Gloxinia is a plant with a wide variety of color shades. Gloxinia flowers can be red, cherry, blue, pink. There are varieties with a border around the edge of the flower, terry types are very popular. In order for gloxinia to please with flowering, you need to follow some rules for keeping the plant at home.
Conditions for keeping gloxinia
Gloxinia is a long-day plant. To obtain a profusely blooming specimen, bright, diffused light is needed. The plant does not like direct sun, burns may appear on the leaves.
The temperature regime for gloxinia is maintained within the range of 18-22 ° C. At higher temperatures, the plant will not develop. At low temperatures, rotting of the root system is possible.
During the growing season, the plant needs moist air. But you cannot spray the plant itself, since the leaves of gloxinia are pubescent. You can humidify the air around the plant. Water gloxinia evenly throughout the pot, avoiding water getting on the leaves and buds.
The plant is fed from April to early August. Top dressing is done no more than once a week. For gloxinia, special fertilizers for flowering indoor plants with a high content of potassium and phosphorus are suitable.
Gloxinia in winter
Gloxinia has a pronounced dormant period that lasts from about October to February. The key to abundant flowering is a properly conducted wintering. To prepare a plant for "hibernation", you need to create special conditions: reducing the number of waterings, keeping in cool conditions and stopping feeding.
As soon as the gloxinia is ready to enter the dormant period, its leaves will begin to dry out. After the leaves have dried, they are cut off, leaving a small stump. It is better to store gloxinia tubers at home directly in pots, at a temperature of 15 ° C. Cover the pots with plastic wrap. The potted soil is watered once or twice a month to keep the tubers from drying out.
Gloxinia transplant
After the end of the dormant period, the gloxinia tubers need to be transplanted into fresh soil. It is advisable to take the soil light, but nutritious, based on peat. You can use ready-made commercial soil mixture. Drainage must be laid at the bottom of the pot to avoid decay of the gloxinia tuber.
