flowers of an interesting shape - in the form of a brush. Callistemon's homeland is Australia, and belongs to the Myrtle family. In the native environment, some specimens reach 14-15 cm, in room conditions the size is more modest. Because of the unusual flowers, the plant is also called "Bengal candles" or "red stamens". The shoots of the plant branch almost from the root system, over time increasing the crown, which is heterogeneous in density.
Callistemon is famous for its healing properties, since the leaves of the bush secrete essential oils, thereby disinfecting the room and destroying microbes. People in whose apartments this amazing plant grows are less likely to get colds.
Description of the main types of callistemon
Callistemon flower includes over 35 varieties. Only not each of them is suitable for indoor content. The following species are recommended as a home plant:
Picture Potted Callistemon
- Callistemon lemon. When rubbing the leaf, the plant exudes the aroma of lemon, so this type of "red stamen" got its name. It is a voluminous branched shrub that reaches almost 2-2.5 meters in height. The leaves of the bush, dark green with a light bluish tint, have a lanceolate shape. The flowering of callistemon citrinus callistemon citrus in the classic version occurs in June with red-raspberry inflorescences. It has many varieties of different shades, the most popular of them are easy to find in flower shops:
- Reeves pink - blooms with bright pink flowers;
- Burgundy - inflorescences of deep wine color;
- Demens Rowena - a bush of medium growth, blooms with red and red "Bengal lights", by the end of flowering they become pale pink;
- Mauve mist - unusual purple flowers adorn the bush;
- Burgundy - rich wine color;
- Little John is a compact shrub, very convenient for indoor cultivation;
- White Anzac - blooms with dazzling white flowers, with proper care, this variety can reach a 1.5-meter height at home.
Appearance of Callistemon Lemon
- Callistemon is rod-shaped or woven. This is a branchy, tall tree, reaching in the wild 7 m tall. Callistemon rod-shaped has narrow, gray-green leaves and red-purple inflorescences. A feature of woven callistemon is that the stamens at the base of the flower fuse into a ring. Most often, the Captain Cook variety is grown in a home environment.
Callistemon rod-shaped or woven
- Callistemon is red. A very tall shrub similar to a tree reaches 4 m in height. The leaves of red callistemon are thin, elongated (up to 7 cm), stamens are bright red in color with golden anthers.
Home Care
Experienced gardeners believe that callistemon care at home requires medium complexity, since a flowering plant because of its tropical origin loves warmth and light. In Russia, it is grown exclusively in houses, apartments, greenhouses or a heated conservatory.
In the southern regions, it is possible to grow callistemon in open ground in the summer, but with the onset of cold weather it is necessary to move it to the room.
Additional Information. Callistemon is in dire need of fresh air, especially in the heat. If possible, you need to periodically take the plant to the terrace or garden.
Callistemon care requires the following:
- Lighting. All types and varieties of exotic culture are very fond of light and perfectly tolerate direct sunlight. A decorative bush can be placed near a window on the south side, the plant will not suffer a drop from bright sunlight. In low light, the "red stamen" may not bloom at all. In the cold season, the problem of poor lighting can be solved by installing additional artificial light;
- Watering. Callistemon must be watered only with water at room temperature, it must first be defended in order to filter out chlorine. Watering is required regularly in medium volumes, since excess or lack of water negatively affects the beauty and health of the flower. The need for watering can be determined by the condition of the soil in the pot, it should not be very wet or dry. It is important to regularly care for the leaves of the bush: to clean dust from the device for a flower shower.
Interesting fact. The leaves of this flower can be rotated edge to the sun. This helps the plant always retain moisture by slightly heating the surface of the leaf.
- Top dressing. For rapid growth and good flowering, it is advisable to feed callistemon 2 times a month with complex mineral fertilizers. It is best to purchase special formulations for flowering house plants.
Important! Fertilizer should be applied only during the active growing season. In the fall, stop feeding.
- Pruning. After the flowers fade, all the peduncles must be cut off immediately. In addition, annually it is required to remove crooked shoots that grow incorrectly inside the crown. In the future, these shoots, if not removed, will inhibit the growth of the bush and spoil its appearance. Pruning is carried out on plants that have reached a height of 50 cm;
- Temperature. The correct temperature regime is the key to flowering shrubs. On cold days in the spring, it is necessary to create warmer conditions for keeping the tropical plant indoors. In autumn, the temperature should be gradually reduced. Callistemon should winter in a slightly cool, but bright room.
Note! The difference between winter and summer temperature conditions should be at least 5-6 degrees, otherwise callistemon will not rest, and this will certainly affect its appearance and useful properties.
Planting and transplanting plants
Callistemon Seedling Pot
For planting an exotic handsome, a soil mixture, which is purchased for flowering perennials, is quite suitable.
Basic soil requirements for callistemon:
- Water permeability;
- Neutral pH;
- Friability;
- Necessarily need a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot.
The plant must be transplanted for the first 3 years of life in the spring. Adult shrubs are transplanted once every 3 years or when filling the pot volume with the roots a little earlier, but it is advisable to renew the topsoil in the pot every year. It is best to plant in April, in extreme cases, no later than the first days of May.
Breeding methods
Callistemon propagates in two ways: seeds and cuttings.
Seeds
Small birds pollinate a tropical shrub. Then, in September-early October, seed boxes ripen. You can collect the seed yourself or purchase at a flower shop.
Callistemon is sown from seeds as follows:
- The collected seeds are laid out on the surface of a moist substrate;
- Then, the planting is slightly condensed;
- Moisturize;
- The container with seeds is covered with a film, small holes are made in it for a little ventilation, so that the plantings do not ripen;
- The soil is moistened by spraying as necessary.
Shoots will appear within a month. As soon as this happens, you need to immediately remove the film. Seedlings after the appearance of the first two leaves dive into individual pots. Plants grow very slowly and bloom only for 5 years. Care of seedlings consists in observing the temperature regime (20-22C0) and systematic hydration.
Cuttings
Callistemon can reproduce in this way to preserve the characteristics of the parent plant. It is necessary to cut the cuttings from the top, while capturing 3 or 4 internodes. The rooting of the cuttings must be done in the soil mixture in greenhouse conditions at a high level of humidity.
Additional Information. Heating the container from below and treating root formation with biostimulants will significantly accelerate the rooting of cuttings.
Callistemon practically does not get sick, but can be a tasty prey for insect pests. The most dangerous enemies for the plant are a spider mite and scab. The defeat can be recognized by the appearance of the cobweb and wilting of the leaves. You need to rinse all the leaves and shoots under a warm shower, then wipe with a damp cotton swab. Then spray with special insecticides.
Experienced flower growers believe that the presence of callistemon in the apartment gives confidence to the owner and increases self-esteem. In addition, the plant has useful properties and a beautiful appearance. The owners will not regret at all if they put such a wonderful flower in their home.
