2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Alonsoa (lat. Alonsoa) - a little-known and not numerous genus belonging to the Norichnikov family. Includes only fourteen species, among them perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs are listed. In nature, plants can only be captured in the tropics and subtropics. Typical habitats are rocky foothills, mountains and bushes. Representatives of the genus are endowed with high decorative properties, but these days they are not particularly popular, since they are characterized by a long growing season, which is 4-4, 5 months.
Characteristics of culture
Alonsoa is represented by perennial plants of various forms, endowed with rather thin, little branching stems, which, in turn, are crowned with whorled foliage. The flowers are tubular, orange, snow-white or red, equipped with a spur, collected in elongated racemose inflorescences. In culture, it is most often used as an annual.
Common types
Among the cultural species, only two have become widespread:
Alonsoa southern (lat. Alonsoa meridionalis) - the species is represented by spreading plants reaching a height of 70-80 cm. They are characterized by numerous medium-sized green foliage, small orange or reddish-orange flowers, characterized by long flowering. Today, several varieties of Alonsoa South can be found on the garden market.
For example, the Fire Ball variety is characterized by compact, pillow-like shapes. The plant height does not exceed 20-25 cm. The flowers are quite attractive, fiery in color with a reddish undertone. The variety is used as an ampelous plant. In terms of decorative properties, the variety under consideration is slightly inferior to the Scarlet Gem variety. It is endowed with loose bushes bearing red small flowers, not exceeding 1.5-2 cm in diameter.
But the variety, referred to as Pink Beauty, is a frequent visitor to European gardens. It is characterized by compact bushes no more than 50 cm high, crowned with delicate pink flowers, which can boast of long and abundant flowering, of course, subject to the rules of care, a good location and favorable climatic conditions. The variety in question is suitable both for planting in a flower garden and as a pot plant. Containers with plants will become a real decoration of the entrance to the house, gazebos and other places.
Alonsoa Varskevitsa (lat. Alonsoa warscewiczii) represented by plants with green stems that have a reddish tint. Foliage has a similar color. The flowers, in turn, are orange or red-orange. Several interesting varieties have been obtained on the basis of this species. For example, Button's Scarlet is famous for its low, dense bushes topped with small burgundy flowers.
Growing features
It should be noted that all types of alonsoa are thermophilic plants, they do not tolerate even a minimal drop in temperature. It is recommended to plant them only on well-lit areas, plenty of sunshine and protected from cold northern winds. The soil should be fertile, moderately moist, loose, light, neutral. Strongly acidic, saline and heavy soils are not suitable for growing crops.
Caring for a culture does not take much time. At the beginning of growth, it is very important to pinch. This procedure promotes good tillering and, as a result, the formation of a large number of flowers. Watering, in turn, should be regular and abundant, the culture does not like drought. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil, and in order to somewhat tame the rapid evaporation of moisture, you can apply mulch of natural origin. As it grows, it is not forbidden to rejuvenate the bushes and stimulate flowering by pruning, or rather shortening. Thanks to this operation, the plants form shoots, on which flowers are also formed.
Alonsoa is propagated mainly by seeds. They are sown at the beginning of winter in seedling boxes. With such a sowing time, the plants bloom in mid-May, sometimes earlier. It is very important to provide the crops with good care and favorable conditions. Lighting should be of high quality, and the temperature in the room should be at least 18C. The seeds do not need deep planting, it is enough to scatter them over the substrate, sprinkle them with soil a little, water abundantly with a spray bottle and cover with glass.
