2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Anigosanthus (lat. Anigozanthos) - a flowering herbaceous perennial from the Hemodorova family. Other names for this rare exotic plant are kangaroo paw or kangaroo paw.
Description
Anigosanthus is a spectacular herbaceous perennial, equipped with rather brittle tuberous rhizomes. As a rule, all rhizomes are horizontal, short and fleshy. The xiphoid or linear two-rowed leaves of the plant form rather pretty ground-level rosettes, and the stem leaves of anigosanthus are always underdeveloped.
The height of anigosanthus peduncles, which can be both simple and highly branched, can reach sixty centimeters, and the inflorescences of this plant always look like fancy loose brushes. The leaflets of anigosanthus, like those of irises, are slightly compressed laterally.
The tubular flowers of anigosanthus are covered with very delicate pubescence and intricately curved. On average, their length ranges from two to six centimeters, and the length of the panicles or brushes they form can vary from three to fifteen centimeters. Outwardly, these flowers are somewhat reminiscent of kangaroo paws, and their bright color can vary from orange or greenish-yellowish to greenish-black and greenish-reddish shades. And in the bud stage, Anigosanthus flowers are also characterized by a woolly surface! Alas, these flowers do not have a smell, but they can boast of the ability to emit a very impressive amount of nectar, and they are pollinated exclusively by honey birds!
Currently, more than forty different varieties of Anigosanthus have been successfully bred.
Where grows
Australia is considered to be the birthplace of anigosanthus.
Usage
The exclusivity and impressive decorativeness of Anigosanthus make this plant incredibly popular in floristry, and it is indeed a very valuable floristic material! The stalks of this handsome man are often used to create all kinds of graphic lines, and his flowers are transformed in every possible way in order to obtain extremely unusual and original textures!
And since anigosanthus is an extremely capricious plant, it is recommended to periodically “solder” it in warm water with the addition of a small amount of “Krizal”. And before you put it in the water, the stems must be pruned!
Growing and caring
Anigosanthus does not like frequent transplants very much, so they should be carried out only as the root system of the plant grows. In general, this handsome man grows very slowly.
Excessive fertilizing of the soil is also undesirable for anigosanthus - this plant should be fertilized once a month only during the active growing season, and in winter it is still better to refrain from making any additional nutrition.
In order for the flowering of anigosanthus to always be massive and as long as possible, it is necessary to regularly cut off wilted inflorescences. In addition, the timely elimination of old yellowed leaves also contributes to an increase in the decorativeness of this handsome man.
In the spring-summer period, Anigosanthus feels especially good outdoors, so it is quite permissible not only to take it out to the balcony, but also to plant it in flower beds!
Also, everyone who grows anigosanthus should know that excess moisture can easily become the reason for the absence of the long-awaited flowering, so the moisture of this plant must be moderate! And it is usually propagated by dividing bushes or seeds. As for various pests, most often anigosanthus is attacked by spider mites and mealybugs.
