Alternantera

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Alternanthera (Latin Alternanthera) - herbaceous or semi-shrub perennial belonging to the Amaranth family.

Description

Alternantera is a plant that grows to a height of twenty-five centimeters and is endowed with very fragile stems that branch pretty decently, which in turn contributes to the formation of wonderful spreading bushes.

The miniature opposite leaves of alternantera are lanceolate and can be surprisingly varied in color, which becomes much more intense and brighter in the light.

Tiny and rather ordinary-looking flowers of this plant are located in the axils of the leaves and form bizarre spike-shaped or spectacular capitate inflorescences.

The most recognizable varieties of alternantera include sedentary, colorful, adorable (also called cute) and toothed, as well as Bettzik's alternantera. In total, there are about a couple of hundred varieties of this interesting plant.

Where grows

Alternantera is a culture that came to us from the subtropics and tropical regions of Australia, Asia and Africa with America. It is there that you can most often meet her.

Usage

Alternantera is widely used as a decorative leafy annual to decorate a wide variety of areas - this allows you to avoid transplanting it for the winter in warm enough rooms.

This amazing beauty has found its application in carpet floriculture. Relatively short stature, excellent tolerance of regular haircuts and a rich palette of shades make alternantera an indispensable decoration for all kinds of figured compositions, luxurious alpine slides, intricate floral designs with patterns, as well as colorful borders and amazing carpet beds. By the way, a well-done haircut can give it almost any shape you like - comb-shaped, spherical, egg-shaped, etc.

Alternantera is also ideal for decorating medium-sized water reservoirs - its main decorative value and main pride are leaves painted in a wide variety of colors.

Growing and caring

Alternantera takes root best in areas well-lit by the sun - in this case, the color of its leaves will be as intense as possible. Nutritious limestone soils are considered the most preferred for its cultivation. However, neutral soils are fine too. Watering by all means should be regular and very moderate, and they are carried out throughout the year. By the way, pouring cold water on the Alternantera is categorically not recommended. And it is not necessary to spray it at all.

Specimens intended for decorating reservoirs are planted in the summer season either along swampy banks, or at the bottom of chosen reservoirs, having previously selected not too deep areas. And the sedentary alternant should be buried at the bottom of reservoirs exclusively in containers. In this case, the depth of its planting should not be more than half a meter.

The immoderate spread of this aquatic inhabitant must be limited periodically. And for the winter, it is transferred to fairly cool places, and this should be done in a timely manner.

Reproduction of alternantera occurs by separating tiny petioles or dividing old specimens. If its reproduction is carried out by division, then it is quite permissible to cut off too long roots - this will not do any harm. And the newly planted specimens are first kept in warm and fairly bright places. If reproduction occurs by cuttings, then initially this plant is placed in a very warm place under a transparent bag, which can be removed only after the first young leaves begin to appear on the alternantera.

And the main care measure in relation to this culture is a systematic haircut - it is carried out almost every week.

Alternantera is quite resistant to pests with diseases, however, sometimes it can be attacked by whiteflies, spider mites and aphids, as well as destructive gray mold.