Kufeya Fiery Red

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

Fiery red kufeya (Latin Cuphea ignea) - a bright representative of the Kufeya genus of the Derbennikov family. For the external features of the flowers, the plant is often called a cigarette tree. In nature, the species in question is found in Mexico and on the island of Jamaica, in Russia and European countries it is grown exclusively as a houseplant, because winter-hardy properties are not inherent in it. Culture loves and needs warmth.

Characteristics of culture

Fiery red coffee is represented by perennial herbaceous shrubs or shrubs, which do not exceed 40 cm in height. They are crowned with lanceolate, ovoid or oblong foliage no more than 5-6 cm in length. Single flowers, up to 3 cm long, sit on short pedicels that are formed in the axils of foliage. The color of the flowers is extraordinary, as the name implies, bright red. The tubular perianth has a purple limb and a black pharynx. Outwardly, the flowers are very reminiscent of a smoldering cigarette, for which the culture received the name "cigarette tree".

In addition to the main species, the Koan variety (Coan) can be found in the garden market. It is characterized by a brick-red color of flowers with a cream or white limb. Sufficiently bright and attractive look. In addition, it forms miniature bushes no more than 30-40 cm high. The flowering of the variety is long, occurs in early - mid-July, in the absence of proper care and climatic conditions later. With a lack of sunlight and a timely pinching of the kufei, fiery red (the Koan variety is no exception) is strongly stretched.

Breeding features

In Russia and European countries, fiery red kufeya is propagated mainly by seed. Sowing is carried out in seedling containers under glass or film. The seeds of the culture are quite small and light-sensitive, respectively, they do not need to be embedded in the soil. The optimum temperature in the room for obtaining friendly and quick shoots is 20C. Usually, seedlings hatch after a week. A pick is carried out when at least a couple of true leaves are formed.

Also, fiery red kufei can be propagated by cuttings. With this method, the apical cuttings are cut and placed in a glass (or other container) with water, which is changed daily. It takes up to two weeks for rooting, after which the plants can be transplanted into a separate pot. Cutting is best done in the spring.

For the summer, fiery red kufei can be safely planted in open ground, but covered overnight if it gets colder. The plant will look good in an alpine slide or in flower beds along the paths. Also, fiery red kufeya will decorate the balcony, patio, and the entrance to the gazebo. By the way, it can be grown as an ampelous plant, in this case it simply does not need to be pinched.

Important to remember

Kufeya fiery red, like other representatives of the genus, reacts very badly to negative phenomena. For example, a draft, drought, a small pot promises shedding of foliage. The elimination of the cause will help to restore the plant, that is, transplanting into a pot of a larger diameter, cutting the shoots exactly in half, good watering, a sunny and warm location. After a couple of weeks, the plant will sparkle with green leaves again.